in all forms of continuous communication, both spoken and written, sentences do not operate independently of each other.Instead, effective communication depends to a very large extent on placing sentences in the correct sequence, and on creating meaningful links
between them. In this section we look at some grammatical devices which enable us to create links between sentences in discourse.
There are two main types of sentence connectors:
logical connectors and structural connectors.
Logical connectors
Logical connectors express a logical relationship between sentences. They express two main types of relationship:
1 Contrast/concession. Contrast/concession connectors are used to
express a contrast between the information expressed by two
sentences:
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 15
December. However, students are advised to submit their
applications as soon as possible after 1 September.
It was already clear yesterday that Moscow was losing hope itcould persuade the United States and its allies to hold off a
ground war for much longer. Nevertheless, the Soviet
president continued his campaign of high-level diplomacy.
Anybody who says that there is great glory in war is off his
head. On the other hand, I have to say that war does bring outin people extraordinary nobility [ . . . ]
Other contrast/concession connectors include: alternatively,
anyway, besides, instead, nonetheless, still, yet.
2 Result. Result connectors are used to indicate that the second
sentence expresses the result or consequence of what has gone
before:
Approval has already been given for a golf course at
Smithstown, only three miles away. Therefore, an extra facility in the area was considered to be unnecessary.
I have not yet issued you with an invoice for the period prior to Christmas. Consequently, I am enclosing an invoice for the total amount of time used so far.
Thousands of commuters have been evacuated from platforms
as the police launch a full-scale search. As a result, all
underground stations with connections to British Rail are also
shut.
Other result connectors include: accordingly, hence, in
consequence, so, then, thus.
Structural connectors
Structural connectors are devices for ordering sentences, and for organizingthe points we wish to make. Structural connectors are used for the following purposes:
1 Listing. Listing connectors are used to list points in a specific
order:
First, he cannot stand against the leader unless he is fairly sure
of a victory [ . . . ] But second, and more important, should
the Tories lose the next election he will be damned and
written out of the succession [ . . . ]
Firstly you have your brakes [ . . . ] Secondly you’ve got the
throttle here on the handlebars.
To begin with, turn down the colour control until you have a
black and white image [ . . . ] then manipulate the contrast
and brightness controls [ . . . ]
Other listing connectors include: in the first place, in the second
place, for one thing, for another thing, finally, lastly.
2 Adding. Adding connectors are used to add new pieces of
information to what has previously been said:
Without such disclosure any consent received would not be
informed or valid. In addition, the doctor would be in breach
of his duty.
Now there are fewer than 50 goats that have to share the
island with 85,000 land-hungry people. Furthermore, it is
almost impossible to guarantee their protection.
As I had known Michael, Sarah and Victoria from their
childhood [ . . . ] this remark came as rather a shock. Also,
I was baffled by the logic.
Other adding connectors include: additionally, moreover, what is
more, on top of that (informal), as well as that.
3 Summing up. ‘Summing up’ connectors are used to introduce a
section which ‘sums up’ or concludes what has gone before:
To conclude: the fear of an overwhelming burden of old people is one of the least defensible arguments [ . . . ]
In sum, everything concerning the size, population, institutions,
and requirements of an imperial capital are inflated [ . . . ]
All in all, he felt he’d had enough.
Other ‘summing up’ connectors include: altogether, in conclusion,
in summary, overall, to summarize.
4 Exemplifying. Exemplifying connectors introduce examples or
instances in support of what has previously been said:
For this reason, quite serious injuries may not be investigated.
For example, finger amputations may be overlooked.
Ultraviolet radiation is known to have effects on the immune
system. For instance, coldsores not infrequently occur at the
beginning of a summer holiday.
The reverse case also existed. That is, circumstances in which
words derived from the holy tongue were to be avoided.
Other exemplifying connectors include: e.g. (= for example),
i.e (= that is), namely.
between them. In this section we look at some grammatical devices which enable us to create links between sentences in discourse.
There are two main types of sentence connectors:
logical connectors and structural connectors.
Logical connectors
Logical connectors express a logical relationship between sentences. They express two main types of relationship:
1 Contrast/concession. Contrast/concession connectors are used to
express a contrast between the information expressed by two
sentences:
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 15
December. However, students are advised to submit their
applications as soon as possible after 1 September.
It was already clear yesterday that Moscow was losing hope itcould persuade the United States and its allies to hold off a
ground war for much longer. Nevertheless, the Soviet
president continued his campaign of high-level diplomacy.
Anybody who says that there is great glory in war is off his
head. On the other hand, I have to say that war does bring outin people extraordinary nobility [ . . . ]
Other contrast/concession connectors include: alternatively,
anyway, besides, instead, nonetheless, still, yet.
2 Result. Result connectors are used to indicate that the second
sentence expresses the result or consequence of what has gone
before:
Approval has already been given for a golf course at
Smithstown, only three miles away. Therefore, an extra facility in the area was considered to be unnecessary.
I have not yet issued you with an invoice for the period prior to Christmas. Consequently, I am enclosing an invoice for the total amount of time used so far.
Thousands of commuters have been evacuated from platforms
as the police launch a full-scale search. As a result, all
underground stations with connections to British Rail are also
shut.
Other result connectors include: accordingly, hence, in
consequence, so, then, thus.
Structural connectors
Structural connectors are devices for ordering sentences, and for organizingthe points we wish to make. Structural connectors are used for the following purposes:
1 Listing. Listing connectors are used to list points in a specific
order:
First, he cannot stand against the leader unless he is fairly sure
of a victory [ . . . ] But second, and more important, should
the Tories lose the next election he will be damned and
written out of the succession [ . . . ]
Firstly you have your brakes [ . . . ] Secondly you’ve got the
throttle here on the handlebars.
To begin with, turn down the colour control until you have a
black and white image [ . . . ] then manipulate the contrast
and brightness controls [ . . . ]
Other listing connectors include: in the first place, in the second
place, for one thing, for another thing, finally, lastly.
2 Adding. Adding connectors are used to add new pieces of
information to what has previously been said:
Without such disclosure any consent received would not be
informed or valid. In addition, the doctor would be in breach
of his duty.
Now there are fewer than 50 goats that have to share the
island with 85,000 land-hungry people. Furthermore, it is
almost impossible to guarantee their protection.
As I had known Michael, Sarah and Victoria from their
childhood [ . . . ] this remark came as rather a shock. Also,
I was baffled by the logic.
Other adding connectors include: additionally, moreover, what is
more, on top of that (informal), as well as that.
3 Summing up. ‘Summing up’ connectors are used to introduce a
section which ‘sums up’ or concludes what has gone before:
To conclude: the fear of an overwhelming burden of old people is one of the least defensible arguments [ . . . ]
In sum, everything concerning the size, population, institutions,
and requirements of an imperial capital are inflated [ . . . ]
All in all, he felt he’d had enough.
Other ‘summing up’ connectors include: altogether, in conclusion,
in summary, overall, to summarize.
4 Exemplifying. Exemplifying connectors introduce examples or
instances in support of what has previously been said:
For this reason, quite serious injuries may not be investigated.
For example, finger amputations may be overlooked.
Ultraviolet radiation is known to have effects on the immune
system. For instance, coldsores not infrequently occur at the
beginning of a summer holiday.
The reverse case also existed. That is, circumstances in which
words derived from the holy tongue were to be avoided.
Other exemplifying connectors include: e.g. (= for example),
i.e (= that is), namely.
