Coordinating conjunctions are words that link elements of equal importance in a sentence, such as words, phrases, or independent clauses. They help create more complex and fluid sentences without changing the grammatical status of the connected elements.
| English | Spanish | Function in Spanish | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| and | y | Adds one element to another. | Quiero café y té. (I want coffee and tea.) |
| but | pero | Introduces a contrast or exception. | Quiero salir, pero estoy cansado. (I want to go out, but I’m tired.) |
| or | o | Presents alternatives or choices. | ¿Quieres manzana o naranja? (Do you want apple or orange?) |
| nor | ni | Connects two negative elements; neither... nor... | No quiero café ni té. (I want neither coffee nor tea.) |
| either... or... | o... o... | Emphasizes a choice between two options. | O estudias, o trabajas. (Either you study, or you work.) |
| both... and... | (tanto)... como... | Links two elements inclusively; both... and... | Tanto Juan como María vienen. (Both Juan and María are coming.) |
Additional Tips
- Use y before words starting with "i" or "hi" to avoid awkward sounds (e.g., "padres e hijos").
- Use o before words starting with "o" or "ho" for the same reason (e.g., "dos o ocho").
- ni is often used to express negation and is usually accompanied by no earlier in the sentence.
- pero is the most common word for "but," but other conjunctions like sino and sin embargo have more specific uses.
Summary
Coordinating conjunctions are essential for linking equal parts of a sentence in Spanish. The main ones are:
- y (and)
- pero (but)
- o (or)
- ni (nor)
- o... o... (either... or...)
- (tanto)... como... (both... and...)
They allow you to connect ideas clearly and smoothly without changing the sentence structure.
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- Examples: Quiero café y té. (I want coffee and tea.)
- English: and
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
