ESL/ EFL: Conjunctions and Connecting words and Expressions
Connecting (otherwise known as linking, signal, or transition) words and expressions are used either in or between paragraphs to help to show the connection or relationship between sentences and paragraphs. Used carefully, they can assist the reader in moving from one point to the next.
In the following chart, the first column contains introductory conjunctive adverbs. They are followed by a comma.
e.g. At first/Initially, I didn’t understand Marion.
Similarly/Likewise, she didn’t comprehend what I was saying.
The second category is subordinating conjunctions. This means that they join an independent sentence and a dependent clause (i.e. a clause that cannot stand alone). Notice the punctuation when the subordinating conjunction begins the sentence.
- He called because he needed help. / Because he needed help, he called. He became upset when we talked. / When we talked, he became
The third category is coordinating conjunctions. These words join two complete sentences (i.e. independent clauses) that can stand on their own. Sometimes a comma precedes coordinating conjunctions4.
e.g. Maria likes pizza (,) and Jose enjoys hamburgers.
They are leaving on a trip, so they are packing their clothes.
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INTRODUCTORY CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS (pay attention to commas) |
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS AND OTHER WORDS/EXPRESSIONS |
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS |
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SIGNALLING CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER |
At first, First of all, Initially, Meanwhile,
In the meantime, Simultaneously, Previously, Next, After(wards), Then, Finally, Later, Subsequently, At last, |
before, after, since, during, when, while | and |
|
EXPLAINING IDEAS |
For example, In other words, For instance, To illustrate, | such as, for instance, for example | |
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PUTTING IDEAS IN ORDER |
First, / Firstly, / First of all Second, / Secondly, Third, / Thirdly,
Lastly, |
and | |
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ADDING TO IDEAS |
In addition, Likewise, Moreover, Similarly, Furthermore, Besides, | as well, also, too | and |
|
COMPARE AND CONTRAST |
Nevertheless, Conversely, Alternatively, Similarly, Compared to,
However, / ; however, On one hand, On the other hand,7 On the contrary, |
although, even though, whereas, even if, though
despite (+ noun) in spite of (+ noun) nevertheless |
but yet or8 |
|
CAUSE AND EFFECT |
Therefore, / ; therefore, Consequently,
Thus, Due to, As a result, Hence, |
because, since, as
given that, seeing as, so that, as a result, in order, if, whether |
so for |
|
CONCLUSION |
Therefore, All in all,
To conclude, As a result, In a nutshell, In conclusion, To sum up, In short, |
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5 also – this word may begin sentences, but it is more common before the main verb (V). e.g. He also agrees with her. He has also agreed with her.
6 too – this word is used at the end of sentences. e.g. She is very intelligent and graceful, too.
7 on the other hand – it is impossible to use this expression without using “on one hand” in a previous sentence.
8 or – this is used for adding alternative ideas. e.g. We could go to a movie or rent one.
