And, But, Or and Because

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A135–45 minutes on your own60 minutes with a tutor

And, But, Or and Because

By the end: I can join short ideas and give a simple reason.

Created by , British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Start here

Say two things you like. Join them in one sentence.

Read each explanation, say your answer aloud, then open the model and try again. You may write your answer if you prefer. Use invented personal details whenever you like.

Useful preparation: Existing present simple and basic be patterns; ordinary everyday vocabulary.

Choose a play button when you are ready.

Learn 1

And adds; but contrasts

Use and to add information: I like tea and coffee. Use but for a contrast: The bag is small, but it’s heavy. A contrast is an important difference between two ideas.

I like tea and coffee.

The room is small, but it’s comfortable.

Keep the two positive preferences together

Likedapples

First liked fruit.

Also likedand oranges

And adds the second liked fruit.

Not likedI don’t like bananas.

This is a separate negative sentence.

“I like apples and oranges.” The negative about bananas does not change either positive preference.

Two contrasting features can both be true

SizeThe room is small.
ComfortBut it’s comfortable.

But highlights the contrast. The speaker finds the room comfortable even though it is small.

The illustration represents the room. The recorded words tell us how the speaker describes it.
Learn 2
Lesson scene for I like tea and coffee. People and essential props on white.
I like tea and coffee.And adds two positive preferences together.

Or gives a choice

Use or between alternatives: tea or coffee. A question can offer two choices: Is your class on Monday or Tuesday? Do not use and when you mean that the listener should choose one of two things.

Would you like tea or coffee?

Is the bag blue or green?

Learn 3

Because gives a reason

Use because before a reason: I’m at home because I’m tired. Put a complete idea after because in these sentences. Keep the reason short and clear.

I study English because I like languages.

I’m at home because I’m tired.

Because gives a complete reason here

The actionI study English.
The reasonbecause I like languages.

I is the subject; like is the verb.

Ask “Why do you study English?” The words after because supply the answer.

Guided practice

Try each answer first. Check it, or open a model and its explanation.

Try the form

Compare an answer and explanation

and

And adds the second favourite.

Compare an answer and explanation

but

But marks the contrast.

Compare an answer and explanation

or

Or gives alternatives.

Compare an answer and explanation

because

Because introduces the reason.

Build or change a sentence

Compare an answer and explanation

I have a bag and a book. / I have a bag and I have a book.

And adds information.

Compare an answer and explanation

I like tea, but I don’t like coffee. / I like tea but I don’t like coffee.

But connects the contrast.

Compare an answer and explanation

I am tired because I work at night. / I’m tired because I work at night.

Put the reason after because.

Compare an answer and explanation

Is it blue or green?

Or connects the two possible colours.

Listen to a short conversation

Listen. Then open the words and read aloud. Try one part with a partner, or say both parts on your own.

Open the conversation transcript

A: Would you like tea or coffee?

B: Tea, please. I like tea, but I don’t like coffee.

A: Would you like an apple too?

B: Yes, please. I’m hungry because I work a lot.

Listening checks

Read the question, play its recording, then choose an answer. You can open the transcript whenever you need it.

Listening 1

1. Which two fruits does the speaker like?
Read the transcript

I like apples and oranges. I don’t like bananas.

Listening 2

2. What does the speaker say about the room?
Read the transcript

The room is small, but it’s comfortable.

Listening 3

3. Why is the speaker at home?
Read the transcript

I’m at home because I’m tired.

Lesson scene for I'm at home because I'm tired. People and essential props on white.
I’m at home because I’m tired.Because introduces the reason for being at home.

Mastery quiz

Choose the best answer for each situation. Aim for 7 out of 8, then correct anything you missed.

1. You like both subjects. I like English ___ history.
2. Give a contrast: The bag is small, ___ it’s heavy.
3. Ask someone to choose one drink: tea ___ coffee?
4. Give the reason: I like this café ___ it’s quiet.
5. Choose the complete reason sentence.
6. Combine two things you own: a phone and a bag.
7. Ask whether the class is Monday or Tuesday.
8. Choose the sentence that gives a reason for studying.
Answer key with explanations

  1. and And adds another liked subject.

  2. but But highlights the contrast.

  3. or Or introduces the choice.

  4. because It’s quiet explains why.

  5. I’m happy because my friend is here. Because is followed by a complete idea.

  6. I’ve got a phone and a bag. And adds a second possession.

  7. Is the class on Monday or Tuesday? Or presents two possible days.

  8. I study because I want to learn. The words after because give the reason.

This quiz checks this lesson, not your overall English level.

Make it yours

Speak first, compare a model, then say a new version. These tasks are ungraded.

Speaking task 1

Say two things you like and one thing you do not like. Use and and but.

Compare a possible response

I like tea and water, but I don’t like coffee.

Success check: Use and to add and but to contrast.

This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.

Speaking task 2

Ask three simple choice questions.

Compare a possible response

Would you like tea or water? Is it blue or green? Is your class on Monday or Tuesday?

Success check: Use or in all three questions.

This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.

Speaking task 3

Give a reason for a preference, a place and an activity. You may invent the details.

Compare a possible response

I like my town because it’s quiet. I’m at home because I’m tired. I study English because I like languages.

Success check: Put a complete reason after because.

This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.

Recap

Listen and repeat. I like tea and coffee. Would you like tea or coffee? I study English because I like languages.

I can join short ideas and give a simple reason.

  • I can use the main pattern.
  • I can make one sentence of my own.
  • I know one thing to practise again.

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