Discourse devices: linking expressions

Type Expressions Examples

Adding extra in addition to*, too, Quarterly results yesterday showed a
information also, as well (as), 3.6 per cent improvement. Furthermore,
what’s more, besides, demand remains strong. The alleged bribes
on top of this, threaten to damage the reputation of the
moreover, company’s chairman, as well as the chairman.
with regard to, Merida is close to the beach and has friendly people. What’s
with reference to, more, it’s not far from the beach, which I like. It also offers
furthermore* great food to those food-lovers among the tourists.
Contrasting however, The students had rehearsed for weeks; however, they still weren’t
information nevertheless*, despite ready. While Dan cooked, I scrubbed the floor in the living room.
(to link arguments (this) I like ABBA. Nevertheless, I stayed home and watched the concert
for and in spite of, although, on cable TV.
against) or (compare yet, Despite the bad weather, the game was played. Despite eating 14
two different even though, though, hot dogs, I didn’t get sick. In spite of his bad grades, Billy was
situations but, on the other hand allowed to attend the concert.
while, whereas, Even though I was tired, I studied for my test.
Merida is a great place to live for many reasons. On the other
hand, its mosquitoes and excessive heat detract from it a bit.
Introducing the as a result, so, Profits may soon fall due to the weak demand and
result consequently, high prices. Consequently, growth could drop next
of previous as a consequence*, year. – Because of the heat, the picnic was moved to the island,
information given*, which has a refreshing breeze during the afternoon.
due to, Too many teachers were absent today. Therefore, it was decided to
because of (this), cancel the parent-teacher meeting.
therefore, As a result of the increased Christmas sales, we were asked to
Work longer hours.

Giving the reason for as, since, because, in Generating electricity using renewable sources
something order to*, costs more. For this reason, government subsidies
so that, that’s why, are needed in order to compete.—Since I was the oldest, I had to
for this reason* take care of my younger siblings.
I had a headache and sore throat, and that’s why I stayed home.
Expressing a In the first place, first The CEO resigned after the riotous shareholders’ meeting.
sequence of events of all, then, after that, After that, my dad decided to change jobs. Finally, we decided to
finally, the final issue, eat at a fast-food restaurant. First of all, we ate lunch at home.
sometime later Then we drove to the beach and stayed there for the rest of the
day.
*Formal written FAN-BOYS are coordinating conjunctions that require a comma
language rather before you use them: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
than speech Subordinating conjunctions, including “because”, do not use a
comma before the word. Other subordinating conjunctions are:
while, after, before, even though, while, as soon as, unless, etc.

Clauses: Linking expressions connect ideas, and the ideas that are connected are usually expressed in different
clauses. When you write, try to produce sentences with two or more clauses. This will show that you control the
English language better. Examples:

1. I was tired, so I stayed home and studied since I had a German test the next morning. = three clauses.

2. Because we were eliminated from the contest, we decided to take a tour of Merida, even though we had already
seen it several times. We just didn’t want to return to Progreso, where we live. =How many clauses are here?