Conjunctions' functions

Did reading the subject line make you think of this?

Most people I know use conjunctions pretty well, but there are a couple of people I have to interact with who can't seem to understand when to use them. They join unparallel items with "and," parallel items with "but," and never seem to use "so" when it's warranted.

It's a minor pet peeve in the grand scheme of things (just like the constant and rampant misuse of apostrophes and the word "ironic") but as I become more easily befuddled in my old age, I really would appreciate precision in language because life is confusing enough as it is. It feels like navigating in a heavy when something doesn't make sense because someone has constructed a sentence poorly. I'm just glad that none of those people are my critique partners!

Need a refresher on basic conjunctions or a fun trip down memory lane? Go watch the Conjunction Junction video!