CONNECTING WORDS

Become familiar with the three groups of connecting words that may come between clauses so that you can
avoid run-together sentences and fragments.

GROUP 1:

These words are found between independent clauses and require only a comma in front of them.

and nor
but yet
for so
or

GROUP II:

These words are found between independent clauses and require a semi-colon in front of them, or a period and
a capital letter.

also likewise therefore

consequently moreover then
furthermore nevertheless thus
however otherwise

GROUP III:

These words usually signal a dependent clause. Use a comma after a dependent clause if it comes at the
beginning of a sentence.

after in order that where

although since wherever
though that whether
as so that which
as if unless whichever
because until while
before what who
how whatever whom
if when whose
even if whenever