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

1 min
A2

Use and to add ideas, but to contrast, or to give a choice, because to explain a reason, and so to show a result — each one joins two ideas into a single, more natural sentence.

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

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What do and, but, or, because, and so mean?

And adds similar ideas together ("I like tea and coffee"). But shows a contrast ("It's cold but sunny"). Or gives a choice between options ("Tea or coffee?"). Because gives the reason for something ("I'm tired because I worked late"). So shows the result of something ("I was tired, so I went to bed").

Because and so are often confused because they describe opposite directions of the same idea: because introduces the cause, so introduces the effect. "I was tired because I worked late" (cause) means the same relationship as "I worked late, so I was tired" (effect) — just told from opposite ends.

Because or because of?

"Because" is followed by a full clause with a subject and verb: "We stayed inside because it was raining." "Because of" is followed by just a noun, with no verb: "We stayed inside because of the rain."

Mixing them up — "because the rain" — is a common mistake: "because" always needs a clause, and "of" is what lets it connect directly to a noun instead.

Comparison Table

Basic linkers by relationship
FormRelationshipExample
andadditionI like tea and coffee.
butcontrastIt's cold but sunny.
orchoiceTea or coffee?
becausereason (+ clause)I'm tired because I worked late.
because ofreason (+ noun)We stayed in because of the rain.
soresultI was tired, so I went to bed.
Save this comparison chart
Comparison diagram: Basic linkers by relationshipDownload PNG

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.

FAQ

What is the difference between because and because of?

"Because" is followed by a clause (subject + verb): "because it was raining." "Because of" is followed by a noun with no verb: "because of the rain." Saying "because the rain" without "of" is a common mistake — it's missing the noun connector.

What is the difference between so and because?

They show the same relationship from opposite directions: "because" introduces the reason ("I was tired because I worked late"), while "so" introduces the result ("I worked late, so I was tired"). Mixing them up — using "so" where you mean "because" — reverses the logic of the sentence.

Can you start a sentence with "and" or "but"?

In everyday writing and speech, yes — it's common and effective. It's traditionally avoided only in very formal writing, where it's a style preference, not a grammar rule.

What is the difference between and, but, and or?

And adds two similar ideas together. But shows a contrast between two ideas. Or presents a choice between two options. All three join two parts of a sentence, but the relationship between the parts is different for each.

When do you use because vs so in the same sentence?

Because comes before the reason, so comes before the result — put the clauses in the order that matches: "I was tired because I worked late" (reason second) or "I worked late, so I was tired" (result second). Using "so" and "because" together for the same relationship in one sentence usually creates confusion, not extra clarity.

Practice

  1. 1.I like apples oranges.
  2. 2.It was cold, sunny.
  3. 3.Would you like tea coffee?
  4. 4.We stayed inside it was raining.
  5. 5.I missed the bus, I walked.
Quiz loads as you scroll…

Compare With

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