Virtuous English AcademyAdvanced Connectors and Linking Words (B2)
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Advanced connectors such as nevertheless, despite, whereas and consequently make your writing cohesive and formal. This lesson shows how to link ideas with precision in essays and discussion.
At B2 connectors are what give writing its architecture. Beyond the basic and, but and because lies a large set of discourse markers that signal concession, contrast, addition, consequence and emphasis with far greater precision — and with clear differences of register.
The recurring difficulty remains grammatical rather than semantic. Despite takes a noun, although takes a clause, however starts a sentence, whereas joins two clauses. Words with almost identical meanings belong to different grammatical classes, and using the right meaning with the wrong structure is the commonest B2 error in written work.
Register matters as much as accuracy. Moreover, nevertheless and consequently belong in formal writing; besides, though and so belong in conversation. Mixing the two levels within a paragraph produces prose that feels unstable, so choosing a register and holding it is part of the skill.
How to form Advanced Connectors
| Function | Connector | Structure | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concession | although, even though, while, whereas | + clause | neutral |
| Concession | despite, in spite of | + noun or -ing | neutral |
| Concession | nevertheless, nonetheless, even so | new sentence | formal |
| Contrast | whereas, while | + clause, joins two ideas | neutral to formal |
| Addition | moreover, furthermore, in addition | new sentence | formal |
| Addition | besides, what's more, on top of that | new sentence | informal |
| Consequence | consequently, therefore, thus, hence | new sentence | formal |
| Emphasis | indeed, in fact, above all | new sentence or mid-clause | formal |
| Reformulation | in other words, that is to say | new sentence | neutral |
Advanced Connectors: the key rules
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Formal contrast: nevertheless, nonetheless, even so (sentence adverbs) vs whereas/while (clause joiners) vs despite/notwithstanding + noun.
The data was incomplete; nevertheless, the pattern was clear.
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Cause and consequence in formal prose: owing to / due to + noun, consequently, hence, thus.
The flight was delayed owing to fog; consequently, we missed the connection.
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Concession sets up a rebuttal: admittedly, granted, of course…, but…
Admittedly the method is slow, but it is remarkably accurate.
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Sequencing and reformulation: furthermore, in other words, that is to say, on the contrary.
The plan is ambitious — that is to say, expensive.
When to use Advanced Connectors
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Conceding before countering
The classic argumentative move — acknowledge the other side, then state your position.
While the costs are undeniable, the long-term savings outweigh them.
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Drawing a formal conclusion
Consequently, therefore and thus signal logical consequence in academic writing.
The sample was self-selecting; consequently, the findings cannot be generalised.
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Contrasting two parallel things
Whereas and while set two ideas directly against each other in one sentence.
Sales rose in Europe, whereas they fell sharply in Asia.
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Reformulating for clarity
In other words and that is signal that you are restating a complex point.
The scheme is cost-neutral — in other words, it pays for itself.
whereas vs. however
Both mark contrast, but they differ in grammar and in what kind of contrast they express.
whereas — joins two clauses
A conjunction. Sets two parallel facts against each other inside one sentence.
Northern branches grew, whereas southern branches contracted.
however — starts a new sentence
An adverb. Introduces something that qualifies or reverses what was just said.
Northern branches grew. However, the overall picture was negative.
Advanced Connectors in example sentences
- Despite the delays, the project came in under budget.despite + noun phrase.
- Although there were delays, the project came in under budget.although + clause.
- The evidence is thin. Nevertheless, the conclusion may be correct.nevertheless in formal concession.
- Applications rose by 12 per cent; consequently, waiting times increased.Formal consequence after a semicolon.
- Rural provision improved, whereas urban provision stagnated.whereas joining two contrasting clauses.
- Furthermore, the report ignores regional variation.Formal addition opening a sentence.
- It's expensive. Besides, we don't really need it.Informal addition.
- The policy is revenue-neutral; that is, it costs nothing overall.Reformulation for clarity.
Advanced Connectors in a real conversation
The formal connectors cluster in the quoted written text; speech keeps to simpler markers.
Supervisor:How does your conclusion open?
Student:Despite the limitations of the sample, the trend is consistent.
Supervisor:And the qualification?
Student:Nevertheless, the findings cannot be generalised beyond this cohort.
Supervisor:Good. Though I'd cut one of the furthermores.
Student:Fair. There are three in that paragraph, which is too many.
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
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Despite of the delay, we arrived on time.
Despite the delay / In spite of the delay, we arrived on time.
Despite never takes of — the of belongs exclusively to in spite of.
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The results were poor. On the contrary, the team stayed optimistic.
The results were poor. Nevertheless, the team stayed optimistic.
On the contrary denies the previous statement; for 'but still', use nevertheless/even so.
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He is very qualified, however he lacks experience. (comma splice)
He is very qualified; however, he lacks experience.
However is an adverb, not a conjunction — it needs a semicolon or a new sentence, plus its own comma.
Practise Advanced Connectors today
Convert between structures — same meaning, different grammar and register.
- Write four concession sentences with although, then rewrite each with despite.
- Write four contrasts with whereas, then rewrite each as two sentences with however.
- Write a formal paragraph using moreover, nevertheless and consequently.
- Rewrite that paragraph informally using besides, though and so.
Advanced Connectors: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between whereas and while?
In contrast contexts they are interchangeable: Sales rose in Europe, while they fell in Asia. The difference is that while has a second meaning of during the time that, which can create ambiguity — While she was reading could be temporal or contrastive. Whereas has only the contrastive meaning, so it is the clearer choice when contrast is intended, particularly in academic writing.
Can I join two clauses with however and a comma?
No — that produces a comma splice. However is an adverb, not a conjunction, so it cannot join clauses. Use a full stop or a semicolon before it and a comma after: The costs rose; however, the benefits rose faster. To join clauses directly you need a conjunction such as but, although or whereas. This is one of the most frequently penalised errors in B2 writing.
Are nevertheless and nonetheless different?
They are effectively interchangeable, both meaning despite what has just been said. Nevertheless is somewhat more common; nonetheless is marginally more formal. Both are quite heavy words, and overusing them makes prose feel laboured. In many contexts even so or still conveys the same concession more lightly and reads better.
How many connectors should a paragraph contain?
Fewer than most learners think. Examiners recognise connector-stuffing as a memorised strategy rather than genuine control, and it often obscures rather than clarifies the argument. Use one where the relationship between ideas genuinely needs signalling, and let sentence order and content carry the rest. Two or three well-placed connectors in a paragraph is usually plenty.