Conjunctions
A2Conjunctions link words and clauses; some change their form depending on the following sound.
Overview
Conjunctions link words and clauses; some change their form depending on the following sound.
- 1.y becomes e before i-/hi-
- 2.o becomes u before o-/ho-
- 3.pero vs. sino (vs. sino que)
- 4.porque / por qué / porqué
- 5.aunque: indicative vs. subjunctive
- 6.Coordinating vs. subordinating
Rules
61y becomes e before i-/hi-
Before a word starting with i- or hi- (but not hie-), "y" becomes "e".
- Padre e hijo trabajan juntos. — Father and son work together.
- Es inteligente e interesante. — He is intelligent and interesting.
- Madera y hierro. — Wood and iron.hie- keeps "y"
2o becomes u before o-/ho-
Before a word starting with o- or ho-, "o" (or) becomes "u".
- ¿Tienes siete u ocho? — Do you have seven or eight?
- Mujeres u hombres. — Women or men.
3pero vs. sino (vs. sino que)
"sino" corrects after a negation (but rather); "sino que" before a conjugated verb; otherwise "pero".
- No es azul, sino verde. — It's not blue, but green.
- No vino, sino que llamó. — He didn't come, but rather called.verb follows → sino que
- Es caro, pero bueno. — It's expensive, but good.
4porque / por qué / porqué
"porque" = because; "por qué" = why (question); "el porqué" = the reason (noun).
- ¿Por qué lloras? — Why are you crying?
- Lloro porque estoy triste. — I cry because I'm sad.
- No sé el porqué. — I don't know the reason.noun
5aunque: indicative vs. subjunctive
"aunque" + indicative = although (fact); + subjunctive = even if (hypothetical/concession).
- Aunque llueve, salgo. — Although it's raining, I go out.fact
- Aunque llueva, saldré. — Even if it rains, I'll go out.hypothetical
6Coordinating vs. subordinating
Coordinating (y, o, pero) links equals; subordinating (porque, aunque, que) introduces a dependent clause.
- Como y bebo. — I eat and drink.coordinating
- Sé que vienes. — I know that you're coming.subordinating
Test
20Test yourself – every rule is checked. You get a score at the end.