PERT Practice Test 2025 – Complete Guide for Exam Prep

The answer provided is correct because "but" functions as a coordinating conjunction, which is used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are of equal grammatical importance. In this case, "but" indicates a contrast between two ideas. For example, in the sentence "She wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain," "but" effectively joins two independent clauses to highlight the contrasting thoughts—the desire to go out and the unexpected rain.

Coordinating conjunctions, which include "and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," and "yet," are essential for creating compound sentences. They allow for the smooth flow of ideas and make it easier to convey complex thoughts.

In contrast, the other words in the list serve different grammatical purposes. "Although" is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a dependent clause that expresses a contrast or exception. "Nor" is also a coordinating conjunction, but it is typically used to connect two negative clauses. "Whenever" is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a time-related dependent clause, detailing when an action occurs. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the role that "but" plays as a coordinating conjunction in sentence structure.