CDS English · Grammar
Connectors: cause, contrast and sequence
Connectors join ideas and show how they relate: because of (cause), in spite of (contrast), moreover (addition), until (time). Choose by meaning first, then by what follows the blank.
Why this matters
Connector blanks test two things at once: the meaning (cause or contrast?) and the grammar (is a noun phrase or a clause coming next?). An option can have the right meaning and the wrong grammar, such as although before a noun. The two checks below catch both.
Concept 1 of 3: Because of, in spite of, owing to: phrase or clause
Ask two questions. First, meaning: does the first part cause the second, or does it happen despite it? Second, grammar: is the blank followed by a noun phrase (his illness) or a clause (he was ill)? A noun phrase needs a preposition; a clause needs a conjunction.
Definition
The terms:
- Concession: admitting a fact that might have stopped something, which still happened (in spite of the rain, we played).
- Complex preposition: a preposition of two or three words (because of, in spite of, owing to, on account of).
- Conjunction: a word that joins two clauses (although, because).
The method:
- Decide the meaning: cause, contrast, or something else (instead of, about).
- Look after the blank: noun phrase or clause?
- Pick from the right box below and check the exact form.
The two boxes:
- Cause + noun phrase: because of, owing to, due to, on account of, as a consequence of.
- Contrast + noun phrase: despite, in spite of, notwithstanding.
- Cause + clause: because, as, since. Contrast + clause: although, though, even though.
- Other complex prepositions: in lieu of = instead of; concerning = about.
Items tested this way:
- Despite the construction of new housing (2017 II); in spite of difficulties (2023 II); in spite of the danger (2026 I)
- walked slowly because of his bandaged leg (2023 II); On account of his negligence (2023 II); As a consequence of his illness (2023 II); Owing to his ill health (2022 I)
- Notwithstanding the resistance (2023 II); the car in lieu of his claim (2023 II); questions concerning the future (2023 II)
Worked example
The flight was delayed ______ the thick fog. (a) although (b) because (c) because of (d) in spite of
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
CDS · 2026 · CDS (I) 2026 — English · Q78Moderate
Example 1 · Grammar · Discourse Markers and Connectors
Directions: Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space with four options. Select the preposition or determiner you consider the most appropriate for the blank space and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Harish wanted to report on the war _______ the danger involved.
Despite, or in spite of, but never despite of
despite + noun. in spite of + noun. 'Despite of' mixes the two and is always wrong. When it appears among the options, strike it at once.
Because of and in spite of point opposite ways
'He walked slowly ___ his bandaged leg.' The leg is the reason for walking slowly: because of. In spite of would mean he walked slowly although his leg was fine, which is the reverse.
Half a phrase is no phrase
due to, owing to, on account of, as a consequence of must be complete. Options like 'Due', 'On account' or 'In consequence to' are broken forms.
Although cannot sit before a noun
'Although the danger' is wrong; 'although it was dangerous' is right. If only a noun phrase follows, choose despite or in spite of.
Concept 2 of 3: Sentence-opening discourse markers
A discourse marker opens a sentence (or sits between commas) and tells the reader how this sentence connects to the one before: it adds, it contrasts, it concludes, it moves on in time, or it gives the writer's attitude.
Definition
The terms:
- Discourse marker: a word or phrase that links a sentence to what came before (moreover, however, finally).
- Additive: adds a point (moreover, further, besides). Sequencing: moves in time or order (later, finally, meanwhile). Contrast: however, still. Emphatic: indeed, significantly. Attitude: shows a feeling (unfortunately).
The method:
- Read the sentence before the blank, if any, and the sentence with the blank.
- Name the link: adding, contrasting, concluding, sequencing, or commenting.
- Pick the marker of that type. It must be an adverb or an adverb phrase, not an adjective.
| Marker | Function | Sitting |
|---|---|---|
| Moreover | adds a further point | 2025 (I) |
| Further | adds a further point | 2025 (I) |
| Later | moves forward in time | 2025 (I) |
| Meanwhile | at the same time, alongside | 2025 (I) |
| Unfortunately | the writer's attitude: regret | 2025 (I) |
| therefore | result or conclusion; can sit mid-sentence between commas | 2025 (II) |
| Indeed | confirms and stresses what was said | 2025 (II) |
| in particular | picks out one item to focus on | 2025 (II) |
| Significantly | marks what follows as important | 2025 (II) |
| Finally | the last point in a sequence | 2025 (II) |
A marker is an adverb: Unfortunately, not Unfortunate.
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
CDS · 2025 · CDS (I) 2025 — English · Q88Moderate
Example 2 · Grammar · Discourse Markers and Connectors
Directions: Given below are sentences that use discourse markers/expressions to make them complete. Identify the most appropriate discourse marker/expression and mark your answer accordingly on the Answer Sheet.
_______, the leader's comments came a day after the party's performance in the region was not encouraging.
An adjective cannot be a marker
'Unfortunate, the matter cannot be settled' is wrong. Sentence-opening markers are adverbs: Unfortunately, Fortunately, Significantly.
Despite and while cannot stand alone
Despite needs a noun after it; While needs a clause. Neither can open a sentence followed by a comma. If the blank is followed by a comma, choose a true marker.
Manner adverbs are distractors
Words like Engagingly, Endearingly, Aggrievedly describe how someone does something. They do not link sentences. Strike them first.
Concept 3 of 3: Linking two clauses: while, until, unless, whatever, either or
These words join two clauses and each has one job. while = at the same time. until = up to the moment. unless = if not. whatever = no matter what. either ... or = one of two. Name the job the sentence needs, then check the verb form that goes with it.
Definition
The terms:
- Subordinating conjunction: joins a clause that depends on the main clause (while, until, unless, whatever).
- Correlative conjunction: a pair that works together (either ... or, neither ... nor, both ... and).
The rules:
- while + clause = at the same time (during + noun).
- until + clause = up to that moment. Use the present tense for the future: until I have found the truth, not until I will find.
- unless = if not. It already contains the not, so the verb after it is positive and in the present for a future idea: unless it rains.
- whatever + present tense with an instruction: Whatever happens, keep calm.
- either ... or: either A or B; either or both = one of the two, or the two together.
Items tested this way:
- I saw Nandini while she was waiting (2024 II); I shall not rest until I have gone to the bottom of this matter (2025 I)
- I'm playing tennis tomorrow unless it rains (2023 I); Whatever happens, please keep calm (2022 I)
- complete either or both courses (2025 II)
Worked example
Wait here ______ I come back. (a) during (b) while (c) until (d) since
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
CDS · 2023 · CDS (I) 2023 — English · Q15Moderate
Example 3 · Grammar · Discourse Markers and Connectors
Directions: choose the most appropriate word for the blank
I'm playing tennis tomorrow unless _______.
Unless already means 'if not'
'Unless it doesn't rain' says 'if it does not not rain', a double negative. After unless the verb is positive.
No will after until, unless, when, if
For a future idea, the clause after these words takes the present tense: until I finish, unless it rains, when he comes. 'Until I will finish' is wrong.
While needs a clause, during needs a noun
'I saw her ___ she was waiting' has a clause after the blank (she was waiting), so while. 'During the wait' would take during.
Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance
A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.
Reference tables (1)
Sentence-opening discourse markers10 rows
| Marker | Function | Sitting |
|---|---|---|
| Moreover | adds a further point | 2025 (I) |
| Further | adds a further point | 2025 (I) |
| Later | moves forward in time | 2025 (I) |
| Meanwhile | at the same time, alongside | 2025 (I) |
| Unfortunately | the writer's attitude: regret | 2025 (I) |
| therefore | result or conclusion; can sit mid-sentence between commas | 2025 (II) |
| Indeed | confirms and stresses what was said | 2025 (II) |
| in particular | picks out one item to focus on | 2025 (II) |
| Significantly | marks what follows as important | 2025 (II) |
| Finally | the last point in a sequence | 2025 (II) |
A marker is an adverb: Unfortunately, not Unfortunate.
Watch out for (10)
- Despite, or in spite of, but never despite of→ Because of, in spite of, owing to: phrase or clause
- Because of and in spite of point opposite ways→ Because of, in spite of, owing to: phrase or clause
- Half a phrase is no phrase→ Because of, in spite of, owing to: phrase or clause
- Although cannot sit before a noun→ Because of, in spite of, owing to: phrase or clause
- An adjective cannot be a marker→ Sentence-opening discourse markers
- Despite and while cannot stand alone→ Sentence-opening discourse markers
- Manner adverbs are distractors→ Sentence-opening discourse markers
- Unless already means 'if not'→ Linking two clauses: while, until, unless, whatever, either or
- No will after until, unless, when, if→ Linking two clauses: while, until, unless, whatever, either or
- While needs a clause, during needs a noun→ Linking two clauses: while, until, unless, whatever, either or
Test yourself on Grammar
20 past CDS questions from this chapter, timed at 20 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.