12. Connector and Linking Words

Chapter focus: addition, contrast, cause, result, examples, sequencing, and punctuation.

How to study this lesson

Read the explanation first, then say the examples aloud. Change one detail in each example, such as the subject, time, or place. Complete the practice without looking back and use the answer key to understand the reason for each answer. Finish by writing two sentences about your own life or city.

Connectors show how one idea relates to another. A connector cannot repair weak logic by itself. Before choosing a word, decide whether you are adding, contrasting, giving a reason, showing a result, giving an example, or ordering information.

Meaning and grammar

Use in addition, furthermore, moreover, and also to add ideas. Use however, nevertheless, whereas, while, although, and in contrast to show contrast. Use because, since, and as before a clause; use because of, due to, and owing to before a noun phrase. Use therefore, consequently, as a result, and thus to show a result. Use for example, for instance, and such as to introduce examples, but note that such as is followed by a noun or noun phrase: activities such as walking and cycling.

Use first, subsequently, finally, and overall to organise stages or summaries. In Task 1, overall is especially useful for the overview, but the overview must state the main trend rather than merely announce that one exists.

Punctuation and position

A transition such as however can begin a new sentence: However, the policy was expensive. It can also appear after a semicolon: The policy was expensive; however, it was effective. Do not join two independent clauses with a comma before however. With although, do not add but in the same clause: Although the plan was costly, it worked, not Although the plan was costly, but it worked.

Do not repeat moreover, furthermore, in addition, on the other hand in every sentence. Clear paragraph structure is more important than a high number of connectors. Use pronouns and repeated key terms to maintain cohesion naturally.

Practice

Improve the links: (a) The scheme was costly. However it reduced waste. (b) Because of the city introduced a fee, traffic decreased. (c) Although the plan was expensive, but it was successful.

Answers: (a) The scheme was costly. However, it reduced waste. (b) Because the city introduced a fee, traffic decreased or Because of the fee introduced by the city, traffic decreased. (c) Although the plan was expensive, it was successful or The plan was expensive, but it was successful.

IELTS transfer task

Write a short four-sentence response about an IELTS topic such as education, health, transport, technology, or the environment. Use at least two examples of the target grammar from this chapter. Underline those examples, then check that every sentence has a clear subject, a correct verb, and a meaning that is easy to understand.

Deep lesson: show the relationship, not just a transition

A connector tells the reader how the next idea relates to the previous one. Before choosing a connector, name the relationship: addition, contrast, cause, result, example, condition, sequence, or summary. If you cannot name the relationship, the connector is probably unnecessary.

Meaning and grammar map

Twelve examples

1. Because buses were cheap, demand increased.
2. Demand increased because of lower fares.
3. The road was crowded, so the city added buses.
4. The road was crowded; therefore, the city added buses.
5. Although the plan was expensive, it worked.
6. Despite its cost, the plan worked.
7. The plan was expensive. However, it worked.
8. The plan was expensive; however, it worked.
9. The scheme helps workers and students.
10. Furthermore, it reduces pollution.
11. Activities such as walking and cycling improve health.
12. For example, cycling can replace short car trips.

Punctuation and common errors

Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause: Although it was costly, it worked. Do not use although…but. Do not join two complete sentences with a comma before however. Use a full stop or semicolon: It was costly. However, it worked.

Bengali-speaker errors

Wrong: Although the cost was high, but it worked. Right: Although the cost was high, it worked. Wrong: Because of the city introduced a fee… Right: Because the city introduced a fee… Wrong: Moreover it was useful. Better: Moreover, it was useful.

Practice

A. Choose: Despite/Because of the rain, the event continued. Answer: Despite if the meaning is contrast.

B. Join with result: The service was reliable. More people used it. Answer: The service was reliable; therefore, more people used it.

C. IELTS task: Write a paragraph with exactly five connectors. Label each as addition, contrast, cause, result, or example. Remove any connector whose relationship is not necessary.

Professor's explanation: how to think about this grammar

Do not begin by memorising a definition. Begin by asking three questions: What job does this form do? What meaning does it add? Where does it go in the sentence? Bengali and English often arrange information differently, so direct translation can create mistakes. Build the English pattern first, then attach your idea to it.

Bengali learner warning

Many Bengali speakers understand the meaning of an English sentence but omit a small grammar word because Bengali does not always need the same word. English normally needs a clear subject and a finite verb. For example, say The number of students is increasing, not Number of students increasing. Treat articles, auxiliary verbs, plural endings, and prepositions as part of the pattern, not as optional decoration.

Three-step study method

Step 1 — Notice: underline the target form in every example. Step 2 — Control: replace only one part of the example, such as the subject or time. Step 3 — Communicate: use the form in a short answer about education, health, transport, technology, or the environment. If you cannot explain why you chose the form, return to Step 1.

Practice ladder

Level 1: Recognition. Find the target form and name its job. Level 2: Controlled production. Complete or correct a sentence using the pattern. Level 3: IELTS production. Write a short paragraph or speak for one minute. At Level 3, clarity is more important than using many different forms.

Revision checklist

Before moving on, ask: Can I explain the form in one simple sentence? Can I make a positive, negative, and question form where relevant? Can I use it with a past and a present example? Can I recognise the most common Bengali-speaker error? Can I use it naturally in one IELTS answer?