Practice
English practice: conjunctions and linking words
Sign in to saveThe train was delayed, so Maya called the hotel. One small word explains the connection between the delay and her call.
Choose a conjunction or linking word that accurately shows addition, contrast, reason, result, or concession between two ideas.
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 the roads were icy, we arrived on time. /ɔːlˈðəʊ ðə rəʊdz wə ˈaɪsi, wi əˈraɪvd ɒn taɪm/
The short answer
Choose a linker by asking what the second idea does. Use and for addition, but or however for contrast, because for a reason, so or therefore for a result, and although for an unexpected contrast.
I took an umbrella because the forecast predicted rain.
Why it works: Because introduces the reason for taking the umbrella.
5 more examples
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The guide gave directions, and the group found the museum.
And adds the next event in the sequence.
Not this:The guide gave directions,
butthe group still got lost. What changes: But shows that the second event differs from the expected result. -
We left early because the roads were icy.
Because gives the reason for leaving early.
Not this:The roads were icy,
sowe left early. What changes: So introduces the result of the icy roads. -
Although the room was small, everyone could sit down.
Although introduces a fact that might make the main result seem surprising.
Not this:The room was small.
However, everyone could sit down. What changes: However can express a similar contrast across two sentences. -
The deadline was moved. Therefore, we had more time to check the forms.
Therefore signals a logical result in a more formal style.
Not this:The deadline was moved,
sowe had more time to check the forms. What changes: So gives the same basic result in one joined sentence. -
I can meet on Tuesday or Thursday.
Or presents alternatives.
Not this:I can meet on Tuesday,
andI can meet on Thursday. What changes: And adds both possibilities rather than asking someone to choose one.
Read the full guide
Read both ideas before choosing a link. First name their relationship in your own words: addition, contrast, reason, result, or concession. Then choose a linker whose grammar fits the sentence. Some linkers join two clauses directly, while others begin a new sentence or follow a semicolon.
Add related ideas with and and or
Use and when both ideas belong together. Use or when the reader or listener must choose between alternatives. These short conjunctions can join words, phrases, or complete clauses.
Ravi printed the tickets and checked the departure time.
And adds a second action Ravi completed.
Would you prefer tea or coffee?
Or presents two alternatives.
Which conjunction offers a choice?
Use or to offer a choice.
Show a contrast with but
Use but when the second idea differs from, limits, or corrects the first one. The two ideas are still connected, but the reader needs to notice the difference between them.
The instructions were clear, but the form was difficult to complete.
The difficulty contrasts with the clear instructions.
I wanted to walk, but it started to rain.
The rain changed the likely plan.
Does but add a reason or a contrast?
But shows a contrast.
Give a reason with because
Because introduces the cause or reason. It can come after the main clause or at the start of the sentence. When the because clause comes first, use a comma before the main clause.
We took a taxi because the last bus had gone.
The missed bus explains why we took a taxi.
Because the last bus had gone, we took a taxi.
The meaning stays the same when the reason comes first.
What question can a because clause answer?
It can answer why something happened.
Give a result with so and therefore
So introduces a result in an ordinary joined sentence. Therefore also introduces a result, but it is more formal and usually links two complete sentences. The choice changes the sentence structure as well as the tone.
The lift was out of order, so we used the stairs.
Using the stairs is the result of the lift being unavailable.
The lift was out of order. Therefore, we used the stairs.
Therefore begins a new, more formal result sentence.
Can you write because the lift was out of order, so we used the stairs?
No. Choose because for the reason pattern or so for the result pattern, but do not use both together here.
Use although and however for unexpected contrasts
Although starts a clause that contains a fact which might make the main clause surprising. However signals contrast between two complete sentences. They can express similar relationships, but they need different punctuation.
Although Mina was tired, she finished the report.
Being tired makes finishing the report less expected.
Mina was tired. However, she finished the report.
However begins the second sentence and is followed by a comma.
Which linker can begin an opening dependent clause?
Although can begin an opening dependent clause.
Before you go
Remember this
Choose the relationship before you choose the word. And adds, but and however contrast, because gives a reason, so and therefore give a result, and although introduces a contrast that makes the main clause less expected. Check the punctuation as well as the meaning.
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 "English practice: conjunctions and linking words"
What is the difference between because and so?
Because introduces a reason: We stayed inside because it was raining. So introduces a result: It was raining, so we stayed inside. Use one pattern for the relationship instead of putting because and so together.
The guide gave directions, and the group found the museum.
When should I use but instead of however?
Use but to join a direct contrast inside one sentence. Use however to connect a contrasting complete sentence, usually after a full stop or a semicolon. For example: The route was long. However, the view was good.
The guide gave directions, but the group still got lost.
Can although and but appear in the same sentence?
Do not use although and but for the same contrast in a standard sentence. Write Although it was cold, we went out or It was cold, but we went out. Each sentence already has a contrast linker.
We left early because the roads were icy.
Is therefore more formal than so?
Yes. Therefore is common in formal explanations and writing where a logical result needs emphasis. So is more common in ordinary conversation and simple written sentences. Both can show a result, but their punctuation differs.
The roads were icy, so we left early.
Why does however need different punctuation?
However is a linking adverb rather than a basic coordinating conjunction. It commonly follows a full stop or semicolon and is followed by a comma when it begins the next clause or sentence. This keeps two complete ideas from being joined by a comma alone.
Although the room was small, everyone could sit down.