Connector Summary

Conjunctions & Coordinators

conjunctions

Combining two independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions

Using phrase (conjunctions) vs. sentence connectors (coordinating conjunctions)
FANBOYS – and, but, so, yet, or / nor
Punctuation

See connector definitions in Connector Review.

She danced and waved a fan. (conjunction)

She danced, and he played the flute. (coordinating conjunction)

contrasts

Connectors for stating contrasting or contrary ideas, opinions and events

Contrasting:

while
whereas
on the one hand
in contrast to
but
yet

Contrary :

though
but still
even so
but ... anyway

I like sugar in my coffee, whereas Edward likes black coffee.

I like sugar in my coffee in contrast to Edward who likes none.

One the one hand, I like sugar in my coffee.

On the other hand, Edgard does not!

I shouldn't eat sugar, but still I do.

Though I shouldn't eat sugar, I do.

I shouldn't eat sugar. Nevertheless, I do.

because-though

Connectors adding clauses and phrases of expected and unexpected results

Stating expected and unexpected reasoning:

because vs. though
because of vs. inspite of

Shortening clauses to modifying phrases :

the weather was cold
it being cold / the cold weather

He wore his winter pants because it was snowing.

Schools were closed because of the snow.

It was snowing. For this reason, the schools were closed.

He was biking in his shorts though it was snowing.

The schools were open in spite of the cold temperature.

It was snowing. Nevertheless, the schols were open.

but - though

Expressing Defeat vs. Challenge

Statements of intent followed by

but
though

Also see because vs. though

Brian planned on attending a job fair, but the line to get in wrapped around the block. (It has discouraged him.)

Brian planned on attending a job fair, though the line to get in wrapped around the block. (He stood in it anyway.)

Cause - Effect & Reason

so-such that

Emphasizing the quality or characteristic of something (cause-effect)

Using a modifying phrase indicating

so ... that
such ... that
so much / such

Also see because-though and because phrases

The meteor-storm passed so quickly that it went by in one night. (adverb)

so phrases

Expressing cause-effect, purpose, and result

so… that (emphasis / result) in order to
so that (purpose)
, so (result)
so-so, just so, so! (expressions)

The baby reached up so that he could get some candy.

He has to pull down on the lever in order to get some candy to come out.

The baby got nothing, so he cried.

cause-effect

Expressing a cause and effect relationship

Summary of cause-effect connectors

coordinating – so
correlative - so that
subordinating – because
transition – For this reason

Also see because-though and because phrases

His computer froze, so he hit it.

He hit it so hard that he damaged the keyboard.

He took it to a repair center because it needed a new keyboard.

He paid a lot to have it fixed. As a consequence, he never hit his computer again.

Addition

Both...and

Expressing a cause and effect relationship

Summary of cause-effect connectors

both X and Y
not only X but also Y
either X or Y
neither X nor Y

Both the movie and the play were good.

Not only the movie but also the play was good.

Neither the movie nor the play was good.

Either the movie or the play was good. I can't remember.

Emphasis

indeed-even

These adverbs introduce phrases and clauses of emphasis and detail.

indeed
in fact (details data)
even (unexpected)

His work is indeed more amazing than before
His work is in fact more amazing than before
His work is even more amazing than before

Comparison & Contrast

comparison

These words compare and contrast words, phrases, and clauses.

similar to , same, like / unlike
dissimilar, unlike, different
as (adjective / adverb) as
in contrast, on the contrary
on the contrary (The opposite is true.)
while / whereas
on the other hand
(It is, however, also true that . . .)
("Looking at both sides of the coin.")

The apple is similar to the orange.
The color of the apple is unlike the color of the orange.This apple is as expensive as that orange.
This apple is the same price as that orange.
This apple is tart. Similarly, this one is sour.
This apple is tart. In the same way, this one is sour.
This apple is red. In contrast, this orange is not.
Some people think the apple is orange. On the contrary, the apple is red. (on the contrary = not true!)
While the orange is high in fiber, the apple is not.
On the one hand oranges are high in vitamin C, on the other hand they are very acetic to the stomach.

Review

connectreview

Conjunctions, adverbs and transition words

addition
alternative
cause and effect
comparison
condition
contrast
emphasis
place
time

The day was cold and windy.
They day was cloudy, windy and also cold.
It was cloudy and windy. Also, it was cold.
The wind was strong as well as cold.
Besides being windy, it was also cold.
The day was windy and cold. In addition, it was bright and clear.
It was bright, clear and windy. Moreover, it was cold.
It was bright, clear and windy. Furthermore, it was cold

connectedit

Sentence connector editing

Select the phrasing that best completes the sentence.

* We had to go home even we hadn't found what we were looking for.

conn-parag

Editing connectors in context

Fill in the blank paragraph practice.

________, it seems to me that the reasons for her behavior are more complex.

parallel

Using parallel phrasing

adjectives
adverbs
gerunds
infinitives
noun phrases

Also see Gerunds: parallel phrasing

*My English is improving slow but surely.

My English is improving slowly but surely.

clausedit

Clause editing

adding punctuation
removing wordiness
adding capitalization

*Because I needed to miss a board meeting, so I notified the speaker.

* becausephrases

Shortening clauses to modifying phrases: expressing reason (cause-effect)

Using a modifying phrase indicating

same time
earlier time

* Also located in Adverb Summary

Because he was working so hard, he was earning a good salary. (same time)

Working so hard, he was earning a good salary. (same time)

Because he had been working so hard , he needed a vacation.
Having worked so hard (earlier time), he needed a vacation.

if-unless

These coordinating conjunctions introduce clause or phrases of condition.

if
only if
if only
unless
in the event
in case
whether or not (no condition exists)
regardless of

** Located in Conditional Summary

If an athlete tests drug-free, then he can compete.
Only if an athlete tests drug-free, can he compete.
If only we could stop this abuse of drugs. (a strong wish or regret)
Unless an athlete tests drug-free, then he cannot compete.
In the event a track meet is cancelled, everyone is notified.
In case an athlete gets hurt, paramedics are nearby.
An athlete can be disqualified whether or not he knowingly took drugs.
An athlete can be disqualified regardless of his knowledge of taking drugs.

in case

These coordinating conjunctions introduce urgent or emergency plans

in case – if in an urgent situation
in the event – if in an emergency
should – if

** Located in Conditional Summary

In the event (that) you need to reach me, call my cell phone.

In case you need to reach me, call me at work.

Should you need to reach me, call my cell phone.

whenwhile

These adverbs contrast verbs of short and long duration.

when
while

* Located in Adverb Summary

When you called, he picked up his cell phone.

While he was talking on the phone, the baby slept.

advmixed

Using present tense for expected / predictable sequence of events

Adverbs introducing clauses with mixed time frames:

after – before
when, as soon as
since, until
as, while
first, second

* Located in Adverb Summary

When I [will] call the dog, she comes.
After I [will] call the dog, she comes.
Before I [will] call the dog, I open the door.
After I [will] make popcorn, we'll watch a movie.