Conjunctions and Linking Words List

UNLESS
	CONJUNCTION (CONDITION)	CN01
#1	Used in conditional sentences and has a similar meaning to 'if .. not' in the sense of 'except if', unless + present simple + will/going to + verb:	I won't call you unless there are any problems. FUTURE SIMPLE + UNLESS + PRESENT TENSE

IN SPITE OF/DESPITE
	PREPOSITION (CONTRAST)	CN01
#1	Used to express a contrast between two things = 'regardless of' or 'even though', in spite of/despite + (pronoun) + noun. We never use 'of' with 'despite'.	In spite of/Despite the frost, the pitch was playable. IN SPITE OF/DESPITE + NOUN
	PREPOSITION (CONTRAST)	CN01
#2	Both 'in spite of' and 'despite' can be followed by an -ing form, despite/in spite of + gerund:	He's an ordinary bloke, in spite of/despite being famous. IN SPITE OF/DESPITE + GERUND
	PREPOSITION (CONTRAST)	CN01
#3	Used to introduce a clause with 'in spite of' or 'despite', we have to add 'the fact that', despite/in spite of + the fact that + clause.	He was good at maths in spite of/despite the fact that he found it boring. IN SPITE OF/DESPITE + THE FACT THAT + CLAUSE

BECAUSE (OF)
	CONJUNCTION (REASON)	CN01
#1	Used to give a reason for something, because + subject + verb. 'Because' can go after or before the main clause. It is never followed by 'of':	She cried because she had hurt her knee. BECAUSE + SUBJECT + VERB
	PREPOSITION (REASON)	CN01
#2	As a result of someone or something, (1) because of + (pronoun) + noun, (2) because of + pronoun or (3) because of + gerund. It is always followed by 'of':	The game was cancelled because of the rain. BECAUSE OF + NOUN (1) He was tired because of working too hard. BECAUSE OF + GERUND (3)

ALTHOUGH/(EVEN) THOUGH
	CONJUNCTION (CONTRAST)	CN01 CN06
#1	Used to introduce a statement that makes your main statement seem surprising or unlikely = 'despite the fact that', although/(even) though + subject + verb.	Although/Even though/Though she is young, she is very independent. ALTHOUGH/(EVEN) THOUGH + SUBJECT + VERB

WHETHER ... OR ...
	CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION	CN01
#1	Used to express a doubt or choice between two possibilities = 'it doesn't matter whether ... or ...', whether + (subject) + verb + or + verb.	He seemed undecided whether to go or stay. WHETHER + TO + VERB + OR + VERB

IF
	CONJUNCTION (CONDITION)	CN02
#1	Used to introduce a conditional clause, if + present tenses + comma + future tenses or future tenses + if + present tenses.	If you don't hurry, we'll be late. IF + PRESENT SIMPLE + COMMA + FUTURE SIMPLE
	CONJUNCTION (REPORTING QUESTIONS)	CN06
#1	Used after ask, know, find out, wonder, etc. to introduce one of two or more possibilities = 'whether', ask/know/wonder + if/whether + clause.	At times I wonder if/whether he'll ever get a job. WONDER + IF/WHETHER + CLAUSE

BUT
	CONJUNCTION (CONTRAST)	CN02
#1	Used to introduce a word or phrase that contrasts with what was said before, independent clause + but + comma + independent clause.	I wanted to go, but I was too tired. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + BUT + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

HOWEVER
	CONJUNCTION (WAY)	CN02
#1	Used as a subordinating conjunction when it means 'in whatever way' or 'in whatever manner', however + subject + verb.	However you look at it, it's going to cost a lot. HOWEVER + SUBJECT + VERB
	ADVERB (CONTRAST)	CN07 CN09
#2	Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with something that has just been said, (1) independent clause + semicolon + however + comma + independent clause or (2) independent clause + full stop + However + comma + independent clause	I asked Jim; however, I'm not convinced he knows. SEMICOLOR + HOWEVER + COMMA I asked Jim. However, I'm not convinced he knows. FULL STOP + HOWEVER + COMMA

AS
	CONJUNCTION (TIME)	CN02
#1	Used to describe two things happening at the same time or something happening at a particular time = 'while' or 'when', as + subject + verb.	I saw Ann as I was getting off the bus. AS + SUBJECT + VERB

UNTIL/TILL
	CONJUNCTION (TIME)	CN02
#1	Up to the point in time or the event mentioned, until/till = duration/how long.	We waited until five o'clock, but she did not show up. VERB + UNTIL + TIME/EVENT

DURING
	PREPOSITION (TIME)	CN03
#1	Within a particular period of time (=in) => during/in the night, during/in May, during/in my career, etc.:	People shop for Christmas gifts during/in December. DURING/IN + WITHIN A SPECIFIC PERIOD OF TIME
#2	Activity, event or experience (= not a period of time), during + noun (phrase), during a meeting, during her illness, during a visit, during the whole (of), etc.:	I only saw her once during my stay in Rome. DURING + NOUN

WHILE/WHILST
	CONJUNCTION (TIME)	CN03
#1	During the time that something is happening, at the same time as something else is happening, (1) while/whilst + subject + verb or (2) while/whilst + gerund.	He contracted malaria while/whilst he was travelling. WHILE/WHILST + SUBJECT + VERB Don't use your phone while driving. WHILE/WHILST + GERUND

SO ... THAT/SO (THAT)
	CONJUNCTION (RESULT)	CN03
#1	Used when emphasizing the degree or amount of something by saying what the result is, so + adjective/adverb + that + clause.	He spoke so quietly that I could hardly hear him. SO + ADVERB + THAT + CLAUSE
	CONJUNCTION (PURPOSE)	CN04
#2	In order to make something happen or be possible, so + (that) + subject + modal verb + verb.	I stepped aside so that she might come in. SO THAT + SUBJECT + MODAL VERB + VERB

AS WELL AS
	PHRASE (ADDITION)	CN03
#1	In addition to somebody/something, too, (1) noun + as well as + noun or (2) as well as + gerund.	She speaks Spanish as well as English. NOUN + AS WELL AS + NOUN He is a talented painter as well as being a musician. AS WELL AS + GERUND

DUE TO/OWING TO
	PREPOSITION (REASON)	CN03
#1	Because of something, (1) due to/owing to + (pronoun) + noun or (2) due to/owing to + gerund. Most people avoid using 'owing to' after the verb 'be':	The game was cancelled due to/owing to torrential rain. DUE TO/OWING TO + NOUN Her success was due to working hard. BE + DUE TO + GERUND

AND
	CONJUNCTION (COORDINATING)	CN03
#1	Used to join two words or two parts of a sentence: (1) word + word, (2) phrase + phrase or (3) independent clause + and + independent clause.	Mark and Wendy went up the hill. WORD + AND + WORD Her best friend and her cousin both come from Ireland. PHRASE + AND + PHRASE He worked hard and he passed. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + AND + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

SPECIAL NOTES
#1		You should never use "but" and "although" in the same sentence because both words express contrast:	Although she was tired, but she kept working.
			Although she was tired, she kept working.	She was tired, but she kept working.
#2		We don't use "because" and "so" in the same sentence. 'Because' shows a reason, while 'so' shows a result:	Because I was ill, so I took a day off.
			Because I was ill, I took a day off.	I was ill, so I took a day off.
#3		'Scarcely', 'barely' and 'hardly' is followed by 'when' or 'before':	Hardly/Scarcely/Barely had we arrived at the station than the train came.
			Hardly/Scarcely/Barely had we arrived at the station when/before the train came.
#4		We can use 'due to' after 'to be' verb, but not 'owing to':	The accident was owing to bad weather.
			The accident was due to bad weather.