Conjunctions: and, but, or, because, so

This is an old revision of the document!

We have beef and pork today but no fish.

And, but, or, and so are conjunctions.

They join two parts of a sentence:

We use them to add some extra information.

Conjunction

Use

Examples

and

To join two or more pieces of information - it suggests 'also'

I live in Paris and I work in a bank.

We need bread, cheese and wine.

but

To join two contrasting ideas

I'm busy today but I'm free tomorrow.

or

To join two or more pieces of information in a negative sentence

To join two possibilities

I don't like wine or beer.

We don't have any apples, oranges or bananas.

We can finish this today or tomorrow.

because

To give a reason

I'm having lunch early today because I have a meeting this afternoon.

so

To add a consequence or a result

I have a meeting this afternoon so I'm having lunch early today.

In Canada, they speak English and French.

"I'm not available on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday."

"Well, I'm free on Monday but not Tuesday."

You can pay now or when you leave.

I'm not buying this because I don't like the colour.

It's sunny today so we're having a barbecue.

Introduction