Practice
Conjunctions exercise 2: show reason, contrast, and result
Sign in to saveTwo true ideas can have very different relationships. A conjunction tells the reader whether the second idea gives a reason, creates a contrast, or shows what happened next.
Choose conjunctions that show a reason, a contrast, or a result, and punctuate however correctly.
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
although; however /ɔːlˈðəʊ/; /haʊˈevə/
The short answer
Use because to give a reason, although to introduce an unexpected contrast, and so to show a result. Use however to add a contrast across a sentence or clause, usually with punctuation.
The train was late, so we took a taxi.
Why it works: Taking a taxi is the result of the late train.
3 more examples
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Mira revised every evening because she wanted to feel prepared.
The second clause gives Mira's reason for revising.
Not this:Mira revised every evening,
so she felt prepared. What changes: So changes the relationship: feeling prepared becomes the result of revising. -
Although the café was busy, we found a quiet table.
A busy café might make a quiet table unlikely, so the second idea is a contrast.
Not this:The café was busy,
but we found a quiet table. What changes: But expresses the same basic contrast in a different sentence pattern. -
The instructions were unclear; however, the team completed the task.
However marks a contrast between unclear instructions and successful completion.
Not this:The instructions were unclear,
so the team asked a question. What changes: So gives a likely result rather than an unexpected contrast.
Read the full guide
Ask one question before you choose: does the next clause explain why, show a surprising difference, or describe the consequence? The answer points to the connector.
Find the relationship first
Do not start with a memorised list of connectors. Read both clauses and name their relationship in simple words: reason, contrast, or result. Once you can name it, the grammar becomes easier to choose.
I charged my phone because the battery was low. The low battery is the reason.
Use because for a reason
Because answers why. The clause after because supplies the cause of the action or situation in the other clause. It can come after the main clause or at the beginning of the sentence.
Because the road was closed, the bus arrived late.
Use so for a result
So moves from a cause to its effect. It usually follows the first complete clause, with a comma before it in this common pattern. Do not use because and so together for the same link.
The shop was closed, so we returned later. Correct. The shop was closed because so we returned later. Incorrect.
Use although and but for contrast
Although begins a clause that makes the main clause less expected. But joins two contrasting parts of one sentence. Usually choose one of them, not both in the same contrast pattern.
Although the film was long, it kept our attention.
Avoid Although the film was long, but it kept our attention. Although already signals the contrast.
Punctuate however as a contrast marker
However can connect contrasting ideas, but it is not a coordinating conjunction like but. Between two complete clauses, write a full stop before however or use a semicolon. Put a comma after however when it begins the second clause.
The forecast promised sun. However, the afternoon was cold.
Before you go
Remember this
Choose the connector from the relationship between ideas. Reason points to because; an unexpected difference points to although, but, or however; a consequence points to so. Then check the sentence punctuation.
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
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Try the written questionsQuestions about "Conjunctions exercise 2: show reason, contrast, and result"
When should I use because?
Use because when the following clause gives the reason for an action or situation. In the lesson, Mira revised because she wanted to feel prepared.
Mira revised every evening because she wanted to feel prepared.
What is the difference between because and so?
Because introduces a cause, while so introduces its result. Compare a reason for revising with the later result of feeling prepared.
Mira revised every evening, so she felt prepared.
Can I use although and but together?
Usually no. Both words can signal contrast, so choose one pattern. Use although at the start of a contrasting clause or use but to join two ideas.
Although the café was busy, we found a quiet table.
How do I punctuate however?
When however links two complete clauses, use a full stop or semicolon before it and a comma after it. The unclear-instructions example shows this pattern.
The café was busy, but we found a quiet table.
What conjunction shows a result?
So commonly shows a result. In the taxi example, the late train comes first and taking a taxi follows as the consequence.
The instructions were unclear; however, the team completed the task.