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How to connect sentences in Spanish using connectors

In this post I explain how to join sentences in Spanish using basic connectors. In addition there is a free cheatsheet to download.

During the last weeks I’ve been sharing some Spanish language tips in this blog. I chose the topics based on the aspects I see most students struggling with and based on the questions I receive.

How to connect sentences

These are some of the most common connectors:

  • Y (and): to add elements.
    • Vamos a la playa y comemos en un restaurante > We go to the beach and eat in a restaurant.
  • O (or): to present alternatives.
    • ¿Vamos al cine o miramos una película en casa? > Do we go to the cinema or watch a movie at home?
  • Pero (but): for contrast
    • No hablo italiano pero lo entiendo un poco. > I don’t speak Italian but I understand it a bit.
  • Sino (but): negation and substitution by something else
    • No hablo italiano sino francés. > I don’t speak Italian but French (but I speak French).

Attention that “pero” and “sino” do not have the same meaning.

  • Porque (because): cause
    • Laura no puede ir al cine mañana porque tiene que trabajar. > Laura cannot go to the cinema because she has to work.
  • Mientras (while): actions at the same time
    • Escucha la radio mientras prepara la cena. > He listens to the radio while he cooks.
  • Antes de (before): previous action
    • Desayuno antes de salir de casa. > I have breakfast before leaving home.
  • Después de (after): next action
    • Salgo de casa después de desayunar. > I leave home after I have breakfast.
  • Si (if): conditional
    • Si quieres podemos ir al cine esta tarde. > If you want we can go to the cinema tonight.

conectores básicos para principiantes

Unir frases con conectores

I have prepared a cheatsheet with all these connectors and a few more examples. You can print it on both sides of the page (flip on the short edge) and bend it. It fits any pocket.