A linking word tells the reader how two ideas relate: one causes the other, one contrasts with the other, or one adds to the other. Choosing the wrong link can reverse your argument without any spelling error to warn you.
This lesson builds on repairing subject-verb agreement in grammar for clear meaning, and it connects closely with paragraph building in articles and reviews.
How do you pick the right link?
First decide what the relationship is. Then choose a word that fits and check the grammar around it.
| Relationship | Link | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reason | because, since | main clause + because + clause | We moved inside because it rained. |
| Result | so, therefore | clause, so + clause | It rained, so we moved inside. |
| Contrast, same sentence | although, even though | Although + clause, main clause | Although it rained, we played. |
| Contrast, with a noun | despite, in spite of | Despite + noun, clause | Despite the rain, we played. |
| Contrast, new sentence | however | Sentence. However, sentence. | It rained. However, we played. |
| Contrast, balanced | but, yet | clause, but + clause | It rained, but we played. |
Punctuation: put a comma after a clause that starts with although when it comes first, and after however when it starts a sentence. Do not join two full sentences with only a comma.
Worked example
Combine the sentences and show contrast: The bus was late. We reached school on time.
Step 1, identify the relationship. The second fact is surprising given the first, so the link is contrast.
Step 2, choose the structure. Using a clause on each side, although fits: Although + clause, main clause.
Step 3, build it. Although the bus was late, we reached school on time.
Step 4, check that only one contrast word is used. The sentence has although and no but.
Step 5, try a second version. The bus was late, but we reached school on time. Both are correct. The first puts more weight on the arrival; the second gives the two facts equal weight.
The mistake to watch for
A common slip is choosing a link that reverses cause and result.
Mistaken sentence: The road was wet, because the driver slowed down.
The reader is told that slowing down made the road wet.
Correction: The driver slowed down because the road was wet. Ask which event is the reason. The reason follows because. If you prefer to start with the road, write: The road was wet, so the driver slowed down.
Another slip is using despite with a full clause: Despite it was raining is wrong. Use Despite the rain or Although it was raining.
Check yourself
Try these, then open each answer.
1. Choose the link: She practised every day, ___ she still felt nervous before the concert. (so / because / yet)
Show answer
yet. The second idea contrasts with what you might expect. “So” and “because” would show cause.
2. Correct: Despite he was tired, he finished the report.
Show answer
Despite being tired, he finished the report. or Although he was tired, he finished the report. Despite needs a noun or an -ing form.
3. Join with a cause: The match was cancelled. The field was flooded.
Show answer
The match was cancelled because the field was flooded. Another correct version is: The field was flooded, so the match was cancelled.
Where this leads next
Next, study modal verbs for certainty and possibility, which adds how sure you are about each link. Then try the mixed grammar practice set. The writing revision compare view lets you compare two versions of a paragraph and see which link reads more clearly.
When two links are both correct but one reads more clearly, a teacher can help you hear the difference in online one-to-one English as a Second Language tuition.