Unit 97: and, but, or, so, because

and, but, or, so and because join two sentences into one. In a list, and goes before the last item. so gives the result and because gives the reason; because can also start the sentence.

Go to the exercises

A Joining two sentences

and, but, or, so, because are conjunctions. They join two short sentences into one longer one.

It was cold. I put my coat on. > It was cold, so I put my coat on.

B and, but, or

sentence A		sentence B
We stayed in	and	(we) played cards.
My cousin is a vet	and	(she) works in Derby.
He doesn't trust her	and	she doesn't trust him.
I bought a magazine	but	I didn't read it.
It's a lovely flat	but	it hasn't got a balcony.
Shall we eat out	or	would you rather cook?

When the subject is the same (we, she), you do not need to say it again.

In a list, put and before the last item only.

I got home, made a sandwich, sat down on the sofa and fell asleep.
Jake is at work, Mia is at the shops and Leo is playing rugby.

C so = the result

so introduces the result of something.

sentence A		sentence B
It was really cold,	so	I turned the heating on.
The sea was rough,	so	we didn't go sailing.
They love music,	so	they often go to gigs.

It was really cold, so I turned the heating on.

D because = the reason

because introduces the reason for something.

sentence A		sentence B
I turned the heating on	because	it was really cold.
We didn't go sailing	because	the sea was rough.
Josh is tired	because	he didn't sleep well.

You can also begin with because.

Because the sea was rough, we didn't go sailing.

E More than one conjunction

One sentence can hold more than one conjunction.

It was late and I was exhausted, so I went to bed.
I love visiting Edinburgh, but I wouldn't want to live there because the winters are too long.

Exercises

97.1 Write sentences. Join one sentence from each list with and, but or or. List A: I stayed in. / I bought a magazine. / I went to the door. / I wanted to ring you. / I dived into the pool. / I usually cycle to work. / Shall I come in with you? List B: I didn't have your number. / Would you rather I waited in the car? / I didn't read it. / I took the bus this morning. / I played cards. / I swam to the other end. / I looked outside.

I stayed in ...
I stayed in and played cards.
I stayed in and played cards.
I bought a magazine ...
I bought a magazine but I didn't read it.
I bought a magazine but I didn't read it.
I went to the door ...
I wanted to ring you ...
I dived into the pool ...
I usually cycle to work ...
Shall I come in with you ...

97.2 Read each scene and complete the sentence. Use and/but/so/because.

A man in a stuffy office, fanning himself. He pushes a window open.
It was very hot, ...
It was very hot, so he opened the window.
It was very hot, so he opened the window.
Two people with tennis rackets looking out at a court in the pouring rain.
They didn't play tennis ...
Two tourists at a museum entrance. The sign on the door says CLOSED.
They went to the museum ...
Ben is offered a plate of sandwiches. He says, "No, thank you."
Ben wasn't hungry, ...
Asha's car sits in a long traffic jam. Later she rushes into a meeting saying, "Sorry I'm late."
Asha was late ...
Kim waves and says "Goodbye," then drives off.
Kim said ...

97.3 Write sentences about what you did yesterday. Use the word in brackets. The answers below are examples; yours will be different.

(and)
Example answer: In the evening I stayed in and read a book.
(because)
Example answer: I went to bed early because I was tired.
(but)
(and)
(so)
(because)

and, but, or, so, because