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Conjuction

britdam007

britdam007

India

1)I dropped the vase, but it didn’t break


2) I dropped the vase, and it didn’t break.


What do you think is the difference between the 1st and the 2nd sentence? Do you think the conjuction “and” can change the meaning of the 2nd sentence?


Best regards,


Abhishek

07:18 AM Sep 19 2013 |

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Teacher AmySuper Member!

United States

Changing the conjunction doesn’t change the meaning of the 2nd sentence in a significant way, but it does a little.


Saying “but it didn’t break” suggests that you were expecting it to break, but it didn’t. Using “but” also reassures the person listening that the vase is OK. Saying “and it didn’t break” suggests that you’re surprised (and probably pleased) that it didn’t break. It also informs the person listening that the vase is OK.


Either way, the vase didn’t break, and that’s a good thing!


Best,


Amy

12:33 AM Sep 20 2013 |