Choose the word that acts as a conjunction in the sentence: "I wanted to go, (but) it was too late."

The chosen word, "but," functions as a conjunction in the sentence "I wanted to go, but it was too late." In this context, "but" connects two independent clauses, allowing the speaker to express a contrast between wanting to go and the reality of it being too late. This conjunction indicates a relationship of opposition, highlighting the idea that although there was a desire to go, circumstances prevented it.

Conjunctions like "but" serve an important grammatical role in joining thoughts, making it possible for sentences to convey more complex ideas. The context of the situation is clearly defined by this conjunction, enhancing the overall meaning of the sentence. Other words like "and," "for," and "yet" do not play this specific role in the provided sentence, focusing instead on conjunctions that suggest addition, cause, or an alternative form of contrast.