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General English · A1

And, but, or, so, because

Join ideas to add information, show a contrast, offer a choice or explain a reason and result.

What you will learn

  • Choose a conjunction by its meaning.
  • Distinguish reason with because from result with so.
  • Join short clauses clearly.

Fikrlarni bog‘lang: and qo‘shadi, but qarama-qarshilikni, or tanlovni, because sababni, so natijani bildiradi. Bog‘lovchi ikki fikr orasidagi munosabatga mos bo‘lishi kerak.

And adds another item or idea. But connects contrasting ideas. Or presents alternatives. Because introduces the reason for something; so introduces its result. Compare: I stayed home because I was ill. I was ill, so I stayed home. The facts are the same, but the order changes. In these simple cause-and-result sentences, use either because or so, not both together.

Grammar Tables

On small screens, swipe tables sideways.

Five connections
WordMeaningExample
andadditionWe bought bread and milk.
butcontrastThe room is small but comfortable.
orchoiceDo you want tea or juice?
becausereasonI’m happy because you’re here.
soresultIt was cold, so we went inside.
Reason and result order
PatternExample
result + because + reasonHe ate because he was hungry.
reason + so + resultHe was hungry, so he ate.
Because + reason, + resultBecause he was hungry, he ate.

Examples

Addition

Lola speaks English and Uzbek.

Lola inglizcha va o‘zbekcha gapiradi.

Contrast

The bag is old, but it’s useful.

Sumka eski, lekin foydali.

Choice

Shall we walk or take a taxi?

Piyoda boramizmi yoki taksi olamizmi?

Reason

We left early because the bus was slow.

Avtobus sekin yurgani uchun ertaroq chiqdik.

Result

The shop was closed, so we went home.

Do‘kon yopiq edi, shuning uchun uyga qaytdik.

Common Mistakes

Avoid: Because I was tired, so I slept.

Use: Because I was tired, I slept.

Do not use both because and so for this one connection.

Avoid: I stayed inside because was raining.

Use: I stayed inside because it was raining.

The clause after because needs a subject.

Avoid: I was hungry because I ate. (Hunger caused eating.)

Use: I was hungry, so I ate.

If eating is the result, introduce it with so.

Avoid: Tea and coffee? Choose only one. (Offer alternatives.)

Use: Tea or coffee? Choose only one.

Use or to offer a choice between alternatives.

Practice & Feedback

Practise freely. Scores stay on this page only and reset when you leave or reload. Feedback appears after checking each exercise.

1 · Choose the relationship

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. I packed socks ___ shoes. (Add both items.)
2. The coat is nice ___ too expensive. (Show contrast.)
3. Would you like rice ___ potatoes? (Choose one.)
4. I took a coat ___ it was cold. (Give the reason.)
5. It was cold, ___ I took a coat. (Give the result.)
6. She can read ___ write. (Both abilities.)
7. He’s young, ___ he’s a good driver. (Contrast.)
8. Are you coming today ___ tomorrow? (Alternatives.)
9. We stayed home ___ we were ill. (Reason.)
10. I lost my key, ___ I couldn’t open the door. (Result.)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

2 · Supply the connector

Use and, but, or, so or because. Follow the clue.

1. I need a pen ___ a notebook. (Both.)
2. The test was hard, ___ I finished it. (Contrast.)
3. Is your bag blue ___ black? (Choose one colour.)
4. I’m late ___ my bus broke down. (Reason.)
5. The bus broke down, ___ I was late. (Result.)
6. She bought apples ___ bananas. (Both kinds.)
7. I like the city, ___ I don’t like the traffic. (Contrast.)
8. Shall we sit inside ___ outside? (Choice.)
9. ___ I was hungry, I made a sandwich. (Start with the reason.)
10. The floor was wet, ___ I walked carefully. (Result.)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

3 · Keep the meaning clear

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. Choose a correct reason-and-result sentence.
2. Say that rain caused us to stay inside.
3. Choose the sentence that includes both drinks.
4. Choose the sentence that asks for one of two drinks.
5. Choose the sentence that explicitly marks a contrast.
6. Which word introduces the reason in ‘I smiled because I was happy’?
7. Which word introduces a result?
8. Choose a complete sentence.
9. Combine two adjectives with addition: ‘The room is warm. It is quiet.’
10. Keep the meaning: ‘I wore boots because it snowed.’

Answer every question to check this exercise.

Review

  • And adds; but contrasts; or offers a choice.
  • Because introduces a reason; so introduces a result.
  • Keep a subject in each complete clause and do not double because with so.
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