Lesson 36: Connecting Words (Part 2)

In part 2 of our series on connecting words, we’ll explore expressions for

introducing and adding information, as well as talking about conditions and time.

Introducing Information
We have several different ways of introducing a new topic or some new
information:

 Regarding
 Concerning
 As to / As for
 With regard to / In regard to
 With reference to / In reference to
Here are some examples:

 With reference to your inquiry, we cannot provide an answer at this time.

 Regarding their proposal, I believe there are promising possibilities.
 As for the technical problems, they will be resolved immediately.
These expressions can be used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a new
topic, and some of them can be used in the middle of a sentence as a substitute for
the word “about” – particularly regarding, concerning, and as to:

 I have a few questions concerning safety issues.

 We participated in the negotiations regarding the property.
 He’s curious as to how the system works.
As you might have noticed, these expressions are rather formal, and in casual
everyday English we’d usually use about, as for, and as to:

 I have a few questions about safety issues.

 My whole family loves Christmas. As for me, I can’t stand it.
 I’m confused as to what this software actually does.

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Put it into practice!
Think about two topics that you need to bring up with a friend or colleague:

 Regarding ______(topic)_______, _____(your statement)_____

 As for ______(topic)_______, _____(your statement)_____

Adding Information & Expressing Similarity

Three of the most basic words are also, too, and as well.
Also is typically located at the beginning of a sentence or before the verb/adjective,
and too and as well are usually located at the end:

 He’s charming and successful. Also, he’s single.

 He’s charming and successful. He’s also single.
 He’s charming and successful. He’s single, too.
 He’s charming and successful. He’s single, as well.
We can also use as well as in the middle of a sentence to add extra information:

 She has experience in computer programming as well as in customer service.

We could also say “computer programming and customer service” – so when should
we use as well as instead of simply and? The answer is that and places equal
emphasis on both things, and as well as includes a bit of extra emphasis or surprise
about the first item. For example:

 This book is available in English and Spanish.

(both are equally important, no surprise)
 In some parts of the U.S., classes are taught in Spanish as well as English.
(this is rather surprising because Spanish is not an official language of the U.S.)
Another time we might use as well as is when the two items already contain “and”
and we don’t want to mix them up:

 The uniforms are available in green and yellow as well as red and white.
To begin a sentence that adds more information to the previous point, we can use
these expressions as sentence starters:

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  Furthermore,
 In addition,
 Moreover,
For example:

 People who exercise regularly have more energy during the day and sleep
better at night. In addition, they tend to live longer.
 Construction on the new subway has been delayed for months due to budget
shortfalls. Moreover, the workers are threatening to go on strike.
 Our sales are expected to rise 30% in the next year. Furthermore, purchase
of new equipment will help cut manufacturing costs and increase profits.
Some less formal connecting words for adding information include:

 besides
Come on, the party’s going to be fun! Besides, I promised them we would go.
 plus
I quit the tennis club because I didn’t have enough time to play. Plus, I wasn’t
any good at it.
 what’s more
Everything in that online store is 50% off. What’s more, the shipping is free.
Finally, we have the words likewise and similarly to express when two things are
similar to each other:

 He volunteered to help and encouraged others to do likewise.

 Her first attempt failed, and later efforts were similarly unsuccessful.

Put it into practice!

Imagine you're in a job interview and the interviewer asks about your good
qualities. Say two of them:

 I _______________. Furthermore, I _______________.

Imagine you're trying to convince a friend to join you in your favorite activity. Say
two reasons they should try it:

 _______________. Plus, _______________

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Conditions
We can use if not and if so at the beginning of a sentence to show what will happen
if the previous sentence is true or false:

 I hope I passed the test. If not, then I’ll have to repeat the semester.
 I hope I passed the test. If so, then I’ll advance to the next level.
 Can you give me a ride tomorrow? If not, I’ll ask someone else.
 Can you give me a ride tomorrow? If so, I’ll be ready to go by 7:30.
In the lessons about conditionals, you learned that the word unless means “if not”:

 You’ll forget the address unless you write it down.

= You’ll forget the address if you don’t write it down.
Another connecting word that means “if not” is otherwise:

 You’d better write down the address – otherwise you’ll forget it.
 It’s a good thing I enjoy exercise, otherwise I’d probably never go to the gym.
 I need to keep my desk clean, otherwise I can’t concentrate on my work.
When one thing depends on another, we can use the expressions:

 as long as
 provided that / on the condition that
 assuming / supposing (that)
Let’s look at some sentences to see these words in action:

 You can go to the party as long as you’re home by midnight.

As long as is probably the most common expression in everyday English.
We could also use if.
 He has agreed to do the work provided that he receives 50% payment up
front.
 She told her story to reporters on the condition that she would remain
anonymous.
We often use assuming and supposing when talking about a hypothetical situation:

 Supposing this house was for sale, would you buy it?
 He’ll win the championship, assuming he’s recovered from his injury by then.

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When one thing is already known to be true, and that thing affects something else,
we can use these expressions:

 given / considering
 in view of / in light of
Here are some examples:

 Given how old my car is, it’s amazing it still runs so well.
 My grandmother is very active, considering her age.
 He resigned in light of the scandal.
 In view of the approaching hurricane, residents were evacuated from the
area.
All of these can be used at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle. The
important thing is to use it in front of the established fact, not the result:

 Given how old my car is, it’s amazing it still runs so well.
(established fact) (surprising result)
 He resigned in light of the scandal.
(result) (established fact)
One final conditional expression is the word pending. It means that one thing is not
yet finished/confirmed because it is waiting for something else:

 He has been suspended pending further investigation.

 We have big plans for this project, pending the manager’s approval.
 This is the most urgent of the pending tasks.

Put it into practice!

What's one thing that you MUST do, otherwise there will be negative consequences?

 I have to ____________, otherwise ____________

Imagine you want to make a deal with a friend. Say what you will do, as long as
certain conditions are fulfilled:

 I'll __________ as long as you ______________.

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Time Expressions
As you learned in a previous lesson, we can use while, during, and meanwhile
when two things happen simultaneously (at the same time).
When referring back to a previous time period, we often use:

 At the time, / At that time,

 In those days,
 In that era,
For example:

 I met Tom Cruise once. At the time, I was working as a janitor in a TV studio.
 We had a wonderful childhood. In those days, we didn’t have video games or
cell phones.
 Life in the 1800s was very different. In that era, many people grew their own
food. (we usually use “era” when talking about a more distant historical period)
To talk about something that happened before something else, we can use the
words:

 before / beforehand
There’s no room in the restaurant.
We should have made a reservation beforehand / before we came.
 earlier
She was adopted in 1989. Her parents had died two years earlier.
 previously
This problem is much worse than previously thought.
 prior to
He had already been arrested three times prior to the incident.
To talk about something that happened after something else, we can use the words:

 after / afterwards / later

 following
She was hospitalized for five days following the accident.
 subsequently
He became a resident and subsequently a citizen of Australia.

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Summary
Introducing information (formal)  Regarding
 Concerning
 With regard to / In regard to
 With reference to /
In reference to
Introducing information (informal)  As to / As for / About
Adding information (formal)  Furthermore,
 In addition,
 Moreover,
Adding information (informal)  also / too / as well
 besides
 plus
 what’s more
Expressing similarity  likewise / similarly
 also / too / as well
Conditions  If not, / If so,
 otherwise
 as long as
 provided that / on the
condition that
 assuming / supposing (that)
 given / considering
 in view of / in light of
Referring to a previous time period  At the time, / At that time,
 In those days,
 In that era,
One thing before another  before / beforehand
 earlier
 previously
 prior to
One thing after another  after / afterwards / later
 following
 subsequently

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You’ve finished Lesson 36! Now go ahead and do the exercises to practice and
review these connecting words.

Writing Task
Imagine that you have been asked to propose a new law for your country, or a new
policy for your company/school. Introduce the topic and make an argument to
convince people your proposal should be adopted. Try to use at least 5 words from
the lesson. Send me your text at shayna@espressoenglish.net for feedback and
correction!

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Quiz – Lesson 36
Complete the sentences with the connecting words from the box:

as for beforehand given likewise plus

as well concerning if not moreover provided that
at the time following if so otherwise

1. You'll save time when cooking if you prepare all the ingredients
_________________________.
2. Are you interested in appearing on this program? _________________________, call
888-555-1234 for your chance to be a star!
3. Victims are afraid to go to the police in many cases _________________________
domestic violence.
4. It's no wonder she's angry, _________________________ how long it took to get
someone to help her.
5. The company has expanded to 10 countries throughout Europe.
_________________________, it has acquired one of its major competitors.
6. This disease mostly affects men, though it is sometimes found in women
_________________________.
7. The meat is tough and the vegetables are tasteless. _________________________,
they're undercooked.
8. I'm not sure whether these jeans are the right size for you.
_________________________, you can exchange them.
9. You have to keep yogurt in the fridge, _________________________ it'll go bad.
10. Universities are beginning to make their classes available online. Companies
are _________________________ adopting technology for videoconferencing and
remote training.
11. _________________________ the movie, I thought it was even better than the book!
12. There was outrage on social media _________________________ the network's
decision to discontinue a popular TV show.
13. That was a major turning point in my life, although I didn't know it
_________________________.
14. Reprints of this article are permitted, _________________________ proper credit is
given to the source.

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Answers – Quiz – Lesson 36
1. You'll save time when cooking if you prepare all the ingredients beforehand.
2. Are you interested in appearing on this program? If so, call 888-555-1234 for
your chance to be a star!
3. Victims are afraid to go to the police in many cases concerning domestic
violence.
4. It's no wonder she's angry, given how long it took to get someone to help her.
5. The company has expanded to 10 countries throughout Europe. Moreover, it
has acquired one of its major competitors.
6. This disease mostly affects men, though it is sometimes found in women as
well.
7. The meat is tough and the vegetables are tasteless. Plus, they're
undercooked.
8. I'm not sure whether these jeans are the right size for you. If not, you can
exchange them.
9. You have to keep yogurt in the fridge, otherwise it'll go bad.
10. Universities are beginning to make their classes available online. Companies
are likewise adopting technology for videoconferencing and remote training.
11. As for the movie, I thought it was even better than the book!
12. There was outrage on social media following the network's decision to
discontinue a popular TV show.
13. That was a major turning point in my life, although I didn't know it at the
time.
14. Reprints of this article are permitted, provided that proper credit is given to
the source.

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© Shayna Oliveira 2014