Conjunctions, linking words and expressions

As I have a lot of work to do before the summer holidays, I don't have time to attend the seminar and neither do my colleagues.

These words and expressions have different meanings and uses but they can all be used as conjunctions.

These are usually placed at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle of a sentence to introduce a clause. For example:

In order to increase productivity, we're opening a new plant.

We're opening a new plant in order to increase productivity.

Instead of employing more people, we should work longer hours for a few weeks.

We should work longer hours for a few weeks instead of employing more people.

Depending on the expression, it can be followed by, for example, a noun or gerund, a bare infinitive or a subject and verb.

Here are some examples:

Conjunction

Use

Examples

as, since, for

To mean 'because'

We decided to work late as we're so busy at the moment.

I'll go to the seminar as well since you're going.

She was very excited, for this was the first day of her holiday. [see note below]

yet

To mean 'but' - often to emphasise something that's surprising

I was really tired, yet I managed to stay awake until the end of the film.

nor, neither

To connect two negative ideas

I'm not happy about it and neither/nor is Sébastien.

so

To connect two positive ideas

[See 'so' in and, but, or, so, because rule]

I'm very happy about it and so is Sébastien.

thanks to

owing to

due to

To mean 'because of'

Thanks to all your hard work, we won the contract.

All flights have been cancelled, owing to adverse weather conditions.

Due to the delay with the parts, we can't complete the order.

instead of

rather than

To talk about alternatives

Can we have the meeting on Thursday instead of Tuesday?

Instead of waiting until next month as planned, I think we should do it as soon as possible.

I think we should do it as soon as possible rather than wait until next month as planned.

despite

in spite of

To mean 'not affected, influenced or prevented by'

I managed to get there on time, despite the traffic.

In spite of all the warnings, he went into the dangerous part of the town.

although

To mean 'but' or 'despite'

Although I had some doubts, I decided to apply for the job.

I've booked a city centre hotel for the conference, although I'm not sure it's the best place.

even though

To mean 'although'

Note that it is a little more emphatic - there is a bigger contrast between two ideas

Even though it was raining, we decided to play tennis.

He's been very successful in the job, even though he didn't have much previous experience.

even if

To indicate that a situation or result is the same - no matter what

Even if my boss offers me more money, I'm still going to look for another job - I really don't want to work for her any more.

I'll never be able to speak Japanese fluently, even if I live to be 100!

albeit

To mean 'although'

He's a good person to work for, albeit a bit strict.

We're making some progress, albeit rather slowly.The evening was very pleasant, albeit a little quiet.

He tried, albeit without success.

The evening was very pleasant, albeit a little quiet.

He tried, albeit without success.

in order to

with a view to

so that

Note that 'with a view to' is quite formal

To mean 'with the aim or purpose of doing something'

In order to clarify the situation, the manager's going to talk to us all tomorrow.

We're taking on more staff with a view to relieving the pressure on existing employees.

I've asked Bill to come to the meeting so that he can explain the new strategy.

when

once

as soon as

now (that)

before/after

As time markers

When you see her, please ask her to call me.

I'll help you once I've finished.

Can you send her up as soon as she arrives?

Now that everyone's here, let's begin.

Do we need to finish this before we go home?

After we've all had lunch, let's look at this again.

whenever

To mean 'at whatever time - it doesn't matter when' or 'every time'

Call me whenever you want to - I'll be happy to help.

Whenever we go to Lyon, we always stay in the same hotel.

in the event of

To mean 'if something happens'

In the event of a fire, use the stairs and not the lift.

I have to take over in the event of the manager's absence.

(just) in case

When talking about what we do if something happens

Note that we sometimes add 'just' when we doubt that something will be required

In case you change your mind, here's my phone number.

It's sunny now but I'll take an umbrella just in case it rains.

lest

Related to the possibility of something negative happening

Note that this is a formal word.

They decided not to make a complaint, lest they lose the contract.

I'm worried about how to tell them, lest they misunderstand.

provided (that)

providing

To mean 'if' or 'on condition that'

Provided that you fulfil all the criteria, you'll be shortlisted for the job.

We can have the barbecue on Sunday, providing it doesn't rain.

assuming

To indicate a premise on which a statement can be made

Assuming we continue to be successful in Asia, how many new people do you think we'll need to recruit?

unless

To mean 'if + not'

Unless you hear from me, I'll see you next week as planned. [if you don't hear from me]

We can have the barbecue on Sunday, unless it rains. [if it doesn't rain]

Note that

1. In everyday conversation, we are more likely to use common words and expressions with a similar meaning such as 'but'.

2. We sometimes use yet in short phrases with two adjectives:

This device is simple yet effective.

Our boss is strict yet fair.

Note that these are also often used as responses to say that a situation is the same as that of another person. Here are some examples:

'to be'

Auxiliary verbs

Other verbs

"I'm hungry."

"So am I." ["Me too."]

"Philippe was late."

"So was Bertrand."

"I'm not sure."

"Neither/nor am I."

["Me neither."/"Nor me."]

"I wasn't working on that project last year."

"Neither/nor was I."

["Me neither."/"Nor me."]

"Carine should be on the team."

"So should Armelle."

"I've read this book."

"So have I." ["Me too."]

"I can't help her with that."

"Neither/nor can I."

["Me neither."/"Nor me."]

"This computer mustn't be used today."

"Neither/nor must this one."

"I love chocolate."

"So do I." ["Me too."]

"David went to the exhibition."

"So did Keira."

"He doesn't want to go out to lunch."

"Neither/nor do we."

"I don't understand this."

"Neither/nor do I." ["Me neither."/"Nor me."]

Note that we can say "Me too" when agreeing with a positive statement.

We can also say "Me neither" or "Nor me" when agreeing with a negative statement.

Owing to and due to are more formal and less conversational than 'because of'.

Thanks to is used to talk about the reason for a positive result:

I've learned a lot in this job, thanks to my colleagues.

I'm better at speaking English now, thanks to spending so much time in London.

It is often used with 'it' + 'be':

It's thanks to you and your support that I got this job.

Or in a sarcastic way to blame someone or something:

We missed the train thanks to your driving!

Thanks to the weather, we had to postpone the barbecue again!

Sometimes, once is used in the same way as when:

I'll help you once/when I've finished.

Once/when the contract was signed, we had to employ three more specialists.

But it is not interchangeable with when - we only use once when there is a suggestion of as soon as or 'from a certain moment'.

I was happy when I was young.

I was happy once I was young.

'When' has some other, more specific uses:

Use

Examples

To mean 'just at that moment' - there is a suggestion of suddenness

I was just getting ready to leave the office when the phone rang.

To mean 'considering that'

There's no point writing a letter when it's so much quicker to email.

To mean 'whereas'

I've got to work late tonight to finish this when I had plenty of time to do it last week.

As we all have other work to do, let's stop now and carry on tomorrow.