🎯 Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

📚 Grammar Explanation

In business, we connect ideas to make our communication clear. We use linking words to join two sentences or ideas together.

Linking Word Use Example
and To add similar information or ideas I prepared the report and I sent the email.
but To show a contrast or a problem The plan is good, but it is expensive.
so To show a result or consequence The client was unhappy, so we offered a discount.
because To give a reason or explanation We were late because the traffic was bad.
🔑 Key Learning Tip: Before you choose a word, ask yourself: "What is the relationship between my two ideas?" Addition? → Use and | Contrast? → Use but | Reason? → Use because | Result? → Use so

💼 Professional Contexts

📈 Context Card 1: Linking Words in Professional Situations
Projects: We completed the first task, but we need more time for the second one.
Schedules: The meeting is at 10 AM, so please be on time.
Meetings: We discussed the budget and we planned the next steps for the quarter.
Emails: I am writing because I need to confirm the details of our agreement.
📊 Context Card 2: Linking Words in Daily Business
Reporting: Sales increased by 5% last month, so the team will get a bonus.
Planning: I will call the supplier and confirm the delivery date.
Networking: He is a new client, so I want to make a good impression.
Communication: I can't join the call because I have another important meeting.

📝 Examples & Analysis

✅ Correct Usage
  • Our team is small but very effective. (Shows a positive contrast: small size is often negative, but effectiveness is positive)
  • I need to finish this report today and prepare for tomorrow's presentation. (Adds another task)
  • The flight was cancelled, so I have to rebook for tomorrow. (The cancelled flight is the reason for the result: rebooking)
  • We chose this supplier because they have the best prices. (Explains the reason for the choice)
  • He speaks English, French, and German. (Adds items to a list)
  • The feedback was very positive, so we don't need to make big changes. (The positive feedback leads to a consequence: no big changes)
❌ Common Mistakes
Incorrect: The project was difficult, so we finished it.
Correct: The project was difficult, but we finished it.
Explanation: 'Difficult' and 'finished' are in contrast. You use 'but' to connect a problem with a successful result.
Incorrect: I missed the meeting, so I was sick.
Correct: I missed the meeting because I was sick.
Explanation: Sickness is the reason you missed the meeting, not the result of missing it. Use 'because' for reasons.
Incorrect: The market is growing, but we should invest more.
Correct: The market is growing, so we should invest more.
Explanation: A growing market is a good reason to invest. 'So' shows this logical result. 'But' would suggest a reason not to invest.

🎧 Listening Exercise

0:00 / 2:20

Listening Questions

1. Why does Maria say the login page is confusing?
2. What is the main situation with the project budget?
3. Fill the gap with the word from the audio: "The client is happy with the design, ______ he wants to see one more option."

🧠 Interactive Quiz

Choose the correct linking word for each business situation.
1. We have to cancel the company picnic ______ the weather is very bad.
2. I sent the invoice last week, ____ I have not received the payment yet.
3. Our main competitor launched a new product, ____ we need a new marketing strategy.

📧 Exercise A: Multiple Choice Cloze

Read the email update below. Choose the best linking word for each gap.
To: Team
From: Kenji Tanaka
Subject: Weekly Update

Hi everyone,

This week was very productive. We finished the market research (1)______ we started to analyze the data. The first results are interesting, (2)______ we found some unexpected customer feedback.

We need to discuss this feedback as a team (3)______ it will change our project plan. The client meeting is next Wednesday, (4)______ we must have a new plan ready before then.

Please check your calendars.

Thanks,
Kenji
1. We finished the market research (1)______ we started to analyze the data.
2. The first results are interesting, (2)______ we found some unexpected customer feedback.
3. We need to discuss this feedback as a team (3)______ it will change our project plan.
4. The client meeting is next Wednesday, (4)______ we must have a new plan ready before then.

✅ Exercise B: True/False Grammar Check

Read each sentence. Is the linking word used correctly for the business context? Choose True or False.
1. The presentation was very long, so many people left before the end.
2. I finished my work early, but I helped my colleague.
3. Our company is successful because we have great employees.
4. We missed our sales target, because the manager is not happy.

💬 Exercise C: Complete the Dialogue

Fill in the blanks with the correct linking word: and, but, so, or because.
Anna: Hi Mark. Do you have the sales report?
Mark: Hi Anna. Yes, I have it, (1)______ I can't send it right now.
Anna: Oh, why not?
Mark: I can't send it (2)______ my computer is not working correctly. I think I need to restart it.
Anna: Okay. I need it for the 3 PM meeting, (3)______ can you please send it as soon as possible?
Mark: Of course. I will restart my computer now (4)______ send you the report right after.
Anna: Great, thanks!

🗣️ Speaking Practice - Preparation for Class

⚠️ Preparation for Class Only
These tasks are for practice with your teacher. Prepare these topics for your next class.
Task 1: Describing Your Workday (Controlled Practice)
1 minute

Instructions: Tell your teacher about two things you did at work today or yesterday, and one thing you wanted to do but couldn't. Use the structure below.

Framework:

  • "Today, I [Task 1] and I [Task 2]."
  • "I wanted to [Task 3], but I couldn't because [Reason]."

Example: "Today, I wrote a report and I called a new client. I wanted to plan next week's schedule, but I couldn't because I didn't have time."

📝 Prepare this topic for your next class

Task 2: Explaining a Business Problem (Guided Practice)
1 minute

Instructions: Explain a simple work problem to your teacher. Use linking words to explain the situation, the reason, and the result.

Think about:

  • A problem: The printer is broken, a deadline was missed, a client is unhappy
  • The reason: ...because it's old. ...because we had too much work
  • The result: ...so we can't print documents. ...so we need to ask for more time

Example: "We have a problem with the new software. It is very slow, so our team can't work efficiently. I think it is slow because it is not compatible with our old computers."

📝 Prepare this topic for your next class

Task 3: Giving a Project Update (Free Practice)
2 minutes

Instructions: Imagine you are in a team meeting. Give your teacher a short update on a real or imaginary project you are working on.

Think about:

  • What is going well? (Use and)
  • What is a challenge or problem? (Use but)
  • What is the reason for the problem? (Use because)
  • What is the next step or result? (Use so)

Example: "Hi everyone. For the website project, the design is finished and the content is ready. But we have a small problem with the photos. The quality is not good enough because the files are too small. So, I need to ask the marketing department for new, high-resolution photos this week."

📝 Prepare this topic for your next class

📋 Summary

Key Takeaways

Study Tips