GRAMMAR REVIEN: CONNECTING IDEAS

ldeas must be connected within sentences and between sentences. Certain types
of words and phrases smooth the flow of ideas and make sentences, paragraphs, and
passages more connected and coherent. Some examples of these words and phrases
and their functions within a text are outlined below.

Connecting ideas within a sentence

And joins two or more words, phrases, or clauses of similar value or equal
importance:
We went swimming and boating,
We looked in the house and around the yard for the lost necklace.
We booked the flight, and we picked up the tickets the same day.

When and joins two equal subjects, the verb must be plural:
Swimming and boating are fun,

Or joins two or more words, phrases, or clauses that contain the idea of choice:
We could go swimming or b0ating
We could look in the house or around the yard for the lost necklace.
We could book the flight now, or we could wait until tomorrow.

But shows a contrast between two or more words, phrases, or clauses:

We went swimming but not boating

We didn't look in the house but around the yard for the lost necklace.
We booked the flight, but we haven't picked up the tickets.
Either is used with or to express alternatives:
We can either go to the park or stay home and watch TV.

Neither is used with nor to express negative alternatives:

He neither called nor came to visit me. (He didn't call, and he didn't visit me.)
Both is used with and to combine two words, phrases, or clauses:
He had both the time and the patience to be a good parent.
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Connecting ideas between sentences or paragraphs (transition words)

Transitional expressions can be used to connect ideas bet ween sentences
or

paragraphs. Different categories of transition words and phrases

are presented
below. Words in the same category are not always interchangeable.
You can use the following words as signels that additional information will follow:

additionally first, second, third, ctc. likewise

also following this further morcover

and further not only..., but also...

and then furthermore not to mention

as well, as well as in addition or

besides, besides that indeed then, too

equally inmportant in fact too

what is more
finally last, lastly
You can use the following words as signals that specific examples will be given:

especially notably
for example, an example on this occasion
for instance particularly, in particular
in this case, in another case specifically
in this situation take the case of
including to demonstrate
to illustrate, as an illustration
namely
You can use the following words as signals to clarify information that has
been presented:
I mean that is to say under certain circumstances
in other words to put it another way up to a point
in this case
You can use the following words as signals to emphasize information that has been

presented or will be presented:

above all extremely obviously
absolutely forever surprisingly
in any case that is
always
as a matter of fact in any event undeniably
besides indeed undoubtedly
certainlyy in fact unquestionably
more importantly without a doubt
definitely
emphatically naturally without reservatioon
even more never

You can use the following words as signals that a cause-and-effect relationship will
be presented:
accordingly for
as, as a result for the simple reason that, for this reason
because, because of hence
being that inasmuch as

consequently, as a consequence in that

due to (the fact that) in view of (the fact that)

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Owing to (the fact that) so that

seeing that therefore
since thus
so, so much (so) that

You can use the following words as signals that the information already presented
will be compared or contrasted with new information:
after all nevertheless
although, although this is true nonetheless
at the same time notwithstanding
balanced against on the contrary
but on the other hand
compared to/with, in comparison, by comparison similarly
Conversely still
for all that when in fact
however where
in contrast whereas
in the same manner/way while this is true
likewise yet
meanwhile

You can use the folowing words as signals of a time relationship:

after, after a while initially
afterwards in the first place
as soon as in the future
at first, at last, at the same time in the meantime
before, before long, before this last, last but not least, lastly
currently later
during meanwhile
eventually next

finally previously
first of al1, first, second, third, etc. Simultaneously
formerly, SOon, soon after
immediately subsequently
immediately before, immediately following then, and then
in the end thereafter
You can use the following words as signals for introducing disagreement
or conflict:
Making a concession or compromise about a point:

admittedly given that naturally

albeit granted that, granting that nevertheless
although however nonetheless
at least I admit that notwithstanding
be that as it may in any event still
but even so in either event though
even though in the event that yet
Dismissing a previous statement or argument:
all the same in any case in the event that whatever happens
besides in any event it may appear that whichever
either way in either case rather
even if in either event regardless

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Pointing out a contradiction:

but conversely however in spite of when in tact
by way ot contrast despite in contrast instead whereas
Indicating reservations:
indeed notwithstanding
nevertheless regardless
nonetheless
Indicating a digression to a previous point or resuming after a digression or
interruption:
anyway at any rate incidentally to get back to the point
as I was saying by the way to change the topic to return to the subject
Pointing out conditions:
although if only if providing that
as/so long as on (the) condition (that) provided that unless
You can
use the following words
be presented:
as signals that a summary or conclusion will

accordingly given these facts

all in all, all together hence
as a result in conclusion, to conclude
as I have said, as I stated, in short
as I have shown on the whole
as indicated above/earlier overall
as mentioned, as I mentioned Since
as noted earlier, as has been noted, SO

as I have noted summing up, in summary,

brietly, in briet, to put it briefly to summarize
by and large then
consequently therefore
finally thus