Basic Principle for Connectors (90%+ Usage Rule)

The Golden Rule:

Connectors show the LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP between ideas.
Choose connector based on what you want to show: contrast? cause? time? addition?

4 Main Categories & Their Core Connectors:

1. ADDING INFORMATION (like "and")

Basic: and, also, too, as well
Stronger/Formal: furthermore, moreover, in addition, additionally
Example sequence: first, second, third, finally
Same direction: similarly, likewise

✅ Rule: Use these when ideas go together or build on each other.

2. CONTRAST/DIFFERENCE (like "but")

Direct contrast: but, yet, however, although, though, even though
Unexpected result: however, nevertheless, nonetheless
Difference: while, whereas, on the other hand
Concession: despite, in spite of

✅ Rule: Use these when ideas clash or show surprise/exception.

3. CAUSE & EFFECT (like "so")

Cause: because, since, as, due to, owing to
Effect: so, therefore, thus, consequently, as a result
Condition: if, unless, provided that

✅ Rule: Use these when one idea makes the other happen or depends on it.

4. TIME/SEQUENCE (like "then")

Order: first, then, next, after that, finally
Same time: when, while, as, during
Before/After: before, after, until, once, as soon as

✅ Rule: Use these when ideas happen in time order.

3-Step Decision Process (Works 90%+):

Ask yourself:

"Are these ideas similar or different?"
- Similar → Category 1 (ADDING)
- Different → Category 2 (CONTRAST)
"Does one idea cause/explain the other?"
- Yes → Category 3 (CAUSE/EFFECT)
"Do these happen in time order?"
- Yes → Category 4 (TIME/SEQUENCE)

Position Rules:

Sentence Starters (beginning of sentence, comma after):

However, Therefore, Moreover, Consequently, Nevertheless, Furthermore
However, it was expensive. ✓
But it was expensive. ✗ (But usually NOT at sentence start in formal writing)

Middle Connectors (between clauses):

She was tired, but she continued working. ✓
He studied hard; therefore, he passed. ✓

Paired Connectors:

Not only... but also...
Either... or...
Neither... nor...
Both... and...

Most Common Mistakes to Avoid:

❌ Double connectors: Although it was raining, but we went out. ✗
✅ Choose ONE: Although it was raining, we went out. ✓

❌ Wrong relationship: He was sick. Therefore, he went to school. (illogical)
✅ He was sick. Therefore, he stayed home. ✓

❌ Comma missing: She was tired however she continued. ✗
✅ She was tired; however, she continued. ✓
✅ She was tired. However, she continued. ✓

Quick Reference Chart:

Want to show:	Use these:
Add similar idea	and, also, furthermore
Show difference	but, however, although
Give reason	because, since, as
Show result	so, therefore, thus
Show time order	first, then, finally
Give example	for example, for instance

Teaching Tip:

Give students sentence halves and have them choose connectors:

It was raining hard. __, the game continued. (Answer: However/Nevertheless)
She studied every day. __, she passed the exam. (Answer: Therefore/Consequently)

This pattern recognition builds the 90%+ intuition!

EduHelp247

Connector Theory