Connecting Sentences in Persian: And & But (`va`, `vali`)
va for addition and vali for contrast to sound natural and fluid in Persian.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'va' to add information and 'vali' to show contrast between two ideas.
- Use 'va' (و) to join two similar or related ideas: 'I like tea va coffee.'
- Use 'vali' (ولی) to join two contrasting ideas: 'I like tea, vali I don't like coffee.'
- Place the conjunction directly between the two clauses or words you are connecting.
Overview
In Persian, the ability to fluently connect ideas is fundamental to coherent communication. This article explores two essential coordinating conjunctions: و (va), primarily meaning 'and', and ولی (vali), translating to 'but' or 'however'. These words are indispensable for A2 learners, enabling compound sentences and more nuanced expression.
و (va), pronounced /væ/ formally, originates from Old Persian, signifying addition, continuation, or sequence. Crucially, in colloquial speech, it undergoes a widespread phonetic reduction to a short ُ (o) vowel sound when following a consonant-ending word. This reduction is a key marker of natural spoken Persian.
ولی (vali), pronounced /væli/, is an Arabic loanword fully integrated into Persian. It functions as an adversative conjunction, introducing contrast, opposition, or exception. Its pronunciation remains consistent across registers.
Mastering both va and vali is a significant step towards achieving fluid and sophisticated Persian communication.
How This Grammar Works
و (va) and ولی (vali) function as coordinating conjunctions in Persian, connecting linguistic units of equal grammatical status—words, phrases, or clauses. Their role is to establish a logical relationship between these elements, forming more complex sentence structures.و (va) indicates an additive or sequential relationship. It links ideas that complement each other, occur in succession, or exist simultaneously. For instance, you use va to list items, as in نان و پنیر (nān va panīr) – "bread and cheese," or to describe a series of actions like برخاست و رفت (barkhāst va raft) – "he stood up and left." The choice of va implies a flow, continuation, or mere enumeration of related concepts without inherent opposition.ولی (vali) signals an adversative or contrastive relationship. It introduces an element that opposes, qualifies, or presents an exception to the preceding idea. Consider هوا گرم است ولی باد خنک است (havā garm ast vali bād xonak ast) – "the weather is hot, but the wind is cool." Here, vali highlights the juxtaposition.va, which builds connections, vali creates a semantic break or a shift in expectation, indispensable for expressing nuance or disagreement.و (va) in spoken Persian is its phonetic reduction. When و (va) immediately follows a word ending in a consonant, it almost always reduces to a short ُ (o) sound. This is a natural phonological process of vowel reduction and consonant assimilation, common across languages, where unstressed syllables become less prominent.پدر و مادر (pedar va mādar – "father and mother") is universally pedar o mādar.من مینویسم و او میخواند (man minevīsam va u mixānad – "I write and he reads"), both من مینویسم and او میخواند are complete SOV clauses linked by va, showcasing their parallel grammatical structure.Formation Pattern
و (va) and ولی (vali) is to place them directly between the two words, phrases, or clauses you wish to connect. This structural placement is key to forming grammatically correct compound sentences and coherent expressions.
va and vali join two complete sentences (clauses) that could stand alone, each maintaining its own subject and verb (often in SOV order).
و Clause 2 | من میخوانم و شما مینویسید. | Man mixānam va shomā minevīsīd. | "I read and you write." |
ولی Clause 2 | او آمد ولی من نرفتم. | U āmad vali man naraftam. | "He came, but I didn't go." |
و (va) is primarily used for this purpose, creating a list or joining descriptive elements. ولی (vali) is rarely used in this manner unless it's a very abrupt, informal contrast between single words.
و Noun | قلم و کتاب | Qalam va ketāb | "pen and book" |
و Adjective | آرام و زیبا | Ārām va zībā | "calm and beautiful" |
و (va) to ُ (o):
و (va) ends in a consonant, و (va) is almost always pronounced as a short ُ (o) sound, phonetically attached to the preceding word. This creates a smoother, more natural flow of speech. The written form, however, always remains و.
man) | من و تو | man va to | man o to | "me and you" |
ketāb) | کتاب و قلم | ketāb va qalam | ketāb o qalam | "book and pen" |
madrese) | مدرسه و خانه | madrese va xāne | madrese va xāne | "school and home" |
و (va), if a subject, verb, or other sentence elements are identical and clearly understood from the first clause, they can often be omitted in the second clause to achieve conciseness.
من به بازار رفتم و من میوه خریدم. (Man be bāzār raftam va man mīve xarīdam.) – "I went to the market and I bought fruit."
من به بازار رفتم و میوه خریدم. (Man be bāzār raftam va mīve xarīdam.) – "I went to the market and bought fruit." (The subject من is implied for the second verb.)
When To Use It
و (va) and ولی (vali) requires understanding the semantic and pragmatic contexts in which each conjunction naturally operates. Their judicious use enhances clarity, coherence, and the natural rhythm of your Persian.و (va – and / o):va to add information, connect related ideas, or describe a sequence of events. It functions as an additive or sequential link, implying continuity or simple enumeration.- Enumeration and Listing: Joins two or more nouns, pronouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
مداد و دفترم را آوردم.(Medād o daftaram rā āvardam.) – "I brought my pencil and notebook."- Connecting Sequential Actions/Events: Links clauses when one action logically or chronologically follows another, often implying cause-and-effect.
او برخاست و رفت.(U barxāst o raft.) – "He stood up and left."- Joining Clauses with Complementary Ideas: Use
vawhen the second clause expands upon, reinforces, or provides additional, consistent information to the first. من گرسنهام و میخواهم غذا بخورم.(Man gorosne-am o mixāham ghazā boxoram.) – "I am hungry and I want to eat food."
ولی (vali – but / however):vali to introduce a contrast, a contradiction, an exception, or a reservation. It serves as an adversative link, signaling a shift or opposition to the preceding statement.- Direct Contrast or Opposition: Juxtaposes two ideas that stand in clear opposition or difference.
من قهوه دوست دارم ولی چای نه.(Man qahve dūst dāram vali chāy na.) – "I like coffee, but not tea." (Implieschāy dūst nadāram.)- Introducing an Exception or Qualification: Limits, qualifies, or provides a condition for the first statement.
میتوانم بیایم ولی باید زود برگردم.(Mītavānam biyāyam vali bāyad zūd bargardam.) – "I can come, but I must return early."- Expressing Reservation or Doubt: Conveys a "yes, but" sentiment, indicating uncertainty or a conflicting thought.
او گفت میآید ولی من هنوز مطمئن نیستم.(U goft miāyad vali man hanūz motma'en nīstam.) – "He said he's coming, but I'm still not sure."
va and vali hinges entirely on the logical relationship you intend to establish between the connected clauses or elements. va builds upon, while vali creates a counterpoint or introduces a divergence.Common Mistakes
و (va) and ولی (vali). Recognizing and correcting these common pitfalls is crucial for developing natural and accurate Persian.- 1Over-pronouncing
و(va) in colloquial contexts: The most prevalent error is to consistently pronounceوas a full /væ/ sound, even after consonant-ending words in informal speech. This sounds unnatural and overly formal. Linguistic Insight: This reduction (pedar o mādarfrompedar va mādar) is a fundamental aspect of natural Persian phonology, aiding in prosody and speech efficiency by avoiding awkward consonant sequences.
- Error Pattern: Saying
pedar va mādar(پدر وَ مادر) with a distinct /v/ sound. - Correction: Consciously train yourself to reduce
وtoُ(o) when it follows a word ending in a consonant, blending it seamlessly.
- 1Confusing
و(va) andولی(vali) semantically: Misapplyingvawhen a contrast is intended, or usingvaliwhen simple addition is required. This often stems from direct, word-for-word translation from English.
- Error Pattern:
هوا سرد است و آفتابی است.(Havā sard ast va āftābī ast.) – "The weather is cold and it is sunny." (These are contrasting ideas.) - Correction: If ideas present a qualification, opposition, or unexpected element, use
vali. Otherwise, useva. Corrected:هوا سرد است ولی آفتابی است.(Havā sard ast vali āftābī ast.) – "The weather is cold, but it is sunny."
- 1Incorrect or excessive omission of elements: While omitting redundant subjects or verbs is common with
va, learners sometimes omit elements when context isn't clear or the verb would be different.
- Error Pattern:
من به بازار رفتم و سیب.(Man be bāzār raftam va sīb.) – "I went to the market and apple." (Incomplete; what happened with the apple?) - Correction: Ensure the omitted element is truly identical or unequivocally implied. If the action changes, repeat the verb:
من به بازار رفتم و سیب خریدم.(Man be bāzār raftam va sīb xarīdam.) – "I went to the market and bought an apple."
- 1Misplacing the conjunction: Placing
vaorvaliwhere it doesn't clearly link two distinct grammatical units.
- Error Pattern:
من میآیم ولی.(Man miāyam vali.) – "I am coming but." (Leavingvaliwithout a subsequent contrasting clause.) - Correction: Always ensure
vaorvaliare immediately followed by the element they introduce. Example:من میآیم ولی دیر میرسم.(Man miāyam vali dīr mīrasam.) – "I am coming, but I will arrive late."
- 1Overusing
اما(ammâ) in informal contexts: Whileاما(ammâ) is a valid synonym forولی(vali), it carries a more formal, literary tone. Using it habitually in casual conversation sounds stiff.
- Error Pattern: In a chat:
من غذا پختم امّا او نخورد.(Man ghazā poxam ammā u naxord.) - Correction: Reserve
اماfor formal writing. In everyday spoken and informal written Persian,ولیis almost always the more natural choice. Corrected:من غذا پختم ولی او نخورد.(Man ghazā poxam vali u naxord.)
Real Conversations
To truly internalize the usage of و (va) and ولی (vali), observe how native speakers deploy them across various contemporary communication channels. These examples move beyond textbook scenarios.
1. Texting and Social Media (Informal Written):
In digital communication, و and ولی remain central, with the phonetic reduction of و implicitly understood even when written.
- و (often implicitly o): Used for quick updates, lists, or sequential actions.
- رفتم بازار و چند تا چیز خریدم. (Raftam bāzār o cand tā cīz xarīdam.) – "I went to the market and bought a few things." (Here, و is understood as o after bāzār.)
- ولی: Frequently used for immediate contrasts, polite excuses, or expressing quick opinions.
- کاش میتونستم بیام ولی کار دارم. (Kāsh mītūnestam biyām vali kār dāram.) – "I wish I could come, but I have work."
- It's common to start a new message with ولی to pivot a conversation: ولی الان نمیشه، سرکارم. (Vali alān nemīshe, sarakāram.) – "But it's not possible now, I'm at work."
2. Casual Spoken Persian (Highly Informal):
This is where the phonetic reduction of و to ُ (o) is essential for sounding natural. Articulating a full va here would sound foreign.
- و (pronounced o): Ubiquitous for linking items, actions, or short clauses. The connection is fluid.
- من و دوستم رفتیم کافیشاپ. (Man o dūstam raftīm kāfī-shāp.) – "My friend and I went to the coffee shop." (Note man o dūstam.)
- پا شد و اومد پیشم. (Pā shod o ūmad pīšam.) – "He stood up and came to me." (Seamlessly linking two verbs.)
- ولی: Retains consistent pronunciation and function for everyday contrasts, soft disagreements, or qualifications.
- هوا سرده ولی آفتابیه. (Havā sarde vali āftābīye.) – "The weather is cold, but it's sunny." (Using colloquial ast contraction e /īye/.)
3. Formal Written Persian (e.g., Reports, Academic Texts, Formal Emails):
In formal registers, the full pronunciation of و (va) is expected, and اما (ammâ) is often preferred over ولی (vali) for more emphatic or academic contrast.
- و (va): Always pronounced fully /væ/, maintaining a formal, deliberate tone.
- این گزارش به بررسی علل و پیامدهای یک پدیده میپردازد. (In gozāresh be barresī-ye elal va payāmadhā-ye yek padīde mīpardāzad.) – "This report addresses the causes and consequences of a phenomenon."
- ولی (vali) / اما (ammâ): While ولی is acceptable, اما is frequently chosen to convey a stronger, more formal adversative statement in complex arguments.
- مطالعات اولیه نتایج امیدوارکنندهای را نشان میدهند، ولی نیاز به تحقیقات بیشتری است. (Motāle'āt-e avvaliye natāyej-e omīdvārkonande'ī rā neshān mīdahand, vali niyāz be tahqīqāt-e bīštarī ast.) – "Initial studies show promising results, but further research is needed."
- روش پیشنهادی کارآمد است، اما چالشهای اجرایی خاص خود را دارد. (Raveš-e pīšnahādī kārāmad ast, ammā cālešhā-ye ejrā'ī-ye xāss-e xod rā dārad.) – "The proposed method is efficient, however, it has its own specific implementation challenges." (Using ammâ for a weightier tone.)
Quick FAQ
و (va) and ولی (vali) that often arise for A2 learners.و (va) or ولی (vali)?In formal written Persian, beginning a sentence with و (va) is generally avoided. In informal spoken Persian, texting, or social media, both و (often pronounced o) and ولی are very frequently used to initiate a new utterance, implying an implicit connection to a prior statement.
- Example (informal spoken):
و بعدش چی شد؟(o ba'desh cī shod?) – "And then what happened?"
و (va) and ُ (o)?There is absolutely no difference in meaning or grammatical function. The ُ (o) sound is simply the reduced, colloquial pronunciation of و (va) that occurs specifically when و follows a word ending in a consonant. It's a natural phonetic phenomenon facilitating smoother speech. In all written forms, و is used; ُ is a sound, not a distinct written form. Mastering the o pronunciation is crucial for sounding native.
,) before و (va) or ولی (vali)?Persian punctuation rules are generally more flexible than in English.
- For
ولی(vali): It is common and often advisable to use a comma (,) beforeولیto clearly separate the two contrasting clauses, especially in longer sentences or formal writing. Example:او درس خواند، ولی قبول نشد.(U dars xānd, vali qabul nashod.) – "He studied, but he didn't pass." - For
و(va): A comma beforeوis less common. It is typically omitted whenوsimply connects two words or short phrases (نان و پنیر). It may be used if the clauses are very long, complex, or if the comma serves to prevent ambiguity, particularly in formal prose. In lists of three or more items,وreplaces the comma before the last item. Example:سیب، پرتقال و موز.(Sīb, porteqāl va moz.) – "Apple, orange, and banana."
ولی (vali)?Yes. The most common formal alternative to ولی (vali) is اما (ammâ). While both convey contrast, اما is generally considered more formal and literary, found in academic texts and official reports. ولی is perfectly acceptable in most written contexts and overwhelmingly preferred in spoken and informal written Persian. Another, more archaic alternative is لیکن (līkan), though rare in modern usage. For A2 learners, mastering ولی is sufficient for most communication needs.
Conjunction Usage Patterns
| Conjunction | Function | English Equivalent | Spoken Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
|
و (va)
|
Addition
|
And
|
o
|
|
ولی (vali)
|
Contrast
|
But
|
vali
|
|
اما (amma)
|
Contrast
|
But
|
amma
|
Spoken Reductions
| Written | Spoken |
|---|---|
|
و
|
o
|
Meanings
These are the two most essential coordinating conjunctions in Persian used to link words, phrases, or entire sentences.
Addition (va)
Connecting two items or clauses that complement each other.
“کتاب و قلم”
“او رفت و من ماندم”
Contrast (vali)
Introducing a clause that contradicts or limits the previous one.
“او مهربان است ولی کمی خجالتی است”
“میخواستم بیایم ولی وقت نداشتم”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (va)
|
A + va + B
|
Ali va Reza
|
|
Affirmative (vali)
|
Sentence + vali + Sentence
|
Man raftam vali ou mand
|
|
Negative (va)
|
Neg + va + Neg
|
Na sib va na anar
|
|
Negative (vali)
|
Sentence + vali + Neg Sentence
|
Man amadam vali ou nayamad
|
Formality Spectrum
به فروشگاه رفتم اما بسته بود. (Daily life)
به فروشگاه رفتم ولی بسته بود. (Daily life)
رفتم مغازه ولی بسته بود. (Daily life)
رفتم مغازه ولی تعطیل بود. (Daily life)
Conjunction Map
Addition
- و and
Contrast
- ولی but
- اما but
Examples by Level
من و تو
You and I
نان و پنیر
Bread and cheese
خوب ولی سرد
Good but cold
بزرگ ولی ارزان
Big but cheap
او درس میخواند و من کار میکنم.
He is studying and I am working.
هوا عالی است ولی وقت ندارم.
The weather is great but I don't have time.
کتاب خریدم و خواندم.
I bought a book and read it.
او خسته است ولی میخندد.
He is tired but he is laughing.
میخواستم به سینما بروم و فیلم ببینم، ولی بلیت تمام شده بود.
I wanted to go to the cinema and watch a movie, but the tickets were sold out.
او بسیار باهوش است و در دانشگاه تدریس میکند، ولی خیلی متواضع است.
He is very smart and teaches at the university, but he is very humble.
این پروژه سخت و زمانبر است، ولی نتیجه خوبی دارد.
This project is hard and time-consuming, but it has a good result.
او هم انگلیسی و هم فارسی صحبت میکند.
He speaks both English and Persian.
سیاستهای جدید اقتصادی، تورم را کاهش داده و تولید را افزایش داده است، ولی هنوز مشکلاتی وجود دارد.
New economic policies have reduced inflation and increased production, but problems still exist.
او استدلالهای منطقی ارائه داد و همه را متقاعد کرد، ولی در نهایت تصمیم تغییر نکرد.
He presented logical arguments and convinced everyone, but in the end, the decision didn't change.
ما باید همکاری کنیم و راهحلهای خلاقانه پیدا کنیم، ولی نباید اصول خود را فراموش کنیم.
We must cooperate and find creative solutions, but we shouldn't forget our principles.
او هم در هنر و هم در علوم مهارت دارد، ولی بیشتر به هنر علاقه دارد.
He is skilled in both art and science, but he is more interested in art.
تحقیقات اخیر نشان میدهد که تغییرات اقلیمی نه تنها محیط زیست را تهدید میکند، بلکه اقتصاد جهانی را نیز تحت تأثیر قرار میدهد و این مسئلهای است که باید جدی گرفته شود، ولی متأسفانه اقدامات کافی انجام نشده است.
Recent research shows that climate change not only threatens the environment but also affects the global economy, and this is an issue that must be taken seriously, but unfortunately, sufficient actions have not been taken.
او با ظرافت و دقت سخن میگفت و مخاطبان را مجذوب خود کرده بود، ولی در میان کلامش، تردیدی پنهان دیده میشد.
He spoke with elegance and precision and had captivated the audience, but in the middle of his words, a hidden doubt could be seen.
تکنولوژی به ما قدرت ارتباط و دسترسی به اطلاعات را داده است، ولی همزمان حریم خصوصی ما را نیز به چالش کشیده است.
Technology has given us the power of communication and access to information, but at the same time, it has challenged our privacy.
او همواره به دنبال حقیقت بود و از هیچ تلاشی دریغ نمیکرد، ولی حقیقت همیشه آنطور که او میخواست آشکار نمیشد.
He was always seeking the truth and spared no effort, but the truth did not always reveal itself as he wanted.
در متون کهن، استفاده از 'و' نه تنها برای عطف، بلکه برای ایجاد ضربآهنگ در کلام به کار میرفت و این سبک، زیبایی خاصی به شعر میبخشید، ولی در نثر معاصر، این کاربرد به ندرت دیده میشود.
In ancient texts, the use of 'va' was employed not only for conjunction but also to create rhythm in speech, and this style gave a special beauty to poetry, but in contemporary prose, this usage is rarely seen.
او در عین حال که سنتگرا و پایبند به اصول بود، نگاهی نو به مسائل داشت و این تضاد درونی، شخصیت او را پیچیده و جذاب کرده بود، ولی هیچکس نمیتوانست به عمق افکارش پی ببرد.
While being traditional and adhering to principles, he had a new perspective on issues, and this internal conflict made his personality complex and attractive, but no one could fathom the depth of his thoughts.
تغییرات زبانی در طول قرنها، ساختار جملات را دگرگون کرده و واژگان جدیدی را به دایره لغات افزوده است، ولی هسته اصلی زبان که همان ارتباط انسانی است، همچنان دستنخورده باقی مانده است.
Linguistic changes over centuries have transformed sentence structures and added new vocabulary to the lexicon, but the core of the language, which is human connection, has remained intact.
او همواره میان عقل و احساس در نوسان بود و این کشمکش، زندگیاش را به یک تراژدی تبدیل کرده بود، ولی در نهایت، او توانست به آرامشی نسبی دست یابد.
He was always oscillating between reason and emotion, and this struggle had turned his life into a tragedy, but in the end, he was able to achieve relative peace.
Easily Confused
Learners think they have different meanings.
Both mean 'and' or 'also'.
Learners think they are different words.
Common Mistakes
Va I am happy.
Man khoshhalam va...
Vali I like it.
Man dust daram vali...
Va pronounced as va.
Pronounced as o.
Using va for contrast.
Use vali.
Vali and Amma are different.
They are synonyms.
Putting va between verbs only.
Can connect nouns too.
Forgetting the comma before vali.
Use a comma.
Overusing va.
Vary connectors.
Using vali in formal writing.
Use amma.
Ignoring rhythm.
Balance the sentence.
Using va for emphasis.
Use other particles.
Misplacing vali in complex sentences.
Check clause structure.
Ignoring archaic forms.
Use modern standard.
Sentence Patterns
___ va ___
___ va ___
___ vali ___
___ va ___ vali ___
Real World Usage
سلام و خوبی؟
عکس و متن عالی بود.
من تجربه دارم ولی نیاز به یادگیری دارم.
کباب و دوغ میخواهم.
هتل خوب است ولی دور است.
نامه را دریافت کردم و بررسی میکنم.
Spoken 'o'
Don't start sentences
Use Amma
Rhythm
Smart Tips
Use 'o' instead of 'va'.
Use 'amma' instead of 'vali'.
Use 'va' only between the last two items.
Use a comma before 'vali'.
Pronunciation
Va pronunciation
In spoken Persian, 'va' becomes 'o'.
Contrastive
Vali ↗
Signals a shift in thought.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'va' as a bridge (V-shape) connecting two islands, and 'vali' as a wall (V-shape) blocking the path.
Visual Association
Imagine a person holding two balloons with 'va' written on the string, and a person trying to walk forward but hitting a 'vali' barrier.
Rhyme
Va joins the flow, Vali says no.
Story
Ali wanted to go to the market. He bought bread 'va' cheese. He wanted to buy milk, 'vali' the shop was closed.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your day using 'va' and 5 using 'vali'.
Cultural Notes
The 'o' pronunciation is universal in spoken Persian.
These conjunctions have been part of the Persian language since Middle Persian.
Conversation Starters
What do you like to eat and drink?
What did you do yesterday?
What is a challenge you faced?
Do you prefer city life or country life?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
من سیب ___ پرتقال دوست دارم.
او خسته است ___ میخندد.
Find and fix the mistake:
Va من به خانه رفتم.
من خسته هستم. من کار میکنم.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Do you like coffee? B: Yes, ___ I prefer tea.
Build: Ali, bread, cheese, hungry, no money.
Which is more formal?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesمن سیب ___ پرتقال دوست دارم.
او خسته است ___ میخندد.
Find and fix the mistake:
Va من به خانه رفتم.
من خسته هستم. من کار میکنم.
Match: 1. Va, 2. Vali
A: Do you like coffee? B: Yes, ___ I prefer tea.
Build: Ali, bread, cheese, hungry, no money.
Which is more formal?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
7 exercisesاست | ولی | گران | است | ماشین | زیبا
I study and I listen to music.
Match the pairs:
او تهرانی است ___ در لندن زندگی میکند.
Which word for 'but' is used in books?
من و تو و او میرویم.
Translate to Persian:
Score: /7
FAQ (8)
Yes, in spoken Persian, it is almost always 'o'.
No, it must connect two clauses.
Yes, they are synonyms.
To add information.
To show contrast.
No, 'va' is standard.
Yes, 'good and big'.
Va connects, Ham adds.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
y / pero
None.
et / mais
None.
und / aber
None.
to / demo
Japanese particles are post-positional.
wa / lakin
Arabic 'wa' is a prefix.
hé / dànshì
Chinese 'hé' is only for nouns.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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