Connectors — Banking English Notes Ch. 11

Introduction

Connectors (or linking words) join two clauses or sentences while signalling their logical relationship — contrast, cause-effect, addition, or condition. Choosing the wrong connector can completely reverse a sentence's intended meaning.

Connector Categories

Relationship	Common Connectors
Contrast	however, although, whereas, on the other hand, nevertheless
Cause-Effect	because, therefore, as a result, consequently, since
Addition	moreover, furthermore, in addition, besides, also
Condition	if, unless, provided that, in case
Example/Illustration	for instance, for example, such as, namely

Q. Choose the correct connector: "The application was submitted on time; ___, it was rejected due to missing documents."

The sentence sets up a contrast — submitted on time, yet still rejected. Among cause-effect and contrast options, "however" correctly signals this contrast. Answer: however.

⚠️ Key Insight: "Although" and "however" both express contrast but are NOT interchangeable grammatically — "although" joins two clauses within one sentence ("Although X, Y"), while "however" typically starts a new sentence or follows a semicolon.

💡 Exam Tip: Before selecting a connector, restate the sentence's core relationship in plain words ("this contradicts that" / "this caused that") — matching that plain-word relationship to the connector category table above makes the right choice almost automatic.

✅ Practice Focus: Categorising connectors by function · "Although" vs "however" placement rules · Selecting connectors that preserve the sentence's intended logical relationship.

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