Virtuous English Academy
Connectors and Linking Words in English (B1)
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Connectors such as because, so, although and however join ideas and show how they relate. This lesson organises them by function so your writing and speech flow logically.
Linking words are what turn a list of sentences into an argument. They signal how each idea relates to the last — adding, contrasting, explaining a cause, drawing a conclusion. At B1 they are the single fastest way to make writing sound more mature, because they show the reader the shape of your thinking.
The difficulty is not meaning but grammar. Words with similar meanings often belong to different grammatical classes and therefore need different structures. Although takes a clause, despite takes a noun or -ing, and however starts a new sentence. Using the right meaning with the wrong structure is the classic B1 error.
Learn each connector together with what must follow it. Because plus a clause, because of plus a noun. While plus a clause, during plus a noun. Once you store the structure alongside the meaning, the errors largely disappear.
How to form Linking Words
| Function | Connector | Followed by | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adding | and, also, in addition, moreover | clause or sentence | It's cheap. Moreover, it's reliable. |
| Contrast | but, however, nevertheless | new sentence or clause | It's cheap. However, it's slow. |
| Contrast | although, though, even though | a clause | Although it's cheap, it's slow. |
| Contrast | despite, in spite of | noun or -ing | Despite the price, it's slow. |
| Cause | because, since, as | a clause | I left because I was tired. |
| Cause | because of, due to, owing to | noun or -ing | I left because of the noise. |
| Result | so, therefore, consequently | clause or sentence | It rained, so we stayed in. |
| Purpose | to, in order to, so that | infinitive or clause | I called to confirm the time. |
Linking Words: the key rules
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Contrast has four grades: but (neutral), however (formal, new sentence), although + clause, despite/in spite of + noun or -ing.
Although it rained, we went out. Despite the rain, we went out.
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Cause and result: because + clause, because of + noun; so introduces the result; therefore is its formal cousin.
The match was cancelled because of the storm, so we got a refund.
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Addition climbs in formality: and → also → in addition → furthermore/moreover.
The flat is spacious. Furthermore, it's close to the metro.
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Purpose: to + infinitive for the same subject, so that + clause when the subject changes.
I left early to catch the train. I spoke slowly so that everyone could follow.
When to use Linking Words
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Building an argument in writing
Connectors show the reader whether each point supports or challenges the last.
The scheme is popular. However, it is expensive, and consequently it may be cut.
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Explaining reasons
Choosing between because and because of according to what follows.
The match was cancelled because it rained. / because of the rain.
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Conceding a point
Although and despite let you acknowledge one side before making your own.
Although the course is demanding, most students finish it.
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Stating purpose
To and in order to explain why an action was taken.
She moved to Berlin in order to study architecture.
although vs. despite
They express the same contrast, but they are different parts of speech and cannot be swapped without restructuring the sentence.
although — takes a clause
Followed by a subject and a verb. Also though and even though.
Although it was raining, we walked. Even though he tried, he failed.
despite / in spite of — takes a noun or -ing
Followed by a noun phrase or an -ing form. Never followed directly by a clause.
Despite the rain, we walked. In spite of trying, he failed.
Linking Words in example sentences
- Although the flat is small, it gets a lot of light.although + clause.
- Despite its size, the flat gets a lot of light.despite + noun phrase.
- The train was late because of the weather.because of + noun.
- The train was late because the weather was bad.because + clause.
- It was expensive. However, we bought it.however starts a new sentence, followed by a comma.
- She studied hard; therefore she passed easily.therefore signals a result.
- I wrote it down so that I wouldn't forget.so that + clause for purpose.
- In addition to the fee, there is a deposit.in addition to + noun.
Linking Words in a real conversation
Notice how the connectors signal the shape of the argument before the content arrives.
Manager:Although the results are good, I'm not convinced.
Analyst:Because of the seasonal effect?
Manager:Partly. Moreover, the sample was quite small.
Analyst:Despite that, the trend is consistent across all regions.
Manager:True. However, I'd like a second quarter of data.
Analyst:Understood. I'll rerun it in July so that we have a fair comparison.
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
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Despite it was late, we kept working.
Despite the late hour, we kept working. / Although it was late, we kept working.
Despite takes a noun or -ing form, never a full clause — clauses belong to although.
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Although he was tired, but he finished the race.
Although he was tired, he finished the race.
One contrast word per sentence — although and but cannot team up.
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I went to the shop for buy bread.
I went to the shop to buy bread.
Purpose before a verb takes to + infinitive; for + -ing describes a thing's function, not your goal.
Practise Linking Words today
Practise converting between structures — same meaning, different grammar.
- Write four sentences with although, then rewrite each one using despite.
- Write four sentences with because, then rewrite each using because of.
- Write a six-sentence paragraph arguing a position, using a different connector in each sentence.
- Correct these: Despite it was raining. — Although of the cost. — Because of he was late.
Linking Words: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between although and however?
Grammar, not meaning. Although is a conjunction and joins two clauses inside a single sentence: Although it was late, we continued. However is an adverb and normally begins a new sentence, followed by a comma: It was late. However, we continued. Using however to join two clauses with only a comma produces a comma splice, which is a common error in B1 writing.
When do I use because of rather than because?
Because is a conjunction and takes a full clause with a subject and verb: because the road was closed. Because of is a preposition and takes a noun phrase or an -ing form: because of the road closure, because of closing the road. If you can see a verb with its own subject, use because; if you see only a noun, use because of.
Are too many linking words a problem?
Yes. Overloading a text with connectors makes it feel mechanical, and examiners recognise it as a memorised strategy rather than genuine control. Use them where the relationship between ideas genuinely needs signalling, and let simple sentences carry the rest. One well-placed however is worth more than three furthermores in a paragraph.
What is the difference between so and therefore?
Both express result, but they differ in register and punctuation. So is informal and joins clauses directly: It was raining, so we stayed in. Therefore is formal and normally begins a new sentence or follows a semicolon: It was raining. Therefore, we stayed indoors. In academic and business writing, therefore, consequently and as a result are preferred over so.