Unit 97 · Conjunctions and clauses

and but or so because

Study

We use these words (conjunctions) to join two sentences. They make one longer sentence from two shorter sentences:

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sentence A The car stopped. — — The driver got out. sentence B

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The car stopped and the driver got out.

and/but/or

sentence A		sentence B
We stayed at home	and	(we)* watched television.	* It is not necessary to repeat 'we' and 'she'.
My sister is married	and	(she)* lives in London.
He doesn't like her,	and	she doesn't like him.
I bought a sandwich,	but	I didn't eat it.
It's a nice house,	but	it doesn't have a garden.
Do you want to go out,	or	are you too tired?

In lists, we use commas (,). We use and before the last thing:

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I got home, had something to eat, sat down in an armchair and fell asleep.

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Karen is at work, Sue has gone shopping and Chris is playing football.

so (the result of something)

sentence A		sentence B
It was very hot,	so	I opened the window.
Joe does a lot of sport,	so	he's very fit.
They don't like travelling,	so	they haven't been to many places.

because (the reason for something)

Because is also possible at the beginning:

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Because it was very hot, I opened the window.

In these examples there is more than one conjunction:

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It was late and I was tired, so I went to bed.

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I always enjoy visiting London, but I wouldn't like to live there because it's too big.

0/3 exercises checked

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97.1

1
I stayed at home. / I watched TV.
I stayed at home and watched TV. example
2
I bought a sandwich. / I didn't eat it.
I bought a sandwich but I didn't eat it. example
3
I went to the window. / I looked out.
I went to the window
4
I wanted to phone you. / I didn't have your number.
I wanted to phone you,
5
I jumped into the river. / I swam to the other side.
I jumped into the river
6
I usually drive to work. / I went by bus this morning.
I usually drive to work,
7
Do you want me to come with you? / Shall I wait here?
Do you want me to come with you,

97.2

97.3