And, but, because

  • A1 · Beginner
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

Joining two ideas with and, but and because: I'm learning English because I'd like a job at the airport. It's hard, but I love it! The student reads three learners' answers on a forum, practices the three words, gives reasons in a this-or-that game, and writes their own answer.

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andbutbecause

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Reading: why are you learning English?Reading comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find and, but and becauseGrammar exercise
  6. 6and, but, becauseGrammar rule
  7. 7and, but or because?Grammar exercise
  8. 8Why?Grammar exercise
  9. 9Aurora's postGrammar exercise
  10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12This or that?Speaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: make sentencesGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: my new neighborhoodGrammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: which is right?Grammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: my answer on the forumDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. Where do you usually use your English?
  2. When do you usually study English?
  3. Do you watch movies or TV shows in English?

Grammar rule

and, but, because

WordWhat it doesExample
andadds one more idea (+ and +)The park is quiet, and the trees are beautiful.
butjoins two different ideas (+ but −)The shoes were cheap, but they were very comfortable.
becausegives the reason: it answers Why?My dog is barking because there's a cat in the yard.
  • and and but can also join two words: bread and butter, small but nice.
  • A comma usually comes before and or but when they join two sentences. There is usually no comma before because.
  • Why? — Because… is fine as a short answer: "Why are you at home?" "Because I'm sick." In one sentence: I'm at home because I'm sick.

Watch out

  • because + a subject + a verb: because it's cold, because I like it (not because is cold, not because cold)
  • because comes before the reason, not before the result: The street is wet because it's raining. (not It's raining because the street is wet)
  • One word joins two ideas: not but and, not because but.
In speech, because is short: "bih-KUZ" (and "cuz" in very fast, casual speech). and is often just "un". Make a small stop at the comma before but.

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