Definition & Meaning of "coordinate conjunction"

What is a "coordinate conjunction"?

A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical importance within a sentence. Common coordinating conjunctions include "and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," and "yet." These conjunctions help to combine ideas and create compound sentences. For example, in the sentence "I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain," the coordinating conjunction "but" connects two independent clauses, indicating a contrast between the two ideas. Understanding coordinating conjunctions is important for creating clear and cohesive sentences.