Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 97 · A2

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.

Start the lesson

16Steps · about 23 minutes

In this lesson

Joining two sentencesA1 screen of questions
and, but, orB2 screens of questions
so = the resultC1 screen of questions
because = the reasonD1 screen of questions
More than one conjunctionE1 screen of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 5

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.

Point A · Extra practice

Join the two sentences with and, but or or.

  1. I went to the shop. I bought some bread. I went to the shop some bread.

  2. I phoned her. She didn't answer. I phoned her, answer.

  3. Do you want tea? Do you want coffee? Do you want tea ?

Point B of 5

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.

Point B · Exercise 97.1 · part 1 of 2

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.

  1. Example

    I stayed in ...

    I stayed in and played cards.

    AnswerI stayed in and played cards.

  2. Example

    I bought a magazine ...

    I bought a magazine but I didn't read it.

    AnswerI bought a magazine but I didn't read it.

  3. I went to the door ...

  4. I wanted to ring you ...

  5. I dived into the pool ...

  6. I usually cycle to work ...

Point B · Exercise 97.1 · part 2 of 2

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.

  1. Shall I come in with you ...

Point C of 5

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.

Point C · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with so and a result.

  1. It was raining, took an umbrella.

  2. The shop was closed, went home.

  3. I was hungry, made a sandwich.

Point D of 5

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.

Point D · Extra practice

Put in because.

  1. I stayed in it was raining.

  2. Jack is tired he didn't sleep well.

  3. the bus was late, I missed the start of the film.

Point E of 5

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.

Point E · Extra practice

Put in and, but, so or because.

  1. The shift was long my feet hurt, so I sat down.

  2. I like the job, I want to leave because the pay is bad.

  3. We couldn't swim the sea was rough, so we went for a walk instead.

Put it together · Exercise 97.2 · part 1 of 2

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

  1. Example

    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.

    AnswerIt was very hot, so he opened the window.

  2. Two people with tennis rackets looking out at a court in the pouring rain.

    They didn't play tennis ...

  3. Two tourists at a museum entrance. The sign on the door says CLOSED.

    They went to the museum ...

  4. Ben is offered a plate of sandwiches. He says, "No, thank you."

    Ben wasn't hungry, ...

  5. Asha's car sits in a long traffic jam. Later she rushes into a meeting saying, "Sorry I'm late."

    Asha was late ...

Put it together · Exercise 97.2 · part 2 of 2

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

  1. Kim waves and says "Goodbye," then drives off.

    Kim said ...

Put it together · Exercise 97.3

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

  1. Example

    (and)

    In the evening I stayed in and read a book.

    Example answerIn the evening I stayed in and read a book.

  2. Example

    (because)

    I went to bed early because I was tired.

    Example answerI went to bed early because I was tired.

  3. (but)

  4. (and)

  5. (so)

  6. (because)

Lesson 97 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: When ...Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Joining two sentences–Not checkedB. and, but, or–Not checkedC. so = the result–Not checkedD. because = the reason–Not checkedE. More than one conjunction–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked