Useful Connectives

7/29/2019 Useful Connectives

1/4

OK E (Hb), 09/10

Useful connectives

Adding

and

also

as well as moreover

too

Sequencing

next

then

first, second, third,? finally

meanwhile

after

Emphasising

above all

in particular

especially

significantly

indeed

notably

Comparing

equally

in the same way

similarly

likewise as with

like

Cause and effect

because

so

therefore

thus consequently

Qualifying

however

although

unless

except

if

as long as

apart from

yet

Illustrating

for example

such as

for instance

as revealed by

in the case of

Contrasting

whereas

instead of

alternatively

otherwise

unlike

on the other hand

Functions: Useful sentences for summaries

First argues

At the beginning the author writes, states thatIn the first part the reporter points out what

In the introduction explains, mentions why

the reader is informed

In the next part

In the main part the reader is informed about the theory

Second; First the author goes on with the data / question that

Then; Afterwards we are told about the statistics what

Moreover; we read / hear about the belief why

In addition to that the author examines the argument if

Further on analyses the opinion / topic

Next discusses the problem


2/4

OK E (Hb), 09/10

In the end the author emphasises

Finally the writer concludes that

At last the poet finds the solution what

The final part, section the journalist adds / stresses why

As a conclusion the reporter pretends if

Summing up his / her thoughts the scientist hints

Useful vocabulary and connectives for discussions

to agree/to disagree with someone consequently/as a consequence of

(not) to be of the same opinion considering that

to doubt the good of /the purpose of to draw into consideration

there is no doubt in (v+ -ing) to see sth differently

there is no denying that in my opinion

there is no use in (v+ -ing) seen from a different angle/perspectiveto exaggerate under these circumstances

to criticize my point of view is

to suggest (v+ -ing) seen from that point of view

to underscore/to stress/to emphasize the fact that to ask for/to demand an explanation, clarification,

to support a fact strongly a concrete example, a piece of evidence actually,

there to point out is (no) evidence for/data that indicates as a matter

of to refer to/referring to fact

in addition to

to contribute to/to make a contribution it is quite the other way round

to deal with a problem on the contrary

to tackle a problem in contrast toto call for action

to apologize/to make an apology as to (betreffs; bezglich)

to ask for permission for (denn)

truly speaking/in truth since (da)

by and large

finally to conclude

subsequently as a conclusion/concluding

CONNECTIVES

English supplies us with useful linking words called connectives, which form the logical bridges between ideas. If you

keep these verbal guideposts in mind and use them as you write, you will almost automatically provide the interrela-

tions among ideas that every reader looks for.

Here is a list of some connectives. Like the subordinating conjunctions, these are the good guys; use them liberally (but

correctly and appropriately), and I guarantee that your writing will become more effective. They are hard to overuse.

Connective words that describe relationships:

ALSO HOWEVER ALTHOUGH

INCIDENTALLY THEREFORE BESIDES

LIKEWISE THUS MEANWHILE

MOREOVER USUALLY FURTHERMORE

NEXT WHATEVER GENERALLY

YET ACCORDINGLY NEVERTHELESS

INSTEAD IN CONTRAST FOR EXAMPLE


3/4

OK E (Hb), 09/10

Connectives that give a sense of time:

FIRST SECONDLY

FINALLY NOW

ONCE WHEN

ULTIMATELY EVENTUALLY

LASTLY LATER

MEANWHILE PREVIOUSLY

THEN SOON

FORMERLY SOMETIMES

Other Connective phrases:

TO BEGIN WITH ON THE OTHER HANDIN BRIEF IN GENERAL

IN SUMMARY MORE SPECIFICALLY

INSTEAD OF IN ADDITION TO

IN OTHER WORDS ANOTHER WAY TO

FOR THE SAME REASON NO MATTER WHAT

SUCH A THAT'S WHAT (WHY)

IN FACT WHAT'S MORE

IN THE SAME WAY ON THE CONTRARY

CONVERSELY AS A RESULT

SUMMING UP IF SO / NOT

All of these words and phrases link ideas and assure continuity in your writing. Another useful principle to

assure continuity in your writing and tie your sentences together is:

TRY TO HAVE A WORD OR PHRASE SOMEWHERE IN EACH SENTENCE THAT REFERS TO SOME-

THING IN A PREVIOUS SENTENCE.

One easy way to follow this principle is to use pronominal adjectives like these to refer to nouns in previous

sentences:

THIS THAT

THESE WHICH

THEIR HIS

ITS HER

INTENSIVES

Another way to tie ideas together is with intensives. Intensives help you emphasize what's important and to

set the important apart from the incidental -- a major goal of all scientific and technical writing. Compare the

following two sentences, the first without intensives and the second with intensives added:

The whale is the largest living mammal. The largest whales weigh over 150 tons, are 100 feet long, and consume 5 tons

of food each day. The whale is by far the largest living mammal. In fact, the largest whales weigh as much as 150 tons

and grow as long as 100 feet. These enormous animals consume 5 tons of food each day.


4/4

OK E (Hb), 09/10

Notice how the bold words that have been added emphasize certain points the author deemed important.

Here is a list of some useful intensives:

ESPECIALLY AS MUCH AS EVEN IF/THOUGH

INCREASINGLY BY FAR SO...THAT

MORE IMPORTANTLY HIGHLY ONLY

PARTICULARLY IN FACT VERY

SIGNIFICANTLY QUITE SUCH

MOST UNIQUE AT ALL

ABOVE ALL INDEED IN ANY CASE

CAUTION: Misusing or overusing intensives (most notoriously, the word very) can weaken your writing.

Use them like garlic -- sparingly. Eliminate intensives that are thrown in gratuitously or that don't make a

definite contribution by emphasizing an important fact or idea. Littering your writing with intensives wherethey are not needed makes your writing sound trite and strains your credibility.

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Useful Connectives