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What are connectors?
Connectors are words or phrases that link ideas together. They help make your writing and speaking more logical, organised, and easier to understand. Without connectors, your sentences can sound disjointed or unclear.
Addition
Connectors used for addition include and, also, too, as well, in addition, furthermore, and moreover. These words help you link similar ideas together.
In addition, furthermore, and moreover are more formal and are great for part 1 of the writing. They usually appear at the beginning of a sentence and are followed by a comma.
In addition, she volunteers at the shelter.
Furthermore, the company failed to meet its deadlines.
Moreover, the solution was both quick and effective.
On top of that is informal and perfect for the speaking part of the exam and also informal writings! Note that you don't need a comma after it at the start of a sentence.
At the weekend I love to hang out with my friends. On top of that I watch shows on Netflix if I have time
Contrast
To show contrast or introduce an opposing idea, we use connectors such as but, however, although, though, even though, nevertheless, nonetheless, yet, on the other hand, while, whereas, despite and in spite of.
But is common in both speaking and writing and is placed between two clauses, often with a comma.
She studied hard, but she failed the exam.
However is more formal and usually begins a new sentence. It’s followed by a comma.
She studied hard. However, she failed the exam.
Although, though, and even though introduce subordinate clauses and come at the beginning or middle of the sentence without a comma between clauses, unless the sentence begins with the connector.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk
We went for a walk even though it was raining.
Yet is similar to but and is used between clauses, often preceded by a comma.
She is shy, yet confident when she performs.
On the other hand introduces a contrasting point and is used at the beginning of a sentence with a comma.
I enjoy city life. On the other hand, I sometimes miss the peace of the countryside
While and whereas are used to contrast two facts or characteristics, often in the same sentence. They are usually placed between the clauses without a comma, although a comma can be used in longer sentences for clarity.
While my brother loves spicy food, I prefer milder dishes.
She enjoys classical music, whereas her husband prefers jazz.
Despite and in spite of are followed by a noun, pronoun, or -ing form. They mean although or even though and are often used at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma.
Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
In spite of feeling tired, he finished the race.
They can also be followed by the fact that + clause to introduce a full sentence.
Despite the fact that it was raining, we went for a walk.
In spite of the fact that he was tired, he finished the race.
Tip: Remember that despite is not followed by of. This is a common mistake!
Cause and Effect
To explain reasons or results, we use connectors like because, since, as, so, therefore, as a result, consequently, and due to.
Because, since, and as introduce reasons. They join two clauses and don't need a comma when the reason comes second.
I stayed at home because I was tired.
Since it was raining, we cancelled the picnic.
As he had no money, he couldn't join us.
So introduces a result and joins two clauses, with a comma before it.
It was late, so we took a taxi.
Therefore, as a result, and consequently are formal and used at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma.
He didn’t study. Therefore, he failed the test.
The train was delayed. As a result, we missed the meeting.
They broke the rules. Consequently, they were disqualified.
Due to is followed by a noun or noun phrase and often used after the verb be.
The match was cancelled due to the rain
Purpose
To express purpose, we use connectors like to, so that, in order to, in order for someone to do something, in order that and for the purpose of.
To and in order to are followed by the base form of the verb.
He studies hard to pass the exam.
She left early in order to catch the train.
In order for someone to do something is followed by a person or thing and the base form of the verb. It’s often used when we need to mention who will do the action.
In order for the meeting to start on time, everyone needs to arrive early.
In order for her to pass the exam, she has to study every day.
Be careful with in order to. It's formal so great for formal writing but if you use it too often it can sound repetitive.
I am going to the shop in order to buy some milk. I need it in order to make a cup of tea.
So that introduces a clause and usually requires a subject and a modal verb like can, could, will, or would.
He left early so that he could meet her.
In order that is similar to so that and is followed by a subject and verb. It’s formal and often used with modal verbs (can, could, will, would).
I spoke slowly in order that everyone could understand me.
She took notes in order that she wouldn’t forget anything.
For the purpose of is formal and followed by a noun or gerund (-ing form).
The tool is used for the purpose of measuring distance.
She joined the club for the purpose of improving her speaking
Comparison
To show similarity or make comparisons, we use connectors such as like, similarly, in the same way, just as, and as…as.
Like is followed by a noun or pronoun.
Like her brother, she’s very talented.
Similarly and in the same way begin a new sentence and are followed by a comma.
He enjoys hiking. Similarly, his sister loves outdoor sports.
She speaks French. In the same way, she learned German.
Just as introduces a clause and is often used at the start of a sentence.
Just as she predicted, the weather turned bad.
As + adjective/adverb + as can be used as a comparative connector. When used with a positive verb, it expresses equality or similarity between two things. This construction highlights that the quality described by the adjective or adverb is the same (or nearly the same) for both elements being compared.
The cat is as fluffy as a cloud.
Compares the cat's fluffiness to the clouds.
She sings as beautifully as a bird.
Compares her singing to a bird.
Time
To link ideas in terms of time, we use connectors like when, while, as soon as, after, before, until, once, and by the time.
When and while introduce time clauses and can be used at the beginning or middle of the sentence.
When she arrived, we started dinner.
We were eating while watching TV.
As soon as shows that something happened immediately after something else.
As soon as I saw him, I recognised him.
After and before are commonly used with either a clause or a noun/gerund.
We’ll go out after we finish work.
Before leaving, check your bag.
Until and by the time also introduce time limits.
I waited until she arrived.
By the time we got there, the concert had started.
Emphasis and Clarification
To emphasise or explain more clearly, we use connectors like in fact, actually, indeed, namely, that is to say, and in other words.
In fact, actually, and indeed are used to add more detail or correct a previous idea. They often follow a comma.
He’s quite generous. In fact, he gave all his savings to charity.
It’s not easy. Actually, it’s quite complicated.
Indeed can reinforce a previous statement.
It was a great success. Indeed, the best we’ve ever had.
Namely and that is to say introduce specific examples or explanations.
Three students were late, namely, John, Sarah, and Luke.
I prefer quiet holidays, that is to say, I enjoy nature more than cities.
In other words rephrases the previous sentence for clarity.
He’s a minimalist. In other words, he doesn’t like owning many things.
Conclusion and Summary
To summarise or conclude, we use connectors like in conclusion, to sum up, overall, in short, in summary, and all in all.
In conclusion and to sum up are common in formal writing and usually appear at the beginning of the final paragraph.
In conclusion, the evidence clearly supports the new policy.
To sum up, it was a rewarding experience.
Overall, in short, and in summary are often used to give a general view or simplify.
Overall, the results were positive.
In short, we had fun despite the rain.
In summary, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
All in all is a bit more informal and summarises a situation.
All in all, the trip went well.
Note the commas!
In the FCE exam
Because connectors are such an integral part of English you are going to find them everywhere! But here are some of the key areas:
Writing
Correct use of connects is critical to make ideas flow logically and clearly.
In the essay (or report), students must organise ideas clearly, and connectors play a critical role. Using a variety of connectors correctly can boost scores for Organisation and Communicative Achievement, two of the criteria used to assess your score.
Common connectors used in essays:
Introduction: Firstly, In my opinion, To begin with
Addition: Furthermore, Moreover, In addition
Contrast: However, On the other hand, Although
Result: Therefore, As a result, So
Conclusion: In conclusion, To sum up
These are all suitable for formal writing.
For other writing tasks (article, email, review and story) your connectors need to be more informal. Using furthermore, for example, in a letter to a friend would sound strange.
Informal connectors include so, but, also, then, anyway, by the way, on top of that.
Speaking
Connectors are crucial for organising spoken responses and interacting with your partner. Examiners assess Discourse management which includes how well you link and develop ideas using logical connectors. Depending on the part of the exam you could use:
To add or build on ideas: Also, Another thing is, What’s more
To contrast: But, On the other hand, While that’s true
To agree/disagree: I see what you mean, but…, I’m not sure I agree
To speculate: Maybe, Perhaps, It could be that…
To structure answers: Firstly, I think…, That’s an interesting point, As I said earlier
To summarise: So overall, I believe…, All in all,
Use of English
While not always directly tested, knowing how connectors function may help you in different parts of the Use of English:
Part 1
Connectors are often tested here:
It was raining heavily; _____, the match continued as planned.
A therefore
B however
C because
D and
Correct answer is however to show a contrast.
I left the meeting early ______ I could pick up my children from school.
A in order to
B so that
C for the purpose of
D because
Correct answer is so that as it is followed by a subject + verb and often a modal verb (can, could, will or would). Here we have I could pick up, so so that fits perfectly.
in order to is followed by the base form of a verb (in order to pick up), but here we have a subject + verb, so it doesn’t fit.
for the purpose of is followed by a noun or gerund (for the purpose of picking up), so is also incorrect.
because explains a reason, not a purpose in the same sense here.
Part 2
Connectors such as although, despite, but, or however tend to appear here. When a gap is at the start of a sentence it is a clue that the answer could be a connector:
________ the weather was terrible, the team continued to work.
Correct answer is though or although to show a contrast.
Part 4
Again, you may see something like this:
Although she was tired, she finished her homework.
SPITE
………………………………. tired, she finished her homework.
Answer: In spite of being tired, she finished her homework.
She spoke slowly in order for everyone to understand her.
THAT
She spoke slowly …………………………………………. understand her.
Answer: She spoke slowly so that everyone could understand her.
Reading & Listening
Connectors will help you:
Follow the structure of a text or recording
Identify relationships between ideas (cause/effect, contrast, time)
Predict answers or understand subtle distinctions