Connectors and Prepositions
And, but, because, with, for, however
39 wordsEnglish (United Kingdom)
- Difficulty
- Basic
/ə/, /eɪ/
used before singular nouns to mean one, or any one, of something
determiner · Written an before a vowel sound.
Examples
- I need a pen.
- She has a brother and two sisters.
/əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of
preposition
Examples
- We talked about the weather.
- This book is about a dog.
a little more or less than a number or amount
adverb
Examples
- The trip takes about two hours.
- About twenty people came to the meeting.
/ˈɑːftə/
later than a time or an event
preposition
Examples
- We went for a walk after dinner.
- She called me after lunch.
at a time later than when something happens
conjunction
Examples
- We left after the rain stopped.
- Call me after you finish work.
/əˈɡɛnst/
in a game or contest with
preposition
Examples
- He played chess against his sister.
- We play against the best team on Saturday.
not agreeing with; opposed to
preposition
Examples
- Many people voted against the plan.
- I am against the new law.
touching something and leaning on it for support
preposition
Examples
- She leaned against the wall.
- He put the ladder against the tree.
/ˈɔːlsəʊ/
in addition, or as well
adverb
Examples
- She speaks French and also Spanish.
- I also need a pen.
/ɔːlˈðəʊ/
used to introduce a fact that makes the main statement surprising
conjunction
Examples
- Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
- She smiled, although she was tired.
/ænd/
used to join two or more words or things
conjunction
Examples
- I bought bread and milk.
- My brother and sister live in Canada.
/æz/
in the role or job of a person or thing
preposition
Examples
- He works as a driver.
- We used the box as a table.
while something else is happening
conjunction
Examples
- She smiled as she opened the door.
- The phone rang as I was leaving.
used to give the reason for something
conjunction
Examples
- As it was late, we went home.
- As she was tired, she went to bed early.
/æt/
used to say the place where someone or something is, or where something happens
preposition
Examples
- My sister is waiting for us at the station.
- Get off the bus at the next stop.
used before a clock time to say when something happens
preposition
Examples
- The train leaves at 8:30.
- We have dinner at seven.
/bɪˈkɒz/
for the reason that
conjunction
Examples
- I stayed in because I had a cold.
- She is happy because she passed the test.
/bʌt/
used to introduce something that is different from what was just said
conjunction
Examples
- I like tea, but I don't like coffee.
- It was late, but he kept working.
/baɪ/
used to say who or what did or made something
preposition
Examples
- This book was written by a famous author.
- The window was broken by the wind.
used to say how you travel
preposition
Examples
- We went to school by bus.
- Is it faster to travel by train?
next to or very near
preposition
Examples
- She sat by the window.
- There is a bench by the lake.
/djuː/
expected to happen or arrive at a certain time
adjective
Examples
- The train is due at ten.
- When is your baby due?
because of (used in the phrase "due to")
preposition
Examples
- The game was cancelled due to rain.
- Many flights were late due to the storm.
/ˈdjʊərɪŋ/
at some point in a period of time, or all through it
preposition
Examples
- I fell asleep during the film.
- It rains a lot during the winter.
/ˈaɪðə/
one or the other of two; it does not matter which
determiner
Examples
- You can sit on either chair.
- Either day is fine with me.
also, used after a negative statement
adverb
Examples
- I don't like coffee, and my sister doesn't either.
- "I can't swim." "I can't either."
used with or to show a choice between two things
conjunction
Examples
- Either you come with us, or you stay here.
- You can either call me or send a message.
/fɔː/
intended to be given to, or used by, someone
preposition
Examples
- This gift is for you.
- I made a cake for my sister.
used to say how long something lasts
preposition
Examples
- We waited for two hours.
- I lived in Spain for three years.
used to say the purpose of something
preposition
Examples
- This knife is for cutting bread.
- What is this button for?
/frɒm/
used to show the place where a journey or movement begins
preposition
Examples
- The train from Paris is late.
- We walked home from school.
used to say the country, town, or place where someone or something started
preposition
Examples
- I am from Brazil.
- This cheese comes from Italy.
/haʊˈɛvə/
used to add a statement that contrasts with what you just said
adverb · Used mainly in writing and formal speech.
Examples
- The food was cheap. However, it was not good.
- I like him. However, I do not trust him.
/ɪf/
used to say that something depends on another thing happening or being true
conjunction
Examples
- If it rains, we will stay inside.
- I will call you if I need help.
used to talk about two possibilities when you do not know which one is true
conjunction
Examples
- I don't know if he is at home.
- Please ask if the shop is open.
/ɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/
having something or someone as a part of the whole
preposition
Examples
- The price is fifty pounds, including tax.
- Everyone came, including the children.
/ɪnˈstɛd/
in place of something that was mentioned
adverb
Examples
- I don't want tea. Can I have coffee instead?
- The bus was full, so we walked instead.
in place of someone or something else
preposition · Always used in the phrase instead of, before a noun or an -ing verb.
Examples
- Can I have rice instead of potatoes?
- She walked to school instead of taking the bus.
/ˈɪntuː/
to the inside of a place or thing
preposition
Examples
- She walked into the room.
- Put the book into your bag.
/nɒt/
used to make a verb, adjective, or phrase negative
adverb
Examples
- I'm not hungry.
- This is not my bag.
/ɒv/
used to show that a thing is a piece or section belonging to something larger
preposition
Examples
- The roof of the house is red.
- We stayed until the end of the day.
used after a word for an amount, container, or group to say what it holds or includes
preposition
Examples
- She drank a cup of tea.
- A group of students waited outside.
/ɔː/
used to join two or more choices or possibilities
conjunction
Examples
- We can walk or take the bus.
- She will call or send a message.
used to say what will happen if something is not done; otherwise
conjunction
Examples
- Hurry up, or you will miss the bus.
- Put on a coat, or you will be cold.
/pə/
for each
preposition
Examples
- The tickets cost ten euros per person.
- The car was going sixty miles per hour.
/sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
preposition
Examples
- I have lived here since 2015.
- She has been sick since Monday.
because
conjunction
Examples
- Since it is raining, we will stay inside.
- Since you are tired, you should rest.
/ðæn/
used to compare two people, things, or amounts
conjunction
Examples
- She is taller than her brother.
- This book is more interesting than that one.
/ðə/, /ðiː/
used before nouns to show that you mean a particular person or thing that is already known
determiner
Examples
- Please close the door.
- I loved the book you gave me.
/ðəʊ/
despite the fact that
conjunction
Examples
- Though it was late, we kept working.
- She went out, though she was tired.
however; used at the end of a sentence to add a contrast
adverb
Examples
- The food was cheap. It wasn't very good, though.
- I like the hotel. It's far from the beach, though.
/θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
preposition
Examples
- We drove through a long tunnel.
- She walked through the door and sat down.
by means of a person or thing
preposition
Examples
- I found my job through a friend.
- You can buy tickets through our website.
/tuː/
in the direction of a place or person, so that you arrive there
preposition
Examples
- We walked to the station.
- Is this the road to the beach?
used before a verb in its basic form
particle
Examples
- It is easy to forget.
- I decided to learn Spanish.
used to show who receives something
preposition
Examples
- Give the keys to your sister.
- I wrote a letter to my teacher.
/tuː/
also
adverb
Examples
- I like pizza too.
- Can I come too?
more than is good or wanted
adverb
Examples
- This coffee is too hot.
- The shoes are too small for me.
/ənˈtɪl/
up to the time when something happens or ends
preposition
Examples
- The shop is open until nine.
- I waited until noon.
/ˈwɛðə/
used to talk about two possibilities
conjunction
Examples
- I don't know whether she will come.
- Tell me whether you like it.
/waɪl/
during the time that something else is happening
conjunction
Examples
- I listen to music while I cook.
- Do not talk on the phone while you drive.
used to compare two things and show how they are different
conjunction
Examples
- My sister likes tea, while I prefer coffee.
- Some people eat meat, while others do not.
a period of time
noun · · Usually used as a while.
Examples
- I waited for a while.
- It took a while to find a seat.
/wɪð/
in the company of another person
preposition
Examples
- I went to the park with my friends.
- She lives with her parents.
using a tool or thing to do something
preposition
Examples
- He cut the bread with a knife.
- I write with my left hand.
having a particular feature or part
preposition
Examples
- She is the girl with long hair.
- We want a room with a view of the sea.
/wɪˈðɪn/
in no more than a certain period of time
preposition
Examples
- The package will arrive within two days.
- Please reply within a week.
inside the limits of something, without going past them
preposition
Examples
- We need to stay within our budget.
- You must drive within the speed limit.
/wɪðˈaʊt/
not having or using something
preposition
Examples
- I drink my coffee without sugar.
- She left without her bag.