* Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) connect words, phrases, or independent clauses (clauses that can stand alone as a complete sentence).
* Subordinate clauses are dependent clauses that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. They need an independent clause to be grammatically correct. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, although, since, while, if, when, etc.).
Example:
* Independent clause: The sun is shining.
* Independent clause: I am going to the park.
* Coordinating conjunction connecting independent clauses: The sun is shining, and I am going to the park.
* Subordinating conjunction introducing a subordinate clause: Because the sun is shining, I am going to the park.
In this example:
* "and" is a coordinating conjunction connecting two independent clauses.
* "because" is a subordinating conjunction introducing a subordinate clause.
To summarize: Coordinating conjunctions join independent clauses, while subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses.