CONNECTORS / (LINKING WORDS) / CONJUNCTIONS

CONCESSIVE/CONTRAST

CONJUNCTIONS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

.Although(embora, apesar) In spite of (apesar de)

} + noun phrase) (don’t

.Though (it´s more informal than although; it can be
used in the end of the sentence) - (embora, apesar)
.Even though (it´s stronger than though) - (muito
embora)
Although I’m sick, I’m going to work
I’m sick,I’m goin to work though…
Even though I’m sick,…
.No matter (não importa quanto)
No matter what he says, he will go to prison.
.However + adjective (por muito que)
However clever he is, he won’t pass the
examination.
.But
.While (enquanto)
.Whereas (enquanto, ao passo que, por outro lado,
já)
Some of the studies show positive results,
whereas/while others do not.
.Nevertheless/nonetheless=however (in spite of
something you have just mentioned) - (no entanto)
It is difficult to change the law. Nevertheless, it is
important that we try.
use a verb in this clause/phrase.
Despite (apesar de)
In spite of the rain, I went out.
Despite the rain, I went out.
In spite of
} + gerund:
Despite
In spite of raining, I still went out.
Despite raining, I still went out.
NEVER USE DESPITE/IN SPITE OF + PROPER NOUN as
subject followed by a subject: Despite/In spite of Charles
being my best friend, we still argue a lot.- Despite being my
best friend, I argue a lot with Charles(Charles and I argue a
lot.)
NEVER USE DESPITE/INSPITE OF + PERSONAL
PRONOUNS (I, SHE, THEY, WE…) as subject: Despite I
argue with Charles, we are best friends.
NEVER USE DESPITE/INSPITE OF + NOUN as subject
followed by a verb: Despite the rain hitting hard, I still went
out. – Despite the hard rain, I still went out.

PURPOSE

.In order to .So that + subject + a modal verb:

+ Infinitive } are more formal I’ll give you a map so that you can find
.So as to than To the way home.
And also:
Politicians took these measures in order .So that + subject + present simple to
to reduce crime. express a future situation:
They are working hard so as to finish the I’ll post the CD today so that you get it
project. by the weekend. (also correct with will)
.For + gerund = To + infinitive:
This machine is used for cutting/to cut
plastic.
TIME

.When (at the time that…) .During + noun

.Whenever (no matter when) .As (=while) – (during the time that…)
.Before (earlier than) Mark heard the news on the radio as /while he was
.After (later than) driving,
.As soon as (immediately after) .Since (from the time that)
As soon as she had left the house, it started to rain. .Until (up to the time that…)

REASON

.Because
.As
.Since
As/Since we were in the area, we decided to visit you.
.Due to + noun
The gathering was postponed due to the rain.
.Due to the fact that + clause
The meeting was rescheduled due to the fact that few people arrived on time.

RESULT

Consequently / As a result / Therefore/Thus =
this way
His wife left him. As a result, he became very
depressed.
.We suspect they are hiding sth, hence
/therefore/thus we need further investigations.
.So
It was late, so I decided to take a taxi home.
.So + adjective ….. that (it requires a follow up when
followed by that)
The storm was so terrible that the roofs were ripped off.
.Such + (a/an) +adj …that (it requires a follow up when
followed by that)
He was such a handsome man that she fell in love
immediately.

CONDITION

.As long as (only if) = So long as .If

.Provided (that) / Providing (that) = if .Unless (a não ser que…)
.He’ll go to the meeting, provided/providing (that) .He won’t go out, unless there is some kind of
he knows he’ll meet her. problem with the children.
.In case

ALTERNATIVE

.Otherwise (if not) .Or

.Susan lent me the money. .Or else
Otherwise, I couldn’t go with her.

COMPARISON

.As…as .Not so…as

.Not as…as .Than