Purpose
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to correctly use the four basic English conjunctions to connect ideas.
Lesson Explanation
Conjunctions connect words, phrases, or sentences together:
and — adds information: I like tea and coffee. but — shows contrast: I like tea, but I don't like coffee. or — shows a choice: Do you want tea or coffee? because — gives a reason: I am tired because I worked all day.
When a conjunction like but or because joins two complete sentences, a comma usually comes before it: I like tea, but I don’t like coffee. However, when because starts the sentence, a comma comes after the entire reason clause instead: Because I worked all day, I am tired.
Practice Questions
1. Which conjunction adds information?
View Answer
and
2. Which conjunction shows contrast?
View Answer
but
3. Which conjunction shows a choice?
View Answer
or
4. Which conjunction gives a reason?
View Answer
because
5. Complete: “I like apples ___ oranges.” (adding information)
View Answer
and
6. Complete: “I like apples, ___ I don’t like oranges.” (contrast)
View Answer
but
7. Complete: “Do you want coffee ___ tea?” (a choice)
View Answer
or
8. Complete: “I am happy ___ I passed the test.” (a reason)
View Answer
because
9. Where does a comma usually go when “but” joins two complete sentences?
View Answer
Before “but.”
10. Where does a comma go when a sentence starts with “Because…”?
View Answer
After the entire reason clause, before the main sentence continues.
11. Write a sentence using “because” at the start, with correct comma placement.
View Answer
Because it was raining, we stayed home.
12. Complete: “She studied hard, ___ she passed the exam.” (a natural connecting word, contrast not required here — accept “and” or reasonable alternative)
View Answer
and