1. However
"However" is a transitional word that moves your ideas from one sentence to another. It's very similar to "but." It's used to show contrasts and differences. "However" is also referred to as a conjunctive adverb. |
ü Having a car can be very convenient; however, it's expensive to buy and maintain one.
ü Jim is in love with Graciella; however, he's not sure if she loves him.
2. Therefore
"Therefore" is very similar to "as a result." Something is a fact, and after thinking about this fact, you can make a conclusion. It sounds a little formal in everyday speech but not uncommon. It's very frequently used when writing. |
ü His skin burns very easily; therefore, he's decided to stay under an umbrella and wear lots of sunscreen.
ü Our lives have become too complicated; therefore, we've decided to simplify things and move to a log cabin in the country.
3. Consequently
"Consequently" is very similar to "so" and "therefore." Like "therefore" it's a conjunctive adverb (the term is not important!). It usually appears in the middle of sentence, but it may also be used at the beginning of sentence. If you know what the word "consequence" means, you shouldn't have any trouble with this. |
ü Hector decided not to use a map; consequently, he got lost and never found his way out of the forest. There he died.
ü Hector was a very good student who studied constantly; consequently, he found a very good job after he graduated from college.
4. Because and because of
"Because" and "because of" are used to give reasons or to indicate the source of a situation. They answer questions asked with the word "why." "Because" is used with clauses. "Because of" is used with phrases and, sometimes, single words. |
ü He's starting to get nervous because he has so much work to do and not enough time to finish it all.
ü He's feeling a lot of stress because of his job.
5. Due to
"Due to" is very similar to "because of." It gives a reason for why something is true. You can use "due to" with phrases and single words, but you can't use "due to" with a clause. |
ü Traffic was very slow coming home today due to a heavy snowstorm.
ü Due to a broken wing, this bird can't fly.
6. Both
"Both" means two (2). You can use "both" to describe two things, two people, two ideas, etc. Its use often helps to emphasize certain qualities or conditions. It can be a pronoun, an adjective, or a conjunction. |
ü Both of these students attend the same school.
ü 2. These girls love Christmas. Both of them are expecting to get a lot of presents this year.
7. Not only
"Not only" is similar to "both," but it can be used for more than two things. It's also similar to "in addition." The second or third thing mentioned after "not only" is sometimes the thing that the writer wants you to think of as being more important. |
ü A horse is not only a beautiful animal, it's also a useful animal that can do a lot of work.
ü Dogs are not only good at protecting your home, they're also excellent companions.
8. So that
"So that" is similar to "so" and "in order to." It expresses reason, and it answers the question "why" something is done. "So that" also expresses to what extent (how much) something is true. |
ü She watches a lot of TV during the day so that she doesn't feel so lonely.
ü Many smart countries are learning how to develop solar energy technology so that they can be less reliant on fossil fuels.
9. Although
"Although" is used to show limitations, differences, and contrasts in situations. It's similar to "even though" and "though." |
ü Although prescription medicine can help cure a disease, it can hurt you if you take too much.
ü Her cell phone doesn't work although it's new.
ü Even though the price of gas is starting to come down, many people are choosing to take the bus or the train instead.
10. Otherwise
"Otherwise" is used to offer an alternative situation. It's very similar to "or " and "or else." |
ü Today is a holiday; otherwise, he would be at work
ü Traffic is really bad right now; otherwise, she'd be at work already.\
11. On the other hand
"On the other hand" is used to show two sides of an issue. It's similar to "conversely," but it doesn't always describe an opposite situation. |
ü Living in a cold climate is difficult for some people; on the other hand, there are many fun winter activities, such as sledding, that you can't do in a warm climate.
ü I'd love to own a horse and go riding every day; on the other hand, taking care of the animal is a very big responsibility.
12. In addition
"In addition" is similar to "and" and "also." |
ü Double-decker buses can move a lot of people through dense urban areas; in addition, they provide a good view from which to see a city.
ü In addition to making more coffee, she'll have to clean up the mess on the floor.
13. Furthermore
"Furthermore" is similar to "in addition." Use this to add more information in your sentence. It's a little formal, but you can use it when speaking English. Sometimes, the second part of the sentence that follows "furthermore" contains information more pertinent (important) than the first part. |
ü Reading is a good way to learn new vocabulary words; furthermore, it can improve your ability to spell words correctly.
ü Grilling makes meat taste really good; furthermore, it allows fatty juices to drain away from the meat.
14. Unless
"Unless" is similar to "except" and "but." It can be used as a conjunction. It's also similar to "if" + "not." |
ü Unless she can control her anger, she won't be able to keep her job.
ü He'll hurt himself unless he's very careful.
15. Even if
"Even if " is used to describe a situation that is true no matter what the facts are. It's similar to "despite." |
ü They like to eat cotton candy even if it's bad for the teeth.
ü Even if you use a lot of ketchup, some meat (like liver) still tastes terrible.
16. Since
"Since" is similar to "when." This word identifies a particular time or starting point. You can also use "since" as a substitute for the word "because." |
ü She's been taking a lot of photographs since she got her new camera.
ü They've been very happy since they found out that they are going to have a baby together.
17. While
"While" expresses that something is happening at the same time as something else; two things are happening at once. |
ü She likes to work on her laptop while she's on vacation.
ü This police officer wears a uniform while he's on duty.
18. As long as
"As long as" is used to describe a condition that must exist for something else to happen. It's similar to "if." |
ü He'll be able to stay in business as long as the quality of his work remains high.
ü As long as he practices every day, he'll know how to play some new songs on his guitar.
19. As
"As" is similar to "while." When used as a conjunction, It indicates that two things happen at the same time. The word "as" is also used for comparisons and as a preposition. |
ü They talked about their future together as they sat in the restaurant and ate their lunch.
ü This baby started to cry as this picture was taken.
20. As soon as
"As soon as" is used with time. You can use it in front of single words, phrases, and clauses. It's very similar to some uses of "when." |
ü She will get a degree in accounting, and she hopes to start working as soon as she graduates.
ü As soon as he left the meeting, he called his wife.
21. Instead
"Instead" is similar to "or." It describes a substitution or an alternative situation. "Instead" is often followed by the preposition "of." |
ü Newspapers aren't as popular as they used to be; instead, many people are going online for their news.
ü Candy tastes good, but it isn't good for you to eat too much; instead, consider eating fruit if you want something that's sweet.
22. Meanwhile
The word "meanwhile" is a conjunctive adverb that joins two clauses together. It's similar to "as" and "while." It's useful in describing two things happening at the same time. |
ü He's cleaning the house; meanwhile, his wife is away at work.
ü Kimlan is studying engineering; meanwhile, her friend Hoang is in the United States studying English
23. Beside
As an adverb, "besides" is similar to "in addition." As a preposition, it's similar to "in addition to." Don't confuse this word with the preposition "beside." The meaning for that word is completely different. |
ü She doesn't want to move to San Francisco because it's too expensive to live there; besides, she likes living in a cold-weather state.
ü He doesn't mind being unemployed right now; besides, it gives him more time to ride his skateboard. (*When used as a conjunctive adverb "besides" often expresses a benefit in contrast to a negative situation. The first two sentences demonstrate this usage.)
ü Besides windsurfing, he likes swimming and skiing. (In this sentence "besides" is used as a preposition.)
24. Nevertheless
This strange-looking conjunctive adverb is similar to "however," "yet" and "even so." We use "nevertheless" to present a fact that is in contrast to some other fact. "Nevertheless" usually goes in front of an independent clause, but it can also be used at the end of a clause. It's also frequently used alongside "but." |
ü Owning a house can cost a lot of money; nevertheless, home ownership is a big part of living the American dream.
ü Asparagus is an unusual but, nevertheless, tasty vegetable. or.....
ü Asparagus is an unusual vegetable but tasty, nevertheless.
25. Whenever
The word "whenever" is a subordinating conjunction that goes before a dependent clause. It's very similar to "when." We use "whenever" to mean "at any time" or "at the precise time." You can also use "whenever" as a single word in a response to a question. |
ü Her mother buys ice cream for her whenever they go to the beach.
ü Whenever Barney goes golfing, he brings his cell phone out onto the golf course.
26. Wherever
"Wherever" can be used as a conjunction or as an adverb. It describes a location. |
ü You can get fresh bread wherever there's a bakery.
ü Wherever you go in the United State, there are many interesting places to visit and things to see.
27. Now that
"Now that" describes a situation that is true and allows for the possibility of something else to happen. It's often used to describe a cause and effect relationship. |
ü Kevin believes he's a more responsible person now that he's a parent.
ü Now that Angie's English has improved, she feels more confident at work.
28. Provided
The word "provided" is very similar to "if." Don't confuse this with the past tense of the verb "provide." This is a subordinating conjunction that presents a condition that must exist for something else to happen. It's not easy to use, but you will hear "provided" in conversation. You can use a clause or a phrase after the word "provided." |
ü Provided he gets enough love and nurturing from his parents, he'll grow up to be a successful person.
ü These wind turbines can produce a lot of energy provided there's enough wind.
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