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Basic Linkers: And, But, Or, Because, So

1 min
A2
CEFR A2·other

Formula

and
addition
(I like tea and coffee.)
but
contrast
(It's cold but sunny.)
or
choice
(Tea or coffee?)
because
reason
(I'm tired because I worked late.)
so
result
(I was tired, so I went to bed.)

Examples

Positive
I like apples and oranges, but I don't like grapes.
Negative
She didn't call because she lost her phone.
Question
Would you like tea or coffee?

Usage

  • •Join two ideas in one sentence
  • •Show relationships: addition, contrast, choice, reason, result
  • •Help your sentences flow more naturally and sound more advanced

More Examples

  • He plays football and basketball.

    AND adds similar items

  • I love chocolate, but I avoid sugar.

    BUT shows contrast

  • Are you coming or staying home?

    OR gives a choice

  • We stayed inside because it was raining.

    BECAUSE gives the reason

  • I missed the bus, so I walked.

    SO shows what happens next

  • I'm going to study tonight because I have a test tomorrow.

    Saying why something happens

Common Mistakes

  • ✗Using "because" + noun: "Because the rain" should be "Because of the rain" (because of + noun, because + clause).
  • ✗Mixing "so" (result) with "because" (reason): "I was tired so I worked late" should be "I was tired because I worked late" if "working late" was the cause.

Tips

  • ✓Quick memory: AND adds · BUT contrasts · OR chooses · BECAUSE explains why · SO shows the result.
  • ✓Avoid starting too many sentences with "And" or "But" in formal writing — use sparingly.

Advanced Notes

These five linkers form the backbone of English sentence cohesion. In informal writing and speech, starting sentences with "And", "But", or "So" is now widely accepted and stylistically effective — it's a formal writing rule, not a grammar rule. "Because" is subordinating (it can't stand alone), while "so" and "but" are coordinating (equal clauses). A common learner plateau: using only these five while ignoring "however", "although", "therefore", "despite", which signal a jump to B1 writing sophistication.

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Compare With

Linking Words: However, Although, Despite, In Spite Of(B1)