Because vs So
Because and so are both conjunctions that link two clauses (sentences). They are often confused because both can describe cause and effect. However, the difference is in how they connect the cause (reason) and the effect (result).
When Do We Use “Because”?
Because means “since,” “for,” or “as,” and is used to indicate the reason or cause of something. When using because, the cause comes first, followed by the result.
result → because → cause
I ate dinner because I was hungry.
I was hungry is the cause, and I ate dinner is the result.
I’ve learned it in school is the cause, and I can speak English is the result.
She is late is the cause, and she is running is the result.
He failed the math test is the cause, and he was upset is the result.
When Do We Use “So”?
So means “therefore,” and is used to indicate the result or effect of something. When using so, the cause comes first, followed by the result.
cause → so → result
I was hungry so I ate dinner.
I was hungry is the cause, and I ate dinner is the result.
Anna studied all semester is the cause, and she passed the exam easily is the result.
It was raining is the cause, and we stayed home is the result.
I want to be able to draw is the cause, and I go to art lessons is the result.
Comparison of “Because” and “So”
The reason for Adam cleaning his house was that it was dirty.
The result of the house being dirty was that Adam cleaned it.
The reason John didn’t go to work was that he was sick.
The result of John being sick was that he didn’t go to work.
The reason she adopted a dog was that she wanted to have one.
The result of her wanting a dog was that she adopted one.
Key Differences
Use so to explain the result or consequence of something (the “what happened next”).
Both because and so help to show relationships between actions or events, but they focus on different things: because explains why something happened, and so explains what happened as a result.
