Connecting Words – Expressing Cause, Effect, Contrast, and More

• Show cause and effect
• Show contrast or opposite ideas
• Add extra information
• Help the listener understand sequence or result

• “It rained all day, so we stayed at home.”
• “I wanted to go to the party, but I was too tired.”
  
  

• Tips:
  Because / Since / As explain the reason for something.
  So / Therefore / As a result show the effect or result of an action.
  So usually connects two clauses in one sentence.
  Therefore and as a result are slightly more formal and often used in writing.

• “I stayed home because I was sick.”
• “Since it was raining, we postponed the picnic.”
• “The roads were icy, so the school was closed.”
• “He forgot to study; as a result, he failed the test.”

• Tips:
  But is used in everyday sentences to show contrast.
  However is slightly more formal and often follows a semicolon or starts a new sentence.
  Although / Though are used at the beginning or middle of a sentence.
  While can replace whereas for simplicity at B1 level.
  
  

• “I like coffee, but I don’t drink it in the evening.”
• “She studied hard; however, she didn’t pass the exam.”
• “Although it was late, he continued working.”
• “I prefer tea, while my brother likes coffee.”
  
  

• Tips:
  And / also = simple, everyday use
  In addition / moreover / besides = formal, often used in writing or presentations

• “I bought apples and oranges.”
• “She speaks French and also Spanish.”
• “The project was difficult; moreover, we had very little time.”
• “In addition, the team worked on weekends to finish the task.”

• “First, I woke up, then I had breakfast.”
• “We went to the cinema; after that, we went for dinner.”
• “He studied all week and finally passed the exam.”
  
  

• Connecting words make your speaking and writing clear, logical, and fluent.
• Use cause/effect words to explain reasons and results.
• Use contrast words to show opposing ideas.
• Use addition words to expand information.
• Use sequence words to organize events clearly.