Linking Words: because, so, although, but

Updated 27 Oct 2026 4 min read LingoLadder Editorial Team

Cover: linking words — because and so for cause and result, although and but for contrast

Short answer

Use because for a reason and so for a result: 'We stayed in because it rained' / 'It rained, so we stayed in'. Use although and but for contrast: 'Although it rained, we went out'. Never pair although with but in one sentence.

On this page11 sections · tap to jump

01The rule
02The four connectors
03Example sentences
04Common mistakes
05A short conversation
06Usage notes
07Compared with…
08Practice
09Quiz
10Recap cheat-sheet
11How to say it

Level: B1. Linking words glue two ideas into one smooth sentence. Four cover most of what you need: because and so for cause and result, although and but for contrast. The grammar is small but strict — and one habit (although… but… together) is the error nearly every learner makes.

The rule

A linking word (also called a connector or conjunction) joins two clauses — groups of words that each have a subject and a verb. Which word you choose shows the relationship between the two ideas.

Cause and result:

because introduces the reason: I stayed home because I was ill. (Why did you stay? Because you were ill.)
so introduces the result: I was ill, so I stayed home. (What happened as a result? You stayed home.) The reason and result are the same two facts — you just choose which one because or so points to.

Contrast:

although introduces a surprising or opposite fact; its clause can come first or second: Although it was raining, we went out. / We went out although it was raining.
but joins two contrasting clauses and sits between them: It was raining, but we went out.

A key difference: because and although start a dependent clause (one that leans on the main clause and can move to the front of the sentence). so and but are coordinators — they stay in the middle and join two equal clauses. That is why you can say Although it rained… at the start, but not But we went out… as a natural sentence opener in formal writing.

The four connectors

Word	Shows	Position	Example
because	reason (cause)	front or middle	We left because it was late.
so	result	middle only	It was late, so we left.
although	contrast	front or middle	Although it was late, we stayed.
but	contrast	middle only	It was late, but we stayed.

Example sentences

I was tired, so I went to bed early.

so = result.
I went to bed early because I was tired.

because = reason (same two facts).
Because it was raining, we took a taxi.

because-clause can start the sentence.
She passed the exam because she studied hard.

Reason follows because.
The shop was closed, so we went home.

Result follows so.
It was expensive, but I bought it.

but = contrast between two clauses.
Although it was expensive, I bought it.

although = same contrast, clause first.
I bought it although it was expensive.

although-clause can also come second.
He is rich, but he isn't happy.

but joins two contrasting facts.
Although he is rich, he isn't happy.

The same idea with although.
We stayed inside because of the storm.

because of + noun (not a clause).
We stayed inside because there was a storm.

because + clause (subject + verb).
She was late, so she missed the train.

Result: missing the train.
I like tea, but I prefer coffee.

Simple contrast with but.
Although I studied, I failed the test.

A surprising result after although.
It was cold, so we lit a fire.

Cause and result in one sentence.
He went to work although he felt ill.

Contrast: went despite feeling ill.
We cancelled the trip because of the snow.

because of + noun phrase.

Common mistakes

❌ Although it was late, but we stayed. → ✅ Although it was late, we stayed. / It was late, but we stayed. Use although OR but, never both in one sentence.
❌ Because it was late, so we left. → ✅ Because it was late, we left. / It was late, so we left. Use because OR so, not both.
❌ We stayed in because of it rained. → ✅ We stayed in because it rained. because takes a clause; because of takes a noun.
❌ Because of the rain was heavy, we stayed. → ✅ Because the rain was heavy, we stayed. because of cannot be followed by a subject + verb.
❌ I was tired. So that I slept. → ✅ I was tired, so I slept. so (result) is not so that (purpose).
❌ Although of the price, I bought it. → ✅ Although it was expensive, I bought it. / Despite the price, I bought it. Although needs a clause; use despite/in spite of with a noun.

A short conversation

A: You look exhausted. Why don’t you rest? B: I’m tired, so I should, but I can’t — the report is due tomorrow. A: Although it’s important, your health matters more. B: True. I’ll stop early because I can finish it in the morning.

Usage notes

Punctuation. Put a comma before but and so when they join two clauses (It rained, but we went out). When an although- or *because-*clause comes first, put a comma after it (Although it rained, we went out); when it comes second, no comma is needed.
because vs because of. because + clause (subject + verb): because it was cold. because of + noun/noun phrase: because of the cold. The same split applies to the contrast pair: although + clause, despite/in spite of + noun.
though and even though. though is a more informal although and can also go at the end (It was expensive. I bought it, though.). even though is a stronger although: Even though I warned him, he went.
and, or. The other two basic coordinators add (and) or offer a choice (or); like but and so, they stay between the clauses and take a comma before them in longer sentences.

Compared with…

Once these four feel natural, move on to the more formal and academic contrast linkers — however, nevertheless, whereas, on the other hand — in Advanced Contrast Linkers.
Cause and result are not the same as purpose (why you do something, your goal), which uses to / in order to: I saved money to buy a car. See Infinitive of Purpose (to / in order to).
These connectors join simple clauses, so make sure the Present Simple (Affirmative) is solid first.

Recap card for English linking words because so although but showing cause result and contrast uses

Quick recap before you practise.

Practice

Linking words practice

Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.

1 Choose the correct word: 'It was raining, ___ we stayed inside.' because so although but

Show answer

so — The second clause is the result, so use 'so'.

2 Choose the correct word: 'We stayed inside ___ it was raining.' so because but although

Show answer

because — The second clause is the reason, so use 'because'.

3 Fill the gap with one word: 'I was tired, ____ I kept working.' (contrast, middle of sentence)

Hint: Contrast word that stays in the middle

Show answer

but — 'but' joins two contrasting clauses in the middle of the sentence.

4 Complete with because or because of: 'The match was cancelled ____ the rain.'

Hint: 'the rain' is a noun, not a clause

Show answer

because of — 'because of' is followed by a noun; 'because' would need a clause (because it rained).

5 Put the words in order: contrast clause first.

Show answer

Although it was late, we stayed — An although-clause can come first, followed by the main clause: 'Although it was late, we stayed'.

6 Match each connector to what it shows.

because Match for because
so Match for so
although Match for although
but Match for but

Show answer

because → reason
so → result
although → contrast
but → contrast

because gives a reason, so gives a result, and although/but both show contrast.

Quiz

Recap cheat-sheet

Word	Shows	Followed by	Example
because	reason	clause	…because it rained
because of	reason	noun	…because of the rain
so	result	clause	…, so we left
although / but	contrast	clause	although it rained / , but we stayed

How to say it

Two of these words hide sounds that English spelling does not show:

because is usually said “bi-KOZ” [bɪˈkɒz] — the stress is on the second syllable, and in fast speech it shortens to “b’cause” /bɪˈkəz/.
although has a silent gh: say “awl-THOH” [ɔːlˈðəʊ], ending in the same soft th as this and a long o like go. Do not pronounce the gh.
but and so are short and unstressed in a sentence; keep them light and let the main words carry the meaning.

Next topic: Infinitive of Purpose (to / in order to)
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The rule

The four connectors

Example sentences

Common mistakes

A short conversation

Usage notes

Compared with…

Practice

Linking words practice

Quiz

Linking words quiz

Recap cheat-sheet

How to say it

Next

All English grammar topics

Grammar path