Connectors Exercises: And, But, Or, Because, So, Then, When
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Connectors: join your ideas
A connector is a small word that joins two ideas. With connectors, you can make longer sentences: I was ill, so I stayed at home.
- And, but, or:
- Use and to add an idea: I have a brother and a sister. Use but for a different idea: I want to go out, but it is raining. Use or for a choice: Do you want tea or coffee?
- Because:
- Use because to give the reason: I stayed at home because I was ill. The reason comes after because.
- So:
- Use so to give the result: I was ill, so I stayed at home. The result comes after so. Write a comma before so and before but.
- Then:
- Use then for the next thing that happens: First I have breakfast. Then I go to work.
- When:
- Use when for the time of something: When I get home, I have a shower. You can say it first, with a comma, or second, with no comma: I have a shower when I get home.
- Before and after:
- Use before and after to show the order. I have a shower before dinner means the shower comes first. After work, I go home means work comes first.
Examples
I have a brother and a sister.
And adds one more thing.
I want to go out, but it is raining.
But shows two different ideas. Write a comma before but.
Do you want tea or coffee?
Or is for a choice between two things.
I was ill, so I stayed at home. I stayed at home because I was ill.
The two sentences mean the same. So gives the result. Because gives the reason.
First I have breakfast. Then I go to work. After work, I go home.
Then is the next thing. After work means when work is finished.
When I get home, I have a shower before dinner.
When gives the time. Before dinner means the shower comes first.
Practice exercises
Choose the Correct Connector
Choose the correct word.
1.I like tennis, ___ I don't like football.
2.Do you want a coffee ___ a tea?
3.She is happy ___ it is her birthday.
4.It is cold, ___ I am wearing a coat.
5.___ I get up, I drink a glass of water.
6.Wash your hands ___ you eat.
Fill in the Blank
Type the correct connector. The hint shows the words to choose from.
Put the Words in Order
Click the words in the correct order to build the sentence.
14. Build the sentence:
15. Build the sentence:
16. Build the sentence:
17. Build the sentence:
True or False
Decide if each statement is true or false.
18.In 'I was tired, so I went to bed', the word 'so' gives the reason.
19.In 'He was late because he missed the bus', missing the bus is the reason.
20.We use 'but' when the second idea is different: 'It is sunny, but it is cold.'
21.In 'I wash my hands before I eat', I eat first.
22.We use 'or' to talk about a choice: 'Do you want tea or coffee?'
Connectors: Make Longer Sentences
A connector is a small word that joins two ideas. Without connectors, we speak in short sentences: I was ill. I stayed at home. With a connector, the ideas are joined and the meaning is clear: I was ill, so I stayed at home.
And, but and or are the first connectors to learn. Use and to add an idea: I have a brother and a sister. Use but when the second idea is different: I want to go out, but it is raining. Use or for a choice: Do you want tea or coffee?
Because and so are about reasons and results. Because gives the reason: I stayed at home because I was ill. So gives the result: I was ill, so I stayed at home. A very common mistake is to use them the wrong way round, so check which part is the reason.
Then, when, before and after are about time. Then is the next thing: First I have breakfast. Then I go to work. When gives the time of an action: When I get home, I have a shower. Before and after show the order: I have a shower before dinner. After work, I go home.
The exercises above practice all of these connectors: choosing the correct word, completing sentences, building sentences in the correct order, and deciding if a statement is true or false.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between because and so?
Because gives the reason: I stayed at home because I was ill. So gives the result: I was ill, so I stayed at home. The two sentences mean the same. Look at which part is the reason.
Do I write a comma before but and so?
Yes, usually. Write a comma before but and so: I want to go out, but it is raining. I was ill, so I stayed at home. You do not need a comma before because.
When do I use and, but and or?
Use and to add an idea, but for a different idea, and or for a choice. I have a brother and a sister. I like tea, but I don't like coffee. Do you want tea or coffee?
What is the difference between when, before and after?
When gives the time: When I get home, I have a shower. Before and after give the order. I have a shower before dinner means the shower comes first. After work, I go home means work comes first.
Can I start a sentence with because, when or after?
Yes, with when, before and after. When I get home, I have a shower. After class, I go home. Write a comma after the first part. We usually put because in the middle of a sentence: He is late because he missed the bus.
Answer key
1. I like tennis, ___ I don't like football.
Answer: but
The two ideas are different, so use but.
2. Do you want a coffee ___ a tea?
Answer: or
This is a choice between two things, so use or.
3. She is happy ___ it is her birthday.
Answer: because
It is her birthday is the reason, so use because.
4. It is cold, ___ I am wearing a coat.
Answer: so
Wearing a coat is the result of the cold weather, so use so.
5. ___ I get up, I drink a glass of water.
Answer: When
When gives the time: at the moment I get up.
6. Wash your hands ___ you eat.
Answer: before
Washing comes first and eating comes second, so use before.
7. I was tired, ___ I went to bed early.
Answer: so
Going to bed is the result of being tired, so use so.
8. I went to bed early ___ I was tired.
Answer: because
I was tired is the reason, so use because.
9. He likes cats, ___ he doesn't like dogs.
Answer: but
Liking cats and not liking dogs are different ideas, so use but.
10. Is it Monday ___ Tuesday today?
Answer: or
The question is about a choice, so use or.
11. My homework is at five and dinner is at six, so I do my homework ___ dinner.
Answer: before
Homework is at five and dinner is at six, so the homework comes first: use before.
12. First I do my homework. ___ I watch TV.
Answer: Then
Then shows the next thing that happens.
13. ___ I am tired, I drink coffee.
Answer: When
When gives the time: every time I am tired.
14. at / so / I / ill / , / stayed / was / I / home / .
Answer: I was ill, so I stayed at home.
The reason comes first (I was ill). The result comes after so (I stayed at home).
15. now / go / Do / to / you / later / or / want / ?
Answer: Do you want to go now or later?
Start with do for the question. Or comes between the two choices: now or later.
16. go / I / After / , / home / class / .
Answer: After class, I go home.
After class gives the time. Write a comma after it, then the main part.
17. he / bus / late / He / because / missed / is / the / .
Answer: He is late because he missed the bus.
He is late is the main idea. The reason, he missed the bus, comes after because.
18. In 'I was tired, so I went to bed', the word 'so' gives the reason.
Answer: False
So gives the result. The reason is I was tired. Because gives the reason.
19. In 'He was late because he missed the bus', missing the bus is the reason.
Answer: True
The reason comes after because.
20. We use 'but' when the second idea is different: 'It is sunny, but it is cold.'
Answer: True
Sunny and cold are different ideas, so use but.
21. In 'I wash my hands before I eat', I eat first.
Answer: False
Before shows the order. I wash my hands first, and then I eat.
22. We use 'or' to talk about a choice: 'Do you want tea or coffee?'
Answer: True
Or is for a choice between two things.