Linking Words — English Bac STM

ضمن برنامج بكالوريا STM

English carries a coefficient of 2 in the Bac Sciences et Technologies Mécaniques (STM) stream. The core subjects are Mathematics and Engineering Sciences (coefficient 7 each), then Physics-Chemistry (coefficient 5). English and Philosophy (coefficient 2) form the margin where candidate rankings and honours are settled. Mastering the structure of a piece of writing matters more here than memorising it.

في الامتحان

Three parts: Reading Comprehension, Language, and Writing (about 180 words). Reading technical drawings and function diagrams builds the same skill an essay needs: breaking an argument into parts and rebuilding it as a coherent plan.

أهداف التعلم

Apply this grammar point accurately in the Language section and in the guided writing of the Bac STM English exam (coefficient 2)
Use addition connectors: moreover, furthermore, in addition, besides
Use contrast connectors: however, although, whereas, despite, in spite of
Use cause connectors (because, since, as, due to) and result connectors (therefore, thus, so, as a result)
Punctuate a sentence correctly according to the type of connector

المفاهيم الأساسية

Addition and contrast

Addition: moreover, furthermore, in addition (to), besides, also — they add an idea in the same direction. Contrast: however, nevertheless, on the other hand (between two sentences); although, though, even though, whereas (before a subject + verb clause); despite, in spite of (before a noun phrase or an -ing form, never a full clause).

Cause and result

Cause: because, since, as (+ subject + verb); because of, due to, owing to (+ noun phrase). Result: therefore, thus, hence, as a result, consequently, so — they introduce the outcome of a cause already stated.

Sequence and punctuation

Sequence: first(ly), second(ly), then, next, after that, finally, in conclusion. Punctuation: however / therefore / moreover at the start of a sentence take a comma after them; because / since / as at the start of a clause take no comma before the following subject.

الأخطاء الشائعة

Confusing although (+ full clause) with despite / in spite of (+ noun phrase or -ing): “Despite it was raining” is wrong — use “Despite the rain” or “Although it was raining”.

Using because of before a full clause: because of + noun, because + subject + verb.

Forgetting the comma after a contrast or result connector placed first (However, … / Therefore, …).

مثال محلول

نص السؤال

Join the two sentences with the most suitable connector: “It was raining heavily.” / “The match was not cancelled.”

التصحيح

Identify the logical relation. The two facts clash: it was raining hard, but the match still went ahead — this is contrast, not cause / result.

Choose a contrast connector that fits two full clauses. Although and even though introduce a clause (subject + verb): “Although it was raining heavily, the match was not cancelled.”

Check an alternative with despite. Despite needs a noun phrase, so turn the clause into a noun: “Despite the heavy rain, the match was not cancelled.”

Conclusion. Both versions are correct; the choice depends on the structure required (full clause → although, noun phrase → despite).

افهم الدرس، ثم تدرب.

ينشئ Orka تمارين غير محدودة وامتحانات تجريبية مصححة تغطي برنامج اللغة الإنجليزية في بكالوريا STM، مع تتبع تقدمك درساً بعد درس.

تابع مجاناً مع Orka

3 تمارين للتدرب

التمرين 1

Easy

Complete with the right connector: “She studies hard. ___, she got a low grade.” (However / Because / Moreover)

عرض التصحيح

However — the two ideas clash (she works hard but gets a low grade): “She studies hard. However, she got a low grade.”

التمرين 2

Medium

Join with because or because of: “The exam was postponed.” / “a technical problem.”

عرض التصحيح

“The exam was postponed because of a technical problem.” — because of is followed by a noun phrase (a technical problem), not a full clause (because would need “because there was a technical problem”).

التمرين 3

Hard

Correct the sentence: “Despite he was tired, he finished the race.”

عرض التصحيح

Despite is followed by a noun phrase or an -ing form, never a subject + finite verb. Possible corrections: “Despite being tired, he finished the race.” or “Although he was tired, he finished the race.”

تعمق أكثر في هذا الدرس

أكثر من 50 تمريناً تفاعلياً في هذا الدرس

تمارين يولدها الذكاء الاصطناعي ويصححها خطوة بخطوة حسب مستواك.

تسجيل الدخول مطلوب

اختبار ذكي متكيف

أسئلة تتكيف تلقائياً مع إجاباتك الصحيحة وأخطائك.

تسجيل الدخول مطلوب

تصحيح امتحانات سابقة مرتبطة بالدرس

مواضيع من الامتحانات الوطنية والجهوية السابقة.

تسجيل الدخول مطلوب

خطة مراجعة شخصية

ترتب أولوية هذا الدرس حسب تقدمك الحقيقي في الشعبة.

Premium

بطاقات مراجعة الدرس

الصيغ والتعريفات الأساسية لمراجعة سريعة.

Premium

مدرس ذكي بالدارجة

اطرح أسئلتك حول الدرس واحصل على شرح فوري.

Premium

الأسئلة الشائعة

What is the difference between although and despite?

Although introduces a full clause (subject + finite verb): although it rained. Despite is followed directly by a noun phrase or an -ing form, never a subject + finite verb: despite the rain, despite raining.

Is there a comma after because at the start of a sentence?

No: because, since and as, when they open the sentence, take no comma before the subject. The comma instead separates the because-clause from the main clause that follows: “Because it was raining, we stayed home.”

How do I vary connectors in an essay to avoid repetition?

Keep one synonym per category in mind: moreover / furthermore / in addition for addition, however / nevertheless for contrast, therefore / as a result / consequently for result. Alternating them stops the same word appearing in every paragraph.

English is far from my mechanical specialism — how do I approach it?

Treat it as a system with inputs and outputs: the input is a prompt, the processing is analysis then discussion, the output is a conclusion that settles the question. Learn that flow, apply it to the 31 chapters with two examples each, and one weekly session is enough to raise the mark.

Is this grammar point actually tested on the Bac STM English paper?

Yes — in the Language section as gap-fill, sentence-joining or error-correction, and indirectly in Writing, where the same structures decide whether a sentence is marked as accurate. One rule, two examples and one typical mistake per point is enough to cover both.