Why is "Using parce que before a noun (e.g. *parce que la pluie*)" a common mistake in Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing?

Why it happens: English uses 'because' before both clauses and nouns, so learners assume *parce que* works the same way. How to avoid it: Check what follows: a full clause (subject + verb) → *parce que* (*parce qu'il pleut*); just a noun → *à cause de* (*à cause de la pluie*) or *grâce à* for something positive. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), accuracy

Why is "Overusing et and mais and never varying connectives" a common mistake in Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing?

Why it happens: These two are learned first, so beginners lean on them and string clauses together with repeated *et … et …*. How to avoid it: Deliberately reach for a different family each time: swap an *et* for *de plus*, a *mais* for *cependant* or *par contre*. The Language mark rewards range, not repetition. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), Language band

Why is "Giving opinions with no connective or reason (just listing them)" a common mistake in Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing?

Why it happens: Beginners write what they can say safely and stop, producing short, disconnected sentences. How to avoid it: Make 'opinion + connective + reason' automatic: never leave *J'aime X* on its own — add *parce que …* or *car …* to justify it. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Papers 3 & 4

Why is "Forgetting the elision in parce qu' (writing *parce que il*)" a common mistake in Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing?

Why it happens: Learners apply *parce que* mechanically without noticing the following word starts with a vowel. How to avoid it: Before *il, elle, on, un, elle* and other vowel-starting words, contract: *parce qu'il*, *parce qu'elle*, *parce qu'on*. The apostrophe must be written. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), accuracy

Why is "Translating English connectives word-for-word (e.g. *parce que de*)" a common mistake in Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing?

Why it happens: Learners build 'because of' as *parce que* + *de*, mirroring the English phrase instead of using the set expression *à cause de*. How to avoid it: Learn connectives as fixed chunks, not word-by-word: 'because of' = *à cause de* (one unit), 'thanks to' = *grâce à*, 'on the other hand' = *par contre*. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)

Why is "Cramming every sequencing word into one short answer" a common mistake in Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing?

Why it happens: After learning *d'abord, ensuite, puis, après, enfin*, students try to use them all at once. How to avoid it: Match the number of signposts to the task length. A short ~70-word message usually needs only *d'abord* and *enfin*; save the full set for longer pieces. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)

Exam-Skill SectionsCambridge IGCSE French (0520)

Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing

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Linking words and connectives for higher-band French writing — Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 (2025-2027)

Learn the exact French connectives — et, mais, parce que, donc, cependant, par exemple — that join your sentences into smooth, marks-winning paragraphs. This is the single fastest way for a beginner to climb from short, choppy answers into the top band of Paper 4 Writing.

At a glance

Linking words (connectives) are the little joining words — et (and), mais (but), parce que (because), donc (so/therefore) — that turn separate sentences into flowing paragraphs.
In Cambridge 0520 Paper 4 (Writing), the Language mark explicitly rewards a range of connectives and complex sentences, not just correct vocabulary.
Start every learner with the big six: et (and), mais (but), aussi (also), parce que (because), donc (so), alors (so/then). These alone lift a basic answer.
Move up to higher-band connectives: cependant (however), pourtant (yet), par contre (on the other hand), de plus (moreover), par exemple (for example), c'est pourquoi (that is why).
parce que (because) and puisque (since) are followed by a normal sentence; à cause de (because of) and grâce à (thanks to) are followed by a noun. Mixing these up is the classic beginner error.
Sequencing words — d'abord (first), ensuite (then), puis (then), enfin (finally) — give an essay a clear, examiner-friendly structure.
Add opinion + reason every time you can: J'aime le sport parce que c'est bon pour la santé (I like sport because it's good for health). Opinion + connective + reason is a top-band reflex.
Connectives are free marks: they are short, easy to memorise, and the mark scheme actively looks for them — learn ten well and use them deliberately.

What you’ll learn

Mapped to the Cambridge IGCSE 0520 syllabus (2025-2027).

Identify the main categories of French connective: adding, contrasting, giving reasons, showing result, sequencing and exemplifying.
Use the high-frequency connectives (et, mais, aussi, parce que, donc, alors) accurately in writing.
Use higher-band connectives (cependant, pourtant, par contre, de plus, par exemple, c'est pourquoi) to reach the top Language band.
Distinguish parce que / puisque (+ clause) from à cause de / grâce à (+ noun).
Sequence ideas across a paragraph using d'abord, ensuite, puis, enfin.
Combine an opinion with a reason using a connective to build complex sentences.
Apply connectives to the four Paper 4 task types (message, email, narrative, opinion piece) to lift the Language mark.

Why connectives win marks

The Paper 4 Language mark rewards a range of connectives and complex sentences — they are some of the easiest marks to earn.

Imagine two students describing their weekend. Student A writes three short sentences:

J'aime le sport. Je joue au foot. C'est amusant. (I like sport. I play football. It's fun.)

Everything is correct, but it reads like a shopping list. Student B uses connectives (linking words) to join the same ideas:

J'aime le sport, surtout le foot, parce que c'est amusant et parce que c'est bon pour la santé. (I like sport, especially football, because it's fun and because it's good for your health.)

Same vocabulary, far higher mark. In Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 Paper 4 (Writing), your work is graded on two things: Content (did you cover the task?) and Language (how good is your French?). The Language descriptors for the top band specifically reward "a variety of structures", "complex sentences" and "a range of connectives / linking words". Connectives are the cheapest way to hit all three at once.

A connective (in French, un connecteur or un mot de liaison) is simply a word or short phrase that joins ideas: et (and), mais (but), parce que (because), donc (so). Think of them as the glue between your bricks. Without glue you have a pile of bricks; with glue you have a wall.

The golden habit: never leave an opinion floating on its own. Always follow it with a connective and a reason.

Floating opinion (basic)	Joined opinion + reason (higher band)
J'aime Paris. (I like Paris.)	J'aime Paris parce qu'il y a beaucoup de musées. (I like Paris because there are lots of museums.)
Le film était bien. (The film was good.)	Le film était bien, mais* un peu long.* (The film was good, but a bit long.)

Master that one reflex — opinion + connective + reason — and you have already changed the level of your writing.

Paper 4 is marked on Content and Language; connectives lift the Language mark.
The top band rewards a range of connectives and complex sentences.
Same vocabulary + connectives = a noticeably higher mark.
Golden habit: opinion + connective + reason every time.

The six families of connective

Group connectives by job — adding, contrasting, giving a reason, showing a result, sequencing, exemplifying — so you can always reach for the right one.

The six families of French connective, with a typical member of each and the reader's question it answers.

The easiest way to use connectives well is to sort them into six families by the job they do. When you write, ask which job you need next, then pick a word from that family.

Family	Job	Key connectives
Adding	Add another idea	et (and), aussi (also), de plus (moreover), également (likewise)
Contrasting	Show a difference / "but"	mais (but), cependant (however), pourtant (yet), par contre (on the other hand)
Reason	Explain why	parce que (because), car (for/because), puisque (since), à cause de (because of)
Result	Show the consequence	donc (so/therefore), alors (so/then), c'est pourquoi (that's why)
Sequencing	Order events	d'abord (first), ensuite (then/next), puis (then), enfin (finally)
Exemplifying	Give an example	par exemple (for example), comme (like/such as)

Worked mini-example. Build a paragraph by walking through the families. Start with an opinion, add a reason, then contrast, then a result:

J'adore la musique (opinion) parce que c'est relaxant (reason), mais je n'aime pas le rap (contrast), donc j'écoute surtout du jazz (result). (I love music because it's relaxing, but I don't like rap, so I mostly listen to jazz.)

One sentence, four families, instant range.

Sort connectives into six families: adding, contrasting, reason, result, sequencing, exemplifying.
When writing, ask which job comes next, then pick a word from that family.
Using a word from a different family each time demonstrates range.
A single sentence can chain several families: opinion → reason → contrast → result.

The because trap: parce que vs à cause de

parce que and puisque are followed by a full sentence; à cause de and grâce à are followed by a noun.

English uses "because" in front of almost anything. French splits the idea, and choosing wrongly is the most common connective error at this level.

Group 1 — followed by a full clause (subject + verb): parce que, puisque, car. Use these when a whole mini-sentence follows.

*Je reste à la maison **parce qu'*il pleut. (I'm staying home because it's raining.) → il pleut is a full clause (it = subject, pleut = verb).
J'aime le français car c'est utile. (I like French for/because it's useful.) → car is slightly more formal; use it in essays.
Puisque tu es là, on commence. (Since you're here, we'll start.) → puisque = "since/given that".

Note the elision: parce que becomes parce qu' before a vowel (parce qu'il, parce qu'elle).

Group 2 — followed by a NOUN (no verb): à cause de, grâce à. Use these when only a thing/person follows, with no verb.

Je reste à la maison à cause de la pluie. (I'm staying home because of the rain.) → la pluie (the rain) is a noun, not a sentence.
J'ai réussi grâce à mon prof. (I succeeded thanks to my teacher.) → grâce à is the positive version: "thanks to".

You want to say…	Followed by a clause (has a verb)	Followed by a noun (no verb)
because (it's raining)	parce qu'il pleut	—
because of (the rain)	—	à cause de la pluie
thanks to (my teacher)	—	grâce à mon prof

The test: look at what comes after "because" in English. If it is a full sentence ("it's raining"), use parce que. If it is just a thing ("the rain"), use à cause de.

Worked mini-example. Translate "I was late because of the traffic." The word after "because of" is the traffic (a noun, no verb), so use à cause de: J'étais en retard à cause des embouteillages. (Note de + les = des.)

parce que / car / puisque → followed by a full clause (subject + verb).
à cause de / grâce à → followed by a noun only.
à cause de = negative 'because of'; grâce à = positive 'thanks to'.
Elision: parce que → parce qu' before a vowel (parce qu'il).
Test: full sentence after 'because' → parce que; just a thing → à cause de.

Higher-band contrast and addition

Trade up from mais and et to cependant, pourtant, par contre and de plus to signal a top-band answer.

Every candidate knows mais (but) and et (and). To stand out, trade up to their more sophisticated cousins. These are the words that tell an examiner "this is a strong candidate".

Stronger 'but' (contrast).

Basic	Higher band	English	Note
mais	cependant	however	(suh-pon-DON) — often starts a sentence
mais	pourtant	yet / and yet	(poor-TON) — stresses surprise
mais	par contre	on the other hand	(par KONTR) — direct contrast of two things
mais	en revanche	on the other hand	(on ruh-VONSH) — slightly more formal

Le film était long. Cependant, je l'ai aimé. (The film was long. However, I liked it.)
Il est riche, pourtant il n'est pas heureux. (He's rich, yet he isn't happy.)
J'aime le thé. Par contre, je déteste le café. (I like tea. On the other hand, I hate coffee.)

Stronger 'and' (adding).

Basic	Higher band	English
et … aussi	de plus	moreover / what's more
et … aussi	en plus	on top of that
aussi	également	likewise / also

La ville est belle. De plus, il y a beaucoup à faire. (The town is beautiful. Moreover, there's lots to do.)

Showing a result (consequence).

donc (so/therefore): Il pleut, donc je reste à la maison. (It's raining, so I'm staying home.)
alors (so/then): J'avais faim, alors j'ai mangé. (I was hungry, so I ate.)
c'est pourquoi (that's why): Je suis fatigué ; c'est pourquoi je me couche tôt. (I'm tired; that's why I go to bed early.)

Worked mini-example. Upgrade this basic sentence: J'aime le sport et j'aime la lecture mais je n'aime pas la télé. (I like sport and I like reading but I don't like TV.) Higher-band version: J'aime le sport. De plus, j'adore la lecture. Cependant, je n'aime pas la télé. (I like sport. Moreover, I love reading. However, I don't like TV.) Same ideas, much stronger Language mark.

Trade mais up to cependant (however), pourtant (yet), par contre (on the other hand).
Trade et/aussi up to de plus (moreover), en plus (on top of that), également (likewise).
Show results with donc (so), alors (so/then), c'est pourquoi (that's why).
These connectives often begin a sentence, followed by a comma.

Sequencing words: giving your answer a shape

d'abord, ensuite, puis and enfin signpost the order of your ideas and make any essay easy to mark.

Examiners reward writing that is easy to follow. Sequencing connectives act like road signs, telling the reader where they are in your argument or story.

Connective	English	Use
d'abord	first / first of all	open your first point
ensuite	then / next	move to the next point
puis	then	another 'next' (vary with ensuite)
après	afterwards	after an event
enfin	finally / lastly	your last point
en conclusion / pour conclure	in conclusion / to conclude	end an opinion piece

For an opinion essay, frame the whole answer:

D'abord, à mon avis, le sport est important **parce qu'**il est bon pour la santé. Ensuite, c'est aussi un bon moyen de se faire des amis. Cependant, certains trouvent ça ennuyeux. Enfin, pour conclure, je pense que tout le monde devrait faire du sport.

(Firstly, in my opinion, sport is important because it's good for your health. Next, it's also a good way to make friends. However, some people find it boring. Finally, to conclude, I think everyone should do sport.)

Notice the opinion phrases woven in — these pair beautifully with connectives and are themselves rewarded:

à mon avis (in my opinion)
je pense que (I think that)
je trouve que (I find that)
selon moi (according to me / in my view)

For a narrative (story / past-tense account), sequencing words carry the action forward:

D'abord, je suis arrivé à la gare. Puis, j'ai pris le train. Après, j'ai retrouvé mes amis, et enfin nous sommes allés à la plage. (First, I arrived at the station. Then I took the train. Afterwards, I met my friends, and finally we went to the beach.)

Worked mini-example. Take three loose facts — visited the museum / ate at a restaurant / went home — and sequence them: D'abord, j'ai visité le musée. Ensuite, j'ai mangé au restaurant. Enfin, je suis rentré à la maison. The bare facts are now a structured paragraph.

Sequencing words signpost order: d'abord (first), ensuite/puis (then), enfin (finally).
Frame opinion essays with d'abord … ensuite … cependant … enfin … pour conclure.
Pair connectives with opinion phrases: à mon avis, je pense que, je trouve que, selon moi.
In narratives, sequencing words carry the action forward in order.

Putting it together: connectives across the Paper 4 tasks

A ready-made bank of connective sentence-starters for messages, emails, narratives and opinion pieces.

Here is a reusable bank of connective-rich sentence starters. Memorise a handful and you will always have a higher-band structure ready, whatever the task.

Opinion + reason (works everywhere):

À mon avis, … parce que … (In my opinion, … because …)
Je pense que … car … (I think that … because …)
J'aime … mais je préfère … (I like … but I prefer …)

Adding a second idea:

De plus, … (Moreover, …)
Il y a aussi … (There is also …)

Contrasting / balancing an argument:

Cependant, … (However, …)
Par contre, … (On the other hand, …)
D'un côté … d'un autre côté … (On one hand … on the other hand …)

Concluding:

Donc, je pense que … (So, I think that …)
Pour conclure, … (To conclude, …)

A model short answer (opinion message, ~70 words). Task: Décris ta ville et donne ton opinion. (Describe your town and give your opinion.)

*J'habite à Lyon. À mon avis, c'est une belle ville **parce qu'*il y a beaucoup de choses à faire. Par exemple, on peut visiter les musées et manger dans de bons restaurants. De plus, les gens sont sympas. Cependant, il y a trop de circulation. Donc, pour conclure, j'aime ma ville mais je voudrais moins de voitures.

(I live in Lyon. In my opinion, it's a beautiful town because there's lots to do. For example, you can visit the museums and eat in good restaurants. Moreover, the people are nice. However, there's too much traffic. So, to conclude, I like my town but I'd like fewer cars.)

Count the connectives: à mon avis, parce que, par exemple, de plus, cependant, donc, pour conclure, mais — eight, from five different families, in seventy words. That is what a top Language band looks like.

Worked mini-example. Add connectives to these bare facts for an email: busy week / lots of homework / tired / want to relax this weekend. → J'ai eu une semaine chargée parce que j'avais beaucoup de devoirs. Donc, je suis fatigué(e). C'est pourquoi je voudrais me reposer ce week-end. (I had a busy week because I had lots of homework. So I'm tired. That's why I'd like to rest this weekend.)

Keep a memorised bank of connective sentence-starters ready for any task.
Opinion + reason (à mon avis … parce que …) works for every Paper 4 task type.
A strong short answer packs several connectives from different families.
Balance arguments with d'un côté … d'un autre côté … and conclude with pour conclure.

Memorise this

Verbatim phrases and definitions Cambridge mark schemes credit.

Adding: et (and), aussi (also), de plus (moreover), également (likewise).
Contrasting: mais (but), cependant (however), pourtant (yet), par contre (on the other hand).
Reason (+ clause): parce que (because), car (for/because), puisque (since).
Reason (+ noun): à cause de (because of), grâce à (thanks to).
Result: donc (so/therefore), alors (so/then), c'est pourquoi (that's why).
Sequencing: d'abord (first), ensuite (then), puis (then), enfin (finally).
Exemplifying: par exemple (for example), comme (like/such as).
Opinion phrases: à mon avis (in my opinion), je pense que (I think that), selon moi (in my view).
Concluding: pour conclure (to conclude), en conclusion (in conclusion).
Elision: parce que → parce qu' before a vowel (parce qu'il pleut).

How it’s examined

Connectives are most directly rewarded in Paper 4 (Writing), but they support every paper.

Paper 4 (Writing): The Language mark scheme rewards "a range of connectives", "complex sentences" and "a variety of structures". Across the message, email, narrative and opinion tasks, candidates who join ideas with parce que, cependant, donc and d'abord … enfin reach the top band; those who write short, disconnected sentences are capped lower however accurate they are.
Paper 3 (Speaking): Connectives improve fluency and let you give extended, developed answers instead of one-word replies. Parce que and donc turn a bare opinion into a justified one, which the conversation and topic-discussion marks reward.
Paper 2 (Reading): You must understand connectives to follow an argument — spotting cependant (however) or à cause de (because of) tells you whether a writer is agreeing, contrasting or giving a cause, which is often exactly what a comprehension question tests.
Paper 1 (Listening): Connectives signal the logic of what a speaker says; hearing mais or par contre warns you a contrast or change of opinion is coming.

Examiner reports for 0520 repeatedly note two things: stronger candidates "link their ideas with a range of connectives", and a recurring accuracy error is confusing parce que (+ clause) with à cause de (+ noun).

Sources: Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 Syllabus 2025-2027; Cambridge 0520 Paper 4 (Writing) Specimen & Mark Scheme 2025-2027; Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports 2022-2024. Last reviewed 2026-06-02.

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Step-by-step worked examples — Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing

Step-by-step solutions to past-paper-style questions on linking words / connectives for higher-band writing, written exactly the way a tutor would explain them at the board.

1Turn a bare opinion into a complex sentence
Getting started
Question
A student wrote: J'aime le foot. C'est amusant. (I like football. It's fun.) Join these two sentences into one higher-band sentence using a connective.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Spot the relationship. The second sentence (c'est amusant — it's fun) gives the reason for the first. So you need a connective from the reason family.
2. Step 2
  Choose parce que (because). It is followed by a full clause (c'est amusant has a subject and verb), so parce que is correct here — not à cause de.
3. Step 3
  Join them. Replace the full stop with parce que: J'aime le foot parce que c'est amusant.
Answer
J'aime le foot parce que c'est amusant. (I like football because it's fun.) One complex sentence instead of two short ones.
Examiner tip
The 'opinion + connective + reason' habit is the single fastest lift for a beginner in Paper 4. The Language mark scheme rewards complex sentences over short, disconnected ones — so join ideas wherever you can rather than writing a list.
2Choose parce que or à cause de
Building confidence
Question
Fill the gap with parce que or à cause de: (a) Je suis content ___ il fait beau. (I'm happy ___ the weather is nice.) (b) Le match est annulé ___ la pluie. (The match is cancelled ___ the rain.)
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Check what follows in (a). il fait beau (the weather is nice) is a full clause — it has a subject (il) and a verb (fait). A clause needs parce que.
2. Step 2
  Apply elision if needed. Here il starts with a vowel-like sound, but the rule for parce que elision is before a vowel: parce qu'il. So (a) = parce qu'il fait beau.
3. Step 3
  Check what follows in (b). la pluie (the rain) is just a noun — there is no verb. A noun needs à cause de.
4. Step 4
  Write both out. (a) parce qu'il fait beau; (b) à cause de la pluie.
Answer
(a) *Je suis content **parce qu'*il fait beau. (b) Le match est annulé à cause de la pluie. Clause → parce que; noun → à cause de.
Examiner tip
Cambridge 0520 examiner reports flag parce que + noun (e.g. parce que la pluie) as a recurring error. The reliable test: full sentence after 'because' → parce que; just a thing → à cause de.
3Upgrade basic connectives to higher-band ones
Building confidence
Question
Rewrite for the top band, replacing the repeated basic connectives: J'aime la ville et il y a des magasins et c'est joli mais il y a du bruit. (I like the town and there are shops and it's pretty but there's noise.)
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Find the repetition. et … et … is used twice. Repeating et keeps the writing list-like and caps the Language mark.
2. Step 2
  Swap one et for an adding connective. Use de plus (moreover) to add the second idea: De plus, c'est joli.
3. Step 3
  Upgrade the contrast. Replace mais with cependant (however) and start a new sentence: Cependant, il y a du bruit.
4. Step 4
  Add a reason to show even more range: parce qu'il y a des magasins explains why you like the town.
Answer
J'aime la ville parce qu'il y a des magasins. De plus, c'est joli. Cependant, il y a du bruit. Three families (reason, adding, contrasting) instead of et … et … mais.
Examiner tip
Range matters more than quantity. Examiners reward a variety of connectives; a sentence held together only by repeated et stays in the lower bands even if every word is correct.
4Sequence a paragraph with d'abord, ensuite, enfin
Building confidence
Question
Put these past-tense facts into a single ordered paragraph using sequencing connectives: arrived at the beach / swam in the sea / ate an ice cream / went home.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Open with d'abord (first). D'abord, je suis arrivé(e) à la plage. (First, I arrived at the beach.) Note arriver takes être in the perfect tense.
2. Step 2
  Continue with ensuite (then) and puis (then). Vary them so you don't repeat: Ensuite, j'ai nagé dans la mer. Puis, j'ai mangé une glace.
3. Step 3
  Close with enfin (finally). Enfin, je suis rentré(e) à la maison. (Finally, I went home.) — rentrer also takes être.
Answer
D'abord, je suis arrivé(e) à la plage. Ensuite, j'ai nagé dans la mer. Puis, j'ai mangé une glace. Enfin, je suis rentré(e) à la maison. (Write arrivé/rentré for a boy, arrivée/rentrée for a girl.)
Examiner tip
Sequencing connectives give a narrative a clear, examiner-friendly shape. They also show off correct être/avoir choice in the perfect tense — note je suis arrivé(e) (être) vs j'ai mangé (avoir).
5Pack a short opinion answer with connectives
Stretch
Question
Write a ~50-word answer to Aimes-tu ton collège ? Pourquoi ? (Do you like your school? Why?) using at least four connectives from different families.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Open with an opinion + reason. À mon avis, j'aime mon collège parce que les profs sont sympas. (In my opinion, I like my school because the teachers are nice.) — uses à mon avis and parce que (reason family).
2. Step 2
  Add a second idea. De plus, il y a beaucoup d'activités. (Moreover, there are lots of activities.) — adding family.
3. Step 3
  Contrast. Cependant, les journées sont longues. (However, the days are long.) — contrasting family.
4. Step 4
  Conclude with a result. Donc, en général, je suis content(e). (So, in general, I'm happy.) — result family.
Answer
À mon avis, j'aime mon collège parce que les profs sont sympas. De plus, il y a beaucoup d'activités. Cependant, les journées sont longues. Donc, en général, je suis content(e). Four families (reason, adding, contrasting, result) in ~45 words.
Examiner tip
This is what a top Language band looks like in miniature: an opinion phrase, a justified reason, a balancing contrast and a concluding result. Aim to weave connectives from several families into every extended answer.

Model Answers — Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing

High-scoring sample answers for linking words / connectives for higher-band writing on the Cambridge IGCSE 0520 paper, with examiner-style notes mapping each response to the mark scheme and assessment objectives.

Question 1
10 marks
Paper 4 (Writing) style. Décris ta ville et donne ton opinion. (Describe your town and give your opinion.) Write about 70 words.
Model answer
*J'habite à Lyon. À mon avis, c'est une belle ville **parce qu'*il y a beaucoup de choses à faire. Par exemple, on peut visiter les musées et manger dans de bons restaurants. De plus, les gens sont sympas. Cependant, il y a trop de circulation. Donc, pour conclure, j'aime ma ville mais je voudrais moins de voitures.

(I live in Lyon. In my opinion, it's a beautiful town because there's lots to do. For example, you can visit the museums and eat in good restaurants. Moreover, the people are nice. However, there's too much traffic. So, to conclude, I like my town but I'd like fewer cars.)
Why this scores
Why this scores. Eight connectives from five families (à mon avis, parce que, par exemple, de plus, cependant, donc, pour conclure, mais) in 70 words, with a balanced opinion (positive + negative) and a conclusion. The Language mark scheme rewards exactly this range and the complex sentences it creates.
Question 2
10 marks
Paper 4 (Writing) style. Write a short email telling a friend about your weekend, using connectives to link your ideas.
Model answer
*Salut ! Ce week-end était super. D'abord, je suis allé(e) au cinéma avec mes amis. Ensuite, on a mangé une pizza. Puis, on est rentrés tard **parce qu'*on a beaucoup parlé. Cependant, dimanche j'étais fatigué(e), donc je me suis reposé(e). À bientôt !

(Hi! This weekend was great. First, I went to the cinema with my friends. Then we ate a pizza. Then we got home late because we talked a lot. However, on Sunday I was tired, so I rested. See you soon!)
Why this scores
Why this scores. Sequencing connectives (d'abord, ensuite, puis) shape the narrative, while parce que, cependant and donc add reason, contrast and result. Note correct perfect-tense agreement (je suis allé(e), on est rentrés) and the friendly salut / à bientôt register suited to an email.
Question 3
10 marks
Paper 4 (Writing) style. Les jeunes passent trop de temps sur leur téléphone. Qu'en penses-tu ? (Young people spend too much time on their phones. What do you think?) Give a balanced opinion.
Model answer
D'un côté, je pense que c'est vrai parce que beaucoup de jeunes regardent leur téléphone tout le temps. D'un autre côté, le téléphone est utile pour rester en contact avec les amis. Cependant, il faut faire attention à cause des dangers en ligne. Pour conclure, selon moi, l'équilibre est important.

(On one hand, I think it's true because many young people look at their phones all the time. On the other hand, the phone is useful for staying in touch with friends. However, you have to be careful because of online dangers. To conclude, in my view, balance is important.)
Why this scores
Why this scores. It balances the argument with d'un côté … d'un autre côté …, justifies with parce que (+ clause), and correctly uses à cause des (+ noun, de + les = des). The conclusion connective pour conclure plus opinion phrase selon moi signals a structured, top-band response.

Key Definitions and Keywords — Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing

Definitions to memorise and the exact keywords mark schemes credit for linking words / connectives for higher-band writing answers — sharpened from recent examiner reports for the 2026 0520 sitting.

Connecteur / mot de liaison
Examiner keyword
A connective (linking word): a word or short phrase that joins ideas, sentences or paragraphs together. Using a range of them lifts the Paper 4 Language mark.
Example
et (and), mais (but), parce que (because), donc (so).
parce que
Examiner keyword
'Because' — followed by a full clause (subject + verb). Elides to parce qu' before a vowel.
Example
Je reste à la maison parce qu'il pleut. (I'm staying home because it's raining.)
Related: à cause de, car
à cause de
Examiner keyword
'Because of' — followed by a noun (no verb). Negative in tone; the positive equivalent is grâce à (thanks to).
Example
Le match est annulé à cause de la pluie. (The match is cancelled because of the rain.)
Related: parce que, grâce à
mais
'But' — the basic contrasting connective. Trade it up to cependant or par contre for the top band.
Example
Le film était bien, mais un peu long. (The film was good, but a bit long.)
Related: cependant, par contre
cependant
Examiner keyword
'However' — a higher-band contrasting connective, often placed at the start of a sentence followed by a comma.
Example
Le film était long. Cependant, je l'ai aimé. (The film was long. However, I liked it.)
Related: mais, pourtant
donc
Examiner keyword
'So / therefore' — shows the result or consequence of what was just said.
Example
Il pleut, donc je reste à la maison. (It's raining, so I'm staying home.)
Related: alors, c'est pourquoi
de plus
'Moreover / what's more' — a higher-band adding connective used to introduce an extra point.
Example
La ville est belle. De plus, il y a beaucoup à faire. (The town is beautiful. Moreover, there's lots to do.)
Related: et, également
d'abord … ensuite … enfin
Examiner keyword
Sequencing connectives: 'first … then … finally'. They signpost the order of ideas and give an answer a clear shape.
Example
D'abord, je suis arrivé. Ensuite, j'ai mangé. Enfin, je suis rentré. (First I arrived. Then I ate. Finally I went home.)
Related: puis, pour conclure
par exemple
'For example' — introduces an example to support a point, showing the examiner you can develop an idea.
Example
Il y a beaucoup à faire. Par exemple, on peut visiter les musées. (There's lots to do. For example, you can visit the museums.)
à mon avis
Examiner keyword
'In my opinion' — an opinion phrase that pairs with connectives to introduce a justified point of view. Compare je pense que (I think that) and selon moi (in my view).
Example
À mon avis, le sport est important parce qu'il est bon pour la santé. (In my opinion, sport is important because it's good for health.)

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions — Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing

The traps other students keep falling into on linking words / connectives for higher-band writing questions — taken from recent Cambridge IGCSE 0520 examiner reports and mark schemes — and how to avoid them.

✕Using parce que before a noun (e.g. parce que la pluie)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), accuracy
Why it happens
English uses 'because' before both clauses and nouns, so learners assume parce que works the same way.
How to avoid it
Check what follows: a full clause (subject + verb) → parce que (parce qu'il pleut); just a noun → à cause de (à cause de la pluie) or grâce à for something positive.
✕Overusing et and mais and never varying connectives
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), Language band
Why it happens
These two are learned first, so beginners lean on them and string clauses together with repeated et … et ….
How to avoid it
Deliberately reach for a different family each time: swap an et for de plus, a mais for cependant or par contre. The Language mark rewards range, not repetition.
✕Giving opinions with no connective or reason (just listing them)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Papers 3 & 4
Why it happens
Beginners write what they can say safely and stop, producing short, disconnected sentences.
How to avoid it
Make 'opinion + connective + reason' automatic: never leave J'aime X on its own — add parce que … or car … to justify it.
✕Forgetting the elision in parce qu' (writing parce que il)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), accuracy
Why it happens
Learners apply parce que mechanically without noticing the following word starts with a vowel.
How to avoid it
Before il, elle, on, un, elle and other vowel-starting words, contract: parce qu'il, parce qu'elle, parce qu'on. The apostrophe must be written.
✕Translating English connectives word-for-word (e.g. parce que de)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)
Why it happens
Learners build 'because of' as parce que + de, mirroring the English phrase instead of using the set expression à cause de.
How to avoid it
Learn connectives as fixed chunks, not word-by-word: 'because of' = à cause de (one unit), 'thanks to' = grâce à, 'on the other hand' = par contre.
✕Cramming every sequencing word into one short answer
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)
Why it happens
After learning d'abord, ensuite, puis, après, enfin, students try to use them all at once.
How to avoid it
Match the number of signposts to the task length. A short ~70-word message usually needs only d'abord and enfin; save the full set for longer pieces.

Past paper style quiz

Get a report showing which sub-topics you've nailed and which ones still need work.

Floating opinion (basic)

Joined opinion + reason (higher band)

J'aime Paris. (I like Paris.)

*J'aime Paris **parce qu'*il y a beaucoup de musées. (I like Paris because there are lots of museums.)

Le film était bien. (The film was good.)

Le film était bien, mais un peu long. (The film was good, but a bit long.)

Family

Job

Key connectives

Adding

Add another idea

et (and), aussi (also), de plus (moreover), également (likewise)

Contrasting

Show a difference / "but"

mais (but), cependant (however), pourtant (yet), par contre (on the other hand)

Reason

Explain why

parce que (because), car (for/because), puisque (since), à cause de (because of)

Result

Show the consequence

donc (so/therefore), alors (so/then), c'est pourquoi (that's why)

Sequencing

Order events

d'abord (first), ensuite (then/next), puis (then), enfin (finally)

Exemplifying

Give an example

par exemple (for example), comme (like/such as)

You want to say…

Followed by a clause (has a verb)

Followed by a noun (no verb)

because (it's raining)

parce qu'il pleut

—

because of (the rain)

—

à cause de la pluie

thanks to (my teacher)

—

grâce à mon prof

Basic

Higher band

English

Note

mais

cependant

however

(suh-pon-DON) — often starts a sentence

mais

pourtant

yet / and yet

(poor-TON) — stresses surprise

mais

par contre

on the other hand

(par KONTR) — direct contrast of two things

mais

en revanche

on the other hand

(on ruh-VONSH) — slightly more formal

Basic

Higher band

English

et … aussi

de plus

moreover / what's more

et … aussi

en plus

on top of that

aussi

également

likewise / also

Connective

English

Use

d'abord

first / first of all

open your first point

ensuite

then / next

move to the next point

puis

then

another 'next' (vary with ensuite)

après

afterwards

after an event

enfin

finally / lastly

your last point

en conclusion / pour conclure

in conclusion / to conclude

end an opinion piece

Here is a reusable bank of connective-rich sentence starters. Memorise a handful and you will always have a higher-band structure ready, whatever the task.

Opinion + reason (works everywhere):

À mon avis, … parce que … (In my opinion, … because …)
Je pense que … car … (I think that … because …)
J'aime … mais je préfère … (I like … but I prefer …)

Adding a second idea:

De plus, … (Moreover, …)
Il y a aussi … (There is also …)

Contrasting / balancing an argument:

Cependant, … (However, …)
Par contre, … (On the other hand, …)
D'un côté … d'un autre côté … (On one hand … on the other hand …)

Concluding:

Donc, je pense que … (So, I think that …)
Pour conclure, … (To conclude, …)

A model short answer (opinion message, ~70 words). Task: Décris ta ville et donne ton opinion. (Describe your town and give your opinion.)

*J'habite à Lyon. À mon avis, c'est une belle ville **parce qu'*il y a beaucoup de choses à faire. Par exemple, on peut visiter les musées et manger dans de bons restaurants. De plus, les gens sont sympas. Cependant, il y a trop de circulation. Donc, pour conclure, j'aime ma ville mais je voudrais moins de voitures.

(I live in Lyon. In my opinion, it's a beautiful town because there's lots to do. For example, you can visit the museums and eat in good restaurants. Moreover, the people are nice. However, there's too much traffic. So, to conclude, I like my town but I'd like fewer cars.)

Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing

Detailed Notes

What you’ll learn

How it’s examined

1Turn a bare opinion into a complex sentence

2Choose parce que or à cause de

3Upgrade basic connectives to higher-band ones

4Sequence a paragraph with d'abord, ensuite, enfin

5Pack a short opinion answer with connectives

Connecteur / mot de liaison

parce que

à cause de

mais

cependant

donc

de plus

d'abord … ensuite … enfin

par exemple

à mon avis

✕Using parce que before a noun (e.g. parce que la pluie)

✕Overusing et and mais and never varying connectives

✕Giving opinions with no connective or reason (just listing them)

✕Forgetting the elision in parce qu' (writing parce que il)

✕Translating English connectives word-for-word (e.g. parce que de)

✕Cramming every sequencing word into one short answer

Past paper style quiz

Linking words / connectives for higher-band writing

Detailed Notes

What you’ll learn

How it’s examined

1Turn a bare opinion into a complex sentence

2Choose parce que or à cause de

3Upgrade basic connectives to higher-band ones

4Sequence a paragraph with d'abord, ensuite, enfin

5Pack a short opinion answer with connectives

Connecteur / mot de liaison

parce que

à cause de

mais

cependant

donc

de plus

d'abord … ensuite … enfin

par exemple

à mon avis

✕Using parce que before a noun (e.g. parce que la pluie)

✕Overusing et and mais and never varying connectives

✕Giving opinions with no connective or reason (just listing them)

✕Forgetting the elision in parce qu' (writing parce que il)

✕Translating English connectives word-for-word (e.g. parce que de)

✕Cramming every sequencing word into one short answer

Past paper style quiz