Short Explanation:

Some connecting words require a noun phrase, and others require a sentence (i.e., at least a subject and a verb). Check the following lists and remember which require a noun phrase and which require a sentence.

Meaning / Usage	Requires Noun Phrase	Requires Sentence
Giving Results	due to, as a result of, because of	because, so, the fact that...
Contrasting	despite, regardless of	although, even though, though
Purpose	for	so that

Also, remember that prepositions such as in, with, for, and of require a noun phrase rather than a sentence.

Examples:

He went home early (due to / as a result of / because of) a headache.
A headache is a simple noun, which can follow these types of words, but not because, so, or the fact that.

(Although / Even though / Though) he went home early, he made sure to finish all of his work first.
He went home early is a sentence, containing a subject and a verb, and thus, words such as although, even though, and though should be used, NOT words such as despite or regardless of .

(Despite / regardless of) his early departure, he made sure to finish all of his work first.
His early departure is NOT a sentence; it is a noun phrase with the headword departure. Therefore, words such as despite or regardless of are required.

For a paper to be praised, it must be well-written.
Be careful! A paper to be praised is NOT a sentence. The verb form to be is an infinitive, making a paper to be praised a noun phrase (inside the adverbial phrase for a paper to be praised).

Examples in the Official Guide to the TOEFL ITP® Assessment Series:

• Page 27: Example 1
• Page 28: Number 5
• Page 28: Number 9
• Page 71: Number 5
• Page 72: Number 15
• Page 75: Number 31
• Page 113: Number 2
• Page 113: Number 6
• Page 113: Number 8
• Page 118: Number 38

Structure Style Practice Questions:

Written Expression Style Practice Questions: