Using Connectors in English: Contrast, Reason, Examples, and Sequence
Connectors That Show Contrast
In spite of / Despite have the same meaning (a pesar de). They are followed by a noun phrase, often including a gerund.
- In spite of the late hour / Despite the late hour, they went on with the meeting.
- Arrived on time despite / in spite of getting up late.
Although, Though, Even Though, In Spite of the Fact That
These connectors have the same meaning (aunque, a pesar del hecho de que). They are followed by a complete sentence and can go at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.
- Although / Though / Even though / In spite of the fact that the pupils had not studied hard, they passed all their exams.
Note: If the connector begins the sentence, a comma must be placed to separate the two contrasting ideas.
However, Nevertheless, Even So, On the One Hand, On the Other Hand, On the Contrary
These are followed first by a comma and then by a complete sentence.
- She was quite ill. However, / Nevertheless, / Even so, she went to school.
- On the one hand, the beach is fun. On the other hand, I don’t like the sand.
While / Whereas
While / Whereas (mientras, mientras que) have the same meaning and are followed by a complete sentence.
- This soap opera is very interesting, while / whereas that one is quite boring.
Connectors That Show Reason, Cause, and Purpose
Because / Since / Seeing That
Because / Since / Seeing that (puesto que, visto que, ya que) have the same meaning and are followed by a complete sentence. They indicate the reason or cause of something. If the connectors begin the sentence, the main clause and the subordinate clause are separated by a comma.
- Because / As / Since / Seeing that it is late, we should all go home.
- We should all go home because / as / since / seeing that it is late.
Because Of / On Account Of / Owing To / Due To
Because of / On account of / Owing to / Due to (a causa de, debido a) are followed by a noun phrase. If they begin the sentence, both clauses will be separated by a comma.
- Because of / On account of / Owing to / Due to the weather, we stayed at home.
- We stayed at home because of / on account of / owing to / due to the weather.
In Order To / So As To / To / In Order That / So That
In order to / So as to / To express purpose (para). They are followed by the base form of the verb. On the contrary, In order that / So that (para que) are followed by a sentence with a modal verb.
- She uses her video in order to / so as to / to record her favorite shows.
- She uses her video in order that / so that she can have a recording of her favorite shows.
Connectors That Give Examples and Add Information
For Example / For Instance / Such As
For example, / For instance, / Such as (por ejemplo, tal(es) como) can be used interchangeably:
- Vegetables are a good source of vitamins; for example / for instance, pepper has vitamin C.
- Singers such as Michael Jackson and Madonna are popular in the world.
Moreover / Furthermore / Besides / In Addition
These connectors add more information. All of them are followed by a comma and mean “además, también“.
- I’m too busy to take a holiday. Moreover, / Furthermore, / In addition, I don’t have the money.
Note: Besides can be followed by a sentence or a noun.
In Addition To / As Well As
In addition to (además de) / As well as (así como) are used to add information, but they are followed by a noun phrase.
- In addition to classical music, she likes jazz.
- The city has several main roads as well as a ring road around it.
Apart From / Except For
Apart from / Except for (aparte de, excepto, con excepción de, salvo, …) are used to indicate that something is an exception to the general idea expressed in the sentence.
- Apart from English, she speaks three other foreign languages.
- He eats nothing except (for) bread and fish.
Connectors That Show Sequence and Result
Sequence Connectors
These indicate a sequence of events to put in order what we are saying:
- First of all (primero de todo), To begin with (para empezar), First, Firstly (en primer lugar)
- First of all, we should talk to the manager.
- Second, Secondly, Then (en segundo lugar, …)
- Secondly, we must make a detailed plan.
- The next stage (el próximo paso), Finally, In short (en resumen), To sum up (para resumir), Lastly (en último lugar)
- Finally, we need to have good ideas before we present our plan.
Note: All of them must have a comma after them when followed by a complete sentence.
Result Connectors
Therefore (por lo tanto), As a result (como resultado), Consequently (consecuentemente), For this reason (por este motivo) indicate the connection between an action and its result. They are followed by a complete sentence. Thus (así, de este modo) is more formal:
- Tina keeps her car in good condition. Therefore, it always passes its annual road test.
As a result is followed by a noun phrase:
- As a result of his brave action, he was awarded a military medal.