SHOW

OPPOSITION
Connector(s) Examples
Connector
Coordinating but High level positions are stressful at times, but
conjunction professionals can learn to manage their stress levels.
Subordinating although, despite Despite the fact that high level positions are stressful at
conjunctions the fact that times, professionals can learn to manage their stress
levels.
Conjunctive adverbs however, High level positions are stressful at times; nevertheless,
nevertheless professionals can learn to manage their stress levels.
Prepositional phrases despite, in spite of In spite of the stressful nature of high level positions,
professionals can learn to manage their stress levels.

SHOW ADDITION
Type of Connector Connector(s) Examples
Coordinating Conjunction and High level positions are stressful at times, and
can be harmful to your health.
Conjunctive adverbs in addition, additionally, High level positions are stressful at times;
furthermore, moreover, furthermore, they can be harmful to your
also health
Correlative conjunctions not only...but also Not only are high level positions stressful at
times, but they also can be harmful to your
health.
Prepositional phrases in addition to, along with, Along with being stressful, high level positions
as well as can also be harmful to your health.

SHOW
CAUSE/EFFECT Connector(s) Examples

Type of Connector

Coordinating conjunctions for (cause), so (effect) Professionals can sometimes be extremely

Subordinating conjunctions because, since Since high level positions are at times rather
Conjunctive adverbs therefore, as a result,
consequently
Prepositions because of, due to, as a
result of
impatient, for their positions are at times
rather stressful.
stressful, professionals can sometimes be
extremely impatient.
High level positions are at times rather
stressful; therefore, professionals can
sometimes be extremely impatient.
Due to the stressful nature of high level
positions, professionals can sometimes be
extremely impatient.

SHOW CONTRAST
Type of Connector(s) Examples
Connector
Coordinating but High level positions are stressful at times, but the financial
conjunction rewards make these positions very desirable indeed.
Subordinating whereas, while While high level positions are stressful at times, the financial
conjunctions rewards make these positions very desirable indeed.
Conjunctive in contrast, on the High level positions are stressful at times; on the other
 adverbs other hand hand, the financial rewards make these positions very
desirable indeed.
Prepositions unlike Unlike the undesirable stress of high level positions, the
financial rewards make these positions very desirable indeed

SHOW CONDITION
Type of Connector(s) Examples
Connector
Subordinating if, unless, only if, If you consider the financial rewards of high level positions, the
conjunctions even if stressful nature of these positions becomes less important.
Conjunctive adverb otherwise You should remember the financial rewards of high level
positions; otherwise, you might find the stressful nature of
these positions too demanding.

SHOW COMPARISON
Type of Connector Connector(s) Examples
Coordinating and...too High level positions are stressful, and can be harmful to
Conjunction your health too.
Subordinating just as Just as high level positions are stressful, they can be
conjunction harmful to your health.
Conjunctive adverbs similarly, in High level positions are stressful at times; similarly, they
comparison can be harmful to your health.
Prepositions like, similar to Similar to other important professions, high level business
positions are stressful at times.

LINKING WORDS

with regard to/ regarding/ as regards/ as far as ……… is

concerned/ as for
These expressions focus attention on what follows in the sentence. This is done by announcing the
subject in advance. As regards and as far as………is concerned usually indicate a change of
subject

Examples:

His grades in science subjects are excellent. As regards humanities …

With regard to the latest market figures we can see that ...
Regarding our efforts to improve the local economy, we have made ...
As far as I am concerned, we should continue to develop our resources.
As for John's thoughts, let's take a look at this report he sent me.

on the other hand/ while/ whereas

These expressions give expression to two ideas which contrast but do not contradict each other.

Examples:

Football is popular in England, while in Australia they prefer cricket.

We've been steadily improving our customer service center. On the other hand our shipping
department needs to be redesigned.
Jack thinks we're ready to begin whereas Tom things we still need to wait.
However/ nonetheless/ nevertheless

All these words are used to present two contrasting ideas.

Examples:

Smoking is proved to be dangerous to the health. Nonetheless, 40% of the population smokes.
Our teacher promised to take us on a field trip. However, he changed his mind last week.
Peter was warned not to invest all of his savings in the stock market. Nevertheless, he invested
and lost everything.

Moreover/ furthermore/ in addition

We use these expressions to add information to what has been said. The usage of these words is
much more elegant than just making a list or using the conjunction 'and'.

Examples:

His problems with his parents are extremely frustrating. Moreover, there seems to be no easy
solution to them.
I assured him that I would come to his presentation. Furthermore, I also invited a number of
important representatives from the local chamber of commerce.
Our energy bills have been increasing steadily. In addition to these costs, our telephone costs have
doubled over the past six months.

Therefore/ as a result/consequently

These expressions show that the second statement follows logically from the first statement.

Examples:

He reduced the amount of time studying for his final exams. As a result, his marks were rather low.
We've lost over 3,000 customers over the past six months. Consequently, we have been forced to cut
back our advertising budget.
The government has drastically reduced its spending. Therefore, a number of programs have been
canceled.

Adverb Clauses Showing Opposition

Even though, though, although

• Even though it was expensive, he bought the car.

• Though he loves doughnuts, he has given them up for his diet.
• Although he course was difficult, he passed with the highest marks.

Notice how 'though, even though' or 'although' show a situation which is contrary to the main clause to
express opposition. Even though, though and although are all synonyms.
Whereas, while
• Whereas you have lots of time to do your homework, I have very little time indeed.
• Mary is rich, while I am poor.

'Whereas' and 'while' show clauses in direct opposition to each other. Notice that you should always use
a comma with 'whereas' and 'while'.

These type of clauses are often called "if clauses" in English grammar books and follow conditional
sentence patterns. Take a look at the chart below to study the various usage of different time
expressions.

Punctuation

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses. Example: If he
comes, we will have some lunch.. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a
comma. Example: He would have invited me if he had known.

CONDITIONALS

If
• If we win, we'll go to Kelly's to celebrate!
• She would buy a house, if she had enough money.

'If' clauses express the conditions necessary for the result. If clauses are followed by expected results
based on the condition.

Even if
• Even if she saves a lot, she won't be able to afford that house.

In contrast to sentences with 'if' sentences with 'even if' show a result that is unexpected based on the
condition in the 'even if' clause. Example: COMPARE: If she studies hard, she will pass the exam AND
Even if she studies hard, she won't pass the exam.

Whether or not
• They won't be able to come whether or not they have enough money.
• Whether they have money or not, they won't be able to come.

'Whether or not' expresses the idea that neither one condition or another matters; the result will be the
same. Notice the possibility of inversion (Whether they have money or not) with 'whether or not'.

Unless
• Unless she hurries up, we won't arrive in time.
• We won't go unless he arrives soon.
'Unless' expresses the idea of 'if not' Example: Unless she hurries up, we won't arrive in time. MEANS
THE SAME AS: If she doesn't hurry up, we won't arrive in time. 'Unless' is only used in the first
conditional.

In case (that), in the event (that)

• In the case you need me, I'll be at Tom's.
• I'll be studying upstairs in the event he calls.

'In case' and 'in the event' usually mean that you don't expect something to happen, but if it does...
Both are used primarily for future events.

Only if
• We'll give you your bicycle only if you do well on your exams.
• Only if you do well on your exams will we give you your bicycle.

'Only if' means 'only in the case that something happens - and only if'. This form basically means the
same as 'if'. However, it does stress the condition for the result. Note that when 'only if' begins the
sentence you need to invert the main clause.

Adverb Clauses of Cause and Effect

Because
• They received a high mark on their exam because they had studied hard.
• I'm studying hard because I want to pass my exam.
• He works a lot of overtime because his rent is so expensive

Notice how because can be used with a variety of tenses based on the time relationship between the
two clauses.

Since
• Since he loves music so much, he decided to go to a conservatory.
• They had to leave early since their train left at 8.30.

'Since' means the same as because. 'Since' tends to be used in more informal spoken English.
Important note: "Since" when used as a conjunction is typically used to refer to a period of time,
while "because" implies a cause or reason.

As long as
• As long as you have the time, why don't you come for dinner?

'As long as' means the same as because. 'As long as' tends to be used in more informal spoken English.
As
• As the test is difficult, you had better get some sleep.

'As' means the same as because. 'As' tends to be used in more formal, written English.

Inasamuch as
• Inasmuch as the students had succesfully completed their exams, their parents rewarded their
efforts by giving them a trip to Paris.

'Inasmuch as' means the same as because. 'Inasmuch as' is used in very formal, written English.

Due to the fact that

• We will be staying for an extra week due to the fact that we haven not yet finished.

'Due to the fact that' means the same as because. 'Due to the fact that' is generally used in very
formal, written English.

The first page focuses on adverb clauses which are often called "time clauses" in English grammar
books and follow specific patterns. Take a look at the chart below to study the various usage of
different time expressions.

Punctuation

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses. Example: As
soon as he arrives, we will have some lunch.. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no
need for a comma. Example: He gave me a call when he arrived in town.

Adverb Clauses with Time

When
• He was talking on the phone when I arrived.
• When she called, he had already eaten lunch.
• I washed the dishes when my daughter fell asleep.
• We'll go to lunch when you come to visit.

'When' means 'at that moment, at that time, etc.'. Notice the different tenses used in relationship to
the clause beginning with when. It is important to remember that 'when' takes either the simple past
OR the present - the dependent clause changes tense in relation to the 'when' clause.

Before
 • We will finish before he arrives.
• She (had) left before I telephoned.

'Before' means 'before that moment'. It is important to remember that 'before' takes either the simple
past OR the present.

After

• We will finish after he comes.

• She ate after I (had) left.

'After' means 'after that moment'. It is important to remember that 'after' takes the present for future
events and the past OR past perfect for past events.

While/ as

• She began cooking while I was finishing my homework.

• As I was finishing my homework, she began cooking.

'While' and 'as' mean 'during that time'. 'While' and 'as' are both usually used with the past continuous
because the meaning of 'during that time' which indicates an action in progess.

By the time
• By the time he finished, I had cooked dinner.
• We will have finished our homework by the time they arrive.

'By the time' expresses the idea that one event has been completed before another. It is important to
notice the use of the past perfect for past events and future perfect for future events in the main
clause. This is because of the idea of something happening up to another point in time.

Until/till

• We waited until he finished his homework.

• I'll wait till you finish.

'Until' and 'till' express 'up to that time'. We use either the simple present or simple past with 'until' and
'till'. 'Till' is usually only used in spoken English.

Since

• I have played tennis since I was a young boy.

• They have worked here since 1987.

'Since' means 'from that time'. We use the present perfect (continuous) with 'since'. 'Since' can also be
used with a specific point in time.

As soon as
 • He will let us know as soon as he decides (or as soon as he has decided).
• As soon as I hear from Tom, I will give you a telephone call.

'As soon as' means 'when something happens - immediately afterwards'. 'As soon as' is very similar to
'when' it emphasizes that the event will occur immediately after the other. We usually use the simple
present for future events, although present perfect can also be used.

Whenever/every time

• Whenever he comes, we go to have lunch at "Dick's".

• We take a hike every time he visits.

'Whenever' and 'every time' mean 'each time something happens'. We use the simple present (or the
simple past in the past) because 'whenever' and 'every time' express habitual action.

The first, second, third, fourth etc., next, last time

• The first time I went to New York, I was intimidated by the city.
• I saw Jack the last time I went to San Francisco.
• The second time I played tennis, I began to have fun.

The first, second, third, fourth etc., next, last time means 'that specific time'. We can use these forms
to be more specific about which time of a number of times something happened.

Using Adverb Clauses to Express Conditions

Punctuation

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses. Example: If he
comes, we will have some lunch.. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a
comma. Example: He would have invited me if he had known.

If
• If we win, we'll go to Kelly's to celebrate!
• She would buy a house, if she had enough money.

'If' clauses express the conditions necessary for the result. If clauses are followed by expected results
based on the condition. More information on the correct tense usage for the conditionals

Even if
• Even if she saves a lot, she won't be able to afford that house.

In contrast to sentences with 'if' sentences with 'even if' show a result that is unexpected based on the
condition in the 'even if' clause. Example: COMPARE: If she studies hard, she will pass the exam AND
Even if she studies hard, she won't pass the exam.
Whether or not
• They won't be able to come whether or not they have enough money.
• Whether they have money or not, they won't be able to come.

'Whether or not' expresses the idea that neither one condition or another matters; the result will be the
same. Notice the possibility of inversion (Whether they have money or not) with 'whether or not'.

Unless
• Unless she hurries up, we won't arrive in time.
• We won't go unless he arrives soon.

'Unless' expresses the idea of 'if not' Example: Unless she hurries up, we won't arrive in time. MEANS
THE SAME AS: If she doesn't hurry up, we won't arrive in time. 'Unless' is only used in the first
conditional.

In case (that), in the event (that)

• In the case you need me, I'll be at Tom's.
• I'll be studying upstairs in the event he calls.

'In case' and 'in the event' usually mean that you don't expect something to happen, but if it does...
Both are used primarily for future events.

Only if
• We'll give you your bicycle only if you do well on your exams.
• Only if you do well on your exams will we give you your bicycle.

'Only if' means 'only in the case that something happens - and only if'. This form basically means the
same as 'if'. However, it does stress the condition for the result. Note that when 'only if' begins the
sentence you need to invert the main clause.