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English grammar

and, but, or

A0 · Starter Joining sentences Questions 10

The rule

Three small words join what you already know into something that sounds like a sentence rather than a list. and adds (bread and milk), but contrasts (English is difficult, but I like it), or offers a choice (tea or coffee?). They join words as easily as whole sentences, and nothing else in either half changes.

Pattern

A and B · A but B · A or B

Examples

  1. I need some bread and some milk.

  2. I like tea, but not coffee.

  3. Is this dish hot or cold?

  4. English is difficult, but I like it.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: I have a cough. And a cold.

    Right: I have a cough and a cold.

    and joins inside one sentence; it does not start a second one at A0.

  • Wrong: Tea and coffee? — as a choice

    Right: Tea or coffee?

    A choice between two takes or. and would mean you want both.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    I have a cough _____ a cold.

    1. with
    2. and
    3. or
    4. but
    Show answer

    Answer: B I have a cough and a cold.

    Adding a second thing → and.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    I like tea, _____ not coffee.

    1. or
    2. so
    3. but
    4. and
    Show answer

    Answer: C I like tea, but not coffee.

    A contrast → but.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    Would you like tea _____ coffee?

    1. with
    2. but
    3. or
    4. and
    Show answer

    Answer: C Would you like tea or coffee?

    A choice → or.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    The kitchen is small _____ good.

    1. but
    2. or
    3. and
    4. so
    Show answer

    Answer: A The kitchen is small but good.

    Small is a problem, good is not → but.

  5. 5Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I work in the morning and I study in the evening.
    2. I work in the morning and studying in the evening.
    3. I work in the morning but I study in the evening too.
    4. I work in the morning. And I study in the evening.
    Show answer

    Answer: A I work in the morning and I study in the evening.

    and can join two whole sentences too.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    1. English is difficult and I like it not.
    2. English is difficult, but I like it.
    3. English is difficult but, I like it.
    4. English is difficult or I like it.
    Show answer

    Answer: B English is difficult, but I like it.

    A comma goes before but when it joins two sentences.

  7. 7Put the words in the right order.

    I speak Arabic and a little English

    Show answer

    Answer: I speak Arabic and a little English.

    and joins the two things directly.

  8. 8Put the words in the right order.

    Is this hot or cold

    Show answer

    Answer: Is this hot or cold?

    A two-way choice → or.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. I like tea and coffee.
    2. I like tea, but not coffee.
    3. Do you want tea or coffee?
    4. I like tea, and not coffee.
    Show answer

    Answer: D I like tea, and not coffee.

    and adds; it cannot mark a contrast.

  10. 10Fill in the gap.

    My wife _____ I are learning English.

    1. but
    2. or
    3. with
    4. and
    Show answer

    Answer: D My wife and I are learning English.

    Two people together → and.

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