Explanation
Exercises

🔗 Connectors of Contrast, Reason, Result & Time

Master however, although, because / because of, so + key time connectors: before, after, while, as soon as, when, once.
CONTRAST: however / although REASON: because / because of RESULT: so TIME: before / after / while / when / once / as soon as
⚖️Clauses of Contrast
HOWEVER however ≈ “but”. Usually starts a new sentence or follows a semicolon; use a comma after it.
  • We didn’t like the hotel. However, we had a good time.
  • I would like to have a dog; however, my husband is allergic to dogs.
  • They played well. However, they lost. 🎯
✍️
Don’t join two sentences with a comma + however alone (comma splice). Use ; or end the sentence first.
ALTHOUGH although + subject + verb = “despite the fact that”. No comma after although.
  • Although he had a bad leg, he still won the game. 🏆
  • I passed the exam, although I hadn’t studied.
  • Also: even though (stronger), though (more informal).
Position
  • Although it was cold, we went out. / We went out, although it was cold.
🧠Clauses of Reason
BECAUSE Use because + subject + verb.
  • We had to cancel the concert because it was raining.
  • I didn’t call you because I didn’t want to worry you.
  • I’m fit because I work out. 💪
ℹ️
Because of ≠ because: after because of use a noun/noun phrase; after because use a clause.
BECAUSE OF because of + noun.
  • We had to cancel the concert because of the rain.
  • Many shops had to close because of the economic situation.
Synonyms
  • due to / owing to + noun phrase (more formal): The delay was due to traffic.
🎯Clauses of Result
SO , so + subject + verb (most common result connector).
  • We worked hard all morning, so I’m very tired now. 😮‍💨
  • The TV is very expensive, so I don’t think I’ll buy it.
  • “She doesn’t want to do it.” — “So do it yourself!”
🔎
so that + clause usually shows purpose (often with can/could/will/would): Speak louder so that everyone can hear.

⏱️ Time Connectors

before · after · while · as soon as · when · once
BEFORE before + noun / -ing or before + subject + verb
  • Before I have breakfast, I brush my teeth.
  • Before having breakfast, I read a few pages. 📖
  • Before breakfast, I read a few pages.
AFTER after + noun / -ing or after + subject + verb
  • I smoke a cigarette after dinner / after having dinner / after I have dinner. 🚭
➡️
For consecutive actions, use then or after that — not standalone After, at the start of a sentence.
  • ❌ I got up and had a shower. After, I made breakfast.
  • ✅ I got up and had a shower. Then / After that, I made breakfast.
WHILE while + subject + verb (simultaneous actions; often background action).
  • I read the newspaper while I was waiting. 📰
  • She cooked while he cleaned.
AS SOON AS · WHEN · ONCE Similar meaning; as soon as = “immediately when”.
  • As soon as / When / Once I get home, I’ll finish my homework. 🎒
  • Once you finish the form, click Submit.
Tense tip
  • In future time clauses use present, not will:
    ✅ When I get home, I’ll call you.
    ❌ When I will get home, I’ll call you.
🧭Comma rules (easy guide)
  • However, needs a comma after it and follows a . or ;.
  • Although never takes a comma immediately after it: Although it was late, …
  • When a time clause comes first (Before I go to bed), add a comma. If it comes second, no comma: I brush my teeth before I go to bed.
  • , so joins cause → result inside one sentence.
🧪Extra natural examples

Contrast

  • It looked expensive. However, it was actually cheap.
  • Although the weather was terrible, we enjoyed the trip.

Reason & Result

  • Because it was snowing, the roads were closed. / The roads were closed because of the snow.
  • She missed the bus, so she arrived late.

Time

  • After he finished, he sent the report. Then he logged off.
  • We listened to music while we cooked.
  • As soon as the bell rings, the lesson ends.

Mix & Match

  • Although it was very late, we kept walking; however, we took a taxi after midnight.
✅Quick checks
Opposition? → although/however Why? → because / because of What happened as a result? → so Order in time? → before / after / when / once Simultaneous? → while
🚫Common mistakes
  • ❌ Although, we were tired, we continued. → ✅ Although we were tired, we continued.
  • ❌ I wanted to go, however I stayed. → ✅ I wanted to go; however, I stayed.
  • ❌ After, I had breakfast, I left. → ✅ I had breakfast. Then I left. / After that, I left.
  • ❌ When I will arrive, call me. → ✅ When I arrive, call me.
Pro tip: For formal writing, prefer however over but, and consider due to/owing to with nouns. Keep punctuation tight: ; + however, + clause · , so + clause.
Exercises:
1
2
3

However, although, because, so, and time connectors

Choose so, because, but, although to complete the sentences below.
1
The bus was full, we took a taxi.
2
it was very cold, she wasn't wearing a coat.
3
I woke up there was a loud bang outside.
4
I called him, his phone was turned off.
5
she’s very nice, she doesn’t have many friends.
6
There was nothing on TV, I went to bed early.
7
He didn’t come to the meeting he was ill.
8
She trained hard, she didn’t win the race.
9
I set three alarms, I overslept.
10
The road was icy, we drove very slowly.

However, although, because, so, and time connectors

Choose the correct forms for the gaps below.
1
We planned a picnic; ____ , it started to pour.
A.
B.
C.
2
____ it was late, we kept talking.
A.
B.
C.
3
We left early ____ we didn’t want to miss the last train.
A.
B.
C.
4
The shop was closed, ____ we went to another one.
A.
B.
C.
5
____ I was walking to work, I met my old teacher.
A.
B.
C.
6
____ you finish the report, send it to the team.
A.
B.
C.
7
She studied hard; ____ , she failed the test.
A.
B.
C.
8
We had dinner ____ we watched the documentary.
A.
B.
C.
9
____ the alarm rang, everyone left the building.
A.
B.
C.
10
He stayed at home ____ he was feeling sick.
A.
B.
C.

However, although, because, so, and time connectors

Fill in the gaps with the connectors in the box below.
although however because so as soon as while until after before once
1
I arrived at the airport, I checked the departure board.
2
The flight was delayed there was a technical problem.
3
I wanted to sit in the lounge; , it was full.
4
I was waiting, I answered some emails.
5
I boarded the plane they called my group.
6
I had a window seat, I couldn't see much through the clouds.
7
The cabin shook we reached calmer air.
8
landing, we took a bus to the terminal.
9
I grabbed a coffee meeting my client.
10
I was exhausted, I went straight to the hotel.