Connectors · CEFR A1 · Starting
because / so — English conjunctions
"Because" gives the reason. "So" gives the result.
The shape
reason + so + result · result + because + reason
Explain why something happened.
In Hindi
"Because" कारण बताता है। "So" नतीजा।
CoCap explains every structure in both languages, because a rule you understand in Hindi is a rule you can use in English.
The mistake to fix first
The sentence Indian-English speakers actually produce, and the reason it is wrong.
| Commonly said | Correct English |
|---|---|
Because it was raining, so we stayed. | Because it was raining, we stayed. Use one or the other, never both. |
because / so examples
Easiest first. Every sentence is authored, with the Hindi it comes from.
I am at home because it is a holiday today.
मैं घर पर हूँ क्योंकि आज छुट्टी है।
I am drinking water because I am thirsty.
मैं पानी पी {रहा|रही} हूँ क्योंकि मुझे प्यास लगी है।
I am going to sleep early because I am tired.
मैं जल्दी सो {रहा|रही} हूँ क्योंकि मैं {थका|थकी} हूँ।
She is happy because it is her birthday today.
वह खुश है क्योंकि आज उसका जन्मदिन है।
I am studying because the exam is tomorrow.
मैं पढ़ {रहा|रही} हूँ क्योंकि कल परीक्षा है।
He did not come because he was ill.
वह नहीं आया क्योंकि वह बीमार था।
I came late because the bus was late.
मैं देर से {आया|आई} क्योंकि बस देर से थी।
We are inside because it is raining outside.
हम अंदर हैं क्योंकि बाहर बारिश हो रही है।
I am tired, so I am resting.
मैं {थका|थकी} हूँ, इसलिए मैं आराम कर {रहा|रही} हूँ।
I am getting late, so I am leaving early.
मुझे देर हो रही है, इसलिए मैं जल्दी जा {रहा|रही} हूँ।
Easy to confuse with
Close enough to be mixed up with this one. Knowing the difference is most of knowing either.
- since / as / due toB2Give a reason in more than one register
- so…that / such…thatB2Say something was so extreme it caused a result
Questions people ask
- What is the because / so used for?
- "Because" gives the reason. "So" gives the result. In practice: explain why something happened.
- How do you form the because / so?
- reason + so + result · result + because + reason.
- What is the most common mistake with the because / so?
- Saying “Because it was raining, so we stayed.” instead of “Because it was raining, we stayed.”. Use one or the other, never both.
Where because / so fits
Where this structure sits in the ladder, and what surrounds it.
because / so is a CEFR A1 structure — the starting band — and it belongs to connectors. CoCap’s syllabus files every structure this way so you can learn in order instead of jumping between whatever a search happened to return.
Reading it is not the same as saying it.
CoCap turns this page into practice: Hindi sentence in, English sentence out, corrected one thing at a time. Free, no card.
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