This is a cross-linguistic exploration of the use of clause linkage markers in causal, conditional, and concessive sentences. Employing a five-level classification of clause linkage based on semantic and pragmatic grounds, it shows that, within individual languages different　markers　exhibit　different distributions on the five levels. Also, the rich evidence presented from seventeen languages from many parts of the world documents that these distributions present　commonalities　as well as differences　across the languages of the sample.