Written links: 然而, 而, 并且, 从而, 以及, 以便, 甚至

Why written links?

In speech you link ideas with 但是, 和, 而且 and 所以 (Because, although, if: 因为…所以, 虽然…但是, 如果…就, Adding: 不但…而且, 既…又, 又…又, 一边…一边). Reports, articles, emails at work and the news use a second set of words. They aren't harder, but each has a precise job, and using them in the wrong slot is a typical B2 mistake.

然而 and 而: contrast

然而 opens a clause, usually after a comma or full stop, and contrasts it with what came before. It is the written 但是.

• 他说会来，然而直到最后也没出现。He said he would come; however, he never showed up.

而 sets two things side by side: "whereas". It is lighter than 然而 and often compares two subjects.

• 北方冬天很冷，而南方相对温暖。The north is cold in winter, whereas the south is relatively mild.

Between two adjectives, 而 means "and (at the same time)": 简单而有效, 紧张而有序.

• 这个方法简单而有效。This method is simple and effective.

并且 and 以及: adding

并且 joins two actions or two clauses, usually with the same subject: "and also". 以及 joins nouns, typically before the last item of a list. Neither one replaces the other.

• 她完成了报告，并且把它翻译成了英文。She finished the report and translated it into English as well.
• 会议讨论了预算、人员以及时间安排。The meeting discussed the budget, staffing and the schedule.

从而 and 以便: result and purpose

从而 introduces the result that the first action brought about. A verb follows straight after it, usually without a new subject (to bring in another party, written Chinese says 从而使 + person: 从而使父母很放心). 以便 introduces a purpose, something not yet achieved, and starts the second clause.

• 学校增加了阅读课，从而提高了学生的阅读能力。The school added reading classes, thereby improving the students' reading.
• 请提前到达，以便办理登记手续。Please arrive early so that check-in can be completed.

A quick test: 从而 looks back at something that happened (often with 了); 以便 looks forward to something you want to happen.

甚至: even

甚至 pushes the statement one step further, to the surprising case. It often comes with 也 or 都, or with 连 from 连…都/也: even.

• 这首歌很流行，甚至小孩子都会唱。This song is so popular that even small children can sing it.

Common mistakes

• 我买了苹果、香蕉并且橙子。 → 我买了苹果、香蕉和橙子。并且 joins actions and clauses, not nouns. For a list, use 和 or (written) 以及.
• 他吃了饭，以及看了电视。 → 他吃了饭，然后看了电视。以及 joins nouns and noun phrases, not two actions.
• 他学习很努力，从而他的父母很高兴。 → 所以他的父母很高兴 (or, in writing, 从而使父母很高兴)。从而 is normally followed directly by a verb phrase, not by a new subject.
• 以便我们联系您，请留下电话。 → 请留下电话，以便我们联系您。以便 opens the second clause.
• 我很想去，然而我没钱。 in a chat with a friend is correct but too formal here: say 可是 or 不过.