What's the difference between dependent words and coordinating conjunctions?
Both of two types of words can link independent clauses, but what's the difference?

Question

Answer

As I understand it .. 
Dependent words must be followed by a subject / verb structure.
The boy was very tired but kept on going.

Coordinating conjunctions can be followed by words, phrases or clauses.
The boy was tired and dirty.
here is a list of your seven coordinating conjunctions:
F = for
A = and
N = nor
B = but
O = or
Y = yet
S = so