When to use sino, sino que or pero?

Question

I have 3 questions.

Is pero for the 1st sentence that doesn't deny the 2nd? Is sino que used when theres 2 unconjugated? When is sino used?

Answer 1

Yes you're spot on with 'pero' that's just a regular 'but' it's for when the second clause doesn't exclude the first, usually it just adds something different.

When it comes to sino I find it helps to think of it as 'but rather' and as you mention it follows a negation, it excludes the first clause.

Eg: Lo importante no es ganar, sino hacer perder al otro!

Sino que must be used however when sino introduces a second clause with a conjugated verb.

Eg. No es que falte agua, sino que hay gente sin acceso a ella.

Thanks! - crossover, Jun 7, 2013

de nada :) - Kiwi-Girl, Jun 7, 2013