Conjunctions: and, or, but, so, because and although

Daisy, Amy, Oliver and Alfie are planning a weekend at a music festival when Sophie calls from Austria with a great idea. 

Instructions

As you watch the video, look at the examples of conjunctions (and, or, but, because, so, although). They are in red in the subtitles. Then read the conversation below to learn more. Finally, do the grammar exercises to check you understand, and can use, conjunctions correctly.

Transcript

Daisy: Are you and Alfie going to the festival this weekend?
Oliver: Hmm? We want to, but we don't have a car so we're not sure how to get there. It's in the middle of nowhere!
Daisy: Amy's dad is taking us on Saturday morning, and he's offered to bring us home again on Sunday. Why not come with us?
Oliver: But where would we sleep? You can't fit five adults and tents in one car. 
Daisy: You can in his – it's one of those cars for seven people, so there's plenty of room. Although we could look for a bed and breakfast in the village near the festival, if you'd rather.
Oliver: No, no, brilliant! Camping and concerts. A great combination! 
Daisy: Or camping, concerts and cooking. It's a world music festival but there's also food from all over the world – Chile, Ethiopia, ummm ...
Oliver: Cool! Let's call Alfie and Amy, and get organised.
Alfie: Let's see ... here's the programme. The smaller concerts start at 12 but the bigger ones start at 3. What time will we be there?
Oliver: Well, if we leave here at about 10am, we'll be there by 12. Although we have to put up our tents too, so we could see something at 1 o'clock.
Amy: But we have to carry the tents from the car and then find a good space, so we'll be later than that.
Daisy: A space near food and toilets, but not too near because it'll be noisy ... and busy.
Alfie: True. So, carry the tents, find a space, put the tents up ...
Amy: (interrupting) … eat ... we'll be hungry by then.
Alfie: Also true. Put the tents up, eat ... so we'll be ready for concerts at, what? 3 o’clock?
Oliver: I would think so, yes.
Amy: Isn't your mum going? World music and food sounds like the perfect festival for her!
Daisy: I know, but she can't go even though she told me she'd really like to. She's in Vienna. ... and speaking of Mum ... Hi, Mum, we were just talking about you!
Sophie: All good, I hope!
Alfie: Hi, Sophie. Daisy was just saying you can't come with us all to the festival this weekend.
Sophie: No, I'm here in Austria until Tuesday – it's the land of chocolate cake, the waltz and Mozart, so I'm OK for food, dance and music, and I'm having a wonderful time ... but you can take photos for me, can't you? In fact, would you like to be guest bloggers and write a post?
Amy: Oh yes! That would be so cool!
Daisy: Great idea, Mum.
Sophie: So, my two, how are things ...?
Alfie: Wow, writing a post for Sophie's blog. Thousands of people read her blog!
Amy: I know! And we can interview people and try lots of different food from different places and if we organise ourselves, we can see as many concerts as possible. 
Alfie: I'd like to see that Irish band, because Celtic music is pretty cool.
Amy: There's a Portuguese singer I'd like to see.
Alfie: Oliver and Daisy could write about the food ...
Amy: Umm … yes ... maybe.  Although maybe we should see what they want to do too.
Alfie: Er, yes. Yes, we should.
Amy: But, it's a possibility.
Oliver/Daisy: OK, bye Mum. Love you.
Oliver: Bring us some cake! OK, you two, we were looking at the programme … Concerts. Hey, at 3 o'clock there's a great looking reggae band from Jamaica or a Russian electro-pop group on the other stage ...
Daisy/Oliver: I fancy the Russian gig – oh, haha.
Daisy: How about you two go to the reggae?
Alfie: Fine by me ... 

We use words called conjunctions, like and, or, but, because and although, to join two parts of sentences. Conjunctions can be used to give more information, give alternatives, give reasons, give results or give unexpected information.

We use and, or and but to connect two parts of sentences which are similar in grammatical status.

Do you want chocolate, strawberry or vanilla? (joining words)
Amy's dad is taking us on Saturday morning, and he's offered to bring us home again on Sunday. (joining clauses)

We use and  for adding information, or for giving alternatives and but for unexpected or different information. 

I'm OK for food, dance  and  music, and I'm having a wonderful time.
There's a reggae band from Jamaica or a Russian electro-pop group on the other stage.
She’d like to go but she can’t.

Can we use these words at the beginning of a sentence?

We don’t usually use conjunctions to start sentences when we’re writing, but people do when they’re speaking.

Or when they’re chatting on the internet?

Yes. There are a lot more conjunctions which we use to connect one clause with another clause. For example: because, for giving reasons, so, for talking about results or purposes, and although, for unexpected or different information. 

I'd like to see that Irish band, because Celtic music is pretty cool.
(the second clause explains the reason Alfie wants to see the Irish band)

Although he doesn’t like camping, he goes to lots of music festivals.
(the speaker thinks it’s unusual to go to music festivals if you don’t like camping)

... we'll be there by 12. Although we have to put up our tents too.
(the information in the second sentence is different to, and contrasts, the information in the first sentence)

It's one of those cars for seven people, so there's plenty of room.
(the second clause shows the result of the first clause)

We need to arrive early so (that) we can get a good place.
(the second clause shows the purpose of the first clause; that is optional)

With that although sentence, can you put the clauses in a different order?

Yes, both orders are possible.

He goes to lots of music festivals, although he doesn’t like camping.

Can you also say “even though he doesn’t like camping”?

Yes, that means the same thing. There are a lot more conjunctions, but that’s enough for today.

But …

No “buts”. It’s better to look at a small amount at a time …

So that I can remember it?

Exactly.

 

Discussion

Do you think you would enjoy camping at a music festival? Why? Why not? Tell us what you think!

Average: 3.4 (20 votes)
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Comments

Submitted by Mohamed Saufwan on Mon, 01/08/2024 - 12:11

However, it is not my hobby. I think is a little noise.

Submitted by Mark17 on Tue, 04/11/2023 - 22:03

I don't know honestly, I rarely go camping, but I think it would be cool to do it so, why not?

Submitted by Teen@english on Mon, 12/12/2022 - 19:12

I don't think so!As you're asking about what would I enjoy at a music festival? I've never gone to a camping.It hard to describe because if I'll be there and what I'll feel there although I don't have any idea.Some people are talking about camping like sleeping in tent cooking foods and there might be lots of mosquitoes or especially on the outside surface area like forest so it might be annoying for me.

Thanks & regards!

Submitted by cherry00 on Sat, 07/23/2022 - 10:25

I'm not sure. I love music festivals but I've never camped and I don't think I like it because I'm scared of insects and I don't like sleeping in a tent. I prefer sleeping in a bed.

Submitted by Baldbanana on Mon, 07/11/2022 - 10:40

I'd enjoy camping. It can give you positive emotions and you can relax without news and social medias. You can also eat some tasty food cooked on the open fire, but mosquitoes and horseflies sometimes really annoying. Music festivals sounds like something not really cool for me because I don't like crowds of people.

Submitted by rebbit2009 on Mon, 07/04/2022 - 10:08

I think no, because I dont like camping and sleeping in the tent... it is because of insects... I am really scared about them... but I love music festivals! and I just love music
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Submitted by Capixt on Tue, 04/26/2022 - 18:41

I have a friend that usually camping in some concerts, he told me his stories camping in concerts and sound very fun, so I think I probably enjoy this experience.

Submitted by Macumbo on Mon, 08/09/2021 - 08:57

i like this site

Submitted by Mamou1 on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 10:20

Yesss probably I will enjoy it. I never did camping before or camping at a music festival so it will be a really big new experience. the fact that i love music and being in a connection with the nature can be all the rason why i wont hesitate to participate. Sincerely I think if you like doing new thing and experience all of emotions you would not hesitate to pack your thing and do some wild adbventure. plus its the opportunities to meet new people. so I have just one thing to say Let's do it!!!!!

Submitted by liz15 on Tue, 06/08/2021 - 22:29

I think that sounds lovely, I will love to do that, I think sounds really exciting, I hope to do that, I never have to camping but I think is a relly good way to spend the time with your friends or your family, eating chips, sandwichez, soda, listening amazing bands, different kind of miusic, and be lying on the grass.

Submitted by Arivelde on Wed, 03/10/2021 - 16:45

Yes, I think that I would love it! Because for me that should be a whole new experience. Besides, I love all types of musics, and camping too!

Submitted by Pau_Med on Fri, 02/12/2021 - 23:38

Definitely yes! I have never been to a concert but when i do it, i want go to camp.
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Submitted by Kostantinus on Fri, 01/22/2021 - 09:33

Yes! I definitely would enjoy this idea. Camping at a music festival! What can be better!? I like adventures and travelling, so I will looking forward to this event. You fall asleep and wake up on the nature place, hear birds' singing in the mornings, watch sunrise and sunset, look at the starry night sky! Mmmm... I cannot find the words to express myself how all of these attracts me.

Submitted by mishi on Tue, 01/05/2021 - 17:29

yes i would love be at a music festive because i enjoy camping and i love music.

Submitted by MariaAvila on Wed, 10/28/2020 - 20:29

I would enjoy being at a music festival more because I love music so much

Submitted by Gimhana on Sun, 07/12/2020 - 14:11

I love camping and concerts because I can enjoy a lot with my friends.

Submitted by Nandini on Thu, 07/02/2020 - 19:01

Although I'm not supposed to listen to music, I think I would enjoy Camping at a music festival
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Submitted by ali2009 on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 12:32

I am fun of camping but I have never assit a concert but Iknow some things about them so I want to go camping in the nature but I don't want to go to a concert because its noisy and I am don't like concert this is my opinion about that question
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Submitted by Giovannichoi on Tue, 06/09/2020 - 07:48

I don't like camping so much, because I hate bugs and grass. But I like concerts or listening to musics, so I think camping+music festival would make a good collaboration.

Submitted by TR790 on Wed, 05/20/2020 - 13:21

I love camping and if you ask me for camping at a music festival I would definitely join.
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Submitted by Sherry4869 on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 13:56

I didn't understand the use of ...Although......
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Submitted by Sherry4869 on Sat, 07/18/2020 - 08:55

Thanks a looooot!!!!!!!!!!!! It was veeeeeeery helpful!!

In reply to by JoModerator

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Submitted by Sherry4869 on Sat, 05/09/2020 - 14:10

I like to camping with my friends. I love music. But, I would not enjoy camping at a music festival. I think it will be noisy.

Submitted by peachygirl on Mon, 04/20/2020 - 14:02

I would like to go to musical festival, because I really like music and I love singing and dancing.

Submitted by marchese on Mon, 03/23/2020 - 08:38

Yes, I think I had a lot of fun at a music festival, because I love listening to music, it manages to trasport you to another world and this is a crazy thing! But unfortunately I never attended a music festival.

Submitted by FedericoB8 on Sun, 03/22/2020 - 12:11

Yes, I would like to participate a music festival because I love music, I also like camping, but i never did these things together.

Submitted by Micheleanto on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 17:21

I would like to go to a music festival but I wouldn’t like to camping ar the music festival, because I prefere the hotels, they are more confortable.

Submitted by asiasantin on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 15:20

I'd really like to. Music has been one of my greatest passions since I was a child, I love both listening and singing! it would be a beautiful experience

Submitted by BttChiara on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:53

Yes, I do because I love music and I don’t mind camping. My favourite singers are Micheal Jackson, Avicii and Beyoncé. I don’t mind camping because in my opinion it is really boring. I prefer listening or playing music because I enjoy it and it relax me when I’m tired.

Submitted by bea_mara on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:44

Yes, I would like it, because it's something I've never done and I love having new experiences, maybe with my friends or my family.

Submitted by ballerinichiara on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:42

I never go at a music festival but every summer I do camping with my friends in mountain and I really like it!

Submitted by gattifederica on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 12:57

I never participated in a camping at a music festival. I’d like to try this new experience, because I love listening to music and staying with friend. Also I could dance and sing my favourite songs all together. I’d like to sleep in a tent and eat around fire with other people. So I think I would enjoy camping at a music festival.

Submitted by rrfalletto on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 12:56

I love music festival because i love music. But i don't like camping

Submitted by Naogiosu7 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 12:27

Yes, i'd like it because i love going camping with friends and especially listening to the music i like. The best thing in my opinion is that i coud made new people with my own musical tastes

Submitted by Carolina000 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 12:26

Yes, I think I would love to partecipate in a camping in a music festival because since I was a child I have always enjoyed adventures and natural spaces and also music is one of my greatest passions.

Submitted by beasam0109 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 10:43

yes, of course, i would like to partecipate a musical festival. I love music, it makes me feel good, helps me to relax in some moments of greatest tension and difficulty. Most of the day I spend listening to music, practically all genres excludes classical music.

Submitted by JasmineD03 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 10:34

Yes, I'm very happy to go caming at a musical festival because I love music and I think that festival is a fun experience. Also in my life I haven't seen many music festivals, althought I like them a lot and I will spend all my money to participate. I would love to go there with my friends, even if I don't love to stay in camping, but I would do it anyway for the music. I'm sure I would have a lot of fun.

Submitted by Desy on Thu, 03/19/2020 - 17:05

I have never participated at this activity, but I think that it is an interesting thing do camping at a music festival , and I would like partecipate.

Submitted by Ely on Thu, 03/19/2020 - 17:00

i have partecipated a this tipe of camping , this exeperience was very interesting for the people who loves music and camping.

Submitted by MatildePace on Wed, 03/18/2020 - 16:29

Yes, I would like to participate a music festival, because I love music and I think the festival can be a fun experience. I don't like camping, but I make an effort for music.

Submitted by giorgia_marchetti on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:07

Yes, i like really like festival music, because i love music and i listen it every day. I would like take part of a pop music festival. I’dont mind camping.

In reply to by MatildePace

Submitted by _auro_ on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:17

Yes, I would like to participate a music festival, because I love music and I think the festival can be a fun experience,where you can meet new people.

In reply to by MatildePace

Submitted by Rohan26 on Sat, 07/27/2019 - 15:00

yes,I would like to enjoy camping at a music festival because i have never done that and i want to do this.i would love to put up tent and make food and enjoy with family and friends.we will dance ,eat,play games and enjoy the concert together and love to see the breathtaking landscape of night,we will had lots of fun especially me and want's to explore the culture of camping at a music festival and celebrate it .
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Submitted by cupcake24 on Sun, 07/07/2019 - 16:58

funny

Submitted by leader on Fri, 06/28/2019 - 13:49

yeah of course .It's the best manner of entertainment because I both love .I really enjoy the adventures of camping and It make me feel responsable and courageous in order to get rid of daily routine . Also I love the music festival so I can enjoy many types of music especially pop and jazz .It seems very cool .What amazing
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Submitted by empty on Mon, 06/03/2019 - 10:08

.Do you think you would enjoy camping at a music festival? no, of course not .
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Submitted by Youjiro on Sun, 01/20/2019 - 14:29

Yes.I'd like to go camping with music festival . Although camping is hard for me . I really love music festival because we could enjoy music with friends or artist .
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Submitted by Batgirl on Mon, 12/03/2018 - 19:46

I would really enjoy camping at the musical festivals, especially with my friends. We would have lots of fun together singing, dancing, and just enjoying music. I would like to Coachella music festival the most because I really like the atmosphere of friendship there. I'm also really into the boho-styled clothes, which people are supposed to wear there. I really love it! And last of all, of course the beautiful nature and breathtaking starry sky at night.

Submitted by Pippatwo on Sun, 06/03/2018 - 14:23

I think it would be very exciting, because I love going camping and I've never been to a music festival.
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