LOGICAL CONNECTORS

Logical connectors are used to join or connect two ideas that have a particular relationship. These relationships can be: sequential (time), reason and purpose, adversative (opposition and/or unexpected result), condition.

Within each category, the words used to join the ideas or clauses are used differently, with different grammar and punctuation.

Subordinating conjunctions	Introduce adverb clauses Either the dependent clause or the independent clause may come first in the sentence, with no change in meaning ex: Before he came, we didn't have a physical education teacher. We didn't have a physical education teacher before he came.
Prepositions	Is followed by a noun or noun phrase Either clause may appear first ex: He didn't come to class due to his illness.
Transitions and Conjunctive adverbs	Joins two sentences separated by a period or two clauses separated by a semi-colon. Only one possible order of the sentences The transition may appear clause initial, clause final, or between the subject and verb of the second sentence. ex: He was sick. Nevertheless, he came to class.
Conjunctions	One possible order A comma is used before the conjunction In academic writing, do not begin a sentence with a conjunction ex: He didn't do his homework, so he didn't pass the class.

Sequential (Time)

Subordinating conjunctions	until after before when while since once whenever as soon as as long as by the time
Prepositions	during after before since until upon
Conjunctive adverbs and transitions	then next after that following that before that afterwards meanwhile beforehand
Conjunctions	and then

Causal (Reason and Purpose, Cause and Effect)

Subordinating conjunctions	because as since inasmuch as now that as long as such...that [such a/an + adjective + noun + that] so...that [so +adjective or adverb + that] [so much/many/little/few + noun + that] expressing purpose so that in order that
Prepositions	because of due to in order to
Conjunctive adverbs and transitions	therefore consequently
Conjunctions	so

Adversative (unexpected result, contrast, opposition)

Subordinating conjunctions	even though although though (in spite of the fact that) while whereas where
Prepositions	despite in spite of
Conjunctive adverbs and transitions	however nonetheless nevertheless on the other hand in contrast on the contrary
Conjunctions	but...anyway but...still yet...still but

Condition

Subordinating conjunctions	if unless even if providing (that) provided (that) in case whether or not only if* verb inversion, no comma if only if* appears first in the sentence
Prepositions
Conjunctive adverbs and transitions	otherwise
Conjunctions	or (else)

Reduced Adverb Clauses

Rule: If the subject of the adverb clause and the main clause are the same, the adverb clause may be reduced.
To reduce, drop the subject and the verb be in the adverb clause.	I had an accident while I was driving past the REI climbing rock. I had an accident while driving past the REI climbing rock. Even though she was hungry, she didn’t eat the pie. Even though hungry, she didn’t eat the pie.
If there is not be verb, change the adverb clause verb to the present participle.	Before she owned a pet, she was afraid of dogs. Before owning a pet, she was afraid of dogs.
You may omit the subordinating conjunction (while) with simultaneous actions.	While camping at Mt. Rainier, I saw several mountain goats. Camping at Mt. Rainier, I saw several mountain goats.
Because is always omitted in reduced clauses.	Because she didn’t get accepted to the university, she is going to attend community college. Not being accepted to the university, she is going to attend community college.
You may also omit being in the reduced clause.	Being dyslexic, he doesn’t like to read in public. Dyslexic, he doesn’t like to read in public.
Remember: Only sentences in which the subjects of both clauses are the same maybe be reduced.	While I was eating corn on the cob, my tooth fell out. This adverb clause cannot be reduced because the subject of the adverb clause is not the same as the subject of the main clause.