Conjunctions & linking words

A1 20 / 50

In short

Conjunctions are small words that join words, phrases, or sentences. The most common ones are and, but, or, so, and because.

We use conjunctions to connect ideas instead of writing many short, separate sentences.

Coordinating conjunctions join two equal parts. Each one has its own meaning:

Word	Meaning	Example
and	addition (+)	tea and coffee
but	contrast	small but strong
or	alternative / choice	tea or coffee?
so	result	It was late, so I went home.
nor	”and not” (after a negative)	He doesn’t smoke, nor does he drink.

When and, but, or so join two full sentences (clauses), put a comma before them:

I like tea, but I don’t like coffee. It was raining, so we stayed inside.

Subordinating conjunctions add a reason, a time, or a condition. Common ones at A1: when, after, before, while, because, if, although.

Type	Words	Example
time	when, after, before, while	I called you when I arrived.
reason	because	I’m happy because it’s Friday.
condition	if	If it rains, I’ll stay home.
contrast	although	Although it was cold, we went out.

The subordinate clause can come first or second. If it comes first, put a comma after it:

When it rains, I stay inside. I stay inside when it rains. (no comma)

because + clause (subject + verb) vs because of + noun:

Pattern	Example
because + clause	I was late because the train stopped.
because of + noun	I was late because of the train.

Two-clause patterns:

Pattern	Example
clause , but/so/and + clause	She tried hard, but she lost.
clause because/if/when + clause	Call me if you need help.
Because/If/When + clause , + clause	If you need help, call me.

English	Note
I have a brother and a sister.	and joins two equal nouns (addition).
It is cheap but very good.	but shows contrast between two ideas.
Do you want tea or water?	or offers a choice.
I was hungry, so I made a sandwich.	so shows the result; comma before it.
We stayed home because it was raining.	because + clause gives the reason.
We stayed home because of the rain.	because of + noun (no verb after it).
When the film ends, we can talk.	time clause first, so a comma follows.
Although he is rich, he is not happy.	although shows contrast; one verb each clause.

I stayed home because of it was raining. -> I stayed home because it was raining. - use because (not because of) before a verb.
Although it was late, but we went out. -> Although it was late, we went out. - never use although and but together; choose one.
I went home. Because I was tired. -> I went home because I was tired. - a because clause is not a sentence on its own; join it to the main clause.
When it rains I stay in. -> When it rains, I stay in. - put a comma when the time/if clause comes first.
I like coffee but tea. -> I like coffee and tea. - use and for addition, but only for a contrast.

Memory hook: and adds, but contrasts, or chooses, so = result, because = reason.
One conjunction per join. If you start with Although or Because, do not add but or so later.
“Comma + but/so” when two full sentences meet; no comma for short joined words (black and white).
Bigger linking words like however, therefore, and on the other hand mean similar things but are more formal - you will meet them at higher levels.