Two simple sentences can be joined into one using the coordinating conjunctions but, yet, still, however, whereas and nevertheless. Note that these conjunctions are used when we have to join two contrasting statements into one.
Using but, yet and still
- The rope was thin. It was strong.
- The rope was thin but it was strong.
- She is poor. She is happy.
- She is poor but she is happy.
- He is rich. He is miserable.
- He is rich yet he is miserable.
- I was annoyed. I kept quiet.
- I was annoyed still I kept quiet.
Using whereas and nevertheless
- Tom is hard working. His brother is quite lazy.
- Tom is hard working whereas his brother is quite lazy.
- There was little chance of success. He persevered.
- There was little chance of success nevertheless he persevered.
- I can’t support your plan. I will not oppose it.
- I can’t support your plan; however, I will not oppose it.
- He was all right. He was tired.
- He was all right; only he was tired.
Notes
The conjunction but can often replace the conjunctions still, yet, however and nevertheless. Note that but is preferred in cases where the sense is not very emphatic. In other cases, we use other conjunctions.