Grammar: A2 - ✨ Grammar Essentials: 🏗️ Sentence Structure - Expanding - Lesson 7: "and," "but," "or" - Review and expansion in compound sentences

✨ Lesson 7: "and," "but," "or" - Review and Expansion

We have learned about the conjunctions 'and', 'but', and 'so'. Today, we will review 'and' and 'but', and learn a new one, 'or'. We will use them to create compound sentences¹.

A compound sentence joins two complete, independent clauses² (two simple sentences) together into one longer sentence.

Punctuation Rule: When you join two complete sentences with 'and', 'but', or 'or', you must use a comma ( , ) before the conjunction.

'and' - To Add a Similar Idea

We use and to connect two related or similar ideas.

• I visited Angkor Wat in the morning, and I went to the market in the afternoon.
• He is a tour guide, and he knows a lot about history.

'but' - To Show a Contrast

We use but to connect two different or opposite ideas.

• I wanted to see the sunrise, but it was too cloudy.
• The temple is very beautiful, but there are too many tourists.

'or' - To Show a Choice or Alternative³

We use or to show two different possibilities or choices⁴.

• We can go to the museum, or we can relax by the pool.
• Would you like to eat at Pub Street, or should we find a quieter restaurant?

Summary Table

Conjunction5	Function	Example
and	Adds a similar idea (+)	I am tired, and I am hungry.
but	Shows a contrast (-)	I am tired, but I am not hungry.
or	Gives a choice (?)	Are you tired, or are you hungry?

🧠 Practice Quiz: Choose the Correct Conjunction

Choose the correct conjunction (and, but, or) to complete the sentences.

1. She likes history, ______ she doesn't like museums.
   → but
2. Do you want to see the sunset at the temple, ______ should we go to a rooftop bar?
   → or
3. The tuk-tuk driver was very friendly, ______ he gave us a good price.
   → and
4. He can speak Khmer, ______ he can't speak English.
   → but

📝 Homework: Join the Sentences

Join the two simple sentences to make one compound sentence. Use the conjunction in parentheses ( ).

Example: I want to go swimming. It is raining. (but) → I want to go swimming, but it is raining.

---

1. He is a good student. He studies very hard. (and)

→ ________________________________________________.

2. We can eat now. We can eat later. (or)

→ ________________________________________________.

3. The hotel is very nice. It is very expensive. (but)

→ ________________________________________________.

(Answers: 1. He is a good student, and he studies very hard. 2. We can eat now, or we can eat later. 3. The hotel is very nice, but it is very expensive.)

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Compound Sentence: (Noun) - ប្រយោគผสม (brâyoŭk phsâm) - A sentence made of two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction. ↩
2. Independent Clause: (Noun) - ឃ្លាឯករាជ្យ (khlēa aek'kâ'rĭəch) - A simple, complete sentence that can stand by itself. ↩
3. Alternative: (Noun) - ជម្រើសជំនួស (chum'rœh chumnuŏh) - Another possibility or choice. ↩
4. Choice: (Noun) - ជម្រើស (chum'rœh) - The act of choosing between two or more possibilities. ↩
5. Conjunction: (Noun) - ឈ្នាប់ (chhnŏăp) - A word used to connect other words, phrases, or clauses. ↩