Conjunctions
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and, but and or
Use and to link words that are similar.
We buy fruit and vegetables at the grocery store.
The president visited towns and cities across the country.
The house is warm and comfortable.
The weather was cold and windy.
There were several cars and trucks in the street
Use but to link words that are different and do not normally go together.
He works quickly but neatly.
The teacher is firm but fair with the children
The musicians are young but very talented.
The weather was sunny but cold.
Karate is tiring but fun.
We want a vacation that's interesting but relaxing.
Some animals are big but gentle.
Use or to talk about choices.
You can have a soda or lemonade.
Would you like pasta or rice?
Who is cooking the dinner, Mom or Dad?
Does the sauce taste sweet or sour?
Do we turn right or left?
Is your sister older or younger than you?
Should the children bring bikes or skateboards?
The word or is often used with not and other negative words.
She does not like apple juice or orange juice.
I didn’t see or hear anything strange.
He can’t sing or dance.
They’ve never been to Europe or Asia.
Conjunctions Linking Phrases
Use the conjunctions and, but and or to link phrases. The phrases in these examples are printed in color.
We like going shopping and visiting museums.
I tell my parents and my best friend all my secrets.
Some of my toys are dirty and a bit broken.
The car is very old but still very reliable.
The weather was very sunny but rather cold.
I’m older than Anna but younger than Jack.
Is it quicker to go by train or by car?
She couldn’t decide whether to stay in bed or get up and take a shower.
Conjunctions with Lists
Use the conjunctions and and or with lists of words. Remember to put a comma between the words. Then use and or or between the last two words.
We bought milk, eggs, cheese and butter.
My favorite teachers are Mrs. Elsabet, Mr. Yonas and Mrs. Meron.
In the morning I get up, take a shower, eat breakfast and brush my teeth.
Yonatan didn’t have any paper, pens or pencils.
People travel to work by car, bus or train.
I haven’t eaten breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Conjunctions That Join Sentences
Conjunctions are also used to join two sentences to make them one.
Here are some examples with and, but and or.
Mom is working in the garden. Dad is busy in the kitchen.
Mom is working in the garden and Dad is busy in the kitchen.
Sam is playing football. Eric is reading a book.
Sam is playing football and Eric is reading a book.
I switched on the TV. There were no interesting programs on.
I switched on the TV, but there were no interesting programs on.
Ets-Biruk phoned her friend Hana. She wasn’t at home.
Ets-Biruk phoned her friend Hana, but she wasn’t at home.
Would you like to go to the movies? Shall we go for a burger?
Would you like to go to the movies or shall we go for a burger?
Hurry up! You’ll be late for school.
Hurry up or you’ll be late for school!
Other Words for and
There are other words for and that also join two sentences.
Dad washed the car. He polished it.
Dad not only washed the car, but he also polished it.
Feven baked the cake. She decorated it.
Feven not only baked the cake, but she decorated it as well.
Nahom did his homework. He cleaned his room.
Nahom not only did his homework, but he cleaned his room, too.
They visited Axum. They also visited Gonder and Wello.
They visited Axum, as well as Gonder and wello.
Sam ran faster than Abel. He ran faster than Dawit too.
Sam ran faster than Abel and Dawit.
Other Words Used for but
There are other words for but that also join sentences.
Grandpa is old but very fit.
Although Grandpa is old, he’s very fit.
The weather was sunny but cold.
Even though the weather was sunny, it was cold.
The bus is slower than the train but it’s cheaper.
While the bus is slower than the train, it’s cheaper.
This computer is very old but reliable.
Though this computer is very old, it is very reliable.
Other Words for or
There are other words for or that name choices or join two sentences.
The movie wasn’t funny. It wasn’t interesting.
The movie was neither funny nor interesting.
You can do your homework now. You can do your homework after dinner.
You can do your homework either now or after dinner.
We could walk. We could take a taxi.
We could walk, or else take a taxi.
Conjunctions of Time
The conjunctions before, after, since, until, when, while, as and as soon as are used to say when something happens. They are called conjunctions of time.
Take the toy out of the box before you throw the box away.
Before you leave the house, be sure that you’ve got your backpack.
I usually do my homework after I have my dinner.
After I went to bed, I heard a strange noise downstairs.
We’ve moved to a new house since I last wrote to you.
Since the new teacher arrived, we all enjoy our work more.
You can’t watch TV until you’ve done your homework.
Until the rice is cooked, we can’t eat dinner.
I’ll call you when I get home.
When the wind blows, the branches on the tree bend.
Dad watches TV while he does his exercises.
While we’re waiting for the bus, let’s play a game.
People stand back as the train goes through the station.
As the president’s car goes past, everybody waves.
We went inside as soon as it started to rain.
As soon as you’ve finished your homework, let me see it.
Conjunctions of Place
The conjunctions where and wherever are used to talk about places.
They are called conjunctions of place.
Does anybody know where Mr. Carter lives?
Where the road is narrow, big trucks can’t get through.
The dog follows Chala wherever he goes.
Wherever there are mountains, you will also find streams.
Conjunctions of Reason
The conjunctions because, since, as and in case tell why someone does something. They are called conjunctions of reason.
I sat down because I was feeling tired.
Because we arrived late, we missed the beginning of the play.
I took an apple since it was the only fruit in the bowl.
Since you have finished your homework, you can help me make dinner.
Mom switched off the TV as it was past my bedtime.
As you’re my best friend, I’ll lend you my new bike.
Take an umbrella in case it rains.
In case you forget the number, I’ve written it on this piece of paper.
Conjunctions of Purpose
The conjunctions so, so that and in order to tell what the purpose of something is. They are called conjunctions of purpose.
The children are wearing hats so they won’t get sunburned.
Misikir finished his homework before dinner so he could watch his favorite TV program.
Let’s write down the address so we don’t forget it.
We left early so that we wouldn’t be late.
Abebe took a map so that he wouldn’t get lost.
I hid the comics under the bed so that nobody could find them.
She goes jogging every morning in order to keep fit.
In order to get to sleep, he reads a really boring book at bedtime.
You could call it a thin book or a thick magazine.