Conjunctions, connecting ideas
Type the missing word in each sentence. You hear each sentence read by a native voice.
Tomó el tren llegó a tiempo.
He took the train and arrived on time.
The rule
Most work like their English equivalents, but a few have no direct match. The distinction between pero and sino trips up almost every English speaker, and aunque can mean either "although" or "even if" depending on the verb form that follows.
The pattern
Basic connectors work like English: y (and), o (or), pero (but), porque (because), cuando (when), si (if), que (that).
Y changes to e before a word starting with i or hi: España e Italia.
O changes to u before a word starting with o or ho: siete u ocho.
Pero vs. sino: both mean "but." Use pero when the second clause, the part of the sentence after the connector, adds new information. Use sino when the second clause replaces a negative first clause.
No es caro, pero no lo quiero. (It is not expensive, but I do not want it.)
No es caro, sino barato. (It is not expensive but rather cheap.)
The test: if you can say "but rather" or "but instead" in English, use sino. If not, use pero.
Sino que is used before a conjugated verb, one that carries a person ending (salió, not salir): No salió, sino que se quedó. (He did not leave but rather stayed.)
Aunque means "although" with the indicative, the ordinary verb form used for facts: Aunque llueve, salgo (Although it is raining, I am going out). With the subjunctive, a verb form covered later in the course, it means "even if": Aunque llueva, salgo (Even if it rains, I am going out).
Examples
- Habla español y francésShe speaks Spanish and French
- Habla español e inglésShe speaks Spanish and English
- No es médico, sino abogadoHe is not a doctor but rather a lawyer
- Es difícil, pero posibleIt is difficult but possible
- No compré pan porque no habíaI did not buy bread because there was none
- Aunque estoy cansado, voy a irAlthough I am tired, I am going to go
- No corrió, sino que caminóHe did not run but rather walked
Watch out
- No es grande, pero pequeño. No es grande, sino pequeño.After a negative clause that the second clause replaces, use sino.
- Habla español i inglés. Habla español e inglés.Before a word starting with i or hi, y becomes e.
- Siete o ocho. Siete u ocho.Before a word starting with o or ho, o becomes u.
- No salió, sino se quedó. No salió, sino que se quedó.Before a conjugated verb, use sino que.