What are coordinating conjunctions?

An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence because it has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and needs an independent clause to make sense. Coordinating conjunctions connect independent clauses only.
Example:

·       Independent: She finished her homework.

·       Independent: She went to sleep.

Joined with coordinating conjunction: She finished her homework, and she went to sleep.

The main function of coordinating conjunctions is to join sentence clauses of equal importance, be it words, phrases, or independent clauses. They help maintain the balance in a sentence and make the structure smoother and more coherent. For example- She cleaned the room and arranged the books.

Yes, but use them sparingly and mainly for emphasis or a conversational tone.
Example: But I didn't give up.

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it connects two independent clauses.
Example: I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.

There are seven primary coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.