Practice
Giving reasons and examples
Sign in to saveA colleague asks why you want to move a meeting. You can give the reason first: We need to move it because two team members are away. If the colleague needs more detail, add an example of what the team will miss.
Give a clear reason for an idea and add a relevant example that helps another person understand it.
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
I chose the train because the roads were busy. /aɪ tʃəʊz ðə treɪn bɪˈkɒz ðə rəʊdz wə ˈbɪzi/
The short answer
Use because, since, or so to connect an idea with its reason. Use for example, for instance, such as, or including when you want to show a case that supports your point.
We left early because the last bus was at eleven.
Why it works: Because introduces the reason for leaving early. The first part tells the listener what happened.
5 more examples
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I brought my laptop because I needed to finish the form.
Because introduces the reason for bringing the laptop.
Not this:I brought my laptop,
for example, I needed to finish the form. What changes: For example cannot join a decision to its reason in this sentence. Use because for the cause. -
Since the café is closed, we can meet in the lobby.
The closed café is the reason for choosing the lobby.
Not this:Since the café is closed,
for examplewe can meet in the lobby. What changes: Meeting in the lobby is the result of the reason, not an example of a closed café. -
The weather changed quickly, so we packed our coats.
So introduces the result after the reason has been stated.
Not this:The weather changed quickly
because we packed our coats. What changes: Packing coats did not cause the weather to change. The sentence needs so to show the result. -
Small changes can save energy. For example, turn off lights in empty rooms.
The second sentence gives one specific action that supports the general point.
Not this:Small changes can save energy
because turn off lights in empty rooms. What changes: Because needs a complete reason. Use for example to introduce this supporting action. -
We need basic supplies, such as paper, pens, and tape.
Such as introduces items that belong to the larger group of basic supplies.
Not this:We need basic supplies
because paper, pens, and tape. What changes: The list gives examples of supplies. It does not give a complete reason for needing them.
Read the full guide
Start with the point you want to make. Then ask yourself what answer you would give to why. Add that answer with because or another clear link. When one example would make the point easier to understand, introduce it as an example instead of adding an unrelated detail.
Give the reason after your point
Use because when you want to explain why you made a choice or why something happened. Put the point before because, then give a complete reason. This order is useful when the listener first needs to know your decision.
I am taking the later flight because the morning one is full.
Taking the later flight is the decision. The full morning flight explains it.
You are working from home today. What reason could you add after because?
You could say, 'I am working from home because I have an online appointment.' The second clause gives the reason.
Put a known reason first
Since can introduce a reason at the beginning of a sentence. Use it when the reason gives useful context before the result. Put a comma after the first clause when it comes before the main clause.
Since the venue has changed, I will send a new map.
The changed venue is the context. Sending a new map is the result.
Which order fits this information: the workshop starts early, and you will leave at seven?
Say, 'Since the workshop starts early, I will leave at seven.' The first clause explains the plan.
Show the result with so
Use so when you state the reason first and then show what happened because of it. The listener can see the direction from cause to result. Do not use because and so together to link the same two ideas.
The instructions were unclear, so I asked a question.
Unclear instructions caused the speaker to ask a question.
Complete the link: 'The payment did not go through, ___ I tried again.'
Use so: 'The payment did not go through, so I tried again.' The second clause is the result.
Add one useful example
Use for example when you want to make a general point more concrete. The example should belong to the idea just before it. A good example helps the listener see what you mean without changing the subject.
Several habits improve concentration. For example, silence your phone while you read.
Silencing a phone is one action that supports the wider point about concentration.
You say that public spaces can be useful for study. What example could support that point?
You could add, 'For example, a library gives you a quiet place to read.' The library is one case of a useful public space.
Use such as for items in a group
Use such as before names or short phrases that are examples of a larger category. It is useful when you want to name a few items but do not mean that the list is complete.
Bring warm clothes, such as a sweater and gloves.
A sweater and gloves are examples of warm clothes.
Name two examples after this phrase: 'We need digital tools, such as ...'
You could say, 'We need digital tools, such as a calendar app and a shared document.' Both items belong to the larger group.
Before you go
Remember this
Give a reason with because or since, or put the result after so. Add an example with for example, such as, or including when it supports your point. Keep the order clear: a reason explains why, while an example shows one case.
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 "Giving reasons and examples"
How do I give a reason in English?
Use because before the reason for your idea or decision. You can put the main point first and add the reason after it, or put the reason first with since. Check that both parts have a subject and verb when you join two full clauses.
I brought my laptop because I needed to finish the form.
What is the difference between because and so?
Because introduces the cause or reason. So introduces the result after the cause has already been stated. Choose one link for the relationship. A sentence becomes confusing when because and so try to connect the same two ideas together.
I brought my laptop, for example, I needed to finish the form.
When should I use for example?
Use for example after a general point when one specific case will make that point clearer. The example should support the exact idea before it. It should not introduce a new topic or act as a replacement for a reason.
Since the café is closed, we can meet in the lobby.
Can I use such as to give examples?
Yes. Use such as before words or short phrases that belong to a larger group. It is useful when you name a few members of a category, such as tools, places, or tasks. The words after such as should fit the category you named.
Since the café is closed, for example we can meet in the lobby.
How can I make my explanation easier to follow?
State one point, give the reason or result with a clear linking word, and add an example only when it helps. Read the sentence again and ask whether the listener can tell which idea is the cause, which is the result, and what the example supports.
The weather changed quickly, so we packed our coats.