Sentence structure, conjunctions and linkers

Linking words join ideas, and the right one depends on both meaning and grammar. Coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, so) connect two equal clauses, while subordinating conjunctions (because, although, since, so that) introduce a dependent clause with its own subject and verb. The key trap is structure: contrast can be shown with 'although/though/even though + a clause' but with 'despite/in spite of + a noun or -ing form' (Although it was cold... = Despite the cold...). Reason is 'because/since/as + clause' but 'because of/due to + noun'. Result connectors include 'so + adjective + that', 'such + (a) + adjective + noun + that' and the sentence linker 'therefore'. Purpose uses 'so that + clause' or 'in order to / to + infinitive'. Linkers like however, moreover and therefore usually start a new sentence and are followed by a comma. For example: 'It was raining heavily. However, we decided to go out.'