Conjunctions: and, but, or, so, because

Conjunctions are small words that connect ideas in a sentence.
In this lesson, you will learn how to use:

and, but, or, so, because

1. What Are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions join two ideas. They can join two words (tea and coffee) or two sentences/parts of a sentence (I am tired, but I am happy).

Examples:

• “I like tea and coffee.” (two words)
• “I am tired, but I am happy.” (two sentences)

2. Using “and”

We use and to add information.
Meaning: one thing + another thing
Examples:

• “I like tea and coffee.”
• “She has a dog and a cat.”
• “We study English and French.”

Why?

We use and to join similar ideas.

3. Using “but”

We use but to show a contrast (something different or surprising).
Meaning: one idea + a different idea
Examples:

• “I am tired, but I am happy.”
• “She is tired, but she is okay.”
• “He likes coffee, but he doesn’t like tea.”

Why?

The second idea is different from the first.

4. Using “or”

We use or to show a choice.
Meaning: this or that
Examples:

• “Do you want tea or coffee?”
• “We can go by bus or train.”
• “Is it Monday or Tuesday?”

Why?

There are two options.

5. Using “because”

We use because to give a reason.
Meaning: why?
Structure:

• Result + because + reason
• Because + reason, result

Examples:

• “I am tired because I worked a lot.”
• “Because it was raining, they stayed home.”
• “She is happy because it is her birthday.”

Why?

We explain the reason for something.

6. Using “so”

We use so to show a result.
Meaning: this is the result
Structure:

Reason + so + result

Examples:

• “I was tired, so I went to bed.”
• “It was raining, so we stayed home.”
• “She studied a lot, so she passed the test.”

Note: In one cause–result link, don’t use both together. (Wrong: Because I was tired, so I went to bed.) Use because for the reason OR so for the result.

Why?

The second part is the result of the first.

7. Easy Way to Remember

• and → add
• but → different
• or → choice
• because → reason
• so → result