Connectors & Subordinating Conjunctions

Concept

Connectors join ideas, but each type has its own grammar. Subordinating conjunctions (because, although, while) are followed by a clause (subject + verb). Prepositional connectors (despite, in spite of, because of) are followed by a noun or -ing. Adverbial connectors (however, therefore, moreover) join two separate sentences and take a semicolon or a full stop.

لكل نوع من أدوات الربط قاعدة مختلفة: بعضها يتبعه جملة كاملة، وبعضها يتبعه اسم، وبعضها يربط بين جملتين منفصلتين.

Rules & forms

• Reason: because / since / as + clause · because of / due to + noun

  because يتبعها جملة، وbecause of يتبعها اسم.

  • • We stayed home because it was raining.
  • • We stayed home because of the rain.

• Contrast: although / though / even though + clause · despite / in spite of + noun or -ing

  although يتبعها جملة، وdespite يتبعها اسم أو فعل بـ ing.

  • • Although he was tired, he finished the test.
  • • Despite the noise, she kept studying.

• Comparison contrast: while / whereas + clause

  • • Ali prefers reading, whereas his brother prefers sports.

• Adverbial connectors: however, therefore, moreover — sentence + ; connector, + sentence

  هذه الأدوات تربط جملتين مستقلتين وتُفصل بفاصلة منقوطة أو نقطة.

  • • The exam was hard; however, most students passed.
  • • He missed the deadline. Therefore, his file was rejected.

• Coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, so, yet) join two independent clauses with a comma before them.

  • • She studied hard, but the test was still difficult.

Common mistakes & STEP traps

• ❌ Despite it was raining, we walked.

  ✅ Despite the rain, we walked.

  Despite is followed by a noun or -ing, not a clause.

• ❌ Because of he was late, he missed the bus.

  ✅ Because he was late, he missed the bus.

  Because of takes a noun; because takes a clause.

• ❌ Although he was tired, but he finished.

  ✅ Although he was tired, he finished.

  Never use although and but in the same sentence.

• ❌ It was late, however we continued.

  ✅ It was late; however, we continued.

  However joins sentences with a semicolon and takes a comma after it.