Conjunctions

The easiest way to make a sentence more complex is by using conjunctions to join two words or even two phrases. A conjunction links nouns, clauses, and phrases using “and,” “but,” and “or.” These three English conjunctions are used to join parts of a sentence or even two sentences.

For example:

  • Jill and Brad are my neighbors.

  • Brad or Jill mows the lawn once a week.

  • Brad mows in the morning, but Jill prefers the evening.

The most basic Spanish conjunctions are:

y

and

pero

but

o

or

These three conjunctions are used in the same way as English conjunctions. Remember that if the conjunction y (and) is used to create a compound subject, the verb will be in a plural form. However, if the conjunction o (or) is used, the subject is considered singular, and the verb will be in a singular form.

  • Estela y Coleta bailan tango.
    Estela and Coleta dance the tango. (Notice that bailan is an ellos form of the verb.)
  • Miguelita o Marisol baila el flamenco hoy.
    Miguelita or Marisol dances the flamenco today. (Notice that baila is the ella form of the verb.)

While y and o can be used to join nouns or sentences together, pero can only be used to join sentences together.

  • Juan baila pero Marco canta.
    Juan dances but Marco sings.

There are two irregularities with conjunctions. The conjunction o changes to u in front of words beginning with ho–, or o–. And, the conjunction y changes to e in front of any word beginning with hi– or i–.

For example:

Lola e Inéz

Lola and Inez

Madre e hija

Mother and daughter

Miami u Orlando

Miami or Orlando

Adiós u hola

Goodbye or hello

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