Explain the concept of coordinating conjunctions.

Coordinating conjunctions are words that are used to connect two or more words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance in a sentence. They are called coordinating conjunctions because they coordinate or join elements that are grammatically equal.

The most common coordinating conjunctions in English are: and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet. These conjunctions are used to join words, phrases, or clauses that have the same grammatical function or importance within a sentence.

For example:
- I like to read books and watch movies. (joining two verbs)
- She is tall but he is short. (joining two adjectives)
- You can have tea or coffee. (joining two nouns)
- He neither studied nor worked. (joining two verbs)
- She is tired, so she is going to bed. (joining two independent clauses)

Coordinating conjunctions can also be used to join more than two elements. In such cases, a comma is usually placed before the coordinating conjunction.

For example:
- I like to read, write, and draw. (joining three verbs)
- He is tall, dark, and handsome. (joining three adjectives)

It is important to note that coordinating conjunctions can only join elements of the same grammatical type. They cannot be used to join different types of elements, such as a verb and a noun.

Overall, coordinating conjunctions play a crucial role in connecting and coordinating different parts of a sentence, allowing for clear and cohesive communication in English grammar.