CONNECTORS Connectors or Conjunctions are words we use to join two or more sentences or words in the same sentence. Here you have the most common connectors grouped into categories: copulative, disjunctive, causal, functional, adversative, concessive, conclusive, continuative, conditional, time, place and manner

COPULATIVE CONNECTORS And, not only… but also…, not only… but… as well, both… and…, no sooner… than… He played the guitar and sang wonderful songs. It is hard for a student to work and study at the same time. Mary plays not only the guitar but also the violin. Not only is Sally disappointed in her brother but also angry for his remarks. She is not only beautiful but very intelligent as well. Mary and Bill not only argued, but shouted at each other as well. Many politicians desire both money and power. Bill wants both to earn more money and to work less. The baker had no sooner turned off the oven than the last customers arrived. I had no sooner gotten into the bathtub than the telephone rang.

DISYUNCTIVE CONNECTORS Or, either… or…, neither… nor…, whether… or…, or else…, otherwise… We'd better leave right now or we'll miss our bus. Can you do that by yourself, or you need my help? Either you shut your mouth and listen or you leave the class. That clerk is either incompetent or too lazy to be efficient. The musician neither played the piano well nor sang good songs. Jack neither wrote nor telephoned. We must decide whether to go there today or tomorrow. Mary wondered whether to travel or to stay and save the money. We have to hurry up, or else we'll miss our bus. You have to pay the rent of the house, or else you will be evicted. You'll have to hurry up, otherwise you'll be late. Leave right now, otherwise you'll be caught.

CAUSAL CONNECTORS Because, since, as, because of, due to (owing to) Because we arrived late, we missed the beginning of the play. I sat down because I was feeling tired. He won't understand, since he doesn't speak English. Since you have finished your homework, you can help me make dinner. She failed to pass the exam, as she made many mistakes As it was raining a lot, we stayed home. They stayed in because of the bad weather. She can not play sports because of her illness. The unemployment was high due to the economic crisis. They had a delay owing to the traffic jam.

FUNCTIONAL CONNECTORS so, so that, so as to, so as not to, in order to The children are wearing hats so they won’t get sunburned. Let’s write down the address so we don’t forget it. We left early so that we wouldn’t be late. You should study more so that you can pass the exam. He took a map so that he wouldn’t get lost. We moved the table so as to have more space for dancing. She opened the window so as to let in the sunlight. He took a nap so as not to be too tired for the party. She wrote down his address so as not to forget it. She goes jogging every morning in order to keep fit. We are working harder in order to earn more money.

ADVERSATIVE CONNECTORS But, whereas, however, nevertheless (nonetheless), still, even so, instead, instead of, on the contrary He is poor but he is honest. She saw me, but she didn't recognize me. Wise men love truth, whereas fools shun it. I missed the bus, however I got to work on time. They were not having fun; however they stayed until the party was over. Our team played very well, nevertheless they lost the match. She had no experience; nonetheless she got the job. The captain was annoyed, still he kept quiet. She was late, even so she was not punished. I am not going out tonight. Instead, I will stay home and cook something. The children were watching TV instead of doing there homework. The truck driver didn’t stop to help, on the contrary he kept driving even faster.

CONCESSIVE CONNECTORS Although, though, in spite of, despite, even if, not even if, regardless of Although she didn’t study at all, she passed her exam. She decided to go to work, though she was not feeling well. In spite of the fact that he earns a lot of money, he never goes on holyday. It was a great match in spite of the bad weather. Despite his bad reputation, the politician won the elections. I’ll go to the meeting, even if it is on Sunday. Even if he’s right, that doesn’t give him the right to be so arrogant. I will finish the project by tomorrow, even if I have to work all night. He will not do that work, not even if he is paid for it. He kept working regardless of his illness. They decided to finish the project, regardless of the cost.

CONCLUSIVE CONNECTORS Therefore, hence, so, thus, consequently I don't know her phone number, therefore I can't call her. She didn't study, therefore she couldn't pass the exam. English is not my mother tongue, hence my mistakes. She was raised in a farm, hence his ability to ride horses. His car broke down, so he took it to a garage. I was a little fat, so I decided to go on a diet. He overslept and thus arrived late for the appointment. She hadn't eaten for days and thus felt very weak. They were found guilty and consequently sent to prison. They argued all the time, consequently they eventually got divorced.

CONTINUATIVE CONNECTORS Then, moreover, furthermore, besides, in addition to If it is not here, then it's lost. If you like those shoes, then why don't you buy them? Soccer is a good sport; moreover, it is very easy to learn. They work very hard; moreover, they do a very good job. He is perfect for the job; furthermore, he is the only applicant. I dont want stay here; furthermore, I have things to do. I don't like that house; besides, it's too expensive for me. I don't want to sell my car; besides, I need it for my job. In addition to being a great person, the physician was an excellent professional. She had a great interest in literature, in addition to her interest in music.

CONDITIONAL CONNECTORS If, weather, unless, provided (providing), as long as, in case If I see him, I'll give him the message. What shall we do, if they don't accept the offer? I don't know whether they will agree on that subject or not. I wonder whether she really wants to do that. You won't pass the exam unless you study harder. Don't go there unless they call you. We'll go fishing this afternoon, provided it doesn't rain. You can borrow my car providing you return it today. You can stay here as long as you work hard. Nobody will know this secret as long as you keep mum Call this phone number in case you get lost. We will take our umbrellas in case it rains.

CONJUNCTIONS OF TIME before, after, since, until, when, while, as, as soon as Before you leave (leaving) the house, be sure that you’ve locked the door After I went (going) to bed, I heard a strange noise downstairs. We’ve been abroad since I last wrote to you. You can’t watch TV until you’ve done your homework. I’ll call you when I get home. While we’re waiting for the bus, let’s play a game. People stand back as the train goes through the station. As soon as you’ve finished your homework, let me see it.

CONJUNCTIONS OF PLACE Where, wherever Does anybody know where Mr. Carter lives? Where the road is narrow, big trucks can’t get through. The dog follows Andrew wherever he goes. Wherever there are mountains, you will also find streams.

CONJUNCTIONS MANNER As if (as though) They eat as if (as though) they hadn’t eaten for days (unreal). She looks as if (as though) she were a model. He behaves as if (as though) he were the boss. She treats me as if (as though) she were my mother. She talked about Marilyn Monroe as if (as though) they had been close friends. It looks as if (as though) it’s going to rain. It looks like it’s going to rain (informal). He sounds as if (as though) he has got a cold. He sounds like he has got a cold (inf).