Connecting words

Intervenant

Laurence Petoud

Executive Assistant

Formatrice en Entreprise

ECDL Expert

[email protected]

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This support has been developed as part of my revisions for exams First and Advanced Certificate in English.


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Connecting WordsWe’re going to focus on words and expressions that can connect ideas both within a single sentence and between sentences.

The expressions below will help you connect your ideas better and create more detailed sentences. Some of these words might be new to you, and others you might already be familiar with.

CONTRASTS

although / even though / though

These words are all used to show a surprising contrast between one part of a sentence and another:

Although he barely studies, he still gets good grades. I can’t seem to lose any weight, even though I exercise every day. We played very well. We lost the game, though.

There’s no difference in meaning among although, even though, and though. The only difference is that though can also be used at the end of a sentence, and the other two cannot:

He barely studies. He still gets good grades, though.

He still gets good grades, although / even though.

I like her, though she sometimes gets on my nerves. Though we played very well, we lost the game.

despite / in spite of

Despite and in spite of are used in a similar way to although, though, and even though – to call attention to a surprising contrast:

We won the game despite having two fewer players. In spite of his illness, he was very cheerful.

Avoid the common error of mixing up the two and saying despite of – that doesn’t exist!

The key difference between despite / in spite of and although / though / even though has to do with what kind of structure follows them. Consider these sentences:

In spite of his illness, he was very cheerful. Although he was ill, he was very cheerful. We finished on time despite starting late. We finished on time even though we started late.

After in spite of and despite, we use a noun (“illness”) or a gerund – that’s the ING form of the verb which functions as a noun (“starting”). After although, even though, and though, we use a subject + verb (“he was”, “we started”).

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Other words for “but”

One very common word used to make contrasts is “but”:

I was really nervous, but I decided to try it. He wants to go out, but she wants to stay home. My son loves sports, but my daughter prefers books. Fried food is unhealthy, but I can’t resist it.

However… let’s learn some other options so that we’re not saying “but” all the time!

I was really nervous; however, I decided to try it.

Note that however is followed by a comma.

He wants to go out, whereas she wants to stay home. My son loves sports, while my daughter prefers books. Fried food is unhealthy, yet I can’t resist it.

All of these words can be used in the middle of a sentence or at the beginning of a sentence. However, especially, often starts a sentence. In more formal written English, it’s better to start a sentence with however than with but.

Other contrast expressions

Here are some other expressions that are often used to start a sentence that contrasts with the previous sentence:

In contrast, On the other hand, On the contrary, Even so,

by/in contrast, even so, in any case, on the other hand, on the contrary, contrary to, nevertheless, still, after all, anyway

Talking about alternatives and exceptions

Here are four ways to talk about other options:

Alternatively (usually starts a sentence)

The book costs $20. Alternatively, you can buy the digital version for $10.

instead / instead of

I wanted to cry, but I managed to smile instead. We decided to walk instead of driving. Can I have rice instead of potatoes? I don’t want potatoes. Can I have rice instead?

in place of / in lieu of

This recipe uses margarine in place of butter. My family gives donations to charity in lieu of Christmas gifts.


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Talking about Exceptions

We can use except or except for before nouns:

The price of the tour includes everything except for airfare. Everyone except me thought it was a great idea.

Before other words, we use only except:

There’s nothing we can do now except wait. I want this shirt in the same size and style, except in a different

color.

We can also use but to introduce an exception:

Everyone but me thought it was a great idea. There’s nothing we can do now but wait.

A couple other options are aside from and apart from:

Aside from a mild fever, I feel fine. The car wasn’t damaged, apart from a few scratches.

The word besides can be used to introduce an exception OR to introduce something “in addition”:

I don’t play any instruments besides the piano.

(= except the piano)

Besides the piano, I can also play violin and guitar.

(= in addition to the piano)

There’s nobody here besides us.

(= except for us)

He has a lot of friends besides us.

(= in addition to us)


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REASONS & RESULTS

Introducing a reason

In everyday English, the most frequent way to introduce a reason is because or because of. The difference between them is that because is followed by a subject + verb, and because of is followed by a noun:

The game was cancelled because of the rain.

The game was cancelled because it was raining. Note that in spoken English, many people say ‘cause as a

short form of “because.” We can also use the word since to introduce a reason: It’s very noisy here since we’re so close to the airport. Since you’re not interested, I won’t tell you about it. They couldn’t buy the house since they didn’t have enough money. The word since, like because, is followed by a subject + verb. We can also introduce reasons with due to, owing to, thanks to, and

on account of. These expressions are followed by nouns: The game was cancelled due to the rain. The game was cancelled due to it was raining. The project succeeded thanks to your help. The project succeeded thanks to you helped us. That country is very advanced owing to its investment in

technology. He was fired on account of inappropriate behaviour. If we want to use due to, owing to, or thanks to and continue the

sentence with a subject + verb, we can add the fact that: The game was cancelled due to the fact that it was raining. The project succeeded thanks to the fact that you helped us.

Introducing a result

Some more formal words for introducing results are therefore, consequently, as a result, and thus:

Our company’s profits have increased 150% in the past year. Therefore, we’re going to invest in new equipment and training programs.

The tennis player had knee surgery mid-October; consequently, she took the rest of the season off.

There have been heavy rains throughout the interior of the state. As a result, several areas have experienced flooding.

The products did not meet our specifications. Thus, it was necessary to return them. (or: It was thus necessary…)

In informal spoken English we more commonly use the word so to introduce a result:

We were hungry, so we stopped at a cafe for a snack. The product was defective, so I returned it. It’s raining a lot, so the roads are flooded. We can use the expressions in order to and so that to introduce a

purpose, or an intended result: Let’s do more advertising in order to get more clients.


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Let’s do more advertising so that we can get more clients. I brought binoculars in order to see better. I brought binoculars so that I’d be able to see better.

Note that after in order to we have just the verb, “get” and “see” and after so that we have a subject + verb, “we can get” “I’d be able to see.”

When we have a negative word in the intended result, we often use so that or so as not to instead of “in order not to”:

I took a map so that I wouldn’t get lost. I took a map so as not to get lost. She’s studying hard so that she won’t fall behind. She’s studying hard so as not to fall behind.

In many sentences with “so that,” we can actually eliminate “that” and simply say so:

I brought binoculars so I’d be able to see better. I took a map so I wouldn’t get lost. Let’s do more advertising so we can get more clients.


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Summary of part 1

Show surprising contrast although/even though/though + subject + verb

Although we started late, we finished on time.

despite / in spite of + noun Despite the delay, we finished on

time.

Other words for contrast however whereas while yet

Sentence starters for contrast in contrast on the other hand on the contrary even so

Talking about alternatives alternatively instead / instead of in place of / in lieu of

Talking about exceptions except (for) but aside from / apart from besides

Introducing reasons because / because of since due to, owing to, thanks to on account of

Introduce results therefore consequently as a result thus so

Introduce intended results

in order to so that so as not to


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INTRODUCING INFORMATION

We have several different ways of introducing a new topic or some new information:

Regarding Concerning As to / As for With regard to / In regard to With reference to / In reference to Here are some examples: With reference to your inquiry, we cannot provide an answer at this

time. Regarding their proposal, I believe there are promising possibilities. As for the technical problems, they will be resolved immediately. These expressions can be used at the beginning of a sentence to

introduce a new topic, and some of them can be used in the middle of a sentence as a substitute for the word “about” – particularly regarding, concerning, and as to:

I have a few questions concerning safety issues. We participated in the negotiations regarding the property. He’s curious as to how the system works. As you might have noticed, these expressions are rather formal, and

in casual everyday English we’d usually use about, as for, and as to: I have a few questions about safety issues. My whole family loves Christmas. As for me, I can’t stand it. I’m confused as to what this software actually does.

ADDING INFORMATION & EXPRESSING SIMILARITY

Three of the most basic words are also, too, and as well. Also is typically located at the beginning of a sentence or before the

verb/adjective, and too and as well are usually located at the end: He’s charming and successful. Also, he’s single. He’s charming and successful. He’s also single. He’s charming and successful. He’s single, too. He’s charming and successful. He’s single, as well.

We can also use as well as in the middle of a sentence to add extra information:

She has experience in computer programming as well as in customer service.

We could also say “computer programming and customer service” – so when should we use as well as instead of simply and? The answer is that and places equal emphasis on both things, and as well as includes a bit of extra emphasis or surprise about the first item. For example:

This book is available in English and Spanish.(both are equally important, no surprise)

In some parts of the U.S., classes are taught in Spanish as well as English.(this is rather surprising because Spanish is not an official language of the U.S.)

Another time we might use as well as is when the two items already contain “and” and we don’t want to mix them up:


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The uniforms are available in green and yellow as well as red and white. To begin a sentence that adds more information to the previous point, we

can use these expressions as sentence starters: Furthermore, In addition, Moreover,

For example: People who exercise regularly have more energy during the day and sleep

better at night. In addition, they tend to live longer. Construction on the new subway has been delayed for months due to

budget shortfalls. Moreover, the workers are threatening to go on strike. Our sales are expected to rise 30% in the next year. Furthermore, purchase

of new equipment will help cut manufacturing costs and increase profits. Some less formal connecting words for adding information include:

besides Come on, the party’s going to be fun! Besides, I promised them we would

go. plus

I quit the tennis club because I didn’t have enough time to play. Plus, I wasn’t any good at it.

what’s more Everything in that online store is 50% off. What’s more, the shipping is free. Finally, we have the words likewise and similarly to express when two

things are similar to each other: He volunteered to help and encouraged others to do likewise. Her first attempt failed, and later efforts were similarly unsuccessful


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CONDITIONS

We can use if not and if so at the beginning of a sentence to show what will happen if the previous sentence is true or false:

I hope I passed the test. If not, then I’ll have to repeat the semester.

I hope I passed the test. If so, then I’ll advance to the next level. Can you give me a ride tomorrow? If not, I’ll ask someone else. Can you give me a ride tomorrow? If so, I’ll be ready to go by 7:30.

In the lessons about conditionals, you learned that the word unless means “if not”:

You’ll forget the address unless you write it down.= You’ll forget the address if you don’t write it down.

Another connecting word that means “if not” is otherwise: You’d better write down the address – otherwise you’ll forget it. It’s a good thing I enjoy exercise, otherwise I’d probably never go to the

gym. I need to keep my desk clean, otherwise I can’t concentrate on my work. When one thing depends on another, we can use the expressions:

as long as provided that / on the condition that assuming / supposing (that)

Let’s look at some sentences to see these words in action: You can go to the party as long as you’re home by midnight. As long as is probably the most common expression in everyday English. We could also use if. He has agreed to do the work provided that he receives 50% payment up

front. She told her story to reporters on the condition that she would remain

anonymous. We often use assuming and supposing when talking about a hypothetical

situation: Supposing this house was for sale, would you buy it? He’ll win the championship, assuming he’s recovered from his injury by

then. When one thing is already known to be true, and that thing affects

something else, we can use these expressions: given / considering in view of / in light of

Here are some examples: Given how old my car is, it’s amazing it still runs so well. My grandmother is very active, considering her age.

He resigned in light of the scandal. In view of the approaching hurricane, residents were evacuated from the

area. All of these can be used at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle.

The important thing is to use it in front of the established fact, not the result:


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Given how old my car is, it’s amazing it still runs so well. (established fact) (surprising result)

He resigned in light of the scandal. (result) (established fact)

One final conditional expression is the word pending. It means that one thing is not yet finished/confirmed because it is waiting for something else:

He has been suspended pending further investigation. We have big plans for this project, pending the manager’s approval. This is the most urgent of the pending tasks.

TIME EXPRESSIONS

As you learned in a previous lesson, we can use while, during, and meanwhile when two things happen simultaneously (at the same time).

When referring back to a previous time period, we often use: At the time, / At that time, In those days, In that era,

Example: I met Tom Cruise once. At the time, I was working as a janitor in a

TV studio. We had a wonderful childhood. In those days, we didn’t have video

games or cell phones. Life in the 1800s was very different. In that era, many people grew

their own food. (we usually use “era” when talking about a more distant historical period)

To talk about something that happened before something else, we can use the words:

before / beforehand There’s no room in the restaurant. We should have made a reservation beforehand / before we came.

earlier She was adopted in 1989. Her parents had died two years earlier.

previously This problem is much worse than previously thought.

prior to He had already been arrested three times prior to the incident. To talk about something that happened after something else, we can use

the words: after / afterwards / later following

She was hospitalized for five days following the accident. subsequently

He became a resident and subsequently a citizen of Australia.


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Summary of part 2

Introducing information (formal) Regarding Concerning With regard to / In regard to With reference to / In reference to

Introducing information (informal)

As to / As for / About

Adding information (formal) Furthermore, In addition, Moreover,

Adding information (informal) also / too / as well besides plus what’s more

Expressing similarity likewise / similarly also / too / as well

Conditions If not, / If so, otherwise as long as provided that / on the condition that assuming / supposing (that) given / considering in view of / in light of

Referring to a previous time period

At the time, / At that time, In those days, In that era,

One thing before another before / beforehand earlier previously prior to

One thing after another after / afterwards / later following subsequently


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Connecting words

Education

Transcript of Connecting words