i / ali / ili

And but and or

Level 1

I means and, ali commonly means but, and ili means or. They can connect suitable words, phrases or clauses.

How It Works

Čitam i pišem. joins two activities. Želim doći, ali nemam vremena. adds a contrasting limitation. Želiš čaj ili kavu? asks the listener to choose between alternatives.

Each verb keeps its own form. When words share a grammatical role, their case still comes from the sentence: čaj and kavu are both direct objects even though their endings look different.

Before ali joining contrasting clauses, a comma is normally used. Do not mechanically insert a comma before every i or ili. More complex coordination and repeated conjunctions have their own punctuation and meaning rules.

Examples (3)

  1. Čitam i pišem.

    I read and write.

    I joins two finite activities with the same understood subject.

  2. Želim doći, ali nemam vremena.

    I want to come, but I do not have time.

    Ali introduces a contrast.

  3. Želiš čaj ili kavu?

    Would you like tea or coffee?

    Ili presents two alternatives.

How It Connects

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

i / ali / iliLevel 1And but and or

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern