CEFR B2
What you will learn
- Select a connector that states the intended addition, cause, consequence, contrast or reformulation.
- Control connector position, punctuation and the propositions within its scope.
- Choose indicative or subjunctive in concessive links according to speaker commitment.
Before you start
- Have studied “When to use the subjunctive: assertion, reaction and pending events”.
The idea
Before choosing a polished expression, write the logical relation in plain language: adds another reason, gives the cause, derives a consequence, concedes an obstacle, contrasts two subjects or reformulates an idea. Near-synonyms do not always share syntax or scope. “Porque” introduces a cause inside a sentence; “por lo tanto” normally presents a consequence as a separate discourse move.
“El modelo es barato; sin embargo, consume mucha energía” blocks an expected conclusion: low price does not guarantee overall convenience. “Este modelo es barato; en cambio, el otro consume poca energía” contrasts different properties or subjects.
A counterargument keeps both propositions true. It does not cancel the first one.
B2 relation map
| relation | connectors | controlled use |
|---|---|---|
| addition | además; asimismo; no solo... sino también; ni... ni | add compatible information |
| cause or justification | porque; ya que; puesto que; dado que | supply the basis for a proposition |
| consequence | por lo tanto; por consiguiente; en consecuencia; de modo que | derive a result |
| counterargument | sin embargo; no obstante; aun así; de todos modos | preserve the first proposition but block an expected conclusion |
| contrast | en cambio; mientras que; por el contrario | compare distinct subjects, properties or positions |
| reformulation | es decir; o sea; en otras palabras | restate for precision or accessibility |
| topic or digression | en cuanto a; por cierto; a propósito | manage the discourse path |
Aunque: factual commitment and open concession
| speaker frame | mood | model |
|---|---|---|
| the obstacle is asserted as factual | indicative | Aunque llueve, salimos. |
| the obstacle is possible or not yet settled | subjunctive | Aunque llueva mañana, saldremos. |
| the obstacle is known but dismissed as irrelevant | subjunctive can create a concessive echo | Aunque sea caro, ya lo hemos elegido. |
| completed factual obstacle | indicative | Aunque llegó tarde, participó. |
The factual/non-factual contrast is central, but discourse stance can make both moods possible with different readings. Do not assign a fixed probability percentage.
Connectors with their required verbal environment
| connector | following structure | model |
|---|---|---|
| a pesar de | noun or infinitive | A pesar del retraso / A pesar de llegar tarde |
| a pesar de que | finite clause; mood depends on framing | A pesar de que faltan datos... |
| de ahí que | subjunctive clause | Faltan datos; de ahí que sea prudente esperar. |
| para que | subjunctive purpose clause | Lo anotó para que todos lo recordaran. |
| sin que | subjunctive clause | Salió sin que nadie lo advirtiera. |
How it sounds
- No solo redujo el coste, sino que también mejoró el plazo.
- Faltaba una firma; por consiguiente, aplazaron el envío.
- Aunque parece sencillo, exige precisión.
Check objective 1Another case
Express the contrast with the expectation that higher sales will bring higher profit: Las ventas subieron; ___, el beneficio bajó. Choose the connector and reason that express this relation.
Express the contrast with the expectation that higher sales will bring higher profit: Las ventas subieron; ___, el beneficio bajó. Choose the connector and reason that express this relation.
Answer available without interaction
Answer: sin embargo — The second proposition blocks the expected positive consequence of higher sales. Sin embargo marks that counterargument without cancelling either fact.
The second proposition blocks the expected positive consequence of higher sales. Sin embargo marks that counterargument without cancelling either fact.
Answer: sin embargo — The second proposition blocks the expected positive consequence of higher sales. Sin embargo marks that counterargument without cancelling either fact.
The second proposition blocks the expected positive consequence of higher sales. Sin embargo marks that counterargument without cancelling either fact.
Check objective 2Another case
Choose the correctly punctuated link between two propositions.
Choose the sentence where es decir reformulates the complete first proposition.
Answer available without interaction
Answer: El plan era viable; sin embargo, faltaba tiempo. — Sin embargo links the two propositions and is set off from the second by punctuation.
Sin embargo links the two propositions and is set off from the second by punctuation.
Answer: No habrá sesión, es decir, la reunión se cancela. — Es decir introduces a reformulation and is separated from both propositions by commas.
Es decir introduces a reformulation and is separated from both propositions by commas.
Check objective 3Another case
A proposed answer is “resulta” for this case: “Use the still-unsettled future price and the present subjunctive. Aunque la propuesta resulta cara mañana, la consideraremos. (resultar)”. Choose the only valid form.
A proposed answer is “resultara” for this case: “Use the still-unsettled future price and the present subjunctive. Aunque la propuesta resultara cara mañana, la consideraremos. (resultar)”. Choose the only valid form.
Answer available without interaction
Answer: resulte — Mañana and the unsettled price frame the obstacle as a future possibility, not an asserted fact. Aunque therefore introduces present subjunctive resulte.
Mañana and the unsettled price frame the obstacle as a future possibility, not an asserted fact. Aunque therefore introduces present subjunctive resulte.
Answer: resulte — Mañana and the unsettled price frame the obstacle as a future possibility, not an asserted fact. Aunque therefore introduces present subjunctive resulte.
Mañana and the unsettled price frame the obstacle as a future possibility, not an asserted fact. Aunque therefore introduces present subjunctive resulte.
What your own language pushes you to say
Wrong Se agotó la batería; porque se apagó el sensor.
Right Se agotó la batería; por lo tanto, se apagó el sensor.
With the intended direction, battery loss is the cause and sensor shutdown is the result. Porque would reverse or fragment that relation.
Challenge: apply every rule
Solve every case and justify each choice: 1) A proposed answer is “por lo tanto” for this case: “Use the sales rise and profit fall. Las ventas subieron; por lo tanto, el beneficio bajó.”. Choose the only valid form. 2) Choose the correctly punctuated link between two propositions. 3) A proposed answer is “sin embargo” for this case: “Use the still-unsettled future price and the present subjunctive. Aunque la propuesta sin embargo cara mañana, la consideraremos. (resultar)”. Choose the only valid form.
Answer available without interaction
- Select a connector that states the intended addition, cause, consequence, contrast or reformulation.
- Control connector position, punctuation and the propositions within its scope.
- Choose indicative or subjunctive in concessive links according to speaker commitment.
Answer: sin embargo · El plan era viable; sin embargo, faltaba tiempo. · resulte
The second proposition blocks the expected positive consequence of higher sales. Sin embargo marks that counterargument without cancelling either fact. Sin embargo links the two propositions and is set off from the second by punctuation. Mañana and the unsettled price frame the obstacle as a future possibility, not an asserted fact. Aunque therefore introduces present subjunctive resulte.
Curriculum alignment and sources
- B2 descriptors foreground clear, connected text, developed argument and explicit relationships between ideas; the connector grouping is editorial. · CEFR descriptors search
- The B2 inventory explicitly includes additive, consecutive, justifying, counterargument, reformulating and digressive markers such as no solo...sino también, en consecuencia, ya que, no obstante and de todos modos. · ic-pcic-pragmatics-b1-b2
- The B2 inventory expands concessive mood alternation with aunque and related clauses. · ic-pcic-grammar-b1-b2