Coordinating Conjunction vs Subordinating Conjunctions

I've read about the differences between coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions and also between independent and dependent clauses. However, I'm still not 100% clear about the differences between them.

For example, I read that "for" is a coordinating conjunction while "because" is a subordinating conjunction. Both are used to "give reasons". I'm confused because it seems that both words can be interchangeably used for most of the occasions I can think of. The only difference is that you can put "because" in the front of a sentence, but you can't put "for" in the beginning of the sentence.

Is that one reason why one is a CC while the other is a SC?

THanks.

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Originally Posted by englishteacher79

I've read about the differences between coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions and also between independent and dependent clauses. However, I'm still not 100% clear about the differences between them.

For example, I read that "for" is a coordinating conjunction while "because" is a subordinating conjunction. Both are used to "give reasons". I'm confused because it seems that both words can be interchangeably used for most of the occasions I can think of. The only difference is that you can put "because" in the front of a sentence, but you can't put "for" in the beginning of the sentence. For the love of God, where did you ever get that notion?

Is that one reason why one is a CC while the other is a SC?

THanks.

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Gil