Conjunctions and connectors

English (Précis and Composition) · Grammar · Prepositions, conjunctions, adjectives, adverbs. The idea in plain words, the rules to remember, the mistake to avoid and a worked example, written and checked by Mega Lecture.

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The idea

A connector shows how two ideas are related. So read both halves of the sentence before you look at the options and name the relation yourself: contrast, cause, result, condition, purpose or addition. Then pick the word that carries that relation.

Next check the grammar that follows the gap. Although, because and unless are followed by a clause (subject + verb). Despite and in spite of are followed by a noun or an -ing form. However, therefore and moreover link two full sentences.

Some conjunctions come in fixed pairs. If you see the first half (neither, no sooner, not only), the second half is already decided.

Rules to remember

Pairs: either ... or; neither ... nor; both ... and; not only ... but also; whether ... or.
no sooner ... than; hardly / scarcely ... when; would rather ... than; the + comparative ..., the + comparative.
Contrast: although, though, even though + clause; despite, in spite of + noun or -ing; whereas, while; however, nevertheless.
Cause: because, since, as. Result: therefore, hence, consequently. Addition: moreover, furthermore, besides.
Condition: if; unless (= if ... not); provided that; otherwise (= if not, then).
Purpose: so that / in order that + may, might, can, could; lest + should.
however, therefore, moreover and similar words between two sentences take a semicolon before and a comma after.

Common mistake

Using two connectors for one link, as in 'Although he was ill, but he came'. One is enough. In the same way, 'unless' already means 'if not', so never write 'unless you do not'.

Worked example

Which sentence is correct? (a) Unless you do not apologise, he will not forgive you. (b) Although she is rich, but she is unhappy. (c) Scarcely had we sat down when the lights went out. (d) Both the clerk as well as the officer were absent.

(a) 'unless' already contains the negative, so 'do not' must go.
(b) 'although' and 'but' do the same job; only one may stay.
(d) 'both' pairs with 'and', not with 'as well as'.
(c) 'scarcely had' pairs correctly with 'when'.

Answer: (c) Scarcely had we sat down when the lights went out.

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