Clause Connectors

Clause Connectors

Conjunctions join two independent clauses. Put a comma before the conjunction.

The meeting was emotional, and Cindy drove home in a daze.

Dependent words show the relationship between a dependent clause and an independent one. Use a comma when the dependent one comes first.

She waited for the light to change while horns honked behind her.

While horns honked behind her, she waited for the light.

Transitional expressions show the relationship between ideas in separate independent clauses. Put a period or semicolon between the two dependent clauses, and put a comma after the transitional expression.

Suddenly she realized it was a flashing light. However, it was too late to move.

Suddenly she realized it was a flashing light; however, it was too late to move.

	Con- junctions	Dependent words	Transitional expressions
time & sequence	and	after as before since until when (+ever) while	also afterward at the same time besides earlier eventually finally first furthermore in addition later meanwhile moreover next now soon then too
comparison & contrast	but yet	although as / than even though though whereas while	by comparison by contrast even so however in the same way likewise nevertheless on the contrary on the other hand similarly still
cause & effect	for so	as because if since so that unless	accordingly as a result consequently for this reason hence otherwise then therefore thus
examples & conclusions			after for example for instance in conclusion in summary in fact in other words in particular of course specifically
other purposes	nor or	how that what (+ever) where (+ever) which (+ever) who/m (+ever) whether whose why