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Connectors, Relative Pronouns & Clause Structure
Connectors & clause structure on the TOEIC
TOEIC loves testing whether you know which linking word fits a sentence. The trap for French speakers: many connectors look similar but behave differently grammatically — some connect clauses, others connect phrases, and mixing them up is a guaranteed wrong answer.
Clause connectors (need a subject + verb after them)
Bien que la date limite soit serrée, l'équipe a livré à temps.
although / even though / while = clause connectors — subject + verb must follow.
Phrase connectors (followed by a noun or -ing, no subject+verb)
Malgré la date limite serrée, l'équipe a livré à temps.
despite / in spite of = phrase connectors — noun or -ing follows, never subject + verb.
The TOEIC trap
"Although" and "despite" mean the same thing — but the grammar is different. TOEIC gives you both as options and tests whether you know which structure follows.
✅ "Despite the rain, we held the event outdoors."
❌ "Despite it rained, we held the event outdoors."
In French, "malgré" and "bien que" both work with similar structures. In English, the grammar is strictly different.
Relative pronouns — who / which / that / whose
"who" = people, "which" = things, "whose" = possession, "that" = both (in defining clauses). French uses "qui/que/dont" differently — "dont" = "whose" but French speakers forget "whose" exists and write awkward workarounds.
Common mistake
French speakers often say "Despite she was late, she got the contract" — say "Although she was late" or "Despite being late" instead. "Despite" never takes subject + verb.
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- ‘I take the salmon, please.’
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- ‘I am allergic at nuts.’
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