Conjunctions: And, But, Or

And, but and or are joining words. They join words or parts of a sentence. They do not change.

And: joins two things or two actions. Example: I like apples and oranges.
But: joins two different ideas. Example: I like apples, but I don't like oranges.
Or: gives a choice. Example: Do you want an apple or an orange?

Use and to join two things or two actions. Example: I have a pen and a book.
Use but to join two different ideas. Example: She is tired, but she is happy.
Put a comma before but when it joins two short sentences. Example: He is small, but he is strong.
Use or to show a choice between things. Example: Tea or coffee?
In a list of three things, use a comma after the first thing. Use and before the last thing. Example: I like tea, milk and juice.

Listing things: I need bread and milk.
Joining two actions: He likes to read and write.
Showing a different idea: It is sunny, but it is cold.
Asking about a choice: Would you like tea or coffee?
After not or don't, use or. It means neither thing. Example: I don't like tea or coffee. (I don't like tea. I don't like coffee.)

Wrong: I don't like fish and meat. Correct: I don't like fish or meat. After don't, we use or.
Less clear: I like tea, and I don't like coffee. Better: I like tea, but I don't like coffee. The ideas are different, so but is clearer.
Wrong: She is tired but she is happy. Better: She is tired, but she is happy. Use a comma before but when it joins two sentences.

And or but? I like cats and dogs. (Both are good.) I like cats, but I don't like dogs. (The ideas are different.)
And or or? I want tea and cake. (I want both.) I want tea or cake. (I choose.)

Use and to add things, but to join different ideas, and or to give a choice. After don't, use or.

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