Conjunctions connect ideas: cause and effect (because / so), contrast (but / although / despite), addition (and / as well as), sequence and result.
Main groups of conjunctions
- Cause → effect: because (why?) / so (as a result).
- Contrast: but, although (+ subject + verb), despite / in spite of (+ noun / V-ing).
- Addition: and, as well as (+ noun / V-ing).
- Sequence/time: then, after that, before, while.
- Purpose/result: so that, in order to / therefore, as a result.
We left early because it started to rain. So, we took a taxi.
Because → reason, So → result.
Cause and effect: because / so
Reason in the subordinate clause:
I stayed at home because I was ill.
Result in the main clause:
It was late, so we left.
Contrast: but / although / despite
but connects two simple clauses:
It was cold, but we went for a walk.
although + subject + verb:
Although it was raining, we kept playing.
despite / in spite of + noun / V-ing:
Despite the rain / in spite of raining, we kept playing.
Addition, sequence and result
| Addition | and, as well as — She sings and plays the guitar. |
| Sequence | then, after that, while — We had dinner, then watched a film. |
| Purpose | so that, in order to — He left early so that he could catch the bus. |
| Result | therefore, as a result — It rained; therefore, the match was canceled. |
Common mistakes
| ❌ She was in a hurry because she was driving fast. (wrong cause/effect link) | ✅ She was in a hurry, so she was driving fast. (result → so) |
| ❌ Despite it was late, he kept working. | ✅ Although it was late, he kept working. / ✅ Despite the late hour, he kept working. |
| ❌ It was raining. But although we played. | ✅ It was raining, but we played. / ✅ Although it was raining, we played. |
| ❌ We were tired, therefore we went to bed early. (punctuation error) | ✅ We were tired; therefore, we went to bed early. / ✅ We were tired. Therefore, we went to bed early. |
More examples
I didn’t like the dish, so I didn’t finish it.
(cause → effect)
Despite the noise, she kept working.
(contrast: despite + noun)
Although it was early, the metro was crowded.
(contrast: although + clause)
He wanted to catch the train in order to see his family.
(purpose)
because = reason, so = result
although + S + V; despite + noun/V-ing
Contrast: but / although / despite
Formal result: therefore / as a result