Micro-listening

Level: A2
Accent: 3 accents
Time: 12 min

Choose and, but, because, or so

By MicroEnglish editorial team Published 18 Sep 2026

Can and and but both be correct between the same facts?

And adds information. But marks a contrast. Because introduces a reason. So introduces a result. The facts may stay the same, but your linking word tells the listener how to understand their relationship.

Key points

Use and to add, but to contrast, because before a reason, and so before a result.
Use or for alternatives and when for time.
Before finishing, identify the relationship and check that each written sentence expresses a complete thought.

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Examples

I brought bread and cheese.

Why it works: And joins two things in a list.

3 more examples

The kitchen is small, but six people can eat there.

But marks a contrast between the size and the space available.
We moved the lunch inside because the chairs were wet.

Because introduces the reason for moving.
The soup was hot, so I waited before eating.

So introduces the result of the soup being hot.

Read the full guide

Try the listening exercise

8 short steps, one check each

Use and to add information

You are planning lunch with people in your building. Use and when you add another item or action. It can join two things, such as bread and cheese, or two complete thoughts. If one person does both actions, you can often say the person only once. And adds information without directly naming a reason or contrast.

Nina washed the cups and put them on the table.

Why it works: Nina does both actions, so her name appears once.

Your turn

Which word simply adds a second item: We need plates ___ cups?

Show the answer

Answer: and

Plates and cups are two items on the same list. And joins them.

Use but when the second fact contrasts

Use but when the second fact differs from what someone might expect after the first. A person may want to join lunch and still be unable to come. But makes that difference clear. And could connect the facts too, although it would leave the listener to work out the contrast from the situation.

Omar wants to eat with us, but he has to work.

Why it works: His work prevents him from doing what he wants.

You can practise this again in For the time being and John and I or John and me: the subject–object rule.

Your turn

Which sentence directly marks a contrast?

Show the answer

Answer: The bag looks small, but it holds six plates.

Holding six plates is presented as surprising for a small bag.

Put because before the reason

When someone asks why, because introduces your reason. Think about what made the action happen. At the shared lunch, the wet table is the reason for eating inside. You can say the action first and then explain it. After because, include someone or something and what they do or what they are like.

We are eating inside because the outside table is wet.

Why it works: The words after because answer why we are eating inside.

Your turn

Why did Nina buy more bread?

Show the answer

Answer: She bought more bread because two extra guests were coming.

The extra guests explain the decision to buy more bread.

Put so before the result

So moves from a cause to its result. Start with the situation, then say what happened because of it. You can often express the same connection with because by changing the order. This is useful when repairing a message: check which event caused the other before choosing the link. Changing only the connector can change the meaning.

We had no clean bowls, so we washed some.

Why it works: Washing bowls is the result.
We washed some bowls because we had no clean ones.

Why it works: The same reason and result appear in a different order.

Your turn

Complete the message with a result: The juice was warm, ___.

Show the answer

Answer: so we put it in the fridge

Putting the juice in the fridge follows as a response to its being warm.

Choose one link for one reason and result

For one simple reason and result, choose because or so. Do not begin with because and then add so before the result. Both words would mark the same connection. Longer sentences can contain both when they connect different events, but begin by making each simple connection clear. Check how many events your sentence actually contains.

Because the lunch started late, we ate quickly.

Why it works: Because already links the reason to the result.
I stayed because lunch was late, so I missed my bus.

Why it works: Lunch being late explains staying; staying leads to missing the bus.

Your turn

Which sentence correctly joins one reason and one result?

Show the answer

Answer: The plate broke, so I got another one.

So alone connects the broken plate with the action that followed.

Complete a sentence that starts with because

In a written notice or email, a sentence starting with because normally needs the main action too. Put a comma after an opening reason. When the reason follows the main action, a comma is usually unnecessary. In conversation, a short because answer is natural after a why question because the question supplies the missing information.

Because our kitchen is busy, please leave the cake in the hall.

Why it works: The instruction completes the opening reason.
Please leave the cake in the hall because our kitchen is busy.

Why it works: The reason comes last, without a comma.

Your turn

Which is a complete sentence for a written notice?

Show the answer

Answer: Because the floor is wet, please use the other door.

The instruction completes the sentence without doubling the link.

Listen between the stronger words

In everyday speech, linking words may be shorter and quieter than nearby nouns and verbs. And can sound like a quick unstressed syllable. But and because may also be unstressed. Listen once for the message, then again for the exact link. Meaning helps you predict a word, but the sound must support what you write.

The rice is ready, but the vegetables need more time.

Why it works: Listen between ready and the for the short contrast word.

Nina
Can we serve lunch now?
Omar
We can serve the salad, but the soup isn't ready.

Your turn

Which word in Omar's answer signals that only part of lunch is ready?

Show the answer

Answer: but

But contrasts the available salad with the soup that is not ready.

Use or for choices and when for time

Some messages need a choice or a time link instead of addition, contrast, or cause. Or offers alternatives. When tells someone at what time to act. After listening, recall two facts and say how they connect. This checks your understanding before you write. Keep each link clear; a long chain of and can hide the relationship.

You can bring fruit or buy some juice.

Why it works: Or offers two possible contributions.
Call me when you reach the building.

Why it works: When identifies the time to call.

Your turn

Which sentence asks someone to choose between two jobs?

Show the answer

Answer: You can wash the cups or dry the plates.

Or presents washing cups and drying plates as alternatives.

Before you go

Remember this

Use and to add, but to contrast, because before a reason, and so before a result. Use or for alternatives and when for time. Before finishing, identify the relationship and check that each written sentence expresses a complete thought.

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0 of 4 done

Listening 1 of 4 5 s Checking a picnic bag before leaving home

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Read the transcript

I packed the cups, but I forgot the spoons.

But marks the contrast between remembering one item and forgetting another.

Listen for

At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.

The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.

Listen for

At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.

The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The final t or d is barely said before the next consonant.
A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.

Listen for

At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.

The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.

Listening 2 of 4 3 s Asking a colleague to close an office window

Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.

Read the transcript

Please close the window because I'm cold.

Because introduces the speaker's reason for making the request.

Listen for

At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.

Two words said as one.

Listen for

At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.

Two words said as one.

Listen for

At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.

Two words said as one.

Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.

Listening 3 of 4 9 s A neighbor explains where they left a delivery

Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.

Read the transcript

Your parcel arrived this morning, but you weren't here. I put it under the stairs because it was too large for your mailbox.

But introduces the missed delivery; because explains the choice of storage place.

Listen for

At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.

The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The final t or d is barely said before the next consonant.

Listen for

At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.

The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.

Listen for

At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.

The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.

This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.

Listening 4 of 4 18 s A housemate leaves instructions for collecting a shop order

Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.

Read the transcript

Can you collect our order after work? The plates are ready, but the small table will arrive tomorrow. Please bring a bag because the shop has no boxes left. I paid this morning, so you only need to give them my name. Call me when you get home, and I'll help you carry everything upstairs.

The message contrasts two delivery times, explains why a bag is needed, and uses so to show what the earlier payment means for collection.

Listen for

At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.

The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.

Listen for

At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.

The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.

Listen for

At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.

The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.

Your turn

Say it your way

Speak for 20-30 seconds about preparing a room for a visitor. Add two jobs, explain one reason, and describe a problem that changes your plan.

Use: choose and, but, because, or so

You could start with “Before my visitor arrives, I need to…”

Think for ten seconds, then answer out loud for as long as the task above asks, without looking at the lesson. Nothing is sent unless you ask for feedback.

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Say it along with the speaker

I packed the cups, but I forgot the spoons.

Play the line slowly, then speak at the same time as the speaker. Copy the rhythm, not just the words.

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Write

Put it in your own words

Write two or three sentences about your own day or week using “choose and, but, because, or so”.

I used “choose and, but, because, or so”.
It is about my life, not the lesson’s example.
I read it once aloud to check it sounds right.

Line 1 of 8 · Bella

to the . we choose and, but,

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Select a line to hear it again. Tap any word to see what it means. Underlined words are the key words of this video.

Bella to the . we choose and, but,

Bella because, or so.

Bella to , , a , or a

Bella . in and use

Bella in .

Bella A at the and a .

Bella she the . She

Bella to a in , so she the

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Questions about "Choose and, but, because, or so"

Can and and but both be correct between the same facts?

Sometimes. And adds the second fact without directly marking a contrast. But tells your listener to notice a difference or something unexpected. Choose the word that expresses your intended meaning, even when both sentences are grammatical.

The room is small, and it has two windows.

The room is small, but it has two windows.

Can I start a written sentence with because?

Yes. Include the main action after the reason so that the sentence is complete. Put a comma between the opening reason and the main part. Starting with because does not make a sentence incorrect.

Because my bike was dirty, I cleaned it outside.

Why do people give short answers starting with because?

A why question already identifies the action being discussed, so a speaker can answer with only the reason. In connected formal writing, normally attach that reason to a main part that can stand as a sentence.

I took a taxi because my bags were heavy.

Are because and so always wrong in the same sentence?

No. Avoid using both to mark the same simple reason-and-result link. They can appear in a longer sentence when they connect different events. Check which reason because introduces and which result follows so.

I went outside because I heard a noise, so I saw the delivery truck arrive.

Should I replace and with but if but seems clearer?

In your own writing, choose the link that best expresses your meaning. In dictation, recover the speaker's actual words. A different connector may produce a correct sentence, but it changes what you are transcribing.

Choose and, but, because, or so

Can and and but both be correct between the same facts?

Key points

Examples

Use and to add information

Use but when the second fact contrasts

Put because before the reason

Put so before the result

Choose one link for one reason and result

Complete a sentence that starts with because

Listen between the stronger words

Use or for choices and when for time

Listen and write

You listened closely.

Say it your way

Say it along with the speaker

Put it in your own words