Make the
connection.

Join words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance.

I read and listen to podcasts.Leo y escucho pódcast.

Usually before the main verb, but after be.

She also speaks French.Ella también habla francés.

Usually place these at the end of a positive clause.

We offer evening classes too.También ofrecemos clases por la tarde.

Follow with a noun or -ing form; it does not work exactly like and.

He teaches as well as writing books.Además de escribir libros, da clases.

Add a separate point, often at the start of a sentence.

The course is useful. In addition, it is free.El curso es útil. Además, es gratis.

Add evidence that strengthens the same argument.

The plan saves time. Moreover, it reduces costs.El plan ahorra tiempo. Además, reduce los costes.

Add an extra reason; as a preposition, follow with a noun or -ing form.

I am busy. Besides, I am tired.Estoy ocupado. Además, estoy cansado.

Keep the two parts grammatically parallel.

She is not only kind but also patient.No solo es amable, sino también paciente.

Include two things equally; two noun subjects normally take a plural verb.

Both Ana and Luis are coming.Tanto Ana como Luis van a venir.

Join contrasting words or clauses.

It is small, but it is comfortable.Es pequeño, pero es cómodo.

As a conjunction, introduce a surprising contrast.

The task is difficult, yet possible.La tarea es difícil, pero posible.

Link sentences with a full stop or semicolon before it, not just a comma.

It was late. However, we stayed.Era tarde. Sin embargo, nos quedamos.

Follow with a subject and verb. Do not add but to the main clause.

Although it rained, we went out.Aunque llovió, salimos.

Emphasise a real, surprising contrast.

Even though she was tired, she helped.Aunque estaba cansada, ayudó.

Follow with a noun or -ing form, or the fact that + clause. Never despite of.

Despite the rain, we went out.A pesar de la lluvia, salimos.

Acknowledge an obstacle and state an unexpected outcome.

It was expensive. Nevertheless, we bought it.Era caro. No obstante, lo compramos.

Say that the previous fact does not change the outcome.

I was warned. Even so, I tried.Me avisaron. Aun así, lo intenté.

Compare two contrasting facts; while can also express time.

I like tea, whereas she prefers coffee.Me gusta el té, mientras que ella prefiere el café.

Introduce a different perspective, often after on the one hand.

It is cheaper. On the other hand, it is slower.Es más barato. Por otra parte, es más lento.

Highlight a clear difference between two things.

The north is wet. In contrast, the south is dry.El norte es húmedo. En cambio, el sur es seco.

Reject a previous claim and say that its opposite is true.

It is not boring. On the contrary, it is fascinating.No es aburrido. Al contrario, es fascinante.

As a sentence linker, introduce a concession; elsewhere it can mean todavía.

It is risky. Still, it may work.Es arriesgado. Aun así, puede funcionar.

Follow with a complete clause giving a reason.

I stayed home because I was ill.Me quedé en casa porque estaba enfermo.

Introduce a reason, often one already known; both also have other meanings.

Since we have time, let us walk.Ya que tenemos tiempo, vamos andando.

Follow with a noun, pronoun, or -ing form.

We were late because of the traffic.Llegamos tarde por el tráfico.

Introduce a cause with a noun phrase.

The match was cancelled due to heavy rain.El partido se canceló debido a la lluvia intensa.

Introduce the cause of a usually positive outcome; sometimes ironic.

Thanks to your help, we finished early.Gracias a tu ayuda, terminamos pronto.

A formal conjunction giving an explanation after a main clause.

We stopped, for it was getting dark.Paramos, pues estaba oscureciendo.

Use a known fact as a reason for a decision or conclusion.

Given that it is late, we should leave.Dado que es tarde, deberíamos irnos.

Put the reason first and the result second.

I was tired, so I went to bed.Estaba cansado, así que me acosté.

Introduce a logical result; separate independent clauses correctly.

Demand fell. Therefore, prices dropped.La demanda cayó. Por lo tanto, los precios bajaron.

State the consequence of a previous fact.

It snowed. As a result, the road closed.Nevó. Como resultado, se cerró la carretera.

Introduce a conclusion; it can precede a noun phrase without a verb.

The train was delayed, hence the long wait.El tren se retrasó; de ahí la larga espera.

Use so + adjective/adverb + that to show a result.

It was so cold that the lake froze.Hacía tanto frío que el lago se congeló.

Use such + noun phrase + that; include a/an with singular countable nouns.

It was such a good book that I read it twice.Era un libro tan bueno que lo leí dos veces.

Often followed by -ing to describe a resulting effect.

They cut waste, thereby saving money.Redujeron los residuos y, con ello, ahorraron dinero.

Follow with the base verb. The understood subject normally matches the main clause.

I called to confirm the booking.Llamé para confirmar la reserva.

Follow with a subject and verb, often can, could, will, or would.

I spoke slowly so that everyone could follow.Hablé despacio para que todos pudieran seguirme.

Place not before to when expressing a negative purpose.

We left early in order not to miss the train.Salimos pronto para no perder el tren.

Use for + noun, or for + -ing to describe a function, not usually a personal intention.

This tool is for cutting paper.Esta herramienta sirve para cortar papel.

Here to is a preposition: follow with a noun or -ing form.

She is saving with a view to buying a flat.Está ahorrando con vistas a comprar un piso.

Introduce something to avoid, often with should or a base-form verb.

Keep a copy lest you lose the original.Guarda una copia por si pierdes el original.

Introduce a condition. For a likely future condition, use present tense after if.

If it rains, we will stay inside.Si llueve, nos quedaremos dentro.

Usually means if not. Avoid adding an unnecessary negative.

We will go unless it rains.Iremos a menos que llueva.

Set a condition that must be satisfied.

You can borrow it as long as you return it.Puedes tomarlo prestado siempre que lo devuelvas.

Say the outcome will hold whether a possible condition happens or not.

I will go even if it rains.Iré incluso si llueve.

Explain a precaution taken before something possibly happens.

Take a jacket in case it gets cold.Lleva una chaqueta por si hace frío.

Introduce what will happen if advice or a condition is ignored.

Hurry up; otherwise, we will be late.Date prisa; de lo contrario, llegaremos tarde.

Offer alternatives with parallel grammatical forms.

We can either walk or take the bus.Podemos ir andando o coger el autobús.

Exclude both alternatives; avoid an extra not.

She drinks neither tea nor coffee.No toma ni té ni café.

Introduce alternatives or uncertainty; the translation depends on the sentence.

We will go whether it rains or not.Iremos tanto si llueve como si no.

State an explicit requirement with a clause.

I agreed on condition that they helped.Acepté a condición de que ayudaran.

Invite someone to consider a hypothetical situation.

Supposing the bus is late, what will we do?Suponiendo que el autobús llegue tarde, ¿qué haremos?

Introduce the time of an event; use present for future time clauses.

Call me when you arrive.Llámame cuando llegues.

Link actions happening at the same time; as can suggest development.

I listened while she explained.Escuché mientras ella explicaba.

Use a clause, noun, or -ing form depending on the construction.

Wash your hands before eating.Lávate las manos antes de comer.

Introduce an event that triggers a following action.

We will start as soon as she arrives.Empezaremos en cuanto llegue.

Show that an action or state continues up to a point in time.

Wait until I return.Espera hasta que vuelva.

Identify a starting point; often used with a perfect tense.

I have lived here since I graduated.Vivo aquí desde que me gradué.

Indicate the point by which another event has happened or will have happened.

By the time we arrived, they had left.Para cuando llegamos, ya se habían ido.

Introduce the first step or point.

First, read the instructions.Primero, lee las instrucciones.

Move to the next event or stage; subsequently is formal.

We had dinner. Afterwards, we walked home.Cenamos. Después, volvimos a casa andando.

Describe what happens during the same period or a waiting period.

The soup is cooking. Meanwhile, set the table.La sopa se está cocinando. Mientras tanto, pon la mesa.

Introduce the last step or point; finally can also mean after a long wait.

Finally, check your answers.Por último, comprueba tus respuestas.

In a time meaning, describe the whole duration; also used for conditions.

Stay as long as you like.Quédate todo el tiempo que quieras.

Describe events happening immediately one after another; fronting requires inversion.

No sooner had I sat down than the phone rang.Apenas me había sentado cuando sonó el teléfono.

Introduce an illustration of a general point.

Try a team sport, for example, basketball.Prueba un deporte de equipo, por ejemplo, baloncesto.

Introduce examples within a noun phrase; usually no colon after such as.

I enjoy sports such as tennis.Me gustan deportes como el tenis.

Identify precisely what you mean; namely specifies the item or items.

We need one thing, namely, time.Necesitamos una cosa, a saber, tiempo.

Rephrase the same idea rather than add a new argument.

The fee is optional. In other words, you do not have to pay.La cuota es opcional. En otras palabras, no tienes que pagar.

Focus on one important member of a group.

I love music, especially jazz.Me encanta la música, especialmente el jazz.

Introduce something as part of a larger group.

Six people came, including my sister.Vinieron seis personas, incluida mi hermana.

Show that a second situation resembles the first.

The first plan is costly. Similarly, the second needs funding.El primer plan es caro. De manera similar, el segundo necesita financiación.

Draw a parallel between actions or situations.

Plants need care. In the same way, skills need practice.Las plantas necesitan cuidados. Del mismo modo, las habilidades necesitan práctica.

Build an explicit comparison between two clauses.

Just as exercise trains the body, so practice trains the mind.Del mismo modo que el ejercicio entrena el cuerpo, la práctica entrena la mente.

Describe an apparent or imagined situation; use past forms for unreal distance.

He talks as if he knew everything.Habla como si lo supiera todo.

Typically followed by a noun or pronoun in careful writing.

Unlike her brother, she enjoys cooking.A diferencia de su hermano, a ella le gusta cocinar.

Build comparisons of equality or inequality.

This book is as useful as that one.Este libro es tan útil como aquel.

Add a stronger fact or correct an impression. Actually does not mean actualmente.

I thought it was new. Actually, it is ten years old.Pensaba que era nuevo. En realidad, tiene diez años.

Confirm or strengthen a previous statement.

The course is popular. Indeed, it is already full.El curso es popular. De hecho, ya está completo.

Give priority to the most important point.

Above all, be kind.Sobre todo, sé amable.

Draw attention to a significant example or detail.

Several cities, notably Madrid, grew quickly.Varias ciudades, en particular Madrid, crecieron rápidamente.

Instead can stand alone; instead of needs a noun or -ing form.

We walked instead of driving.Fuimos andando en vez de ir en coche.

Correct a description or state a preference; keep compared forms parallel.

I prefer to walk rather than wait.Prefiero caminar en lugar de esperar.

Signal the closing judgement of a discussion.

In conclusion, the benefits outweigh the costs.En conclusión, los beneficios superan los costes.

Briefly restate the main points.

To sum up, we need more time and less waste.En resumen, necesitamos más tiempo y menos desperdicio.

Condense a message to its essentials.

In short, the plan worked.En pocas palabras, el plan funcionó.

Make a judgement after considering several aspects.

On balance, moving was the right decision.Sopesándolo todo, mudarnos fue la decisión correcta.

Give a reminder or justification, rather than simply end a sequence.

Let us help. After all, we are friends.Vamos a ayudar. Al fin y al cabo, somos amigos.

Introduce the topic you are about to discuss; follow with a noun phrase.

As for the price, we can discuss it tomorrow.En cuanto al precio, podemos hablarlo mañana.

Specify the topic or aspect under consideration.

In terms of cost, this is the best option.En términos de coste, esta es la mejor opción.

Introduce a related or incidental topic; incidentally is more formal.

By the way, did you call Ana?Por cierto, ¿llamaste a Ana?

Return to the main topic or say the conclusion is unchanged.

Anyway, let us get back to the lesson.En fin, volvamos a la lección.

Start or soften a response in conversation; the translation depends on context.

Well, I am not sure.Bueno, no estoy seguro.

Signal a new stage of a discussion.

Moving on, let us look at the results.Pasando al siguiente punto, veamos los resultados.