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Vocabulary Level B1

Linking Words and Connectors in English

The English linking words that join your ideas: addition, contrast, cause and effect, sequence — with how to punctuate them and the mistakes to avoid.

connect one idea to the next

Linking words (also called connectors) join your ideas so your English flows instead of sounding like a list of short sentences. They fall into a few clear jobs — adding, contrasting, giving reasons, and ordering — and one important thing to learn alongside the words is how to punctuate them.

By job

Addition — and, also, in addition, moreover, furthermore, as well as
Contrast — but, however, although, even though, despite, on the other hand
Cause & effect — because, since, so, therefore, as a result, due to
Sequence — first, then, after that, finally, meanwhile

Here, since means because. Since can also talk about time: I've lived here since 2020. And due to is followed by a noun phrase, not a full clause: due to the rain, not due to it rained.

Tricky contrast connectors

These three mean "contrast" but behave differently in a sentence.

but + clause: It's cheap, but it works.
although / even though + clause: Although it's cheap, it works.
despite / in spite of + noun/-ing: Despite the price, it works.

However usually starts a new sentence and is followed by a comma: It's cheap. However, it works well. In more formal writing, it can also follow a semicolon: It's cheap; however, it works well. Don't join two full sentences with a comma alone before however (not It's cheap, however, it works well.).

Patterns matter

Each connector takes a particular kind of word after it. Match the pattern and the mistakes mostly disappear.

because + clause: because it rained
because of / due to + noun: because of the rain / due to the rain
although + clause: although it was late
despite / in spite of + noun or -ing: despite the delay / despite being tired

Punctuation in one line

Sentence connectors like however, therefore, and as a result usually take a comma after them: However, … / Therefore, …
When and / but / so join two full ideas, a comma often comes before — especially with but and so: It rained, so we stayed in. Short clauses with and often need no comma: I came and I sat down.
Start with although → comma between the clauses: Although it rained, we went out.

Common mistakes

"Despite of". It's either despite or in spite of — never "despite of".

✕Despite of the rain, we went out.
✓Despite the rain… / In spite of the rain…

"Although … but …". Use one or the other, not both.

✕Although it was late, but we continued.
✓Although it was late, we continued.

A because-fragment in formal writing. In speech or short answers, "Because it rained" can be fine. In formal writing, connect it to the main clause: "I stayed home. Because it rained." → "I stayed home because it rained."

Using due to before a full clause. Due to takes a noun phrase, not a clause.

✕The game was canceled due to it rained.
✓The game was canceled because it rained. / The game was canceled due to the rain.

Quick exercise

Choose the right connector.

  1. ___ the rain, we enjoyed the trip. (Despite / Although)
  2. It was expensive. ___, it was worth it. (However / But)
  3. ___ he was tired, he kept working. (Although / Despite)
  4. The roads were icy, ___ we drove slowly. (so / because)
  5. She studied hard; ___, she passed. (therefore / despite)
Answer key
  1. Despite (+ noun: the rain)
  2. However (starts a new sentence)
  3. Although (+ clause: he was tired)
  4. so (result)
  5. therefore (result; after a semicolon, use a comma after therefore)

Related topics

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Practice this in Recursio

Linking words help your English flow, but they are easy to mix up. Save the ones you want in Recursio and use Daily Mixed Review to meet "however", "although", and "therefore" in context until the patterns feel more natural.

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