and
and — conjunction
1. used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or a further remark by adding one part
used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or a further remark by adding one part to another.
Mina bought bread and eggs before the storm reached Tainan.
pattern: X and Y joining two nouns
The train was late, and everyone on the platform grew restless.
clause and clause
Kai opened the window and let the warm air in.
Finish your soup. And wash the bowl after dinner.
sentence. And + extra reminder
- X and Y
- both A and B
- sentence. And + comment
- plus
more common in speech, maths, and informal lists
- as well as
adds another item, but the grammar focus stays more on the first item
- along with
prepositional phrase rather than a simple coordinating conjunction
- or
links alternatives or choices instead of adding both
Grammar Patterns
X and Y
clause and clause
sentence. And + extra comment
Usage Note
Usually links parts inside one sentence. After a full stop, 'And' can also start an added comment, reminder, or question, especially in speech and informal writing.
Common Mistakes
2. used in the fixed phrase 'and so on' after a short list to show there are more s
used in the fixed phrase 'and so on' after a short list to show there are more similar things.
The welcome pack had maps, bus cards, and so on.
fixed phrase after a short list
The form asks for names, addresses, phone numbers, and so on.
Our science shelf holds rocks, shells, feathers, and so on.
At camp, the children learned knots, fire safety, and so on.
- and so on after a list
- names, places, dates, and so on
- etc.
short written form, especially in notes and lists
- and so forth
slightly more formal than 'and so on'
- and the like
more formal and often used in writing
Grammar Patterns
list, and so on
Usage Note
Comes at the end of a list when you do not want to name every similar item. It does not normally come before the list.
Common Mistakes
3. used in the fixed phrase 'and all' to show that the whole thing is meant, with e
used in the fixed phrase 'and all' to show that the whole thing is meant, with every part included.
Rosa bought the old boat, nets and all, from her uncle.
noun phrase + and all for complete inclusion
The flood swallowed the road, fences, trees, and all.
Ben ate the tiny fish, bones and all, at lunch.
The museum moved the room display, wallpaper and all, downstairs.
- bones and all
- furniture and all
- head and all
- entirely
general adverb, not a fixed phrase
- completely
neutral word for total inclusion
- the whole lot
informal phrase meaning everything together
Grammar Patterns
X, Y, Z, and all
noun phrase + and all
Usage Note
Placed after a list or after one item plus an extra detail like 'bones' or 'wallpaper'. Distinguish from sense 4: here 'and all' means every part is included, not 'too'.
Common Mistakes
4. used in UK slang in the fixed phrase 'and all' to mean 'also' or 'too'.
used in UK slang in the fixed phrase 'and all' to mean 'also' or 'too'.
Save a seat for Grandma; she's coming to bingo and all.
UK slang: and all = too
Mira ordered noodles, and Dad asked for dumplings and all at the stall.
Luca's coming to quiz night, and his sister's joining and all.
The twins are joining the trip, and Grandma's coming and all.
- want some and all
- come and all
- see something and all
Grammar Patterns
clause or item + and all
Usage Note
Mostly heard in British informal speech. It comes after the item or clause being added. Distinguish from sense 3, where 'and all' means 'with every part included'.
Common Mistakes
5. used in the fixed phrase 'and all that' to mean other things connected with the
used in the fixed phrase 'and all that' to mean other things connected with the same topic.
I like old maps and all that, so the museum was perfect.
topic + and all that
After school, the boys talked about engines, racing bikes, and all that.
Aunt May sews lace, ribbons, and all that onto sofa cushions.
Coach Rivera teaches teamwork, respect, and all that every day.
- music and all that
- grammar and all that
- sports and all that
- and things like that
plain spoken equivalent
- and the like
more formal than 'and all that'
- and such
short informal alternative
Grammar Patterns
topic or list + and all that
Usage Note
Informal and slightly vague. Speakers use it after a topic or short list when the listener can easily imagine the other related things.
Common Mistakes
6. used in the written form 'and/or' to show that one choice, the other choice, or
used in the written form 'and/or' to show that one choice, the other choice, or both choices are allowed.
Please bring a passport and/or a student card to registration.
written pattern: X and/or Y
The clinic is open on Tuesday and/or Thursday evenings this month.
Parents and/or teachers may sign the trip form below.
The prize may be cash and/or bookstore coupons.
- name and/or address
- parents and/or teachers
- cash and/or coupons
- either or both
plain explanation of the meaning
- or
weaker; means one choice or the other, not necessarily both
- both ... and
stronger; means both are included, not optional
Grammar Patterns
X and/or Y
Usage Note
Mostly seen in forms, notices, contracts, and instructions. Use it only when either item alone is acceptable and taking both is acceptable too.
Common Mistakes
7. used to connect two actions when the second one happens straight after the first
used to connect two actions when the second one happens straight after the first.
Wash your hands and cut the carrots into thin pieces.
imperative + and + imperative for next step
Nina rang the bell and stepped inside the small bakery.
The boys jumped off the bus and ran across the playground.
Owen opened the map and checked the street name.
[past verb] and [past verb] in sequence
- imperative + and + imperative
- [past verb] and [past verb]
- then
more explicit; often used as a separate adverb
- next
common in instructions, especially before a new clause
- afterwards
usually comes later in the sentence, not between two verbs
Grammar Patterns
imperative + and + imperative
[verb] and [verb] for the next step
Usage Note
Common in instructions and simple stories where one action follows another immediately. Distinguish from sense 8 (RESULT), where the second clause is caused by the first.
Common Mistakes
8. used between two clauses to show that the second thing happens because of the fi
used between two clauses to show that the second thing happens because of the first.
The road was icy, and Mia slipped near the school gate.
clause + and + result clause
Dad forgot the tickets, and we missed the first song.
The shop closed early, and several tourists waited outside.
Leo pressed the wrong button, and the lift stopped upstairs.
cause in first clause, outcome in second
- clause + and + result clause
- so
more direct and often more common in speech
- therefore
more formal and usually used in writing
- as a result
more explicit; often starts a new clause or sentence
Grammar Patterns
clause + and + result clause
Usage Note
Usually links a cause and its outcome. Distinguish from sense 7 (AFTER THAT), which only shows order in time.
9. after some verbs, used before another verb to show the aim of the action.
after some verbs, used before another verb to show the aim of the action.
I'll go and find a dry towel for the baby.
go and + verb for purpose
Come and look at the rainbow above the river.
come and + verb
Try and open the jam jar with this thick kitchen cloth.
try and + verb
Wait and see what the doctor says after Mia's X-ray tomorrow.
fixed phrase: wait and see
I'll come and help you carry the boxes after lunch.
- go and + verb
- come and + verb
- try and + verb
- wait and see
- to
the more neutral marker of purpose before a verb
- in order to
more formal and more explicit about purpose
Grammar Patterns
go and + verb
come and + verb
try and + verb
wait and see
Usage Note
Only sense in this entry that can replace 'to' before another verb after forms like 'go', 'come', 'try', and 'wait'.
Common Mistakes
10. used between the same word twice to make an action or state seem longer, stronge
used between the same word twice to make an action or state seem longer, stronger, or repeated.
The baby cried and cried until the sun came up.
repeated verb for long duration
We waited and waited outside the station in the rain.
Grandpa laughed and laughed at the dog's red hat.
The old bus shook and shook on the mountain road.
X and X for repeated movement
- cry and cry
- wait and wait
- laugh and laugh
- again and again
more explicit and can be used without repeating the same word
- continuously
more formal and does not add the same spoken emphasis
- for ages
informal and focuses on long time, not repeated wording
Grammar Patterns
X and X
Usage Note
Usually joins the same verb or adjective twice, especially in speech and storytelling, to show repetition or a long duration.
Common Mistakes
11. used at the beginning of a question or remark to show surprise, annoyance, or di
used at the beginning of a question or remark to show surprise, annoyance, or disbelief.
And who left muddy shoes on the kitchen table?
And + question word for sharp surprise
And why is the front door standing open at midnight?
And you paid three hundred dollars for that lamp?
And + statement-shaped question
And this tiny hotel room is what they call a suite?
- And who...?
- And why...?
- And you...?
Grammar Patterns
And + question word ...?
And + statement ...?
Usage Note
Common at the start of spoken questions or comments. It adds surprise or annoyance, and it does not change normal question word order.
Common Mistakes
Synonym discussion
Sense: conjunction/1
For simple addition, 'and' is the normal, neutral choice: it links two equal parts, as in 'bread and soup' or 'She opened the door and smiled.' 'Plus' is more informal and is common in speech, maths, prices, and advertising. 'As well as' also adds something, but it often keeps the first item as the main focus, so it can sound less balanced than 'and'. 'Along with' is a prepositional phrase, not a basic coordinator, and often presents the second item as extra background information. 'Also' adds information too, but it usually sits inside the clause instead of joining two nouns directly. Compare: 'Mina bought bread and milk', 'Mina bought bread as well as milk', and 'Mina also bought milk.'
Etymology
English 'and' comes from Old English forms such as 'and' and 'ond'. These go back through Germanic to a much older Indo-European linking word. Over time, English kept it as one of its basic function words for joining ideas, while a few special uses survived mainly in fixed phrases such as 'and so on' and 'and all'.