Using (y) or (e) ?
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre (y) o (e) cuando se utiliza en una oracion? What is the difference between (y) or (e) when using them in a sentence?
3 Answers
http://spanish.about.com/cs/grammar/qt/y_o.htm
Two of the most common conjunctions in Spanish — y (meaning "and") and o (meaning "or") — can change spelling and pronunciation based on the word that follows. In that way, they are much like the "a" of English changing to "an" before a vowel sound.
Both changes help keep the conjunction from blending into the following word. Y becomes e when it precedes a word that begins with the i sound, while o becomes u when it precedes a word that begins with the o sound.
Typically, then, the y becomes e when it precedes most words that begin with i- or hi-, and o becomes u preceding words starting with o- or ho-. Y does not change before words, such as hierba, that begin with the ia, ie, io or iu sound, regardless of spelling. Following are examples of correct usage:
• Reciben tratamiento cruel e inhumano. (They are receiving cruel and inhumane treatment.) • • Vendemos productos de limpieza e higiene. (We sell cleaning and hygiene products.) • • Está enteramente construido de nieve y hielo. (It is built completely of snow and ice.) • • Usamos punto y coma para separar las frases u oraciones que constituyen una enumeración. (We use a semicolon to separate phrases or sentences that make up a list.)
• No recuerdo si fue ayer u hoy. (I don't remember if it was yesterday or today.)
If the next clause begins with a word starting with the same sound as "y" [long E sound],than you would use "e" as a substitute, which also means 'and' : - ).
When connecting two clauses?
