Grammar
Conjunctions: connect ideas with and, but, and because
Do you stop after every short sentence? You can connect them with simple words.
Conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses. Choose a word that shows how your ideas are connected.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
and, but, because and-buht-bih-KUHZ
The short answer
Use and to add, but to contrast, because for a reason, and so for a result. Use or for choices and when for time.
I wanted to sleep, but the baby woke up.
Why it works: The word but introduces the surprise that stopped sleep.
4 more examples
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Ordering food at an Italian restaurant
We ordered pasta, and we shared a pizza.
The word and adds a second connected fact.
Not this:We ordered pasta,
butwe shared a pizza. What changes: But presents the second fact as a contrast. It can be grammatical if that is the meaning you intend. -
Explaining missing a class
She stayed home because she felt sick.
The word because gives the reason for staying home.
Not this:She stayed home
soshe felt sick. What changes: This makes it sound like staying home caused her illness. -
Running to the morning bus stop
He ran fast, but he missed the bus.
The word but shows an unexpected result after running.
Not this:He ran fast,
andhe missed the bus. What changes: And adds the next fact without marking the contrast as directly as but does. -
Leaving home during bad weather
Because it was raining, we took an umbrella.
A because-clause can come first when a main clause follows.
Not this:Because it was raining,
sowe took an umbrella. What changes: In this standard two-clause pattern, use because or so for the cause-and-result link.
Quick check
Which sentence shows an unexpected change of plan?
Answer: I wanted to go, but I had to work.
Show the answer
Answer: I wanted to go, but I had to work.
The word but shows an unexpected contrast between wanting to go and having to work.
Read the full guide
You want to explain what happened at lunch and why. Choose a connector that makes the relationship between your ideas clear.
Pick the right connector
The problem: I used and when I wanted to show a contrast, and my listener missed the surprise.
You want cold water, but your bottle is empty. Use but to mark a contrast. And adds another fact without spelling out that contrast.
You join two facts that fit together naturally.
I like tea, and I drink coffee.
You show a change that your friend did not expect.
I like tea, but I hate coffee.
| Connector | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| or | A choice | You can sit here or wait outside. |
| when | A time link | Call me when you get home. |
Your turn
Choose the sentence that explicitly marks an unexpected problem.
Answer: I went to the store, but it was closed.
Show the answer
Answer: I went to the store, but it was closed.
But explicitly marks the unexpected closure. And can join the facts without marking that contrast.
Do not double your connectors
The problem: I use because and so twice for the same reason-and-result link.
You give one reason and one result. Do not double because and so for that same link. Either put because before the reason or put so before the result.
-
Not this:
Because it was cold, so we stayed home.Say: Because it was cold, we stayed home.
Because already marks the reason; omit so in this two-clause pattern.
-
Not this:
Because I was late, so I took a cab.Say: I was late, so I took a cab.
So marks the result here; omit the opening because.
- Leo
Because it's sunny, let's walk to the cafe.
- Mia
Good idea. We can sit outside.
-
Because the road was closed, we took a longer route, so we arrived after dark.
Why it works: Both words can occur when they mark two different links across three clauses.
Your turn
Complete with because or so to show the result.
Answer: We missed the early train, so we waited for the next one.
Show the answer
Answer: so
Use so to show the result of missing the train.
Separate reason from result
The problem: I mixed up because and so, so my sentence reversed the cause and the result.
Your phone ran out of charge, so you could not call. Because introduces a reason; so introduces a result. Choose the word that puts the two ideas in the order you mean.
| Connector | What comes next | Example |
|---|---|---|
| because | The cause or reason | I went home because I was sick. |
| so | The result or effect | I was sick, so I went home. |
Your turn
Which sentence explains the reason why Tom went to bed early?
Answer: Tom went to bed early because he was tired.
Show the answer
Answer: Tom went to bed early because he was tired.
Tiredness is the reason for going to bed early, so because comes before it.
Write complete sentences with because
The problem: I leave a because-clause without a main clause in connected formal writing.
In connected formal writing, attach a because-clause to a main clause. A main clause can stand as a sentence. In conversation, a reason can stand alone as a short answer to why.
-
Not this:
I was late. Because the bus broke down.Say: I was late because the bus broke down.
Join these parts for a complete sentence in formal writing.
-
Not this:
Because he studied. He passed the test.Say: Because he studied, he passed the test.
This because-clause gives a reason for the main clause that follows.
-
We stayed home because the rain was heavy.
Why it works: Your main action comes first here.
-
Because the rain was heavy, we stayed home.
Why it works: You put a comma after your first part.
- Ana
Why did you bring a sweater?
- Ben
Because the room's cold.
Your turn
Arrange the words to make a complete sentence.
Answer: Because it snowed, we stayed home.
Show the answer
Answer: Because it snowed, we stayed home.
The main clause we stayed home completes the opening because-clause.
Before you go
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence avoids doubling the connector?
Answer: Because the car broke down, we walked home.
Show the answer
Answer: Because the car broke down, we walked home.
Because already links this reason to the result; do not add so for the same link.
Question 2 of 3
Choose the sentence that correctly explains the cause of an event.
Answer: They canceled the match because the field was flooded.
Show the answer
Answer: They canceled the match because the field was flooded.
The connector because introduces the reason for canceling the match.
Question 3 of 3 · One new sentence
The two apples cost four coins; you have only three. Which sentence directly marks that contrast?
Buying fruit at an outdoor weekend market
Answer: I like these apples, but I only have three coins left.
Show the answer
Answer: I like these apples, but I only have three coins left.
But directly marks the contrast between wanting the apples and not having enough money.
Remember this
Choose the link that matches your meaning. Do not double because and so for the same two-clause link. In formal writing, give a because-clause a main clause.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Conjunctions: connect ideas with and, but, and because"
Do conjunctions join only complete sentences?
No. Conjunctions can join words or phrases as well as clauses. A clause is a group of words built around a verb. 'And' adds information, 'or' gives a choice, and 'but' marks a contrast. Choose the word that shows the connection you mean.
We bought bread and cheese.
You can wait here or join us upstairs.
Can I start a sentence with because?
Yes. Put the reason first, then add the main part of the sentence. A comma normally separates them. In conversation, a because-clause can also be a short answer to a why question. In an essay or report, usually join it to a main clause.
Because the lift was broken, we used the stairs.
Why are you whispering? Because the baby's asleep.
Can because and so appear in the same sentence?
They can, if they make different connections. Avoid using because and so together to link the same reason and result. A longer sentence may contain both when a because-clause explains one event and so introduces a further result.
Because the oven was broken, we ordered soup.
Because the oven was broken, we ordered soup, so nobody had to cook.
Can and and but both be correct in one gap?
Sometimes. And can simply join two facts, while but clearly marks a contrast. Both may make a grammatical sentence. The intended meaning decides which fits better, so a useful exercise needs enough context to show whether the speaker wants to mark a contrast.
The room was small, and it was comfortable.
The room was small, but it was comfortable.
What is the difference between because and because of?
Because usually introduces a clause with its own subject and verb. Because of introduces a noun phrase, such as the noise. They can give the same reason in different forms. After because of, use the noun phrase that names the cause.
We moved tables because the music was loud.
We moved tables because of the loud music.
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