A coordinating conjunction connect words, phrases or clauses that are of equal importance or have the same grammatical structure within a sentence

• A coordinating conjunction may connect compound subjects.
  
  • Economists and policy-makers argue about how to ensure fair competition and continued innovation in the high-technology sector.
    
    
  • Oil or railways can offer insight into the differences between traditional companies and technology companies.
    
    
• A coordinating conjunction may connect compound objects
  
  • The troubled company is not considering selling all or part of its business.
    • ALL and PART are objects of the verbal SELLING.
      
      
  • Some analysts say the odds are stacked against Netscape and any other rival that dares to challenge Microsoft.
    • NETSCAPE and RIVAL are objects of the preposition AGAINST.
      
      
• A coordinating conjunction may connect compound phrases
  
  • Manufacturers must be free to develop their ideas and to package their products.
    • AND connects two infinitive phrases.
      
      
  • He reappeared a few minutes later looking embarrassed yet appearing otherwise unruffled.
    • YET connects two participial phrases.
      
      
  • The activists lodged frequent complaints against the barge industry and for its customers, including farmers
    • AND connects two prepositional phrases.
      
      
• Independent Clauses
  
  • Members of Congress are eager to bring home projects, and special interests are eager to reap the benefits.
    
    
  • Congress may be part of the problem, or it may be part of the solution.
    
    
  • On balance, it has not been a liberal presidency, yet conservatives tend to underestimate the heat Clinton took within his own party on some of these issues.
    
    
  • The prince has abandoned his kingdom, for no army remains to do his fighting.
    

Six MOST COMMON coordinating conjunctions

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet (FANBOY)

• Two LESS COMMON coordinating conjunctions
  

WHILE


• While is a coordinating conjunction when its meaning is during the time that or throughout the time that.
  
  • The owl paddled, while the monkey slept.
    (The owl paddled during the time the monkey slept.)
    
    
• While is a subordinating conjunction when its meaning is although or on the one hand.
  
  • While he was not poor, he had no ready cash.
    (Although he was not poor, he had no ready cash.)
    
    
• To avoid problems, use while for time and although or whereas to show subordination.
  
  
  • Will you buy a carton of milk while you are at the store?
  • Although you may disagree with the conclusion, please keep your opinions to yourself.
    

SO


• So is a coordinating conjunction when its meaning is during the time NOT as a result.
  • The owl paddled, so the monkey slept.
    
    
• So is a subordinating conjunction when its meaning is in order that, with the purpose that. (It is usually followed by that.)
  • The owl paddled, so that the monkey might sleep.
    
    
• So is a conjunctive adverb when its meaning is therefore.
  • The owl paddled; so it made sense for the monkey to sleep.