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Logical Connectors
Logical Connectors
Logical connectors are used to join or connect two ideas that have a particular
relationship. These relationships can be: sequential (time), reason and purpose,
adversative (opposition and/or unexpected result), condition.
Within each category, the words used to join the ideas or clauses are used differently,
with different grammar and punctuation.
Subordinating
conjunctions
Prepositions
Transitions and
Conjunctive adverbs
Conjunctions
Sequential (Time)
Subordinating
until
conjunctions
after
before
when
while
since
once
whenever
as soon as
as long as
by the time
Prepositions
during
after
before
since
until
upon
then
transitions
next
after that
following that
before that
afterwards
meanwhile
beforehand
Conjunctions
and then
Subordinating
because
conjunctions
as
since
inasmuch as
now that
as long as
such...that
[such a/an + adjective
+ noun + that]
so...that
[so +adjective or adverb
+ that]
[so
much/many/little/few +
noun + that]
expressing purpose
so that
in order that
Prepositions
because of
due to
in order to
therefore
transitions
consequently
Conjunctions
so
Subordinating
even though
conjunctions
although
though
(in spite of the fact that)
while
whereas
where
Prepositions
despite
in spite of
however
transitions
nonetheless
nevertheless
on the other hand
in contrast
on the contrary
Conjunctions
but...anyway
but...still
yet...still
but
Condition
Subordinating
if
conjunctions
unless
even if
providing (that)
provided (that)
in case
whether or not
only if*
*verb inversion, no
comma if only
if appears first in the
sentence
Prepositions
Conjunctive adverbs and
otherwise
transitions
Conjunctions
or (else)
Rule: If the subject of the adverb clause and the main clause are the
same, the adverb clause may be reduced.
participle.
conjunction (while)
goats.
Camping at Mt. Rainier, I saw
several mountain goats.
reduced clauses.
reduced clause.
Sentence connectors
Sentence connectors are used to link ideas from one sentence to the next and to give
paragraphs coherence. Sentence connectors perform different functions and are placed at
the beginning of a sentence. They are used to introduce, order, contrast, sequence ideas,
theory, data etc. The following table lists useful connectors.
etc
Order of importance
Most significantly
Above all
In addition
Primarily
Furthermore
It is essential / essentially
Also
At present / presently
Contrast
Result
However
As a result
As a consequence
On the contrary
Therefore
By (in) comparison
Thus
In contrast
Consequently
Hence
Comparison
Reason
Similarily
The cause of
Likewise
Also
Sequence
Emphasis
So
Undoubtedly
As a result
Indeed
/ thirdly etc
As a
Obviously
consequence (of)
Generally
Therefore
Admittedly
Thus
In fact
Consequently
Particularly / in
furthermore
Hence
Another
Due to
First / firstly,
Result
In addition,
moreover
Further /
particular
Especially
Also
Clearly
In conclusion
Importantly
To summarise
Addition
Reason
Example
And
For
For example
In addition /
Because
For instance
additionally / an
Since
That is (ie)
additional
As
Such as
Because of
Including
Namely
Furthermore
Also
Too
As well as
Contrast
Comparison
However
Similarly
Nevertheless
Likewise
Nonetheless
Also
Still
Like
Although / even
Just as
Just like
though
Though
Similar to
But
Same as
Yet
Compare
Despite / in spite of
In contrast (to) / in
comparison
While
Whereas
On the contrary
compare(d) to /
with
Not only...but
also
Subordinators
Subordinators are linking words that are used to join clauses together. They are used at
the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. A clause is a group of words that must contain
a subject and predicate. There are two types of clauses:
Example
Common subordinators
Comparison &
Cause / effect
Contrast
Time
Although
Since
After
Though
So that
When
Even though
Because
While
Whereas
Until
Whenev
er
Before
Place &
Possibility
manner
if
Wherever
as if
Where
whether
How
unless
.
FIRST STEPS IN MULTI-SENTENCE LISTING
like this are similar to the general class names that usually
accompany example-giving (see 1. Simple Example-Giving).
The signpost sentence containing the list generalization tends to
take one of two common forms:
(a) There are six major modes of transport.
(b) Six major modes of transport can be identified.
Sentence (a) has the typical beginning There are. These words are
very common and not at all informal. Sentence (b), on the other
hand, begins with the list generalization. Both sentences reflect
the possible wording before a colon in single-sentence listing
(see 55. Listing 2: Full-Sentences). Note, though, that a colon is
not possible before a multi-sentence list a full stop must be used
instead.
.
SIGNPOST EXPRESSIONS WITH LATER LIST ITEMS
After the first part of a multi-sentence list, each new part needs to
have its own signpost expression. Once again there is a choice
between adverb-like and adjective-like expressions. The former
fall into the category of connectors (for more about the link
between adverbs and connectors, see 121. Sentence-Spanning
Adverbs). The latter can be thought of as connector synonyms
could also end with a longer expression like last of all or last but
not least, but these ought only to be used in special
last part of the list, one could use finally or lastly combined
with it is necessary to mention.
Turning to adjective-like expressions with the later parts of a list,
those normally used after an exact number word at the start
are the second, the third, etc. At the end of such lists, there is a
choice between the last, the final and the other. On the other
hand, when there is vagueness about the full extent of the list,
useful adjectives are (an)other, (an) additional and (a) final.
Posted in Academic and Professional Writing, Adjectives, Adverbs, English grammar, English
Vocabulary, Language Functions | Tagged enumeration, list introducers, list parts, listing, logical
connectors, number words, numbering,paragraphs, Signpost Language, signposting | Leave a comment
28 DECEMBER, 2015
(see 50. Right & Wrong Comma Places). However, even special
punctuation is not always present.
In this post I wish to further explore the characteristics of
sentence adverbs, to indicate their importance in academic
writing, and to illustrate a wide range of them.
.
2. Communication-Describing Adverbs
For the use of some of these to show emphasis, see 125. Stress
and Emphasis. Care has to be taken with the underlined words
example is:
(e) Typically, younger children are looked after by their siblings.
This means the coach was foolish to do what s/he did. Other
adverbs that can be used like this include blindly, famously,
(un)luckily, notoriously, rightly, stupidly, typically,
wrongly and wisely. Some of these, it will be observed, are also
This use does not mean normally, but rather indicates that the
behaviour of the villagers was in character they acted as
expected.
More about how speakers express judgements about messages
can be read in the posts 22. Multiple Speakers in a Text, 96.
Hedging 2 and 107. The Language of Opinions.
but they need two sentences for their creation rather than one.
This grammatical need for two sentences means that connector
synonyms are not here considered to include conjunctions. I am
also ruling out connectors that mean roughly the same as other
connectors for example therefore mirroringconsequently.
Although such possibilities are what are normally called
synonyms, they are not the focus here because many are already
Suggested Answers
26 NOVEMBER, 2012
become active.
The mental link here is that the event expressed by the second verb has a
later time than the event expressed by the first verb.
(g) CONJUNCTION: If it rains, the visit will be cancelled.
If it rains
(h) CONNECTOR
cancelled.
In each of these, the first verb helps to show a hypothetical future event
and the second one indicates a consequence of that (see 118. Problems
with Conditional if).
Two points can be made about the variety of meanings that are possible
with conjunctions and connectors. Firstly, most conjunctions seem to have
many connectors of similar meaning. Here are some more examples:
.
AND
additionally, also, as well, besides this, furthermore, in addition,
moreover, too(see 122. Signpost Words in Multi-Sentence
Listing); afterwards, next, subsequently, then, thereafter; as a
result (note that as well and too usually end their sentence).
BUT
all the same, even so, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, still,
yet (for a special use of these, see 51. Making Concessions with
May); by contrast, in contrast, on the other hand; on the
contrary (see 20. Problem Connectors).
SO, SO THAT (also BECAUSE/SINCE at the start)
as a result, consequently, for this reason, hence, that is
why, therefore, thus (see32. Expressing Consequences and 20.
Problem Connectors).
SO (following JUST AS )
similarly, likewise, in a similar way, in the same way (see 82.
Pitfalls in Making Comparisons)
OR
alternatively, if not, otherwise.
BECAUSE/SINCE (between the linked verbs)
this is because, the reason is that.
BEFORE (before the linked verbs)
beforehand, before this, first.
positions, conjunctions, Discourse, link words, logical connectors, meaning relations, semantic
linking, Sentence Links, signposting, syntactic linking | 3 Comments
23 JANUARY, 2012
1.
2.
result? Following the guideline given above, the relation is the result
expressed by the second sentence.
One other point to note is that not all pairs of sentences are as clearly
related as the examples given above. I hesitate to say that some pairs of
sentences arenot related, but I would suggest that trying to find a link is
sometimes very difficult.
.
Answers
1 C; 2 D; 3 A; 4 E; 5 B