Conjunctions: and, but, or, so, because
Learn how to use the English conjunctions and, but, or, so, and because to connect words, ideas, and sentences, with clear A1-level examples.
What Are Conjunctions?
Conjunctions are words that connect ideas.
They can join:
- two words
- two phrases
- two sentences
Comma rules
- Do not use a comma when a conjunction joins words or phrases: tea and coffee.
- Usually use a comma before and, but, or, or so when it joins two full sentences: I made coffee, and she made tea. With two short sentences, the comma is often omitted: I made coffee and she made tea.
- When a because clause starts the sentence, use a comma after the clause: Because it was raining, they stayed home.
I like tea and coffee.
I was tired, but I finished my homework.
The Five Most Common Conjunctions
| Conjunction | Meaning | Think of... |
|---|---|---|
| and | add information | + |
| but | opposite idea | ↔ |
| or | choice | ? |
| because | reason | ← |
| so | result | → |
Using Each Conjunction
And — Add Information
Use and when you want to join similar ideas.
I have a pen and a notebook.
I cook and listen to music.
The sun is shining, and we are ready to go.
But — Opposite Idea
Use but when the second idea is surprising or opposite to the first idea.
The room is small but comfortable.
Tom is young, but he is very tall.
She likes football, but she doesn't play it.
Today is cold, but the sun is shining.
Or — Give a Choice
Use or when there are two or more options.
Do you want tea or coffee?
We can go by bus or train.
Do you want the red bag or the blue bag?
Do you want tea, coffee or juice?
In a negative sentence, use or where a positive sentence uses and.
I like tea and coffee. → I don't like tea or coffee.
I have a car and a bike. → I don't have a car or a bike.
Because — Reason
Use because to explain why something happens.
Question: Why are you late?
Spoken answer: Because the train stopped.
Full written sentence: I am late because the train stopped.
In spoken English, we often answer a why question with because + a reason.
When you write, use a full sentence, not only Because the train stopped.
The because clause can come first or second, and the meaning is the same: They stayed home because it was raining. = Because it was raining, they stayed home.
I am late because the bus was slow.
Because it was raining, they stayed home.
She is happy because it is her birthday.
So — Result
Use so to show the result — what happened next.
Use a comma before so when it joins two clauses: It was raining, so we stayed home. In informal English, a new sentence can also begin with So: It was raining. So we stayed home.
Unlike because, so cannot move to the front: the reason comes first and the result follows so.
I was tired, so I went to bed.
It was raining, so we stayed home.
The bus was late, so I walked to school.
because → explains the reason (why)
so → shows the result (what happened next)
I stayed home because it was raining. (reason)
It was raining, so I stayed home. (result)
Common Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Because I was tired, so I went to bed. | Because I was tired, I went to bed. | Use one connector per link. |
| I like tea, and I don't like coffee. | I like tea, but I don't like coffee. | The two ideas are opposite, so use but, not and. |
| Because the train stopped. | I am late because the train stopped. | In writing, make a full sentence, not only a because reason. |
| I don't like tea and coffee. | I don't like tea or coffee. | After not, use or for both things: I don't like tea or coffee (= neither one). |
Do not use because and so together for the same idea.
✓ Because I was tired, I went home.
✓ I was tired, so I went home.
✗ Because I was tired, so I went home.
Quick check
Try one question now.
Check your answer when you are ready. No sign-in needed.
Quick Summary
Here is a short story with all five conjunctions:
Maya wanted tea or coffee, but the café was closed. She was tired because she had walked a long way, so she went home. At home, she made tea and listened to music.
Use and to add, but for an opposite idea, or for a choice, because for a reason, and so for a result.
You reached the end
You reached the endNow make it stick.
Save your progress, or start the exercises. Practice with detailed feedback after you submit, or save your progress and come back.
Was this lesson helpful?
Vocabulary in this lesson
5 words, ready to study.
Play a word to hear it, then mark it as known — or save it to study later.
Save any of these 5 words and review them later.
Conjunctions (and, but or, so, because)
5 wordsLast updated October 14, 2026