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)

Phrase connectors (followed by a noun or -ing, no 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.

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.