Teaching page · Grade 3 · Lesson 28

Because / but / so

Because gives a reason, but turns the idea, so gives the result.

What it is

These three words each point a different direction. Because points backward to a cause. But points to a surprise. So points forward to a result. Picking the right one is really deciding what you want your reader to understand about how the two parts connect.

Watch it built

1
Start with the fact.
The soil was dry.
2
Decide what comes next: a cause, a surprise, or a result?
A result — we did something about it.
3
Result means so, with a comma before it.
The soil was dry, so we watered it.

One more

The bus was late.
↓
The bus was late, so we missed the start.
Remember
Cause: because. Surprise: but. Result: so.
Ask yourself: “Which of the three does my sentence actually need?”

Remember

Because, but, so — three different jobs.

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