The words and and but are conjunctions. As conjunctions they connect clauses.

• She is short. She is pretty.

We can connect these two sentences using and.

• She is short and pretty.
• He reads a lot. He writes a lot.
• He reads and writes a lot.

Note that ‘and’ merely adds information. It is used to connect ideas that do not contradict one another.

We use but to connect two contrasting ideas.

• She is a small woman. She is very strong.
• She is a small woman but she is very strong.
• The exam was easy. I didn’t pass.
• The exam was easy but I didn’t pass.

Fill in the blanks with and or but.

1. In summer, it is hot ……………………. humid.

2. I couldn’t quite afford that phone ……………………… I bought it.

3. The way was long …………………… the journey was arduous.

4. The night was dark ………………………. the wind was cold.

5. The exam was tough …………………….. I passed.

6. We were classmates at university ……………………… we are no longer on talking terms.

7. She worked hard ………………………… met the deadline.

8. The dog looks timid ……………………… if you tease him he will bite.

9. I overslept …………………………. missed the train.

10. He hated the job ……………………………. his financial situation didn’t allow him to quit.

11. The doctors tried their best …………………………… they could not revive the patient.

12. He might come across as rough, ………………………… he is actually a kind person.

Answers

1. and, 2. but, 3. and, 4. and, 5. but, 6. but, 7. and, 8. but, 9. and, 10. but, 11. but, 12. but