Conjunctions are words that connect two words or phrases. They can also join two sentences together.
The words “for”, “so”, and “yet” are called coordinating conjunctions, but it is not important to know this. We just need to know how they are used and what they mean.
“For”, “so”, and “yet” are usually only used to join two sentences together.
These usually go in the middle of a sentence and come after a comma (,).
“So” is used to show the result of the first action or event. It is similar to “because”, but it is used in the opposite way. “So” is used a lot in spoken and written English.
- She is nice, so I like her.
(=I like her because she is nice.) - It rained, so they didn’t go.
(=They didn’t go because it rained.) - We have been there many times, so let’s go somewhere else.
(=Let’s go somewhere else because we have been there many times.)
We can also start a new sentence with “so” when writing.
- We are not prepared for the meeting. So, I think we should postpone it.
(=We are not prepared for the meeting, so I think we should postpone it.)
“Yet” is used to show that something unexpected or surprising happened. “Yet” is used in the same basic way as “but”. However, “but” is used a lot more often by English speakers.
- He studied very hard, yet he failed the test.
(=He studied very hard, but he failed the test.) - He has a lot of money, yet he never buys anything.
(=He has a lot of money, but he never buys anything.) - Mary loves to exercise, yet she hates going to the gym.
(Mary loves to exercise, but she hates going to the gym.)
“For” can be used instead of the word “because”. This is not very common. Most people use the word “because”. Using “for” is a little bit of old-style English.
- We went on a picnic, for it was a nice day.
- She is famous, for she is beautiful and talented.
Practice speaking English and improve your English grammar by finishing the sentences below and then practice making your own sentences. It is the best way to learn English and improve your English fluency fast! Also, do not forget to try using it in real life.
It is hot, so I will _______________.
I will _______________, for it is hot.
I _______________, yet it is very hot.
It is too expensive, so _______________.
She _______________, so I _______________.
It is too far, so _______________.
I don’t know what to do, so _______________.
We arrived early, so _______________.
My boss said _______________, so I _______________.
I _______________, yet _______________.
She tried to _______________, yet she failed.
