Les linking words donnent de la logique à tes phrases. Chaque mot ci-dessous appartient à une des trois grandes familles. Mémorise bien la règle grammaticale qui suit chaque connecteur — c'est là que les erreurs se cachent.

because + sujet + verbe — Connecteur de cause universel. Introduit une proposition subordonnée complète.
She passed her BEPC because she studied hard every night.
He didn't come because he was ill.
Adjoua won the prize because her essay was excellent.

because of + nom / groupe nominal — Même sens que because mais suivi d'un nom, jamais d'un verbe conjugué.
The school was closed because of a power cut.
He was late because of the heavy traffic in Abidjan.

since / as + sujet + verbe (cause évidente) — La cause est déjà connue des deux interlocuteurs. Plus formel que because.
Since Konan speaks English fluently, he got the job in Cocody.
As it was very hot, we stayed inside.

due to + nom (registre formel) — Réservé aux essais, rapports et contextes officiels. Toujours suivi d'un nom.
The match was cancelled due to heavy rain.
His success was due to years of hard work.

but (coordination simple) — Contraste direct entre deux propositions dans une même phrase.
I studied hard but I didn't pass.
She wanted to go but she had no money.

however (début de phrase, virgule après) — Connecteur formel — commence une nouvelle phrase, toujours suivi d'une virgule.
He trained every day. However, he didn't qualify for the final.
Abidjan is a busy city. However, life there can be stressful.

although / even though + sujet + verbe — Although = concession modérée | Even though = concession renforcée (surprise forte).
Although it was hot, she kept studying.
Even though Kouamé trained daily, he was cut from the team.

despite / in spite of + nom / -ing — Même sens que although mais suivi d'un nom ou d'un verbe en -ing — jamais d'une proposition.
Despite the rain, they played football.
In spite of working hard, she failed the test.

while / whereas (comparaison opposée) — Compare deux réalités parallèles mais opposées.
Konan loves maths whereas Aminata prefers English.
Life in Cocody is expensive, while Yopougon is more affordable.

so (coordination, résultat direct) — Connecteur de conséquence le plus courant, oral et écrit.
It was raining, so we stayed home.
Aminata missed the bus, so she was late for the exam.

therefore (formel, résultat logique) — Registre formel. Souvent précédé d'un point-virgule ou en début de phrase.
He worked hard; therefore, he succeeded.
The candidate was prepared; therefore, she impressed the jury.

as a result (début de phrase, virgule après) — Introduit la conséquence d'un fait exposé dans la phrase précédente.
Konan trained every day. As a result, he won the competition.
They invested in education. As a result, the economy improved.

consequently (formel) — Conséquence formelle. Utilisé dans les essais, rapports et discours officiels.
He refused to train. Consequently, he was dropped from the team.
Consequently, the government revised the policy.

so … that (intensité → conséquence) — Exprime une intensité si forte qu'elle produit une conséquence. Structure fixe.

It was so hot in Bouaké that nobody went outside at noon.
She was so tired that she fell asleep during the lesson.

📊 Récapitulatif — Les 3 familles