The easiest way to make a sentence more complex is by using conjunctions to join two words or even two phrases. A conjunction links nouns, clauses, and phrases using “and,” “but,” and “or.” These three English conjunctions are used to join parts of a sentence or even two sentences.
- Jill and Brad are my neighbors.
- Brad or Jill mows the lawn once a week.
- Brad mows in the morning, but Jill prefers the evening.
The most basic Spanish conjunctions are:
These three conjunctions are used in the same way as English conjunctions. Remember that if the conjunction y (and) is used to create a compound subject, the verb will be in a plural form. However, if the conjunction o(or) is used, the subject is considered singular, and the verb will be in a singular form.
Estela y Coleta bailan tango.
Estela and Coleta dance the tango. (Notice that bailan is an ellos form of the verb.)
Miguelita o Marisol baila el flamenco hoy.
Miguelita or Marisol dances the flamenco today. (Notice that baila is the ellaform of the verb.)
While y and o can be used to join nouns or sentences together, pero can only be used to join sentences together.
Juan baila pero Marco canta.
Juan dances but Marco sings.
There are two irregularities with conjunctions. The conjunction o changes to u in front of words beginning with ho–, or o–. And, the conjunction y changes to e in front of any word beginning with hi– or i–.