And, but, or, because, so
Join two short sentences into one: and for more, but for a difference, or for a choice, because for a reason, so for a result.
Not sure A1 is your level? Find out in 8–40 questions, no account needed.
Five small words join two ideas into one sentence. Each one shows how the two ideas are connected. They help you speak and write in longer sentences, not only in short ones.
Word | Shows | Example |
|---|---|---|
and | more | I live in Leeds and I work in York. |
but | a difference | The flat is small, but it's cheap. |
or | a choice | Do you want tea or coffee? |
because | a reason | I'm tired because I work at night. |
so | a result | It's raining, so I'm taking the bus. |
And: one more thing
Use and to add information. When the subject is the same, we often don't repeat it.
- I've got a brother and a sister.
- She gets up at six and goes for a run.
(She gets up, and she goes for a run.)
- We need bread, eggs and milk.
(In a list, and usually goes only before the last thing.)
But: something different
Use but when the second idea is different from what we expect. We often put a comma before but.
- The hotel is nice, but it's very expensive.
- I like my job, but I don't like my boss.
- He speaks Spanish, but he doesn't speak French.
Or: a choice
Use or for a choice between two or more things. In a negative sentence, we usually use or, not and, to join two things.
- Is your meeting on Monday or Tuesday?
- We can walk or take a taxi.
- I don't eat meat or fish.
(No meat, and no fish.)
Because: the reason
Because gives the reason for something. It answers the question Why? The reason comes after because.
- I'm learning English because I need it for work.
- She's happy because it's Friday.
- "Why are you late?" "Because the traffic is terrible."
(A short answer to why can start with because.)
So: the result
So gives the result. The reason comes first, then so, then what happens. We often put a comma before so.
- I'm hungry, so I'm making a sandwich.
- The museum is closed on Mondays, so we're going on Tuesday.
- It's a public holiday, so the shops are closed.
Because or so?
Because and so look at the same facts from two sides. With because, the reason comes after it. With so, the result comes after it.
- I'm staying at home because I'm ill.
(Reason: I'm ill.)
- I'm ill, so I'm staying at home.
(Result: I'm staying at home.)
- Incorrect: It's raining because I'm taking an umbrella.
- Correct: It's raining, so I'm taking an umbrella.Taking an umbrella is the result of the rain, not the reason for it, so the word is so.
One word is enough
Use only one of these words between the same two ideas. Don't join one reason and its result with both because and so.
- Incorrect: Because it's cold, so I'm wearing a coat.
- Correct: Because it's cold, I'm wearing a coat.
- Correct: It's cold, so I'm wearing a coat.Use because or so, not both.
Practise this rule
Related rules
Where this rule sits
All A1 rulesClauses and linking words: all rules