i a ali ili

And, But, Or

Level 1

I joins things, a adds a contrast, ali means but and ili means or: kafa ili čaj.

How It Works

Here are the four joining words in action.

WordMeaningExample
iandbrat i sestra
aand, while (a contrast)Ja pijem kafu, a ti čaj.
alibutVolim ćevape, ali ne volim luk.
iliorkafa ili čaj

The word a is the one English speakers miss. It shows that you are comparing two things: I drink coffee, you drink tea. It is softer than ali. Use ali when the second part goes against what you expect: I like ćevapi, but I do not eat onion.

A comma usually comes before a and ali. It is not needed before i or ili when they join two words.

Examples (5)

  1. Imam brata i sestru.

    I have a brother and a sister.

    I joins the two things.

  2. Ja pijem kafu, a ti piješ čaj.

    I drink coffee, and you drink tea.

    A sets two different people side by side.

  3. Volim ćevape, ali ne volim luk.

    I like ćevapi, but I do not like onion.

    Ali introduces the part that goes against the first.

  4. Hoćeš kafu ili čaj?

    Do you want coffee or tea?

    Ili offers a choice.

  5. Selma je ovdje, a Haris je tamo.

    Selma is here, and Haris is there.

    A contrasts the two places.

Common Mistakes

  • Ali is used where a is the usual word.

    Ja sam Amir, ali ti si Haris.
    Ja sam Amir, a ti si Haris.

    Ali sounds like a disagreement, while a just sets two things side by side.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

i a ali iliLevel 1And, But, Or

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Conjunctions join simple sentences.

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Words in This Pattern

iaaliili