Lesson 25 · Stage 2: Everyday words: pronouns, articles, prepositions
Linking words: and / but / or / so / because
BeginnerForm & use
and adds, but contrasts, or gives a choice, so gives a result, because gives a reason
1.Five basic linking words
These words join two words, two phrases or two clauses (two parts of a sentence). Each one shows a different link between the two parts.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| and | adds information | I had pho and my sister had bun cha. |
| but | contrast | The room is small but clean. |
| or | choice | Do you want tea or coffee? |
| so | result | It was late, so we took a taxi. |
| because | reason | We took a taxi because it was late. |
2.How to use each one
1. And — joins two similar ideas, adds information
Lan plays the guitar and sings.
I got up, had a shower and went to work.
a list: commas, and before the last item
2. But — two opposite ideas, or something surprising
The food was cheap but delicious.
I called him twice, but he didn't answer.
3. Or — a choice; in a negative it joins two things that are both “not”; after an instruction it means “if not…”
Shall we eat in or go out?
I don't eat meat or fish.
in a negative: or
Put on a jacket, or you'll catch a cold.
or = if not
4. So — comes before the result
My phone died, so I couldn't call you.
It's going to rain, so take an umbrella.
5. Because — comes before the reason and answers the question Why?
I couldn't call you because my phone died.
Why are you laughing? — Because this video is so funny!
3.So or because?
The same story can be told two ways: reason + so + result, or result + because + reason. Put the wrong word in and the meaning becomes wrong.
It was very hot, so we went to the beach.
We went to the beach because it was very hot.
Some languages use a pair like “because … so …” in one sentence, but English uses only one word: Because I was sick, I stayed in bed. or I was sick, so I stayed in bed. Don't say “Because I was sick, so I stayed in bed”.
4.Commas and position
- There is usually a comma before so: It was late, so we went home.
- A comma often goes before but when it joins two longer clauses; with two short words, no comma: small but clean.
- Because in the middle of a sentence usually needs no comma. If because comes first, put a comma after the reason: Because it was late, we went home.
- When both parts have the same subject, you can drop the second subject after and / but / or: She lives in Hue and works in Da Nang.
- In writing, “Because I was tired.” on its own is not a complete sentence. But in conversation, answering Why? with Because… is completely natural.
- Starting a sentence with And / But / So is common in speech and informal writing; in formal writing, use it less.
5.Time linking words: when, before, after, until
These words join two actions in time: which one happens first, later, or at the same time.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| when | at the time that | My dog barks when someone rings the bell. |
| before | earlier than | Wash your hands before you eat. |
| after | later than | I'll call you after I finish work. |
| until | up to the time that | Stay in bed until you feel better. |
We left before the film ended.
After I graduated, I moved to Saigon.
time word first → comma
Don't open your presents until everyone arrives.
When talking about the future, use the present tense after when / before / after / until, not will: I'll call you when I get home (not: when I will get). See the lesson “Future time clauses”.
6.Common mistakes
I was tired, because I went to bed early.I was tired, so I went to bed early.
The second part is the result → so.
He missed the bus so he got up late.He missed the bus because he got up late.
The second part is the reason → because.
Do you want rice but noodles?Do you want rice or noodles?
A choice → or.
Because it rained, so we stayed in.Because it rained, we stayed in. / It rained, so we stayed in.
Use only one word, not both because and so.
I'll tell you when I will know.I'll tell you when I know.
For the future, after when use the present.
Examples
- I like tea, but my husband prefers coffee.
- Is your new teacher a man or a woman?
- It was raining, so we stayed at home.
- We stayed at home because it was raining.
