Linking Adverbs: indicating a relationship between two clauses

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Linking Adverbs

Indicating a relationship between two clauses

Linking Adverbs & Prepositional Phrases

LINKING ADVERBS	PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
We use linking adverbs to indicate a relationship between two clauses. [They are also called conjunctive adverbs or transition words] These words transition the reader or listener from the main idea in one clause to the idea in the next clause.	A similar meaning may be expressed with a prepositional phrase.
ENUMERATING "ordering" Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. Firstly, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Secondly, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. Firstly, Secondly, Third/ Thirdly, Then, Next, Lastly, Finally (First and second (ordinal numbers) and last may also be used.)	Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. In the first place, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. For another, they are not genetically modified. In addition, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. For one thing, For another, In the first place, To begin with
ADDING Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. Organic fruit and vegetables are less contaminated by chemical pesticides, and they are not genetically modified. Furthermore, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Moreover, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. Furthermore, Moreover, Another thing is See And / In addition "adding a conclusive fact"	Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. Organic fruit and vegetables are less contaminated by chemical pesticides, and they are not genetically modified. In addition, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Besides that, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. In addition, Besides that
SUMMING Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. First, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Second, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. Overall, organic fruit and vegetables are healthier and tastier. Overall, To summarize, To conclude, All in all	Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. First, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Second, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. In short, organic fruit and vegetables are healthier and tastier. In sum, In summary, In conclusion, in short
PLACING IN APPOSITION / RESTATING Buying organic foods is a better choice. Which is to say, they are less contaminated, altered, and processed. As a result, they have a shorter "shelf life", that is, they stay fresh for shorter periods of time on market shelves than foods with preservatives. Shorter shelf-life means you eat fresher food. Which is to say, That is, Namely, Specifically, More precisely	Buying organic foods is a better choice. For example, they are less contaminated, altered, and processed. As a result, they have a shorter "shelf life", in other words, they stay fresh for shorter periods of time on market shelves than foods with preservatives. Shorter shelf-life means you eat fresher food. In other words, For example, For instance
RESULT / INFERENCE Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. First, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Second, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. Therefore, organic fruit and vegetables are healthier and tastier. Therefore, Consequently. Thus, Hence, so See Cause & Effect.	Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. First, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Second, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. As a result, organic fruit and vegetables are healthier and tastier. As a result , For this reason, For all these reasons
CONTRAST / CONCESSION Buying organic fruit is a better choice. While conventionally grown fruit may be contaminated by chemical pesticides, organically grown fruit is not. Conventionally produced fruit is picked while it is green so that it will not become damaged in long-distance shipping. However, organic fruit is picked when it is ripe, and by necessity is consumed locally. Alternatively, However See Contrast and Contrary Outcome.	Buying organic fruit is a better choice. Conventionally grown fruit is contaminated by chemical pesticides. In contrast, organically grown fruit is not. Conventionally produced fruit is picked while it is green so that it will not become damaged in long-distance shipping. On the other hand, organic fruit is picked when it is ripe, and by necessity is consumed locally. On the other hand, In contrast to See Comparisons
TRANSITION – a loosely related addition Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. First, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Second, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. Incidentally, you will pay more for organically produced food. Incidentally, Now (inf.) See Comma–comments, Aside Comments.	Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. First, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Second, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. By the way, you will pay more for organically produced food. By the way, By the by(not commonly used)

LINKING ADVERBS

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

We use linking adverbs to indicate a relationship between two clauses. [They are also called conjunctive adverbs or transition words] These words transition the reader or listener from the main idea in one clause to the idea in the next clause.

A similar meaning may be expressed with a prepositional phrase.

ENUMERATING "ordering"

Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. Firstly, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Secondly, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best.

Firstly, Secondly, Third/ Thirdly, Then, Next, Lastly, Finally

(First and second (ordinal numbers) and last may also be used.)

Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. In the first place, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. For another, they are not genetically modified. In addition, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best.

For one thing, For another, In the first place, To begin with

ADDING

Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. Organic fruit and vegetables are less contaminated by chemical pesticides, and they are not genetically modified. Furthermore, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Moreover, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best.

Furthermore, Moreover, Another thing is See And / In addition "adding a conclusive fact"

Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. Organic fruit and vegetables are less contaminated by chemical pesticides, and they are not genetically modified. In addition, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Besides that, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best.

In addition, Besides that

SUMMING

Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. First, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Second, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. Overall, organic fruit and vegetables are healthier and tastier.

Overall, To summarize, To conclude, All in all

Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. First, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Second, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. In short, organic fruit and vegetables are healthier and tastier.

In sum, In summary, In conclusion, in short

PLACING IN APPOSITION / RESTATING

Buying organic foods is a better choice. Which is to say, they are less contaminated, altered, and processed. As a result, they have a shorter "shelf life", that is, they stay fresh for shorter periods of time on market shelves than foods with preservatives. Shorter shelf-life means you eat fresher food.

Which is to say, That is, Namely, Specifically, More precisely

Buying organic foods is a better choice. For example, they are less contaminated, altered, and processed. As a result, they have a shorter "shelf life", in other words, they stay fresh for shorter periods of time on market shelves than foods with preservatives. Shorter shelf-life means you eat fresher food.

In other words, For example, For instance

RESULT / INFERENCE

Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. First, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Second, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. Therefore, organic fruit and vegetables are healthier and tastier.

Therefore, Consequently. Thus, Hence, so See Cause & Effect.

Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. First, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Second, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. As a result, organic fruit and vegetables are healthier and tastier.

As a result , For this reason, For all these reasons

CONTRAST / CONCESSION

Buying organic fruit is a better choice. While conventionally grown fruit may be contaminated by chemical pesticides, organically grown fruit is not. Conventionally produced fruit is picked while it is green so that it will not become damaged in long-distance shipping. However, organic fruit is picked when it is ripe, and by necessity is consumed locally.

Alternatively, However See Contrast and Contrary Outcome.

Buying organic fruit is a better choice. Conventionally grown fruit is contaminated by chemical pesticides. In contrast, organically grown fruit is not. Conventionally produced fruit is picked while it is green so that it will not become damaged in long-distance shipping. On the other hand, organic fruit is picked when it is ripe, and by necessity is consumed locally.

On the other hand, In contrast to See Comparisons

TRANSITION – a loosely related addition

Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. First, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Second, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. Incidentally, you will pay more for organically produced food.

Incidentally, Now (inf.) See Comma–comments, Aside Comments.

Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. First, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. Second, they are not genetically modified. Next, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best. By the way, you will pay more for organically produced food.

By the way, By the by(not commonly used)

Also called: transitions words, adverbial conjunctions, conjuncts, connective adjuncts, connecting adverbs. See Grammar Notes below.
See Connector Summary .

Common Mistakes

Errors and Solutions

ERROR	SOLUTION
* At first, I want to talk to you. Then, we'll decide what to do.	Firstly, I want to talk to you. Then, we'll decide what to do. adverb First, I… You can also use an ordinal number instead of the adverb. At first, I wanted to talk to him, but then I changed my mind. "in the beginning" (time adverb)
Firstly, organic foods have no preservatives, so they are fresher. In addition, they are not genetically modified. *Nextly, they taste better because they are allowed to ripen fully.	Next, they taste better… an old form that is no longer used When using adverbs for ordering, most writers use a particular word form to maintain the style of writing, i.e. first, second, last or firstly, secondly, lastly, finally. However, next no longer occurs with the -ly suffix.
For another, organic foods have no preservatives, so they are fresher. In addition, they are not genetically modified. *At last, they taste better because they are allowed to ripen fully.	Lastly, they taste better because they are allowed to ripen fully. We waited a long time. At last, they arrived with the pizza. "in the end and late" (time adverb)

ERROR

SOLUTION

* At first, I want to talk to you. Then, we'll decide what to do.

Firstly, I want to talk to you. Then, we'll decide what to do. adverb
First, I… You can also use an ordinal number instead of the adverb.
At first, I wanted to talk to him, but then I changed my mind. "in the beginning" (time adverb)

Firstly, organic foods have no preservatives, so they are fresher. In addition, they are not genetically modified. *Nextly, they taste better because they are allowed to ripen fully.

Next, they taste better… an old form that is no longer used

When using adverbs for ordering, most writers use a particular word form to maintain the style of writing, i.e. first, second, last or firstly, secondly, lastly, finally. However, next no longer occurs with the -ly suffix.

For another, organic foods have no preservatives, so they are fresher. In addition, they are not genetically modified. *At last, they taste better because they are allowed to ripen fully.

Lastly, they taste better because they are allowed to ripen fully.
We waited a long time. At last, they arrived with the pizza. "in the end and late" (time adverb)

Grammar Notes

Resource Comments

QUIRK / BIBER	HUDDLESON / SWAN
Quirk, Randolph and Sidney Greenbaum. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language, 1989, refer to these as conjuncts. "the conjunct function entails a conjunct-specific set of semantic relations. They are connected with, but are frequently rather remote from, the adverbial relation we must assume in the speaker-related clause to which they correspond." (1) Listing – enumerative, additive (equating, reinforcing; (2) Summative; (3) Appositional; (4) Resultive; (5) Inferential; (6) Contrastive (7) Transitional.	Huddleston and Pullum, The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language, 2002, refer to these as connective adjuncts and serial adjuncts (778) They function in ordering, addition and comparison, elaboration and exemplification. There is, moreover, no justification for making an exception. (8 §19) She read the book for the third time. ( 8 §10)
Biber, et. al. Longman Grammar Of Spoken And Written English, 1999, refer to this grammar point as linking adverbials, which state the speaker's perception of the relationship between two units of discourse.…" They are "important devices for creating textual cohesion, alongside coordinators and subordinators." (10.4.1.4) The categories are the same as those presented on this page.	Swan, Michael. Practical English Usage, 2009, refers to these as connecting adverbs, "These adverbs join a clause to what came before." Examples: then, next, besides, anyway, suddenly, however. (22.1) Discourse markers "They can show the connection between what a speaker is saying and what has already been said… ( 157)

QUIRK / BIBER

HUDDLESON / SWAN

Quirk, Randolph and Sidney Greenbaum. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language, 1989, refer to these as conjuncts. "the conjunct function entails a conjunct-specific set of semantic relations. They are connected with, but are frequently rather remote from, the adverbial relation we must assume in the speaker-related clause to which they correspond." (1) Listing – enumerative, additive (equating, reinforcing; (2) Summative; (3) Appositional; (4) Resultive; (5) Inferential; (6) Contrastive (7) Transitional.

Huddleston and Pullum, The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language, 2002, refer to these as connective adjuncts and serial adjuncts (778) They function in ordering, addition and comparison, elaboration and exemplification.

There is, moreover, no justification for making an exception. (8 §19)
She read the book for the third time. ( 8 §10)

Biber, et. al. Longman Grammar Of Spoken And Written English, 1999, refer to this grammar point as linking adverbials, which state the speaker's perception of the relationship between two units of discourse.…" They are "important devices for creating textual cohesion, alongside coordinators and subordinators." (10.4.1.4) The categories are the same as those presented on this page.

Swan, Michael. Practical English Usage, 2009, refers to these as connecting adverbs, "These adverbs join a clause to what came before." Examples: then, next, besides, anyway, suddenly, however. (22.1) Discourse markers "They can show the connection between what a speaker is saying and what has already been said… ( 157)

Resources and Works Cited

Practice 1

Organic Food: Is it Worth It?

Try organic food
or as your grandparents called it, "Food".

Add Connecting adverbials

Select your response from the menu.
Compare your edit with the feedback. (More than one answer exist.)

1–2.

Organic food is one of the fastest-growing categories in the food industry, despite the fact that it can cost more than double the price of conventional foods. is it worth spending more when it comes to buying organic? And what does "organic" really mean? is the "organic" label what we think it is.

3–4.

Most consumers bought some type of organic food or beverage last year. And they probably spent a lot more for it— about 50 percent to 100 percent more. The U.S. Department of Agriculture found that certain fruits and vegetables, apples, berries, grapes, spinach, and potatoes, contain high levels of pesticide residue even after you wash them. bananas, mangoes, or corn do not. some organic food is worth buying, while other food is not.

pesticide (n.) – a chemical substance used to kill insects and small animals that destroy crops
residue (n.) – a substance that remains on a surface and cannot be removed easily, or that remains after a chemical process
Also see "Adding examples or clarification" For example.

6–11.

An item labeled "organic" must meet several requirements. animals have not been treated with antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed made from animal by-products. animals must have been fed organic feed for at least a year. animals must have access to the outdoors. food hasn't been genetically modified or irradiated. fertilizer does not contain sewage sludge or synthetic ingredients. the produce hasn't been contaminated with synthetic chemicals used as pesticides.

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