Coordinating conjunctions join elements of equal grammatical weight, such as two nouns, two clauses, or two phrases, and they shape the logical relations between them.

y / e

Use y to add similar ideas, and switch to e before words beginning with /i/ or /hi/ sound to maintain the sound flow.

Spanish Word(s)English Word(s)
yand
eand (before /i/ or /hi/ sound)
Ellos vienen(and) mañana.

They are coming ___ tomorrow.

o / u

Use o to present alternatives, and change to u before words that start with /o/ sound to avoid doubling the vowel sound.

Spanish Word(s)English Word(s)
oor
uor (before /o/ sound)

pero

Use pero to introduce a contrast or exception, and it appears between two clauses when the second idea qualifies or opposes the first.

Spanish Word(s)English Word(s)
perobut

sino / sino que

Use sino to correct a negative statement with a contrasting noun or phrase, and use sino que when the correction introduces a new clause with a verb.

Spanish Word(s)English Word(s)
sinobut rather / instead
sino quebut rather / instead (before clause)

ni

Use ni to join two or more negative alternatives, and it can start a phrase or clause that continues the negation.

Spanish Word(s)English Word(s)
ninor / not even

también

Use también to add an affirmative idea that aligns with a previous one, and it typically appears before the verb or at the start of the added sentence.

Spanish Word(s)English Word(s)
tambiénalso / too

tampoco

Use tampoco to add a negative idea that matches an earlier negation, and it often appears at the beginning of the clause for emphasis.

Spanish Word(s)English Word(s)
tampoconeither / not either

más que

Use más que to introduce a preference, correction, or emphasis when contrasting two ideas, and it can link phrases or clauses.

Spanish Word(s)English Word(s)
más quemore than / rather than

summary

Coordinating conjunctions like y, o, pero, sino, and ni signal addition, choice, and contrast at the same grammatical level, while small changes like e/y and u/o help the sentence flow smoothly.

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Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025