FACULTAD MEDICINA VETERINARIA
CARRERA MEDICINA VETERINARIA
INGLES INTRUMENTAL II
What are English connectors?
These, also called linkers, connectives or linking words, are
the glue that holds your sentences together. A text wouldn’t be a
proper text if we didn’t use connectors appropriately. English students
struggle with them most of the time. Sometimes, they don’t know an
appropriate one to use or they don’t know how to use it properly. For
this reason, in this lesson, we will go over some essential
connectors which are simply perfect for intermediate English learners.
They are divided them into 3 groups: reason, purpose and
result; contrast, and addition.
Reason, purpose and result connectors
Because (of), as, since
We use these three linking words to give a reason for something.
“Because” is more common than “as” and “since”.
“She didn’t tell him because/as/since she was afraid to.”
We use “because of” when the reason is a noun, not a sentence.
“Jack knew Laura because of his brother.”
“We didn’t recognise him because of the sunglasses.”
So & therefore
We use “so” and “therefore” when we give the result of something.
“So” is usually in the middle of a sentence, whereas “therefore” usually
appears at the beginning and followed by a comma.
“I’m really tired so I won’t go out tonight.”
“I’m really tired. Therefore, I won’t go out tonight.”
To & In order to
We use “to” and “in order” to when we explain why we do something,
the purpose. They are always followed by an infinitive.
“I have joined an academy to learn English.”
“I’ve joined an academy in order to learn English.”
We can also answer a Why…? question using «to» or «in order to«.
“Why have you joined an academy? To/In order to learn English.”
Contrast connectors
But, although & though
These linking words connect two contrasting ideas and are followed
by a clause (pronoun/noun + verb). “But” is normally in the middle of a
sentence, preceded by a comma, while “although/though” can go in the
middle and at the beginning.
“The hotel was excellent, but the food was not good.”
“The hotel was excellent although/though the food was not good.”
“Although/though the food was not good, the hotel was excellent.”
In spite of / despite
“In spite of” / “despite” are used to contrast two ideas. These
connectors are followed by a noun or an -ing phrase; never by a
pronoun/noun + verb. They can be used either at the beginning or in
the middle of a sentence.
“The hotel was excellent despite the food being bad/the bad food.”
“The hotel was excellent in spite of the food being bad/the bad food.”
“Despite the food being bad/the bad food, the hotel was excellent.”
“In spite of the food being bad/the bad food, the hotel was excellent.”
However
“However” is a word which connects two different contrasting
sentences. It’s normally used at the beginning of a sentence and
should be followed by a comma.
“The hotel was excellent. However, the food was awful.”
«People tend to put on weight in middle age. However, gaining weight
is not inevitable»
Addition connectors
Also, too, in addition, moreover
We use these linking words to add more information to something we
have said.
«Too» normally goes at the end and is used in positive sentences.
«Also» (as a sentence adverb), «in addition» and «moreover» usually
go at the beginning.
“Buying car is a long-term commitment. Also, a car is very expensive to
run.”
“Buying car is a long-term commitment. In addition, a car is very
expensive to run.”
“Buying car is a long-term commitment. Moreover, a car is very
expensive to run.”
“Buying car is a long-term commitment. A car is very expensive to
run, too.”
Exercises:
A. Complete these sentences with a connector:
Either …..or…./ However / Otherwise / Despite / Although / Neither ….nor…./
Afterwards / As a result / So / Therefore / Besides / as well as / Unless
1. There is no more food left. ___________________ there is plenty of drinks.
2. Wash the potatoes first. _____________________ you can boil them.
3. The particles will ________ sink _________ float if you add more oil to the
bottle.
4. The old man exercises daily. _____________ he is as fit as a young person.
5. It is imperative that we conserve our environment. ______________ the coming
generations may suffer more than what we experience now.
6. The car didn´t at the red traffic light. _______________, the driver was fined
by a traffic policeman.
7. "I don't think she can handle this task. _______________, she already has a lot
of other responsibilities," said the teacher to his assistant.
8. He did not like the film. ____________ he left the cinema hall.
9. _____________ we have one more day, it is impossible for us to complete the
work on time.
10. ________________ repeated warnings, they still went ahead with their plan.
11. _________ Alice ________ Teresa should be responsable for the mistake because
they are innocent.
.
12. The children, ____________ the teacher, were all enjoying the funny show.
13. ____________ they were rich, they lived simply and were at peace with all the world.
