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and

and [ stressed and, unstressed ənd, ən ] CORE MEANING: a conjunction used to indicate an additional thing, situation, or fact. "And" in this case links words and phrases of the same grammatical value.

a sister and two brothers

We need to clean the house and pack our suitcases.

switching back and forth between different systems

conj

Definition:

1. then: used to link two verbs or statements about events to indicate that the second follows the first

Just add water and stir.

2. as result: used to introduce a situation or event that is a consequence of something just mentioned

Their work was excellent and won several awards.

3. used to stress repetition or continuity: used to link identical words or phrases in order to emphasize repetition or continuity

It gets better and better.

4. plus: used to link two numbers or quantities to indicate that they are to be added together

One and one are two.

5. but: used to introduce a contrasting statement

My dentist says to eat fruit and avoid refined sugar.

6. moreover: used to introduce a statement that continues or adds weight to a statement just made

The kids needed clothes, and I hadn't been paid in weeks.

7. used to connect ideas: used to connect clauses or sentences, especially in spoken conversation

I like the head waiter, but the work's hard. And the hours are very long.

8. indicates infinitive verb: used instead of "to" before an infinitive verb, usually with verbs such as "try," "go," and "come" ( informal )

I usually try and visit her once a week.

9. if: used to introduce a conditional clause ( archaic )

and it please you

[ Old English and, ond< Germanic]

and (all) that and everything else that is similar or included (informal)

I've painted the doors and window frames and all that.

and how used to show strong agreement with or to emphasize something that has just been said (informal)

Word Usage


	The notion that and should not be used at the beginning of a sentence arose from too literal an understanding of the "joining" function of conjunctions. The same objection is also raised with regard to but. If initial and is overdone, the effect is of poor style, but it is not a matter of grammatical correctness. Using and at the beginning of a sentence often can be an effective way of drawing attention to what follows: "You can't get away with this," he threatened. And we knew he meant it.