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.
  • I wanted to watch a film. However, I had homework.
  • I like learning English; however, I don’t like tests.
  • The instructions were clear. However, I still made a mistake.
✍️
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 it was difficult, I finished the exercise.
  • I understood the story, although I didn’t know every word.
  • Also: even though (stronger), though (more informal).
Position
  • Although I was tired, I studied. / I studied, although I was tired.
🧠Clauses of Reason
BECAUSE Use because + subject + verb.
  • I’m happy because I passed the quiz.
  • I stayed at home because it was very cold.
  • I’m improving because I practise every day.
ℹ️
Because of ≠ because: after because of use a noun/noun phrase; after because use a clause.
BECAUSE OF because of + noun.
  • I was late because of the traffic.
  • We cancelled the picnic because of the rain.
Synonyms
  • due to / owing to + noun phrase (more formal): The lesson was online due to a storm.
🎯Clauses of Result
SO , so + subject + verb (most common result connector).
  • I didn’t sleep well, so I’m tired today.
  • The lesson is at 6, so I need to leave now.
  • “I can’t open this file.” — “So use another browser!”
🔎
so that + clause usually shows purpose (often with can/could/will/would): Speak slowly so that I can understand.

⏱️ Time Connectors

before · after · while · as soon as · when · once
BEFORE before + noun / -ing or before + subject + verb
  • Before I start studying, I make some tea.
  • Before starting the lesson, I check my notes.
  • Before class, I read new words.
AFTER after + noun / -ing or after + subject + verb
  • I relax after the lesson / after finishing the lesson / after I finish the lesson.
➡️
For consecutive actions, use then or after that — not standalone After, at the start of a sentence.
  • ❌ I finished my homework. After, I went for a walk.
  • ✅ I finished my homework. Then / After that, I went for a walk.
WHILE while + subject + verb (simultaneous actions; often background action).
  • I listened to a podcast while I was cooking.
  • She read the text while he wrote the answers.
AS SOON AS · WHEN · ONCE Similar meaning; as soon as = “immediately when”.
  • As soon as / When / Once I get home, I’ll practise English for 10 minutes.
  • Once you finish the exercise, check your answers.
Tense tip
  • In future time clauses use present, not will:
    ✅ When I finish, I’ll call you.
    ❌ When I will finish, 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

  • I was nervous. However, the speaking part was OK.
  • Although it was a short lesson, I learned a lot.

Reason & Result

  • I stayed inside because it was raining. / I stayed inside because of the rain.
  • My phone battery was low, so I didn’t watch videos.

Time

  • After I finished the task, I checked my answers. Then I took a break.
  • We talked in English while we walked.
  • As soon as the timer ends, we stop writing.

Mix & Match

  • Although I was busy, I studied; however, I stopped after 20 minutes because I was tired.
✅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

Contrast, Reason, Result & Time Connectors

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.

Contrast, Reason, Result & Time Connectors

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.

Contrast, Reason, Result & Time Connectors

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.