clause/word + and + clause/wordUse and when both parts go together and the second part adds information.
Basic Coordination
A2Use and, but, or, so, and because to join words and clauses. Pick the linker by meaning: extra info, contrast, choice, result, or reason.
What you'll learn
- Join two ideas with and for extra information.
- Choose but when the second idea contrasts with the first.
- Use or for choices and alternatives.
- Tell result with so and reason with because.
- Add a comma before the linker when both sides are full clauses.
Structure
clause + but + clauseUse but when the second clause contrasts with the first clause.
option + or + optionUse or when there is a choice, an offer, or another possibility.
situation, so resultThe first clause gives the situation. The second clause gives the result.
main idea + because + reasonThe first clause is the main message. The because-clause explains why.
Build a sentence
Meaning
Sentence pair
Tom worked lateandhe is tired
Tom worked late, and he is tired.
Use and to add one more idea.
When to use
Adding information
Use and to continue the message with one more similar idea. Maria cooks, and Tom sets the table.
Contrast
Use but when the second part surprises the listener or goes in the opposite direction. It was late, but Anna kept working.
Choices
Use or in offers, decisions, and alternatives. We can meet today or call tomorrow.
Reason and result
Use because to explain why. Use so to show what happened next. Max was sick, so he stayed home. He stayed home because he was sick.
Markers
andbutorsobecause
Common mistakes
Wrong
Lisa is tired, and she finishes the report.
Correct
Lisa is tired, but she finishes the report.
The second clause contrasts with the first one, so use but, not and.
Wrong
Do you want tea and coffee?
Correct
Do you want tea or coffee?
The speaker offers a choice between two drinks, so use or.
Wrong
Anna was late, because she took a taxi.
Correct
Anna was late, so she took a taxi.
The second clause is the result of being late. Use so for result.
Wrong
Anna took a taxi, so she was late.
Correct
Anna took a taxi because she was late.
The second clause explains why she took a taxi. Use because for reason.
Wrong
Tom was hungry so he made a sandwich.
Correct
Tom was hungry, so he made a sandwich.
Both sides are full clauses with their own subject and verb, so add a comma before so.
Common misconceptions
❝ I always need a comma before and. ❞
Use a comma before and when it joins two full clauses. Do not add a comma when you only join two words or short phrases.
❝ Because and so mean the same thing, so I can choose either one. ❞
They point in different directions. Because gives the reason; so gives the result.
Skills in this rule (6)
ADD_AND_FOR_EXTRA_INFOw5Use and to add one more idea
Use and when two words, phrases, or clauses go in the same direction. The second part adds information, not contrast or reason.
USE_BUT_FOR_CONTRASTw5Use but to show contrast
Use but when the second part goes in a different direction from the first. It introduces an opposite or unexpected idea.
USE_OR_FOR_CHOICESw4Use or to show a choice or alternative
Use or when there are two options, possibilities, or decisions. The listener chooses one possibility or hears an alternative.
USE_SO_FOR_RESULTw5Use so to show a result
Use so when the second clause is the result of the first clause. The first part gives the situation; the second part gives what happened because of it.
USE_BECAUSE_FOR_REASONw5Use because to give a reason
Use because when the second clause explains why something happens or is true. It answers the question why.
ADD_COMMA_WITH_TWO_CLAUSESw4Use a comma before the linker between two full clauses
When both sides have their own subject and verb, put a comma before and, but, or, or so. Do not use a comma when you only join words or short phrases.