2. 1.
Connectors (often called
discourse connectors) are
words and phrases that
connect ideas both within
sentences and between
sentences or larger blocks of
text.
3. 1.
See the teacher’s chart of
connecting words at
http://grammar5laney.wordpress.com/
quick-grammar-review-handouts/4-
summary-of-connecting-words/
4. 1.
There are three types of connectors:
Type of connector Example
Coordinating conjunction I try hard, but I can never
remember new people’s
names.
Subordinating conjunction =
Subordinator = Adverbial
expression
*I can’t remember her name
although I can remember
her face.
Transition =
Logical connector =
Sentence adverb
I spent a lot on a memory
improvement course.
However, it was a waste of
money.
5. 2.
The coordinating
conjunctions join two
independent clauses.
Coordinating conjunctions
come between clauses and
are normally preceded by a
comma.
6. 2.
For example:
I often forget things, so I write everything
down.
I heard what you said, but what did you
mean?
Winters in California can be cold and windy,
and there is sometimes a lot of rain.
I need to take a vacation, or I will tell my
boss I am going to quit.
7. 2.
There are only seven coordinating
conjunctions. They are sometimes called
FANBOYS:
for
and
nor
but
or
yet
so
8. 2.
Subordinating conjunctions
connect ideas within
sentences. They come at the
beginning of a subordinate, or
dependent clause. This kind
of clause is also called an
adverb clause.
9. 2.
If the subordinate clause
comes first in a sentence, it is
followed by a comma. If the
subordinate clause follows
the independent clause, it is
not usually preceded by a
comma.
10. 2.
For example:
Because I often forget things, I write everything
down.
I write everything down because I often forget things.
Although I heard what you said, I don’t know what
you mean.
I don’t know what you mean although I heard what
you said.
If I can’t get a vacation, I will tell my boss that I am
going to quit.
I will tell my boss that I am going to quit if I can’t get
a vacation.
11. 2.
Although there are only seven
coordinating conjunctions,
there are many subordinating
conjunctions. See the chart at
http://grammar5laney.wordpress.com/quic
k-grammar-review-handouts/4-summary-of-
connecting-words/
12. 3.
Transitions, or logical
connectors, connect ideas
between sentences or
larger sections of text.
13. 3.
Logical connectors that
connect sentences can
come at the beginning of a
sentence, within it, or at
the end.
14. 3.
Common logical
connectors include
besides, consequently,
however, in addition,
nevertheless, otherwise
and therefore.
15. 3.
The position of the logical connector in the
sentence affects the punctuation:
At the beginning of a
sentence, a logical
connector is preceded by
a period or semicolon
and followed by a comma
He said he would support
the idea. However, I
wouldn’t count on him.
He said he would support
the idea; however, I
wouldn’t count on him.
In the middle of the
sentence, it is preceded
and followed by commas.
He said he would support
the idea. I wouldn’t,
however, count on him.
At the end of a sentence,
it is preceded by a
comma.
He said he would support
the idea. I wouldn’t count
on him, however.
16. 3.
There are many, many
logical connectors in
English. Many of them are
formal, and used mostly in
writing. Sometimes they
are called sentence
adverbs.
17. 4.
There are five principal
types of transitions or
logical connectors.
18. 4a. Some logical connectors show
addition.
These include additionally, besides,
furthermore, in addition, likewise,
moreover, and *plus
I remember her telephone number. In
addition, I remember what street she lives
on.
I live too far away to visit you. Besides, I
can never remember your address.
*Plus is an informal connector that should
not be used in formal writing.
19. 4b.
One transition of condition, otherwise,
indicates that a result opposite to what is
expected will happen if a certain action
isn’t taken.
I need to write down your email address.
Otherwise, I’ll never remember it.
I need to write down your email address. I’ll
never remember it, otherwise.
20. 4c.
Your teacher disagrees
that though should be
listed with the logical
connectors.
21. 4c.
Though is usually a subordinator. It means the same
as although and even though.
Though I’ve told him my name several times, he never
remembers it =
He never remembers my name though I’ve told it to him
several times =
Although I’ve told him my name several times, he never
remembers it =
He never remembers my name although I’ve told it to him
several times =
Even though I’ve told him my name several times, he
never remembers it =
He never remembers my name even though I’ve told it to
him several times.
22. 4c.
Though, unlike other
subordinators, can be
added to the end of a
sentence.
23. 4c.
That makes it a special kind of
subordinator. It is not a logical
connector.
Though I carefully wrote her name on a
piece of paper, I lost the piece of paper.
I carefully wrote her name on a piece of
paper. I lost the piece of paper, though.
24. 4d. Some transitions show effect/result.
These include accordingly, as a result,
because of this, consequently, on
account of this, otherwise, therefore and
thus.
I was not paying close attention when she
was introduced. Consequently, her name
escapes me.
This new memory technique is helpful. On
account of this, I recommend it to you.
25. 4e. Some transitions show relationships
of actions, events and ideas in time.
These include after that, afterwards, in
the meantime, meanwhile, and then.
Bob spend three years in the military.
Meanwhile, his brother was earning a
college degree.
I went to a memory workshop. Afterwards, I
couldn’t remember a single thing.
26. 5.
Some transitions connect blocks of text.
They usually come at the beginning of a
sentence and are commonly followed by a
comma.
Such transitions have these uses:
27. 5a. To list ideas in order of time or
importance:
These include finally, first of all, most of
all, most importantly, next, second, third,
etc.
First of all, let’s consider the question of
short-term memory.
Most importantly, let’s consider the
question of memory improvement courses.
28. 5b. To give examples:
These include for example and for
instance.
I can remember lots of things
about people. For example, I
always remember what they’re
wearing.
29. 5c. To summarize:
These include all in all, in
summary, overall, to summarize.
In summary, there are the key points
about memory loss.
30. 5d. To add a conclusion:
These include in conclusion and to
conclude.
To conclude, let me just say that we
can all improve our memory if we
work at it.
