Linking Words

Linking words of contrast

Linking words join ideas together in speech and in writing. Some join two ideas that stand in opposition, one positive and the other negative, while others attach an idea that is surprising or unexpected. 'However', 'although' and 'despite' all serve this purpose.

Although

'Although' may stand at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle of it. It precedes a clause, that is, a unit containing at least a subject and a verb agreeing with that subject.

• Although the weather is bad, I love London.
• I love London, although the weather is bad.

Despite / in spite of

'Despite' and 'in spite of' stand before a noun or a gerund, and may occur at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle. The two are identical in meaning and interchangeable. Before a clause, both require the addition of 'the fact that'.

• I love London despite the bad weather.
• I love London in spite of the bad weather.
• Despite the bad weather, I love London.
• In spite of the bad weather, I love London.

• Despite the fact that the weather is bad, I love London.
• In spite of the fact that the weather is bad, I love London.
• I love London despite the fact that the weather is bad.
• I love London in spite of the fact that the weather is bad.

However

'Although' and 'despite / in spite of' connect two clauses within a single sentence. 'However' does not. The two ideas are normally placed in separate sentences, with 'however' in the second, standing at the beginning, at the end, or immediately after the subject.

• I love London. However, the weather is bad.
• I love London. The weather, however, is bad.
• I love London. The weather is bad, however.

Linking words of reason

Linking words also establish that one event occurred as a result of another. 'Because', 'since' and 'due to' all serve this purpose.

Words and phrases followed by a clause

These may stand at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle. They precede a clause, and they introduce the reason. When they open the sentence, a comma separates the two clauses.

Because

• We cancelled the picnic because it was raining.
• Because it was raining, we cancelled the picnic.

As

• We cancelled the picnic as it was raining.
• As it was raining, we cancelled the picnic.

Since

• We cancelled the picnic since it was raining.
• Since it was raining, we cancelled the picnic.

For

'For' can also mean 'because'. The usage is markedly literary and is rare in speech. 'For' can stand only between the two clauses, and a comma normally precedes it.

• We cancelled the picnic, for it was raining.

Words and phrases followed by a noun

Because of + noun

• We cancelled the picnic because of the rain.
• Because of the rain, we cancelled the picnic.

Due to + noun

• We cancelled the picnic due to the rain.
• Due to the rain, we cancelled the picnic.

Owing to + noun

• We cancelled the picnic owing to the rain.
• Owing to the rain, we cancelled the picnic.