The rules
- Although and even though come before a subject and verb, but despite and in spite of come before a noun or an -ing word: Although it rained, we played; despite the rain, we played.
- Because comes before a subject and verb, but because of comes before a noun: We stayed inside because of the storm.
- So shows a result, and so that shows a purpose: It was late, so we left; we left early so that we could catch the bus.
- However starts a new sentence or follows a semicolon and takes a comma after it, while but joins two clauses with a comma before it: The test was hard; however, everyone passed.
- Paired connectors keep their own partners: both … and, either … or, neither … nor, not only … but also: She speaks both Nepali and English.
- Unless means “if not,” so it is not followed by another not, and it takes a present verb for the future: We will go unless it rains.
- While and whereas join two clauses that contrast: Tigers live alone, whereas lions live in groups.
This time: 0 right, 0 wrong