1. Connectives
A) because, as, since, but, although, while, so
Complete the sentences with because, but, although or so.
1 We looked everywhere for the ring ______________ we
but
couldn't find it.
2 ______________ we looked everywhere for the ring, we
Although
couldn't find it.
so
3 He was bored with the picnic ______________ he started
digging a hole.
because
4 He started digging a hole ______________ he was bored
with the picnic.

2. Complete the rules below with the linking
words because, but, although or so.
A We use __________________ to
because , as, since
answer the question Why.
B We use ___________or ___________ to
but although
join two opposite ideas.
C We use ______________ to introduce a
so
result.
• Add the words as, and since to the
rules above.

3. Read the text below and choose the
correct linking word for each space.
When I was 17, I applied to a (1) A although B so C because
drama school (1) __________ I
because
(2) A but B although C so
was good at acting. At my
interview they asked me to read (3) A So B Although C But
something. I was very nervous (2) (4) A As B Because C Although
__________ I did it really badly.
so (5) A since B although C but
(3) ___________ they could see I
Although
was nervous, they didn't give me
another chance and I got a job as
a hairdresser instead. (4)
__________ I'm sorry I didn't
Although
become an actor, I've had a good
life as a hairdresser (5) _________
since
I've met lots of interesting people.

4. B) Saying when things happen: when, while,
until, before/after, as soon as
• Look at the underlined words. They are
all linking words.
• When did Toby get a job with Atkins
engineering?
A when he was a university student.
B as soon as he finished university.
C six months after he (had) finished
university.

5. Read the sentences below and choose the
correct linking word for each space.
0 before
I'll speak to Lena ____________ I ask anyone else.
A before B while C until
1 as soon as
Marco was very tired and he fell asleep ____________ the lesson began.
A until B as soon as C while
2 while
Could you fill in this form ____________ you're waiting, please?
A after B when C while
3 when
Tell me ____________ you're ready to leave and I'll call a taxi.
A when B until C while
4 I walked through the door and the phone rang immediately. The phone rang
____________ I walked through the door.
as soon as
A as soon as B until C before
5 Claudia did the maths homework last, ____________ she had finished all the
after
other exercises.
A before B while C after
6 I missed Jack ____________ he left.
after
A after B while C before
7 We didn't realise how high up we were ____________ we looked down.
until
A until B after C while

6. Complete the second sentence so that it
means the same as the first.
1 Lisa's party started at 9 o'clock.
Lisa's party didn't start _____________ 9 o'clock.
until
2 When her friends arrived, Lisa immediately put on
some music.
Lisa put on some music _____________ her friends
as soon as
arrived.
3 Lisa's friends danced and then they had something
to eat.
Lisa's friends danced _____________ they had
before
something to eat.
3 Lisa didn't go to bed until she had tidied up the
house.
after
Lisa went to bed _____________ she had tidied up
the house.

7. Complete these sentences truthfully
about yourself.
1 Before I go to school, I ______________
2 I don't start school until _____________
3 While I'm at school, I _____________.
4 When I have some spare time at school, I
________________.
5 As soon as I get home from school, I
______________.
6 After I get home from school, I ________

8. C) before/after -ing
Look at these sentences
1 Make sure you have enough money with you
before filling your car with petrol.
2 You can pay with cash or credit card after filling
your car with petrol.
• Which should you do first:
1 make sure you have enough money or fill your
car?
2 pay with cash or credit card or fill your car?
• Underline the verb which follows before and
after. What do you notice?

9. Decide in which order these actions happen.
Join them with before or after
• You should:
fall asleep / set your alarm clock (before)
set your alarm clock before falling asleep
_____________________________________________
write a plan / answer the question (after)
_____________________________________________
answer the question after writing a plan
find a towel / have a shower (before)
find a towel before having a shower
_____________________________________________
have lunch / go swimming (after)
_____________________________________________
have lunch after going swimming
buy the tickets / arrive at the concert (before)
_____________________________________________
buy the tickets before arriving at the concert
check your bank account / buy something expensive (before)
_____________________________________________ expensive
check your bank account before buying something
go to bed / turn the TV off (before)
turn the TV off before going to bed
_____________________________________________