Russian grammar - The conjunctions и, но and а

The conjunctions и, но and а

Conjunctions are words that link objects or clauses within a sentence.

• The conjunction и means 'and'

• The conjunction но means 'but' or 'however' and marks a contradiction to expectations.

• The conjunction а also means 'but' but simply adds, compares/contrasts, or asks for new information.

-- It is common to begin a question with а.

Examples:
	Он сосед и друг. He is a neighbour and a friend. New information but no contrast intended сосед means 'neighbour' друг means 'friend'
	Она студентка и учитель. She is a student and a teacher. New information but no contrast intended.
	Вера здесь, и Таня тоже здесь. Vera is here and Tanya is also here. New information but no contrast intended.
	Вы француз, и они французы. You (formal) are French, and they are French. New information but no contrast intended.
	Она актриса, но не известная актриса. She is an actress but not a famous actress. Contrary to expectations.
	Дом большой, но дверь маленькая. It's a big house but the door is small. Contrary to expectations.
	Машина старая, но хорошая. The car is old, but good. Contrary to expectations.
	Это дом, а не школа. This is a house, not a school. New infromation with some contrast.
	Он здесь, а она там. He is here but/and she is there. New infromation with some contrast.
	Она студентка а он учитель. She is a student but/and he is a teacher. New infromation with some contrast.
	Это не яблоко, а груша. That is not an apple, but a pear. New infromation with some contrast.
	Я водитель. А вы? I am a driver. And you (formal)? Asking for new infromation and suggesting contrast.