MockoFrench linking words (les mots de liaison) are among the most tested items in TCF QRU vocabulary questions because they look similar, belong to the same sentence position, yet carry very different logical meanings. Getting them right requires more than knowing each word individually: you need to read the relationship between the two parts of the sentence and choose the connector that names that relationship accurately.
What you’ll learn
- Identify the logical relationship (cause, consequence, contrast, addition, concession) expressed in a sentence
- Distinguish connectors that look or feel similar but express different relationships
- Recognise grammatical constraints that rule out some connectors
- Apply an elimination strategy to choose the right linking word in a TCF QRU item
Why connectors are tricky in multiple choice
In a TCF QRU item, the four options for a connector gap are usually grouped by type: for example, two contrast connectors (mais, pourtant), one cause connector (car), and one consequence connector (donc). They are real French words that test-takers have seen before. The trap is that all four feel plausible because they all express common ideas. You must read the sentence to understand which logical relationship the writer intended.
What you are really choosing
- You are choosing a logical relationship, not just a word.
- Ask: does the second clause give a cause, a result, a contrast, or an addition to the first?
Cause connectors
Cause connectors explain why something happened or is true. The most common ones at B1 level are: parce que (because, in answer to a "pourquoi" question), car (because, used in writing rather than speech), puisque (since, for a known or shared reason), and à cause de (because of, followed by a noun).
- "parce que" + clause: Il est absent parce qu'il est malade.
- "car" + clause (written): Le train est supprimé, car il y a une grève.
- "puisque" + clause (known fact): Puisque tu es là, on peut commencer.
- "à cause de" + noun/pronoun: Le retard est dû à cause des travaux.
- "grâce à" + noun (positive cause): Il a réussi grâce à son travail.
Elle n'a pas pu assister à la réunion ________ un rendez-vous médical. (A) parce que (B) car (C) à cause d' un (D) grâce à un
The gap is followed by a noun phrase ("un rendez-vous médical"), so a connector requiring a clause (parce que, car) is ruled out. The cause here is negative in nature, so "à cause d'un" fits (because of a medical appointment). "Grâce à" would imply a positive outcome, wrong here.
Grâce à vs à cause de
- "Grâce à" expresses a positive cause or beneficial reason: Il a trouvé un emploi grâce à son réseau.
- "À cause de" expresses a negative or neutral cause: Elle a raté le bus à cause de la pluie.
- Using "grâce à" for a negative situation sounds wrong to a native speaker.
Consequence connectors
Consequence connectors show what follows from the first clause. The main ones are: donc (so/therefore), c'est pourquoi (that is why), par conséquent (consequently), and ainsi (thus, more formal).
- "donc" is the most versatile: Il pleut, donc je prends un parapluie.
- "c'est pourquoi" emphasizes the result: Il n'avait pas de permis; c'est pourquoi la police l'a arrêté.
- "par conséquent" is used in formal or written contexts: Les prix ont augmenté; par conséquent, les ventes ont chuté.
- "ainsi" places the consequence before or after: Il a tout préparé, ainsi la soirée s'est bien déroulée.
La salle était complète, ________ certains participants ont dû rester debout. (A) pourtant (B) donc (C) bien que (D) malgré
The second clause is a direct result of the first (full room leads to standing participants). "Donc" (so/therefore) expresses that consequence. "Pourtant" (yet/however) would suggest a surprise. "Bien que" and "malgré" both require a contrast meaning, not a result.
Contrast and concession connectors
This group causes the most errors because the words feel interchangeable. They all express "something unexpected given what was just said," but they have different grammatical structures.
- "mais" (but): coordinates two clauses, very common in speech and writing.
- "pourtant" (yet/however): the contrast is stronger and more surprising than with "mais".
- "cependant / néanmoins" (however/nevertheless): more formal, same meaning as "pourtant".
- "bien que" + subjunctive: Bien qu'il soit tard, elle continue à travailler.
- "malgré" + noun: Malgré la pluie, ils ont continué le match.
- "quand même" (still/anyway): emphasizes that the action happened despite the obstacle.
________ sa fatigue, il a terminé le rapport avant minuit. (A) Malgré (B) Bien que (C) Quoique (D) Pourtant
"Sa fatigue" is a noun phrase. "Malgré" + noun is correct here (Despite his tiredness). "Bien que" and "quoique" require a subjunctive clause, not a bare noun. "Pourtant" begins a new clause, so it cannot directly precede a noun.
Subjunctive after bien que and quoique
- "Bien que" and "quoique" always require the subjunctive mood.
- If the verb in the clause after them is in the indicative, the sentence is wrong.
- In a QRU item: if the clause following the gap has a subjunctive verb, choose "bien que" or "quoique," not "malgré."
Addition and enumeration connectors
Addition connectors join ideas that point in the same direction. The most tested ones are: et (and), de plus (moreover), en outre (in addition), par ailleurs (furthermore), non seulement... mais aussi (not only... but also).
- "De plus" adds a new argument of equal or greater weight: Ce poste est bien payé; de plus, les horaires sont flexibles.
- "En outre" is more formal: Le candidat parle anglais; en outre, il maîtrise l'espagnol.
- "Par ailleurs" introduces a related but distinct point: Le projet est ambitieux; par ailleurs, le budget reste limité.
- "Non seulement... mais aussi" emphasizes the double quality: Il est non seulement compétent, mais aussi motivé.
Ce quartier offre de nombreux commerces; ________, les transports en commun sont très accessibles. (A) pourtant (B) à cause de cela (C) de plus (D) cependant
Both clauses are positive features of the neighbourhood. The connector adds a new advantage, so "de plus" (moreover) fits. "Pourtant" and "cependant" both introduce contrast, which would be odd when the second fact is also a benefit. "À cause de cela" means "because of this," which implies causation.
How to practise this
The most reliable way to internalize connectors is to read them in authentic texts and notice the logic of each. When you read a short article or message, mark every connector and ask yourself: "What relationship does this express?" Then, when you encounter a gap-fill item, you will recognize the pattern rather than guessing.
Connector practice routine
- Make a table with five columns: Cause, Consequence, Contrast, Concession, Addition. Add each new connector you meet to the right column.
- For each connector, write one example sentence from a real French text you have read.
- Do 5 to 10 TCF-style QRU items per session focused on connectors. For each item, name the logical relationship before choosing the answer.
- If you hesitate between two options, check the grammar: does the gap need a connector followed by a clause, or a connector followed by a noun?
Key takeaways
- Read the relationship between the two clauses first, cause, result, contrast, or addition, before looking at the options.
- "Grâce à" is for positive causes; "à cause de" is for negative or neutral causes.
- "Malgré" takes a noun; "bien que" and "quoique" take a subjunctive clause.
- "Pourtant" and "cependant" signal surprise or contrast; "de plus" and "en outre" signal addition.
- Grammar is your first filter: a connector requiring a clause cannot precede a bare noun phrase.
