Clauses and linking A1 A2

Basic connectors: and, but, or, so, because

Join ideas with simple coordination and reason/result links in everyday sentence order.

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図解ガイド

Connector = relationship signpost

[idea 1]  CONNECTOR  [idea 2]
          ↓
   What is the link?

and      = add
but      = contrast / surprise
or       = choice
so       = result
because  = reason

Reason/result map:
[reason] ──so──────▶ [result]
I was hungry, so I made a sandwich.

[result] ─because──▶ [reason]
I made a sandwich because I was hungry.

Choose the connector by the job: add, contrast, choose, result, or reason.

Introduction

Small words that link ideas

Basic connectors let you put small ideas into one clear sentence instead of speaking in separate pieces. They show how the second idea relates to the first: addition, contrast, choice, result, or reason. In everyday English, they usually sit between the words or clauses they connect. Start with one connector at a time and keep the order simple: idea first, connector, next idea.

Core 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

I need a coat and a hat.

And joins two similar noun phrases.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

a coat

item_a

the first thing added

and

addition_connector

adds another similar item

ひとまとまりで覚える

a hat

item_b

the second thing added

Core 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

We can wait or leave now.

Or joins two choices.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

wait

choice_a

the first possible action

choice_connector

offers another possibility

ひとまとまりで覚える

leave now

choice_b

the second possible action

Core 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

I stayed inside because it was raining.

Because introduces the reason.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

stayed inside

main_action

what happened

because it was raining

reason_link

gives the reason for the action

ひとまとまりで覚える

Core logic

Choose the connector by its job

Each connector has a job. And adds something of the same kind. But adds a different or surprising idea. Or gives a choice. So introduces a result. Because introduces a reason. If you can name the relationship before you speak, the connector becomes easy to choose. Ask: am I adding, changing direction, choosing, giving a result, or giving a reason? This practical meaning is more important than memorizing a long rule.

Core 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

She bought apples and oranges.

And adds another thing of the same kind.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

apples

item_a

the first thing bought

apples and oranges

addition_pair

a reusable pattern for adding two nouns

ひとまとまりで覚える

Contrast 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

The room is small, but it is clean.

But changes direction from a negative detail to a positive detail.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

small

first_description

the first description

but it is clean

contrast_link

adds a contrasting positive idea

ひとまとまりで覚える

Question 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

Do you want tea or coffee?

Or is the normal connector for a choice question.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

Do you want

question_frame

starts a simple choice question

tea or coffee

choice_pair

a reusable choice phrase

ひとまとまりで覚える

Core 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

The train was late, so we took a taxi.

So points forward to the result.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

The train was late

cause

the situation or cause

so we took a taxi

result_link

introduces the result

ひとまとまりで覚える

Core 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

He left early because he felt ill.

Because points to the reason behind the action.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

He left early

main_action

what happened

because he felt ill

reason_link

gives the reason

ひとまとまりで覚える

Core pattern

The basic linking pattern

Use the same simple pattern for all five connectors when you join two clauses: first idea + connector + second idea. The connector belongs between the ideas, not at the end. Connectors can also join shorter matching parts of a sentence: nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, adjectives with adjectives, or phrases with phrases. Keep the two sides grammatically similar when you can; this makes the sentence easier to understand and easier to say.

Core 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

I opened the door and turned on the light.

And can join two actions with the same subject.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

opened the door

action_a

the first action

opened the door and turned on the light

joined_actions

two actions joined in one sentence

ひとまとまりで覚える

Contrast 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

She is tired but happy.

But can join two contrasting adjectives.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

tired

description_a

the first description

tired but happy

contrasting_description

two different descriptions held together

ひとまとまりで覚える

Core 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

You can pay now or pay later.

Or can join two verb phrases as options.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

pay now

option_a

the first option

pay now or pay later

option_pair

two action options joined by or

ひとまとまりで覚える

Negative 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

I'm not hungry or thirsty.

After a negative, or can mean neither one.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

not hungry

negative_state

the first negative description

not hungry or thirsty

negative_pair

means neither hungry nor thirsty

ひとまとまりで覚える

Contrast

So vs because

So and because are often confused because both connect a reason and a result. The difference is direction. So points forward to the result. Because points to the reason. Do not normally use because and so for the same link in one simple sentence. The information can be the same, but the connector tells the listener which part is the reason and which part is the result. Use one clear connector first; add more complex linking later.

Contrast 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

I was hungry, so I made a sandwich.

So connects reason first, then result.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

I was hungry

reason

the reason or cause

so I made a sandwich

result_link

introduces the result

ひとまとまりで覚える

Contrast 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

I made a sandwich because I was hungry.

Because connects result first, then reason.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

I made a sandwich

result

the result or action

because I was hungry

reason_link

introduces the reason

ひとまとまりで覚える

Mistake 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

Because I was hungry, so I made a sandwich.

Because and so should not both mark the same reason-result link in one simple sentence.

Corrected 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

Because I was hungry, I made a sandwich.

When because starts the sentence, the main clause follows without so.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

Because I was hungry

front_reason

the reason placed first

ひとまとまりで覚える

I made a sandwich

result

the main clause after the reason

Sentence xray

How the listener follows the link

Look inside the link. In a sentence with so, the first clause usually gives the situation, so signals the result, and the second clause gives the action that follows. In a sentence with because, the main idea can come first, and because explains why. Both orders can be correct, but they guide attention differently. So usually feels like movement from cause to consequence. Because feels like support: it gives the explanation behind the main idea.

Core 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

The baby is sleeping, so please speak quietly.

So moves from a situation to a result or request.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

The baby is sleeping

situation

the situation or reason

so please speak quietly

result_request

the result or requested action

ひとまとまりで覚える

Core 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

Please speak quietly because the baby is sleeping.

Because gives the reason after the main idea.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

Please speak quietly

request

the requested action

because the baby is sleeping

reason_link

the reason for the request

ひとまとまりで覚える

Usage rules

Everyday order and punctuation

Punctuation is helpful but should not be the main problem at A1/A2. When and, but, or, so, or because joins two complete clauses, a comma is common before but and so, and possible before and or or when the sentence is longer. No comma is needed when the connector joins short words or phrases. You can begin a sentence with because if the sentence has a complete main clause after it; in writing, put a comma after the front reason clause.

Danger zone

Common danger zones

Three common mistakes come from choosing the wrong relationship. First, do not use and when the meaning is a choice; use or. Second, after a negative, or often means neither one. Third, do not leave so or because hanging at the end when you need a full connection. Also avoid piling connectors together just because both feel logical. In simple English, one clear connector is usually better than two.

Mistake 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

I don't drink coffee and tea.

This can sound like you do not drink the two together. Use or if you mean neither one.

Corrected 文法：A1 語彙：A1 Neutral

I don't drink coffee or tea.

After a negative, or is the usual connector for neither one.

意味のかたまり

単語ごとではなく、意味のかたまりで文を読んでみましょう。

don't drink

negative_verb

the negative action

coffee or tea

negative_choice_pair

means neither coffee nor tea after the negative

ひとまとまりで覚える

Summary

Connector checklist

Choose the connector by the job, not by habit. And adds; but contrasts; or offers a choice; so gives a result; because gives a reason. For two full ideas, use idea 1 + connector + idea 2. For shorter parts, join matching nouns, verbs, adjectives, or phrases. Remember the key contrast: so looks toward what happens next, because looks back to why it happens. Keep early sentences short and natural. If a sentence feels heavy, split it into two sentences first, then join only the ideas that truly belong together.

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Basic connectors: and, but, or, so, because

Connector = relationship signpost

Small words that link ideas

意味のかたまり

意味のかたまり

意味のかたまり

Choose the connector by its job

意味のかたまり

意味のかたまり

意味のかたまり

意味のかたまり

意味のかたまり

The basic linking pattern

意味のかたまり

意味のかたまり

意味のかたまり

意味のかたまり

So vs because

意味のかたまり

意味のかたまり

意味のかたまり

How the listener follows the link

意味のかたまり

意味のかたまり

Everyday order and punctuation

Common danger zones

意味のかたまり

Connector checklist

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