CONNECTORS: BECAUSE, SO, ALTHOUGH, BUT (A2 Grammar)

BECAUSE = reason. SO = result. ALTHOUGH = surprising contrast. BUT = simple contrast.

Quick tip: BECAUSE = why. SO = what happened. ALTHOUGH = surprising. BUT = simple contrast.

BECAUSE + reason (explains why)

Use because to give the reason or explain WHY.

• I'm tired because I didn't sleep well.
• She's happy because she passed.
• We stayed home because it was raining.
• He left early because he was sick.

SO + result (shows consequence)

Use so to show the result or consequence.

• I was tired, so I went to bed.
• It was raining, so we stayed home.
• She studied hard, so she passed.
• He was sick, so he left early.

ALTHOUGH + surprising contrast

Use although to show unexpected result. Although = even though.

• Although it was raining, we went out.
• She passed although she didn't study.
• Although he's rich, he's not happy.
• We enjoyed it although it was expensive.

Common mistakes

• Not "Because it was raining, so we stayed home" — say "Because it was raining, we stayed home". Don't use BECAUSE and SO together.
• Not "Although I was tired, but I went out" — say "Although I was tired, I went out". Don't use ALTHOUGH and BUT together.

Practise it

WHY? = BECAUSE. WHAT HAPPENED? = SO. Surprising? = ALTHOUGH. Just different? = BUT.