Because I was tired, so I went home. Although it rained, but we walked. Both of those use two joining words where English allows one. Pick a side, use one word, and the sentence works.
1. Early for Once
Rui: You're early.
Nel: Because the bus came on time.
Rui: First time this month.
Nel: I got up early because I didn't trust it.
Rui: Sensible.
2. Ten Past Five
Kim: The shop shuts at five.
Abe: It's ten past.
Kim: So we go tomorrow.
Abe: I need milk tonight.
Kim: The garage sells milk, so try there.
3. Small but Bright
Tara: How was the flat?
Vik: Although it's small, I liked it.
Tara: How small?
Vik: One room. Although the light is good.
Tara: Light beats space.
4. Page Ten
Odi: Did you finish?
Sam: I started but I stopped at page ten.
Odi: Too dull?
Sam: Long, but not dull.
Odi: Give it another night.
5. Sharing a Taxi
Ana: Why the taxi?
Leo: Since the last bus has gone, a taxi it is.
Ana: What time is the last bus?
Leo: Ten. Since we're both tired, let's share it.
Ana: Splitting it, then.
6. One Problem With the Quote
Dee: The price is fine.
Marc: The date, however, is not.
Dee: Move it a week?
Marc: They can't. However, they can do the Friday.
Dee: Friday works.
7. The Cold Weekend
Yui: The heating was off all weekend.
Ola: That's why the pipes froze.
Yui: I only noticed Monday.
Ola: That's why the bill is small, at least.
Yui: Small comfort.
8. Watch the Pan
Pol: Can you watch the pan?
Ines: While you do what?
Pol: While I bring the shopping in.
Ines: Go. I'll stir it.
Pol: Two minutes.
Words to know
| because | because gives the reason. If the sentence already has because, it must not also have so Because the bus came on time. |
| so | so gives the result. Use so on its own, with a comma in front of it The garage sells milk, so try there. |
| although | although gives the contrast. If the sentence has although, it must not also have but Although it's small, I liked it. |
| but | but is the everyday contrast word, and it joins two halves in the middle I started but I stopped at page ten. |
| since | since can mean because, and it sounds a little more formal Since we're both tired, let's share it. |
| however | however is not a joining word — it needs a full stop or a semicolon in front of it, and commas around it The date, however, is not. |
| that's why | that's why points at the result of what was just said, and starts a new sentence That's why the pipes froze. |
| while | while joins two things happening at the same moment While I bring the shopping in. |
Quick practice
Each line below has two joining words where one is enough, or none where one is needed. Say the whole line correctly out loud, then check the answers.
1. Not: Because the bus came on time, so I was early.
Say: _______________
2. Not: Although it's small, but I liked it.
Say: _______________
3. Not: I started, I stopped at page ten.
Say: _______________
4. Not: Since we're both tired so let's share it.
Say: _______________
5. Not: The date however is not.
Say: _______________
6. Not: That's the why the pipes froze.
Say: _______________
Show the answers
1. Because the bus came on time, I was early. 2. Although it's small, I liked it. 3. I started but I stopped at page ten. 4. Since we're both tired, let's share it. 5. The date, however, is not. 6. That's why the pipes froze.
Common mistakes
Not: Everyone came accept Marek.
Say: Everyone came except Marek.
except means leaving that one out. accept means to say yes to something: I accept the offer.
Not: Hit the break, not the accelerator.
Say: Hit the brake, not the accelerator.
the brake with an a stops a car. break means to snap something or to take a rest: a coffee break.
Not: I don't know weather to go.
Say: I don't know whether to go.
whether is the one about a choice. weather is rain and sunshine.
Your turn
Say these five aloud. Choose one joining word before you start, and do not let a second one in.
- Say why you were late for something recently, using because and no so.
- Say the same idea again the other way round, using so and no because.
- Describe a place you liked in spite of one fault, using although and no but.
- Say one thing you do while you cook.
- Give some good news and then one problem, using however as a new sentence.
Quick review
Say it out loud as a pair, and drop one word each time. Because I was tired, I went home. I was tired, so I went home. Although it rained, we walked. It rained, but we walked. Four correct sentences, and not one of them uses two joining words.