Connectors: because, so, but, although. Connectors are used to join different ideas within a sentence. In English, we must use connectors when we are changing or joining ideas. They help clarify your writing and are a necessary part of exams as well. Here are just 4 common connectors.
BECAUSE
- Use ‘because’ to express a reason for doing something.
- It is almost always placed in the middle of the sentence.
- I arrived late to work because I woke up late. (Waking up late is the reason I arrived late).
- She is mad at me because I yelled at her. (My yelling is the reason why she is mad).
SO
- Use ‘so’ to show the result of doing something.
- I woke up late, so I arrived to work late. (Arriving late was the result of waking up late).
- I yelled at her, so she is mad at me. (Her being mad is the result of my yelling)
BUT AND ALTHOUGH
- ‘But’ and ‘Although’ both express contrast.
- ‘But’ shows a contrast from the previous statement.
- I like apples, but I prefer oranges.
- ‘Although’ shows the presence of something despite the presence of the other.
- Although I like apples, I prefer oranges.
- Note that ‘although’ can be placed at the beginning or in the middle of a sentece.
- Although she studied hard for the exam, she didn’t do very well.
- She studied hard for the exam, although she didn’t do very well.
COMMON MISTAKES
- Remember not to use both ‘because’ and ‘so’ in the sentence.
Because he is out of town, so he is not attending the meeting.- Because he is out of town, he is not attending the meeting.
- He is out of town, so he is not attending the meeting.
- Nor should you use both ‘although’ and ‘but’.
Although I enjoy her company but she is a bit difficult at times.- I enjoy her company but she is a bit difficult at times.
- Although I enjoy her company, she is a bit difficult at times.
English Grammar
Now that you have seen ‘Connectors: because, so, but, although’, take a look at our other English Grammar posts:
Grammar: Present Simple for time tables and plans
Grammar: already vs yet
