Linking Words
We use linking words or connectors to join ideas in a sentence. Below are four common connectors and how we use them.
Because
We use "because" to give a reason.
Examples:
I'm so tired today because I didn't sleep well last night.
She stayed at home because she was feeling sick.
So
We use "so" to show a result.
Examples:
I didn't sleep well last night, so I'm very tired today.
She was feeling sick, so she stayed at home.
In general, a comma is usually placed before "so" when it connects two independent clauses (complete sentences). This makes the sentence clearer, especially in writing.
But
We use "but" to show a contrast (difference between ideas).
Examples:
I wanted to go out with my friends, but I had to stay at home and study for the exam.
He is very friendly, but sometimes he talks too much.
"But" is used between two clauses. You can put a comma before "but".
Although
We use "although" to show contrast, too.
Examples:
Although it was cold, we decided to go swimming.
Although she was tired, she finished all her homework.
"Although" connects two clauses. If it comes at the beginning of the sentence, use a comma after the first clause. If it comes in the middle, you don’t need a comma.
Example:
Although it was cold, we decided to go swimming.
We decided to go swimming although it was cold.
Exercises
Complete the sentences with "because", "so", "but" and "although".
1_____ it was raining, we went for a walk.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
2I didn’t go to the party _____ I was feeling sick.
I didn’t go to the party because I was feeling sick.
3She studied hard, ____ she passed the test.
She studied hard, so she passed the test.
4He’s very friendly ____ he doesn’t talk much.
He’s very friendly but he doesn’t talk much.
5I was hungry, ____ I made a sandwich.
I was hungry, so I made a sandwich.
6____ he was tired, he kept working.
Although he was tired, he kept working.
7They wanted to watch the movie, ____ the tickets were sold out.
They wanted to watch the movie, but the tickets were sold out.
8I couldn’t sleep ____ I'd had too much coffee.
I couldn’t sleep because I'd had too much coffee.