Coordinating sentences must coordinate elements that perform balanced function?

Coordinating sentences are designed to connect elements that have equal grammatical importance or function within a larger sentence. This means that both parts must be able to stand alone as complete thoughts and should relate to each other in a balanced way. For example, in the sentence "I enjoy reading, and my friend likes writing," both "reading" and "writing" are gerunds that function equally in the context. This balance ensures clarity and enhances the overall coherence of the writing.