CONNECTORS

CONNECTORS

Connectors are also called linkers because they are words/phrases that connect—or link—an idea with the next one in a paragraph.  It is important to use them often and well so that your reader can easily follow your train of thought.  If your reader has no difficulty following you, we say that your writing has good coherence.

Here are connectors broken down:

l   Coordinating Conjunctions:  There are only seven of these in English—and, or, nor, for, but, yet, so.  They join two ideas—each with its own subject and verb—that are considered equally important.  The formula for using a coordinating conjunction is:

<Idea 1>,	CC	<idea 2>.
Air quality in Malaysia is worsening so respiratory diseases are on the rise.

l   Subordinating Conjunctions:  These are used to join two ideas—each with its own subject and verb—where one is considered more important than the other.  The idea that immediately follows the SC is always the less important one.  The two formulas for using a subordinating conjunction are:

SC	<less important idea>,	<main idea>.
Because air quality in Malaysia is worsening, respiratory diseases are on the rise.

<Main idea>	SC	<less important idea>.
Respiratory diseases are on the rise in Malaysia because air quality is worsening.

Before continuing, write two sentences using two subordinating conjunctions other than because:

l   Prepositions:  These are used to join two ideas where one is considered more important than the other.  In this case, one idea—the main one—has a subject and a verb, but the less important idea is only a noun phrase.  In other words, prepositions may only be followed by noun phrases.

Like this—Due to worsening air quality in Malaysia, respiratory diseases are on the rise.

OR Respiratory diseases are on the rise in Malaysia due to worsening air quality.

l   Transitional Devices:  These are similar to CC’s in that they connect two ideas—each with its own subject and verb—that are considered equally important.  They are different from CC’s, however, in that their placement is more flexible.  There are three formulas for using transitional devices. Notice how the punctuation changes.

<Idea 1>.	TD,	<idea 2>.
Air quality in Malaysia is worsening.  Consequently, respiratory diseases are on the rise.

<Idea 1>;	TD,	<idea 2>.
Air quality in Malaysia is worsening; consequently, respiratory diseases are on the rise.

<Idea 1>.	<idea 2>.
Air quality in Malaysia is worsening.  Respiratory diseases, consequently, are on the rise.
, TD,

CONNECTORS/LINKERS

	Coordinating Conjunctions	Subordinating Conjunctions	Prepositions	Transitional Devices
To introduce a new idea	and		along with in addition to on top of together with	additionally also besides further furthermore	in addition moreover more than that plus what’s more
To repeat or emphasize				actually indeed in fact	in other words namely that is (to say)
				to put it another way
To provide an example				for example for instance in particular	specifically such as to illustrate
	Coordinating Conjunctions	Subordinating Conjunctions	Prepositions	Transitional Devices
To show a similarity		just as	like similar to	also/too as well by the same token correspondingly	in like manner in the same way likewise similarly
To show a contrast	but	whereas while	as opposed to in contrast to instead of unlike	conversely however in contrast in reality	instead on the other hand on the contrary
To make a comparison			compared to in comparison to	by comparison
To make a concession		although even though granted that though	despite in spite of regardless of	admittedly
To show that a concession has been made	yet			all the same even so for all that in any case in any event	nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding regardless still
To show a result	so	so…that such…that		accordingly as a consequence as a result consequently for that reason	hence that being so that’s why therefore thus
To show a cause	for	as because since	as a result of because of by reason of due to in view of on account of owing to thanks to
To state a purpose		in order that* so that*
To show alternatives	or (else)			on the one hand… on the other hand	otherwise
To make a generalization				as a rule by and large for the most part generally	in general on the whole overall typically
To indicate a summary or a conclusion				all in all all things considered in a nutshell in a word	in conclusion in summary to conclude to sum up

*In order to & so as to are equivalent in meaning but are followed only by a verb phrase:  Students pursue a university degree in order to/so as to obtain a good job after graduation.

Websites:

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cae/students/writing/linking/

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/570/pulp/hemp7.htm

NB If you cannot find information under “Connectors” look under “Conjunctions” or “Linkers”.

In groups or pairs, find and correct the connector mistakes

1.       

X  There are two reasons why people should become vegetarians.  First, a vegetarian diet is better for one’s health. On the other hand vegetarianism is more ethical as it does not involve killing animals.

2.       

X  Even Malay students learn all school subjects in English, there is no guarantee that their English language skills will improve.

3.       

X  Despite the pollution get worse, all the schools in Kuala Lumpur did not shut for the day.

X  Due to Japanese culture become more popular for students, many of them want to study the Japanese language.

4.       

X  Surveys in Malaysia show that moviegoers would prefer Western films to be dubbed into Malay. So that they do not have to strain their eyes when reading subtitles. They can enjoy a movie better if the dialogue is in their native language.

5.       

X  Very thin models send a bad message to girls. No matter they exercise two hours every day, ordinary girls will never look like their idols.

6.       

X Although Malaysia’s economy is improving, but the unemployment rate is still too high.

X  Because the sexual behavior of adults is not the government’s business, so prostitution should be legalized.

7.       

X  Employers today expect job applicants to know about computers so that it is a good idea to take some IT courses at university.

X  The sunshine was bright so that Professor Li had to wear his sunglasses while addressing the students in the stadium.

8.       

X  This essay will discuss three reasons why degree courses should last four years.  First, there would be less intense pressure on students if they had more time to learn their fields.  Second, students would have more leisure to get involved in extracurricular activities.  At last, students could gain more practice to improve their language abilities before working.

SECTION C—PRACTICE ACTIVITIES

Task 1

Rewrite each sentence using the connector in brackets

1.  Regardless of the fact that world opinion was against him, the president persisted in launching the war.  (all the same)

2.  On top of her day job as a sales clerk, Daisy works at night as a waitress.  (in addition)

3.  Thai cuisine is well-known around the world; likewise, Vietnamese cuisine is popular outside Vietnam’s borders.  (similar to)

4.  In spite of the widespread use of Pinyin on the Mainland, most people there are not comfortable with this writing system.  (even though)

5.  Whereas it is quite difficult to find pirated CD’s in most Western countries, they are sold openly throughout south east Asia.  (on the other hand)

6.  Grace believed strongly that the stock market would crash; consequently, she liquidated all her investments.  (on account of)

7.  Despite the long-term presence of UN peacekeepers, the two sides have still not learned to live together.  (yet)

Task 2

The following passage is grammatical—except for all the fragments! Make changes to join smaller pieces together so that all sentences are complete and the passage flows smoothly.

If you can survive a Hangzhou winter.  You can survive almost everything.  When the temperature is zero degrees.  You know that you are in for trouble unless you can learn how to defeat the cold.  How can you overcome the cold? Here are some suggestions.  

First, you must learn to dress warmly.  To do this, you must forget about how you look.  And think only about staying warm.  One way to stay warm is to wear layers of clothes.  With a shirt and one or two sweaters under your coat.  You should also buy long underwear for your legs.  When you go out, you may look like a fat panda bear, but don’t worry about that. You’ll be warm. 

Secondly, in Hangzhou you have to worry about frostbite.  There are three areas on your body.  Which frostbite can hit—your ears, hands and feet.  How can you avoid frostbite?  You should never go outside.  When it is below zero. Without a hat or scarf covering your ears.  And warm gloves or mittens covering your hands.  For your feet, you need some very warm socks and a pair of padded shoes or warm boots.  When you are dressed warmly, you can go outside.  Even if it is snowing and the temperature is falling. 

Thirdly, if you want to stay warm.  You need to learn a few more points.  You must learn to avoid standing on the corner.  Waiting for the bus.  How can you avoid this?  It helps if you live close to the bus stop.  Because you can wait in your room until the bus comes.  Then, when it comes, you can just hurry to the bus stop. If you don’t live close to the stop.  You must find a shelter.  That can protect you from the wind.  If you can’t find a shelter, you must keep moving.  You should walk back and forth.  Stamping your feet.  Some people may think you are nervous.  But you won’t care, because you will be warm.  If you follow this advice.  You are sure to survive a winter in Hangzhou. 

You have one other choice.  You can move for the winter to Hainan Island.  Which is always warm during the winter months.

Task 3

For each sentence, circle C if it is correct or I if it has a connector error.  If it is incorrect, make the necessary change(s) to make it correct.

1.	C	I	As a result of the weather turning cold so suddenly, several homeless people froze to death on the streets.
2.	C	I	As the University uses the credit-unit system, therefore students have more choice in the courses they take.
3.	C	I	Because purple is Winnie’s favorite color, she was so happy to receive the lavender sweater for her birthday.
4.	C	I	Despite the fact that  harbor is spectacular, no good harborside promenades have been built.
5.	C	I	Even a religious person like Joseph sometimes does things that are wrong.
6.	C	I	Even if the dispute over Kashmir is resolved, India and Pakistan will never get along.
7.	C	I	Singapore’s open government makes it attractive to investors; on the other hand, the well-educated population means a large pool of qualified employees.
8.	C	I	It is important for people to improve their Mandarin skills so that they can do business with China.
9.	C	I	Ken felt that he ought to give back to the community so that he became a telephone counselor for the Samaritans.
10.	C	I	Last year’s beauty contest winner confessed that she was deeply unhappy, no matter she was beautiful and smart.
11.	C	I	Mabel waited outside the cinema for an hour and at last her friend arrived.
12.	C	I	Many people feel that life must be preserved at all costs, even a sick person’s quality of life is zero, so they are opposed to euthanasia.
13.	C	I	No matter how hard he tries, Martin will never play football as well as his sister.
14.	C	I	The teacher was so angry at the late students that she refused to let them enter the classroom.
15.	C	I	Titanic won the Oscar for best picture in spite of the screenplay and story were not very strong.