Zafar Sobitov

Connectors in
English Part 1
contrast & concession:
although, though, despite, in spite of, whilst,
yet, however, nevertheless, even so, even if,
notwithstanding, albeit, ...

cause:
because, due to, owing to, on account of, thanks
to, since, as, given, seeing, in view of, in light of,
...

result:
therefore, thus, hence, thereby, in consequence,
for this reason, ...
 Zafar Sobitov

CONTRAST & CONCESSION

• although, though, even though + clause (subject + verb ...)

Although I usually drink coffee, today I’m drinking tea.

Though I usually drink coffee, today I’m drinking tea.
Even though I was on a diet, I had a slice of cake.

Though is slightly less formal than Although, which is more common in writing.
Even though is slightly stronger than the others and is stressed when speaking.

The order must make sense as the main clause must follow the concession:

Although I was tired, I didn’t go to bed early.

Although I didn’t go to bed early, I was tired.

Though can also be used as an adverb at the end of a second sentence.

The film was quite long. It was enjoyable though.

She’s going to the party. I’m not though.

Although can be used to introduce a clause without a verb in formal speaking or writing.

Harry, although curious, didn’t ask any questions.

• despite, in spite of + noun/noun phrase/-ing

Despite the bad weather, we had a nice holiday.

They went swimming in spite of the danger signs.
Despite feeling unwell, she went to work.
In spite of my father’s objections, I left university early.

There is no difference between despite and in spite of but the former is more common.

We also use despite the fact that and in spite of the fact that but less in writing because they are
slightly wordy.

Despite the fact that Ireland imposed many lockdowns in 2020, its economy grew.
Some people still believe the earth is flat in spite of the fact that science has shown otherwise.

Note - you can add a noun before the gerund to make it a noun phrase.

Despite Mary feeling unwell, she went to work.

In spite of Ireland not having good weather, it’s a nice place to visit.

Never follow despite with a clause (subject + verb ...) :

Despite I was on a diet, I had a slice of cake.

Despite being on a diet, I had a slice of cake.
or
Though I was on a diet, I had a slice of cake.
 Zafar Sobitov

PRACTICE 1

1. ................................... the salary was low, I loved that job. (despite/although)

2. ................................... having a headache, I went to class. (though/in spite of)
3. ................................... she’s rich, she’s quite humble. (despite the fact that/despite)
4. I managed to pass the test ................................... it was difficult. (even though/in spite of)
5. ................................... his arrogance, he’s a wonderful footballer. (though/despite)
6. Success is important in life, ................................... love is what really matters. (though/despite)
7. I’ve invited Maria to the party, not her husband .................................... (though/despite)
8. I slept like a baby ................................... there was a lot of noise outside. (in spite of/although)
9. ................................... not speaking any French, he moved to Paris. (despite/in spite of the fact that)
10. ................................... Tom’s vast experience, he didn’t get the job.(in spite of/although)

PRACTICE 2

1. I couldn’t fall asleep. I was very tired.

(though)
.................................................................................................................

2. He’s not very tall. He’s a great basketball player.

(despite)
.................................................................................................................

3. I love Italian culture. I’ve never been to Italy.

(in spite of)
.................................................................................................................

4. I was outside for 5 minutes. I got soaked.

(even though)
.................................................................................................................

5. I love Seville. It’s too hot in summer.

(despite the fact that)
.................................................................................................................
• while, whilst, whereas

While, whilst and whereas are used to emphasise the difference between two situations or activities.

While my wife is great at DIY, I’m absolutely useless.

My wife is great at DIY whilst I’m absolutely useless.
Here we see people outdoors whereas the second photo shows us people indoors.

Whereas always implies contrast but while and whilst implies concession and can also mean
‘at the same time’.

I thought he was shy, whereas in fact he’s quite outgoing.

Whilst I do understand your point, I disagree with you.
I took a nap while the kids were playing outside.

Zafar Sobitov
• but, (and) yet

But is used to connect 2 statements, adding surprise, contrast or explanation.

I don’t have experience but I’m keen to learn.

I’d like to join you but I’m busy.

Yet introduces a fact that is surprising.

He’s a very corrupt politician yet people adore him.

It’s a story that is strange yet true.

You can use and yet in a similar way.

So many questions and yet so few answers.

• however, nevertheless, nonetheless, even so

All are used when we add information that seems surprising or different from what has been said.

I’d love to join you, however, I have a pile of work to do.

I don’t like him. However, he’s an outstanding player.
We used to travel freely. That all changed in 2020, however.

However comes after a full stop or comma and is followed by a comma.

Nevertheless and nonetheless are synonyms of however but are slightly more formal and emphatic.

Cases may be declining. Nevertheless, we must remain cautious.

Winter in Ireland is bleak. The landscape is beautiful nonetheless.

You can use but and nevertheless together in a sentence.

There are risks, but nevertheless, it is worth trying.

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Even so can be used instead of nevertheless and nonetheless.

I was fully prepared for the exam. Even so, I felt nervous.

Be careful not to mix up even so and even though.

Even though I was fully prepared for the exam, I felt nervous.

• even if

Even if can be used instead of even though.

Even if you are an idiot sometimes, I love you.
Even though you are an idiot sometimes, I love you.

Even if is also used to mean ‘despite the possibility of something’.

Even if it rains tomorrow, I’ll go for a run.

Even though it rains tomorrow, I’ll go for a run.

• notwithstanding

Notwithstanding means despite the fact or thing mentioned.

Notwithstanding injuries, Madrid won the final.

The bad weather notwithstanding, we had a lovely holiday.

• regardless (of)

Regardless means without being affected or influenced by something - similar to despite.

He does what he wants regardless of what she says.

Anyone can apply, regardless of age.
You get a lot of criticism in my line of work but you have to carry on regardless.

• albeit

Albeit is used to reduce the force or importance of what has just been said.

He accepted the offer, albeit relunctantly.

They came with us, albeit with some hesitation.
We are recovering, albeit slowly, from this crisis.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistant one. - Einstein.

• unlike

Unlike means something or someone is very different from another person or thing.

Unlike Ukraine, Spain rarely sees snow.

Ireland’s landscape is not unlike that of Scotland.
Suzan is very unlike her sister.

It can also be used to mean that something is not typical of someone.

It’s unlike Ana to be late.

• as opposed to

As opposed to is used to compare two things, and show they are different.

In my classes, students participate as opposed to just listening to the teacher.

200 attended the conference, as opposed to 300 the previous year.
Some students have to be pushed as opposed to being encouraged.

• rather than, instead of

There is little difference between rather than and instead of.

I think I’ll have a glass of wine rather than my usual whiskey.

Could we meet at 5pm instead of 6pm?
Why don’t we cycle to London rather than taking the train?
Instead of just standing there, do something.

However, rather than can imply preference when instead of can imply substitution.

The problem is mental rather than physiological.

I think I’ll use a knife and fork instead of chopsticks.

Instead can be placed at the end of a sentence.

These chopsticks are impossible to use. I think I’ll use a knife and fork instead.
I’m tired of watching movies on Netflix. Let’s go to the cinema instead.

• having said that

This is used to say that something is true in spite of what you have just said.

He forgets most things, but having said that, he always remembers my birthday.
This diet will help you lose weight. Having said that, exercise is still important.

 Zafar Sobitov

• be that as it may

This is used to say that even though you accept something is true, it does not change a situation.

I know you don’t like her but be that as it may, please be polite when she comes over.

PRACTICE 3
complete with an appropriate phrase from below

1. I entered the water, ................................... slowly, as it was cold.

2. ................................... you pay me, I won’t do it.
3. Call me if there’s an emergency ................................... what time it is.
4. My parents are quite short ................................... I’m quite tall.
5. ................................... most people, she has no interest in social media.
6. ................................... our differences of opinion, we work together as a team.
7. I know everything will work out in the end. ..................................., I’m worried.
8. I don’t know why I love him so much and ................................... I do.
9. He’s able to walk again, ................................... with assistance.
10. ................................... doing nothing all day, why don’t you get up and clean the house?

whereas, yet, even so, unlike, albeit x2, even if, notwithstanding, regardless of, rather than,

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CAUSE

• because + clause, because of + noun/noun phrase/gerund

I was late because there was traffic.

I was late because of the traffic.
Why? - Because I said so!
Because of my boss being there, I said nothing.

• due to, owing to, on account of + noun/noun phrase

All three mean because of something with very little difference in meaning or usage.

Closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

He has to retire on account of ill health.
Owing to a lack of funding, the project was abandoned.

Owing to cannot be used after the verb ‘to be’ while due to and on account of can.

It was owing to due to/on account of stress that he suffered a breakdown.

• due to/owing to/on account of/because of the fact that + clause

We can use all four of the previous with ‘the fact that’ followed by a clause to simply mean because.

His success is due to the fact that he’s an extremely hard worker.
We’re unable to travel this year on account of the fact that most countries restrict movement.

• thanks to + clause

We use thanks to like because of but it implies help involved or gratitude.

Thanks to her support, I was able to get through the year.

• as, since + clause

As and since are used when giving the reason why someone decides to do something or decides that
something is true.

Since it’s a beautiful day, let’s go for a walk.

I didn’t invite you as I thought you were snowed under with work.

• as a result (of)

As a result of the pandemic, all of our lives have changed.

The pandemic took us all by surprise and all of our lives have changed as a result.
• given (that) + clause, given + noun/noun phrase

Given can be used in various ways and means ‘taking sth into account’ or ‘considering sth’.

Given that they are inexperienced, they’ve done well.

Given their inexperience, they’ve done well.

• seeing (as) + clause, seeing (that) + clause

Seeing as and seeing that mean because a fact or situation is true, quite similar to as, since, given.

I won’t stay long seeing as you’re busy.

We may as well go to the concert seeing that we have tickets.
Well, seeing nobody is willing to do it, I’ll do it myself.

• in view of + noun/noun phrase, in view of the fact + clause

This is used to introduce the reason for a decision or action.

In view of the weather, the event will now be held indoors.

In view of the fact that the weather is bad, the event will now be held indoors.

• in light of + noun/noun phrase

Used to give the reason for a decision after taking sth into consideration.

The theory is no longer accepted in light of recent discoveries.

PRACTICE 4
complete with an appropriate phrase from below:

1. You got burnt ................................... you sat in the sun without sunscreen for too long.
2. It’s partly ................................... government incompetence.
3. Well, ................................... I have nothing else to do, I may as well join you.
4. He got the job ................................... his father’s contacts in business.

thanks to, due to, since, because

 RESULT

• therefore, so

As a result of what has just been mentioned.

Progress has been very good. Therefore, we expect good news soon.
I was feeling under the weather and therefore could not attend the workshop.
I think therefore I am.

So is much less formal than therefore but quite common in spoken English.

I had an awful headache so I didn’t go to work.

• thus, hence

Thus and hence can be used in the same way as therefore but they are more formal and less common.

He didn’t work hard. Thus, he was fired.

William is the eldest son and hence heir to the throne.
The evidence was destroyed in a fire. Thus, it’s impossible to prove guilt.
She works as a teacher, hence her nickname ‘Prof’.

• thereby

Thereby is similar to the above but introduces the result of an action.

He became a citizen, thereby gaining the right to vote.

Regular exercise strengthens the heart, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.
We ought to invest in green energy, thereby tackling the problem of global warming.

• in consequence (of), as a consequence (of), consequently

All are synoyms meaning as a result of something.

He failed to produce results in the job. In consequence, he was fired.

As a consequence of his failure to produce results, he was dismissed.
All flights were suspended and consequently our honeymoon was ruined.

• for this/that reason

Both are quite commonly used in both spoken and written English.

For this reason alone, we cannot allow that to happen.

SOLUTIONS:

PRACTICE 1

1. although
2. in spite of
3. despite the fact that
4. even though
5. despite
6. though
7. though
8. although
9. despite
10. in spite of

PRACTICE 2

1. Though I was very tired, I couldn’t fall asleep.

I couldn’t fall asleep though I was very tired.
I was very tired. I couldn’t fall asleep though.

2. Despite not being very tall, he’s a great basketball player.

He’s a great basketball player despite not being very tall.

3. In spite of never having been to Italy, I love Italian culture.

I love Italian culture in spite of never having been to Italy.

4. Even though I was outside for 5 minutes, I got soaked.

I got soaked even though I was outside for 5 minutes.

5. I love Seville despite the fact that it’s too hot in summer.
Despite the fact that it’s too hot in summer, I love Seville.

PRACTICE 3

1. albeit
2. even if
3. regardless of
4. whereas
5. unlike
6. notwithstanding
7. even so
8. yet
9. albeit
10. rather than

PRACTICE 4

1. because
2. due to
3. since
4. thanks to
 Connectors in
English Part 2
reason:
in order to, so as to, so that, in order that,
with the aim of, with the view to

addition:
in addition (to), apart from, furthermore,
besides, along with, coupled with, aside from,
not only ... but also, too, as well, on top of

condition:
as long as, provided, unless, but for, whether,
in the event, should, lest, on condition that