Lesson 4: Connectors & Linking Words
Building More Complex Sentences
You can make good, simple sentences. But how do you connect your ideas together to sound more fluent? You use "connectors1" or "linking words". These are the bridges between your ideas. Mastering them is a key step to moving to the next level of English.
1. Connectors for Adding Information
| and | The most common connector. Example: "I like coffee and tea." |
| also | Used to add another fact. Often used after the subject. Example: "I like coffee. I also like tea." |
| in addition2 | A more formal way to add another point. Example: "The hotel has a pool. In addition, it has a gym." |
2. Connectors for Showing Contrast
| but | Used to show a direct contrast3. Example: "I like coffee, but my sister likes tea." |
| however4 | A more formal way to show contrast, often at the start of a new sentence. Example: "It was raining. However, we still went to the market." |
| although5 | Used to show an unexpected contrast. Example: "Although the test was difficult, I think I did well." |
3. Connectors for Showing Reason & Result
| so | Shows the result6 or consequence of something. Example: "I was tired, so I went to bed early." |
| because | Gives the reason7 for something. Example: "I went to bed early because I was tired." |
Usage Note: Punctuation with Connectors
Pay attention to the commas (,) when using these words.
- and, but, so: When they connect two full sentences, use a comma before them.
Example: "It was hot, so we went swimming." - However, In addition: When they start a sentence, they are usually followed by a comma.
Example: "However, we still had fun." - Although: If it starts the sentence, put a comma after the first part of the idea.
Example: "Although it was raining, we went out."
In Conversation
Srey asks Bora about his recent trip to the coast.
Srey: How was your trip, Bora?
Bora: It was great, but the bus journey was very long. I was exhausted when we arrived.
Srey: Oh no! Was the weather good?
Bora: It was sunny most days. However, it was extremely windy on Saturday.
Srey: Although it was windy, did you still go swimming?
Bora: No. The sea was too rough, so we just walked on the beach. We also found a great restaurant.
Srey: Nice! What did you like about it?
Bora: The food was delicious. In addition, the staff were very friendly. I want to go back because it was so relaxing.
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. "I wanted to go to the party, ______ I was too tired."
- a) so
- b) but
- c) also
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) but (This shows a contrast between wanting to go and being tired).
2. "She passed the exam ______ she studied very hard."
- a) because
- b) although
- c) however
Click to see the answer
Answer: a) because (This gives the reason why she passed).
3. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
- a) It was hot so, we went swimming.
- b) It was hot, so we went swimming.
- c) It, was hot so we went swimming.
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) It was hot, so we went swimming.
edit Your Mission
- My Sentences: Write three sentences about your life using 'although', 'however', and 'in addition'.
- Combine Ideas: Take these two simple sentences and combine them: "The food was delicious. It was very expensive." (Hint: Use 'but' or 'although').
- Speak: Your mission is to tell a friend about your day or weekend. Try to use 'and', 'but', 'so', and 'because' in your story.
book Lesson Glossary
- Connector (noun) - Khmer: ពាក្យតភ្ជាប់ - A word or phrase that links clauses or sentences. ↩
- in addition (phrase) - Khmer: លើសពីនេះ - A formal way to add another piece of information. ↩
- Contrast (noun) - Khmer: ភាពផ្ទុយគ្នា - A difference between two or more things. ↩
- however (adverb) - Khmer: ទោះយ៉ាងណាក៏ដោយ - A formal way to introduce a statement that contrasts with the previous one. ↩
- although (conjunction) - Khmer: ទោះបីជា - Used to show an unexpected contrast. ↩
- Result (noun) - Khmer: លទ្ធផល - A consequence or outcome of an action. ↩
- Reason (noun) - Khmer: ហេតុផល - A cause or explanation for an action or event. ↩