Connectors and Linking Words
Cours · anglais (2 Bac, Maroc), chapitre 8 · Maroc, 2e année du Bac · le début du chapitre, la suite sur Adloun
Good writing is not just a list of ideas — it is ideas joined together clearly. Connectors (linking words) show the reader the relationship between sentences: addition, contrast, cause, result, purpose or sequence. This unit reviews the connectors you need for the Bac, with special attention to the construction they require.
8.1 Addition
Addition connectors join one idea to another idea of the same kind. The most common are and, moreover, furthermore, in addition, besides.
| Connector | Joins | Example |
|---|---|---|
| and | two words/clauses | She is clever and hard-working. |
| moreover / furthermore | a stronger second point | The plan is cheap. Moreover, it is safe. |
| in addition / besides | extra information | He speaks French. In addition, he knows Spanish. |
- Tourism creates jobs, and it brings money to the region.
- The course is useful. Furthermore, it is free.
- Besides being tired, I was hungry.
8.2 Contrast
Contrast connectors signal a difference or a surprise between two ideas: but, however, although / though / even though, despite / in spite of, whereas / while, on the other hand.
| Connector | Construction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| but | clause , but clause | It was cold, but we went out. |
| however | sentence. However, sentence. | It rained. However, the match continued. |
| although / even though | + subject + verb | Although he was tired, he kept working. |
| despite / in spite of | + noun / -ing | Despite the rain, we went out. |
| whereas / while | comparing two facts | My brother likes sport, whereas I prefer reading. |
| on the other hand | a second viewpoint | Cities are exciting; on the other hand, they are noisy. |
This is a very common Bac trap. Although / though / even though are followed by a clause (subject + verb). Despite / in spite of are followed by a noun or -ing form, never by a full clause.
- Although the weather was bad, we travelled. (clause)
- Despite the bad weather, we travelled. (noun)
- In spite of being ill, she came. (-ing)
8.3 Cause and Reason
Cause connectors give the reason for something: because, since, as (+ clause), and because of / due to (+ noun).
| Connector | Construction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| because / since / as | + subject + verb | We stayed home because it was raining. |
| because of / due to | + noun | We stayed home because of the rain. |
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