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Unit 17
Connecting Words
and, but, because, so, although
What are Connecting Words?
Connecting words (also called conjunctions or linking words) join clauses or sentences together. They show the relationship between ideas: addition, contrast, reason, result, condition, and time.
Addition — Adding Information
| Word | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| and | Joins two ideas | I like coffee and tea. |
| also | Adds extra information (mid-sentence) | She speaks French. She also speaks German. |
| too / as well | Adds extra information (end of sentence) | I went to Paris. My sister did too. |
| both ... and | Two things together | Both the food and the service were excellent. |
Contrast — Showing Difference
| Word | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| but | Simple contrast (joins two clauses) | He's clever but lazy. |
| although / even though | Unexpected contrast (can start a sentence) | Although it was cold, we went out. |
| however | Contrast (more formal, starts new sentence) | The plan was good. However, it failed. |
| despite / in spite of | Contrast with a noun/gerund | Despite the rain, we had fun. |
Reason — Explaining Why
| Word | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| because | Gives the reason (introduces a clause) | I stayed home because I was tired. |
| as / since | Reason (more formal, often starts sentence) | As it was late, we left. |
| due to / because of | Reason with a noun/gerund | The match was cancelled due to bad weather. |
Result — Showing What Happened
| Word | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| so | Shows result/consequence | It was raining, so we stayed in. |
| therefore | Result (more formal) | The road was icy; therefore we drove slowly. |
Condition & Time
| Word | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| if | Condition | If it rains, we'll stay home. |
| when | Time | I was reading when she called. |
| while | Two actions at the same time | She cooked while I set the table. |
| before / after / until | Sequence of events | Finish your homework before you watch TV. |
Or, Then & Sequencing
| Word | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| or | choice / alternative | Do you want tea or coffee? |
| then | next step | We had dinner, then we watched a film. |
| first · after that · finally | order of a story or instructions | First, boil the water. After that, add the pasta. Finally, add the sauce. |
Key Contrast: Because vs So
| Because (reason → answers WHY?) | So (result → answers WHAT HAPPENED?) |
|---|---|
| I stayed home because I was tired. | I was tired, so I stayed home. |
| She was late because the bus broke down. | The bus broke down, so she was late. |
| "Because" introduces the CAUSE | So introduces the EFFECT |
Key Contrast: Although vs But
| Although / Even though | But |
|---|---|
| Introduces a subordinate clause — can start a sentence | Joins two main clauses in the middle |
| Although he was tired, he kept working. | He was tired, but he kept working. |
| ❌ Although he was tired, but he kept working. | ✅ Use only one: although OR but. |
Commas with Connectors
- Put a comma before so and usually before but: It was late, so we left.
- No comma before because in the middle: We left because it was late.
- When although / because / if / when start the sentence, put a comma after the first clause: Although it was late, we stayed.
- However starts a new sentence and is followed by a comma: It was late. However, we stayed.
Annotated Examples
Subject
Verb
Auxiliary
Object
Adjective
Adverb
Preposition
Hover over any word to see its role.
subjectIverbwasadjectivehungry,sosubjectIverbmadeobjecta sandwich.
↳ So = result of being hungry.
Althoughsubjectitverbwasadjectivecold,subjectweverbwentadverbout.
↳ Although = unexpected contrast at start.
subjectSheverbpassedobjectthe exambecausesubjectsheverbstudiedadverbhard.
↳ Because = explains the reason.
Common Mistakes
I was tired because so I stayed home.
→
I was tired, so I stayed home.
Don't use "because" and "so" in the same sentence.
Although it was cold but we went out.
→
Although it was cold, we went out.
Don't use "although" and "but" together.
I like it. Because it's cheap.
→
I like it because it's cheap.
In writing, "because" must join two clauses. (In speech, "Because it's cheap." is fine as a short answer to "Why?")
Despite it was raining, we went out.
→
Despite the rain, we went out.
"Despite" is followed by a noun/gerund, not a full clause.
Because of it was late, we left.
→
Because it was late, we left. / Because of the time, we left.
because + clause · because of + noun.