eng6-9.2· Unit 9: Places and Linking· ~13 min

Connectors: and, but, so, because

Linking words to join ideas.

Connectors (also called linking words) join two ideas or clauses in English. 'And' adds one idea to another (I like tea and I like juice). 'But' shows contrast between two different or opposite ideas (I like tea but I don't like coffee). 'So' introduces the RESULT of something — it always comes after the reason (It was raining, so we stayed home). 'Because' introduces the REASON for something — the clause it introduces answers the question 'why?' and often comes after the result (We stayed home because it was raining). 'Or' shows a choice between two possibilities (Do you want tea or coffee?). The most common mistake at this level is confusing 'so' and 'because': remember that the reason clause always goes with 'because', and the result clause always goes with 'so' — check which clause explains WHY something happened and which clause tells WHAT HAPPENED as a result. Words like 'although', 'however', and 'despite' also show contrast, but they are more advanced connectors used in later grades — at Grade 6 level we use the simple word 'but' instead. When 'so' or 'but' joins two full clauses, a comma usually comes right before the connector: 'I was tired, so I went to bed early.'

Key terms

connector — A word that joins two clauses or ideas together, such as and, but, so, or because.
and — A connector used to add one similar idea to another (I like tea and I like juice).
but — A connector used to show contrast between two different or opposite ideas (I like tea but I don't like coffee).
so — A connector used to introduce a RESULT — the reason always comes first (It was raining, so we stayed home).
because — A connector used to introduce a REASON, answering the question 'why?' (We stayed home because it was raining).
or — A connector used to show a choice between two possibilities (Do you want tea or coffee?).
Connectors — Meaning and Example
ConnectorFunctionExample sentence
andadditionI bought apples and bananas.
butcontrastI like tea but I don't like coffee.
soresult / consequenceIt was raining, so we stayed home.
becausereasonWe stayed home because it was raining.
orchoiceDo you want tea or coffee?

Choose the connector that matches the LOGICAL relationship between the two ideas, not just their order in the sentence.

Reason vs Result — because vs so
Clause orderConnectorExample
Reason comes first, result followssoIt was raining, so we stayed home.
Result comes first, reason followsbecauseWe stayed home because it was raining.
Two clauses show contrastbutI like tea but I don't like coffee.
Two clauses show additionandI bought apples and bananas.

'So' always introduces the result AFTER the reason. 'Because' introduces the reason, and it usually comes after the result.

✎Choosing 'so' or 'because' for reason and result
  1. 1Start: Two facts: 'The shop was closed.' and 'We went home.'
  2. 2Step 1: Find the reason and the result: 'The shop was closed' is the REASON. 'We went home' is the RESULT.
  3. 3Step 2: Join with reason first: The shop was closed, so we went home. (reason + so + result)
  4. 4Step 3: Join with result first: We went home because the shop was closed. (result + because + reason)
✎Building a sentence with 'but' for contrast
  1. 1Start: Two facts: 'I like football.' and 'I don't play very well.'
  2. 2Step 1: Check if the ideas agree or contrast: Liking football and not playing well are different, unexpected ideas — this is a contrast.
  3. 3Step 2: Join with 'but': I like football, but I don't play very well.
  4. 4Step 3: Check it is not a result: Do NOT use 'so' here — not playing well is not a RESULT of liking football.
🚫Common mistake

Do NOT reverse cause and effect: 'I was late so the bus broke down' is WRONG — the breakdown did not happen because of being late. Say 'I was late because the bus broke down.'

🚫Common mistake

Do NOT confuse the direction of 'so' and 'because'. 'So' always follows the reason and introduces the result; 'because' introduces the reason and usually comes after the result.

⚠️Caution

'Although', 'however', and 'despite' also show contrast, but they are more advanced connectors used in later grades — at Grade 6 level, use 'but' instead.

💡Note

When 'so' or 'but' joins two full clauses, put a comma right before the connector: 'It was cold, so I wore a coat.' / 'I like tea, but I don't like coffee.'

Rules

  1. 1Use 'and' to add a similar idea: I like tea and I like juice.
  2. 2Use 'but' to show contrast between two different ideas: I like tea but I don't like coffee.
  3. 3Use 'so' to introduce a RESULT — the reason always comes first: It was raining, so we stayed home.
  4. 4Use 'because' to introduce a REASON — it answers the question 'why?': We stayed home because it was raining.
  5. 5Use 'or' to show a choice between two options: Do you want tea or coffee?

Practice

10 easy · 10 medium · 10 hard

10 random questions per test

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