but & and Conjunctions - ESL worksheet by salmaabuz - Free Printable

Let’s go through each sentence one by one. We need to pick the right word: and, so, but, or because.

Remember:
- and = adds something (two things happening together)
- so = shows result (something happens because of something else)
- but = shows contrast (something unexpected or opposite)
- because = gives a reason (why something happened)

---

1. I rented an apartment close to work _________ I get to work in 15 minutes.
→ The second part is the *result* of renting close to work → so

2. They stayed at home _________ watched TV.
→ Two actions that happened together → and

3. Chris was scared _________ he saw a huge spider.
→ Seeing the spider is the *reason* he was scared → because

4. The water in that river wasn’t clean _________ we didn’t swim.
→ Not swimming is the *result* of dirty water → so

5. My brother is married _________ he lives in Australia.
→ Living in Australia doesn’t explain why he’s married — it’s just extra info, maybe contrasting? Actually, no contrast here — it’s just adding info → and
Wait — actually, this could be tricky. But “married” and “lives in Australia” are two separate facts. No cause-effect or contrast. So and is safest.

6. I didn’t want to see anyone _________ I had a terrible mood.
→ Bad mood is the *reason* for not wanting to see people → because

7. It’s a lovely apartment _________ it doesn’t have a balcony.
→ Lovely vs. no balcony = contrast → but

8. They like this movie _________ they watch it every year.
→ Watching every year is the *result* of liking it → so

9. We are hungry _________ we didn’t have lunch.
→ Not having lunch is the *reason* for being hungry → because

10. I don’t like them _________ they don’t like me.
→ This is mutual dislike — could be “and”, but often used with “because” if you’re giving a reason. Wait — actually, it’s more likely showing contrast or parallel. Hmm. Let’s think: “I don’t like them” and “they don’t like me” — both true, no cause-effect. But sometimes “because” is used if you mean “the reason I don’t like them is that they don’t like me”. That makes sense → because

Actually, let’s check common usage. In many cases, this would be “because” — implying their dislike causes yours. Or it could be “and” — just stating two facts. But given the context of the exercise, and how other sentences use “because” for reasons, I’ll go with because.

Wait — looking again: Sentence 10: “I don’t like them ___ they don’t like me.” If it’s “because”, it means their dislike is the reason for mine. That’s logical. If it’s “and”, it’s just listing two things. Since the exercise focuses on logic connectors, “because” fits better here as a reason.

But let’s compare to sentence 5: “My brother is married ___ he lives in Australia.” That’s clearly “and” — no reason or contrast. Similarly, sentence 10 might be “and” — two independent facts. However, in natural English, people often say “I don’t like them because they don’t like me.” So I think because is intended here.

Actually, let’s look at sentence 14: “I was trying to get a new job ___ I failed the interview.” That’s clearly “but” — contrast between effort and failure.

Back to 10: I think because is correct — it explains the reason for not liking them.

11. It was raining _________ Jenny took her umbrella.
→ Taking umbrella is the *result* of rain → so

12. Sam likes football _________ he doesn’t like basketball.
→ Likes one, dislikes other = contrast → but

13. Someone has stolen my phone _________ I need to buy a new one.
→ Needing to buy new phone is the *result* of theft → so

14. I was trying to get a new job _________ I failed the interview.
→ Tried but failed = contrast → but

15. Lilly turned off the light _________ went to bed.
→ Two actions in sequence → and

---

Now let’s list all answers:

1. so
2. and
3. because
4. so
5. and
6. because
7. but
8. so
9. because
10. because
11. so
12. but
13. so
14. but
15. and

Wait — let me double-check #5 and #10.

#5: “My brother is married ___ he lives in Australia.”
Is there any logical connection? Not really. Just two facts. So and is correct.

#10: “I don’t like them ___ they don’t like me.”
This can be interpreted as: The reason I don’t like them is that they don’t like me → because
Or: I don’t like them, and also they don’t like me → and
But in most educational contexts, this is taught as “because” — showing causation. For example, “I’m sad because you left.” Similarly, “I don’t like them because they don’t like me.” So I’ll stick with because.

Also, check #8: “They like this movie ___ they watch it every year.”
Yes, watching every year is the result of liking it → so

All seem consistent.

Final Answer:
1. so
2. and
3. because
4. so
5. and
6. because
7. but
8. so
9. because
10. because
11. so
12. but
13. so
14. but
15. and