Compare these two sentences

[adelelsafty]

Compare these two sentences.

He stole

a hat and a coat.

He stole a

hat and coat.

In the first sentence

and links two noun phrases (a hat, a coat); in the second it
links two nouns (hat, coat). The second sentence suggests that there is a link
between the two items, that they belong together.

He stole

a hat and a typewriter.

(not linked)
He stole a cup and saucer. (belonging together