Connectors
A type of word that connects clauses together within a sentence. If a connector word is followed by a preposition, it means a new predicate has been initiated (you can just tack on another preposition without using a connector and the predicate doesn't begin anew). If you do not provide a preposition but instead provide a content word (noun, adjective or verb), then the connected phrase is part of the existing preposition prior to the connector.
When you supply a verb after a connector, it represents the noun form of that verb. You might be wondering why verbs don't act like other prepositions and initiate a new predicate. This is because verbs already introduce a new predicate whenever they are free-floating (not preceded by a marker). Plus, using verbs in their noun forms is extremely useful and shouldn't be restricted to only the first noun phrase in a chain of noun phrases bound by connector words.
Cumulative (and)
When used within a thematic phrase, this connector creates a compound phrase where two or more sub phrases are combined to be the final result.
When used to connect predicates, this connector means the predicates occurred simultaneously.
Alternative (or)
When used within a thematic phrase, this connector creates a compound phrase that could be multiple possible phrases but only one of the phrases given will be selected or will happen. This is used for creating options or choices.
When used to connect predicates, the effect is a similar set of options or possibilities but each predicate is likely intended to be a proposal, prediction, or estimation.
Adversative (but/however)
When used within a thematic phrase, this is similar to the cumulative connector but the additional phrase is in some ways contrastive or unexpected from the prior phrase.
When used to connect predicates, the effect is similar in that the second predicate is in contrast to the first.
Comparative (than/as)
When used within a thematic phrase, the first phrase is being directly compared to the second. When there is a comparative adjective, the effect is similar to "than" in English. When there is no comparative adjective, the effect is similar to wrapping an adjective in "as...as" in English.
There is no semantically valid usage of a comparative connector with predicates.
Sequential (then/so)
When used within a thematic phrase, each subsequent phrase is an object or theme of the verb or preposition in order.
When used to connect predicates, the second predicate is either a consequence, direct result, or next step of the first.