Transitions / Connectors
Dec 31, 2015
Transitions / Connectors
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Types of Sentences
Sentence
Simple Sentence Complex Sentence
2 or > independent clauses
Compound Sentence
1 independent
clauseAt least 1 independent clause with other dependent clause(s)
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Identify the sentence types
Politicians and scientists should work closely to solve environmental problems.
Conservation of energy is an urgent matter. Engineers play an important role in society
through technological advances which cover various fields such as healthcare, computing, and stem cell research.
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Identify the sentence types
Politicians and scientists should work closely to solve environmental problems. (Compound)
Conservation of energy is an urgent matter. (Simple)
Engineers play an important role in society through technological advances which cover various fields such as healthcare, computing, and stem cell research. (Complex)
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Errors in Transitions
Happen when connectors used between words, clauses, sentences or paragraphs are ambiguous or illogical
Engineering is an important discipline, it is considered the engine of any economy.
To save the earth, we should not only focus on energy conservation and also consider renewable energies.
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Errors in Transitions
Happen when connectors used between words, clauses, sentences or paragraphs are ambiguous or illogical
Engineering is an important discipline; it is considered the engine of any economy. (punctuation – use of comma splice)
To save the earth, we should not only focus on energy conservation but also consider renewable energies. (wrong use of connector)
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Transitions
Function like traffic signs Tell you about the connections between
ideas e.g. similarities, differences, opposition, consequences etc.
Provide coherence within a sentence; across sentences; within a paragraph and across paragraphs
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Types of Transitions / Connectors
Connectors join similar grammatical structuresOil and water do not mix.
Transitions link sentences and paragraphsBioengineering is an expanding field; however, job opportunities may be limited.
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Subordinators connect a dependent clause with at least one independent clause
When accurate weather prediction tools are available, we should be able to anticipate the disasters and hopefully reduce the fatalities.
Types of Transitions / Connectors
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Meaning of Connectors
To add information To illustrate or give an example To show contrast To show concession To show similarity To show a result To provide a reason or cause To establish a time relationship or order To show a condition To explain or emphasize To give a choice or alternative
Please refer to Lane and Lange (1999) for more details and examples. See pp.170-175.
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To Add Information
Coordinating Conjunctions
and
Coorrelative Conjunctions
not only…but also
both…and
Transitional Words and Phrases
also
besides
moreover
furthermore
in addition
additionally
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To Illustrate or Give an Example
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coorrelative Conjunctions
Transitional Words and Phrases
for example
for instance
such as
to illustrate
specifically
in particular
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To Show Contrast
Coordinating Conjunctions
but
Coorrelative Conjunctions
Transitional Words and Phrases
however
in contrast
conversely
on the contrary
on the other hand
otherwise
still
instead
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To Show Concession
Coordinating Conjunctions
yet
Coorrelative Conjunctions
Transitional Words and Phrases
nevertheless
even so
admittedly
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To Show a Similarity
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coorrelative Conjunctions
Transitional Words and Phrases
likewise
similarly
in the same way
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To Show a Result
Coordinating Conjunctions
so
Coorrelative Conjunctions
Transitional Words and Phrases
accordingly
as a consequence
as a result
Consequently
hence
therefore
thus
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To Provide a Reason or Cause
Coordinating Conjunctions
for
Coorrelative Conjunctions
Transitional Words and Phrases
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To Establish a Time Relationship or Order
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coorrelative Conjunctions
Transitional Words and Phrasesfirstsecondafterwardfinallyin conclusionmeanwhilepreviouslynext subsequently
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To Show a Condition
Coordinating Conjunctions
or
Coorrelative Conjunctions
whether…or
Transitional Words and Phrases
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To Explain or Emphasize
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coorrelative Conjunctions
Transitional Words and Phrases
in fact
namely
that is
actually
in other words
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To Give a Choice or Alternative
Coordinating Conjunctions
or
Coorrelative Conjunctions
either…or
Transitional Words and Phrases
alternatively
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Rules for Punctuating Connectors
Coordinating Conjunctions –a comma before the conjunction is not needed if the two independent clauses are very short.
Having LASIK is an important decision and the patient should consider all factors carefully.
The comma is optional in this case.
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Rules for Punctuating Connectors
Coorrelative Conjunctions –a comma is needed before the 2nd correlative conjunction only for joining 2 clauses, not words or phrases.
Not only does LASIK treat common ophthalmic conditions like nearsightedness, it also treats farsightedness and astigmatism.
LASIK not only treats common ophthalmic conditions like nearsightedness but also farsightedness and astigmatism.
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Rules for Punctuating Connectors
Transitional words/phrases – put a semicolon before and a comma after the transitional signal when joining 2 independent clauses.
Technological breakthroughs have been rapid in recent decades; however, the public need to be educated on their use.
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Rules for Punctuating Connectors
Transitional words/phrases – put a comma after the transitional signal when introducing an independent clause.
Technological breakthroughs have been rapid in recent decades. However, the public need to be educated on their use.
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Rules for Punctuating Connectors
Transitional words/phrases – put commas before and after the transitional signal within a clause.
Stem cell research is promising, however, the ethical issues must not be ignored.
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Subordinators
Appear before the dependent clause Have a comma at the end of it before the
independent clause
Although academic studies are challenging, most students will persist in their efforts.
Please refer to Oshima and Hogue (2006) for more details and examples. See pp.292-299
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Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses
Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Time
after before whenever
as, just as since while
as long as until
as soon as when
A subordinating conjunction is the first word in a dependent clause.
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses
Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Place
where
wherever
anywhere
everywhere
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses
Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Manner
as, just as
as if
as though
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Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses
Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Distance
as far as
as close as
Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Frequency
as often as
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Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses
Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Reason
as
because
since
Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Purpose
so that
in order that
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Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses
Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Result
so…that
such…that
so few/many/little/much…that
Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Condition
if
unless
eg1471/jc/dec2008
Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses
Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Partial Contrast
although
even though
though
Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Contrast
while
whereas
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Subordinating Words for Adjective Clauses
To refer to people
who,whomwhose, that
To refer to animals and things
which, thatwhereas
To refer to a time or placeWhen, where
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Subordinating Words for Noun Clauses
Used in That clauses
Do you believe that there is life in outer space?
Used in If/Whether clauses
which, thatwhereas
Used in wh- and how clausesWhen, where
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Sources
Lane, A. and Lange, E. (1999). Writing Clearly: An Editing Guide (2nd ed.). Boston: Heinle and Heinle Publishers, 165-178.
Oshima, A. and Hogue, A. (2006). Writing Academic English (4th ed.). New York: Pearson Education, 292-299.
Raimes, A. (2006). Grammar Troublespots: A Guide for Student Writers (3rd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press, 9-17.