Conjunctions: and, but, or, so, because— A1 Grammar Exercises

Take two sentences: I'm tired. I want to sleep. Both are correct, but they sound short and disconnected. Add one small word: I'm tired, so I want to sleep. Now they belong together. The second sentence explains the first. That small word, so, is a conjunction.

Conjunctions are linking words. They join two ideas, two words, or two sentences. The five most useful conjunctions in English are and, but, or, so, and because. Once you know them, you can stop writing in short, choppy sentences.

What conjunctions do

A conjunction sits between two parts of a sentence. The parts before and after the conjunction are connected by it.

And: adds information

Use and when the second idea adds to the first. Both ideas are positive, or both are negative.

• I have a brother and a sister.
• She is kind and funny.
• We went to the park and ate ice cream.
• I don't drink coffee and I don't drink tea.

And also joins two words of the same type: two nouns (cats and dogs), two adjectives (tall and thin), or two verbs (read and write).

But: shows a contrast

Use but when the second idea is different or surprising compared to the first.

• The film is long but interesting.
• I want to go out, but it's raining.
• Daniel speaks Spanish but not French.
• She's only ten, but she plays chess very well.

Or: shows a choice

Use or when there are two (or more) options. Only one is true, or only one will happen.

• Would you like tea or coffee?
• We can eat at home or go to a restaurant.
• Is your name Anna or Anya?
• You can pay in cash or by card.

In negative sentences, or means "not this and not that":

• I don't like coffee or tea. (= I don't like coffee. I don't like tea.)

So: shows a result

Use so when the second idea is the result of the first. The first idea causes the second.

• It was raining, so we stayed at home.
• The shop was closed, so I went to a different one.
• I have a headache, so I'm taking a break.
• She was tired, so she went to bed early.

Because: gives a reason

Use because to give the reason for something. The idea after because answers the question "Why?"

• We stayed at home because it was raining.
• I'm happy because it's my birthday.
• He's late because the traffic is bad.
• I can't come because I'm busy.

Because can also start a sentence. When it does, you need a comma in the middle.

• Because it was raining, we stayed at home.
• Because I'm tired, I'm going to bed.

So vs because

This is the most common confusion at A1. Both link a cause and a result, but they put them in opposite order.

The same situation, two ways:

• It was cold, so I wore a coat. (cause → result)
• I wore a coat because it was cold. (result → cause)

Punctuation

The comma rules at A1 are simple. You don't always need a comma, but here is the safe pattern.

If because starts a sentence, use a comma after the whole reason: Because it's my birthday, I'm happy.

Common mistakes

Frequently asked questions

What are the basic conjunctions in English?

The five basic English conjunctions are and, but, or, so, and because. They all join two ideas in one sentence. And adds information, but shows a contrast, or gives a choice, so shows a result, and because gives a reason. Together they cover almost every link a beginner needs.

What is the difference between so and because?

Both link a cause and a result, but in opposite order:

• So goes between cause and result: It was cold, so I wore a coat.
• Because goes between result and cause: I wore a coat because it was cold.

The two sentences mean the same thing; only the word order is different.

What is the difference between and and but?

Use and when the two ideas go together naturally: It's hot and sunny. Use but when the second idea is surprising or different from the first: It's hot but cloudy. If you can replace the conjunction with "however," you need but, not and.

Can you start a sentence with because?

Yes. You can say Because it was raining, we stayed at home. When because starts the sentence, put a comma after the reason. What you cannot do is leave because alone with no second idea; I stayed home because. is incomplete in standard English.

Do you need a comma before and and but?

You usually don't need a comma before and in short sentences: I have a cat and a dog. Use a comma before but and so when they join two complete sentences: I was tired, but I finished the work. The comma helps the reader see the break between the two ideas.

What is the difference between because and because of?

Because is followed by a full sentence with a subject and verb: I'm late because the bus didn't come. Because of is followed by a noun or noun phrase: I'm late because of the bus. They give the same reason, but the grammar around them is different.

Quick summary

Related topics

• Basic word order: conjunctions join sentences, but each side still needs a subject and a verb in the right order.
• The verb to be: am, is, are: many short A1 sentences with conjunctions use this verb.
• Time connectors (B1): the next step: when, while, after, before, as soon as.

For a wider look at how to connect ideas in English, read the blog post English linking words and connectors guide.