Sentence connectors

Sentence connectors are used to link ideas from one sentence to the next and to give
paragraphs coherence. Sentence connectors perform different functions and are placed at
the beginning of a sentence. They are used to introduce, order, contrast, sequence ideas,
theory, data etc. The following table lists useful connectors.
Useful sentence connectors
Logical / sequential order
Firstly, secondly, thirdly etc
Next, last, finally
n addition
Furthermore
!lso
!t present " presently

Order of importance
#ost " more importantly
#ost significantly
!bove all
$rimarily
t is essential " essentially
Contrast
%owever
&n the other hand
&n the contrary
'y (in) comparison
n contrast
Result
!s a result
!s a consequence
Therefore
Thus
*onsequently
%ence
Comparison
Similarily
+ikewise
!lso
Reason
The cause of
The reason for
Activity 1
$ut the correct sentence connector to its appropriate place.
Time management skills are essential for study success. there are several
useful strategies that can be used to improve your time management skills.
have clear goals in mind. plan your time by using a yearly and
,
weekly planner. *areful planning will enable you to keep on top of your work and avoid
stress. reward yourself when the -ob is done.
Firstly, Finally, Secondly, n fact,
.
Subordinators
Subordinators are linking words that are used to -oin clauses together. They are used at
the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. ! clause is a group of words that must
contain a sub-ect and predicate. There are two types of clauses/
independent clauses 0 these can stand alone as a sentence by themselves
dependent clauses 0 these make no sense by themselves.
Eample
Common subordinators
'elow are some examples of commonly used subordinators.
Comparison !
Contrast
Cause / effect "ime
!lthough
Though
1ven though
2hile
2hereas
Since
So that
'ecause
!fter
2hen
3ntil
2henever
'efore
#ossibility #lace ! manner

if
as if
whether
unless
2herever
2here
%ow
4
Lin$ing %ords and p&rases
!lthough some of these words have already been mentioned as sentence connectors, they
can also be used to develop coherence within a paragraph, that is linking one idea "
argument to another. $rint off this page to keep as a reference of useful linking words and
phrases.
Sequence Result Emp&asis
First " firstly, second "
secondly, third "
thirdly etc
Next, last, finally
n addition, moreover
Further " furthermore
!nother
!lso
n conclusion
To summarise
So
!s a result
!s a
consequence (of)
Therefore
Thus
*onsequently
%ence
5ue to
3ndoubtedly
ndeed
&bviously
6enerally
!dmittedly
n fact
$articularly " in
particular
1specially
*learly
mportantly
Addition Reason Eample
!nd
n addition "
additionally " an
additional
Furthermore
!lso
Too
!s well as
For
'ecause
Since
!s
'ecause of
For example
For instance
That is (ie)
Such as
ncluding
Namely
Contrast Comparison
%owever
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
Still
!lthough " even
though
Though
'ut
7et
5espite " in spite of
n contrast (to) " in
8
comparison
2hile
2hereas
&n the other hand
&n the contrary
9
Activity '
F i l l i n t h e b l a n k s wi t h a l o g i c a l o r s e q u e n c e c o n n e c t o r e a c h

,. There is no more food left. :::::: there is plenty of drinks.

.. The nteract *lub has done well to help the poor. :::::: the 2elfare
*lub has done well too.

4. The documents will be scrutini;ed by the police. :::::: they will be
sent back tot he relevant authority.

8. The retailer has been making losses. :::::: he intends to wind up his
business.

9. 2ash the potatoes first. :::::: you can boil them.

<. 2e have been trying to contact #ichael for the past few days. ::::::
we managed to trace him to a hotel in town.

=. +ife in the country may not be as exciting as life in the city. :::::: you
are close to nature which provides peace and quietness.

>. The dog will bark without fail every time the ice0cream man passes by.
:::::: it will start howling.

?. +et us not be complacent with ourselves. :::::: we may lose out in the
final round.

,@. +ope; has experienced poverty and hardship before. :::::: he has a
sympathetic heart towards the poor and needy.
Activity (
F i l l i n t h e b l a n k s wi t h s u i t a b l e l o g i c a l c o n n e c t o r s

,. Susie refused to take part in the concert. ::::::, she changed her mind the next day.
.. The car beat the red traffic light. ::::::, the driver was issued a summons by the
traffic policeman.
4. AFira won the gold medal after three months of intensive training. ::::::, you too
could win if you practice hard enough,A +i;aBs mother said to her.
<
8. A donBt think she can handle this task. ::::::, she already has a lot of other
responsibilities,A said the head prefect to his assistant.
9. The cadets were given new uniforms to wear. ::::::, they received free passes to the
match.
<. The people strongly opposed the move to build a golf course near their house. ::::::,
the proposed plan was cancelled.
=. AThe final examinations are coming soon. ::::::, it would be advisable for you to
begin revising more systematically,A the teacher told her class.
>. The neighbors often helped each other, :::::: creating a feeling of harmony in the
neighborhood.
?. The teenager was caught shoplifting. ::::::, he was let off with a warning.
,@. Shaun is directing the movie. ::::::, he is playing the lead role in it.
,,. Thomas 1dison failed several times before he successfully invented the first light
bulb. ::::::, you too could attain your dreams if you never give up trying.
,.. The bungalow had seven rooms, each with an attached bathroom. ::::::, there was a
large garden and a swimming pool.
Activity )
F i l l i n t h e b l a n k s wi t h t h e mo s t s u i t a b l e s e q u e n c e c o n n e c t o r s
f r o m t h e b r a c k e t s

,. #y sister was in the dentistBs office for ten minutes. ::::::, sat in the waiting room
with an old maga;ine in my hands. (First, #eanwhile, +ater)

.. !n hour passed but there was no sign of #ike. ::::::, we decided to go home. (3ntil,
'efore, Finally)

4. 2e bumped into Salsa during our trip to +ang sland. ! few weeks ::::::, we met
him again (after, then, later)

8. The teacher had trouble telling the twins apart. :::::: she reali;ed one had a mole
above her lips. (Subsequently, Finally, #eanwhile)

9. The men went to a nearby restaurant for breakfast. ::::::, they drove off towards the
$enang 'ridge (!fter, !fterwards, #eanwhile)

<. The football coach announced, AToday, we will begin practicing for the coming
match.A :::::: he added, A+etBs warm up first.A (Then, !fter, 1ventually)

=. ::::::, heat the oil in the frying pan. Then put in all the marinated chicken pieces.
('efore, !fter, First)
=
>. #any customers bought the delicious chicken pies. :::::: all the pies were sold out.
(1ventually, !fterwards, Next)

?. #any people wanted to buy the tickets. :::::: a while, the queue was quite long.
('efore, !fter, Finally)

,@. Culina will be back in fifteen minutes. ::::::, make yourself at home. (+ater,
Subsequently, #eanwhile)
Activity *
F i l l i n t h e b l a n k s wi t h t h e c o r r e c t s e q u e n c e c o n n e c t o r s f r o m
t h e b r a c k e t s

,. %e did not like the film. :::::: he left the cinema hall. (%owever, So, Then)

.. 2e went to the market. ::::::, we looked for our cat. (%owever, Nor, There)

4. &ur doctor was out. ::::::, we had to look for another doctor. (Neither, Therefore,
Nor)

8. %alim was tired. :::::: as %enry. (Nor, So, Next)

9. She wanted to study. ::::::, she had a bad headache. (%owever, Therefore, Nor)

<. She brought the kitten home and fed it. ::::::, she gave it a bath. (Neither, Nor,
+ater)

=. AThere are many things we have to do. ::::::, we have to clean this room,A #rs Da-
said. (*onsequently, First, Neither)

>. #r +im did not want to go out. :::::: did #rs +im. (First, So, Neither)
Activity +
F o r e a c h o f t h e n u mb e r e d b l a n k s , wr i t e d o wn a s u i t a b l e
c o n n e c t o r

!. This is how you make a call from a public telephone. :::1:::, lift the receiver.
:::':::, drop your money into the slot fo the coin box. Note/ there are three slots,
>
:::(::: be sure that you drop your coin into the correct one. :::)::: will be the slot
that is about the si;e of the coin. :::*::: dial the number you want. 2hen the other side
answers, press 'utton !. 5o not press 'utton ! :::+::: you are sure that your call has
got through.
5o not misuse public telephones. f you damage a public telephone you may regret it
:::,::: when you need to make an urgent call. For example, last 2ednesday, Da-a was
very happy when he managed to get a AfreeA telephone call. :::-::: his mother was ill
and he could not phone for an ambulance because he had damaged the telephone.


'. There are may reasons why girls should be sent to school. :::1:::, a girlBs
intelligence is not lower than that of a boyBs. ! girl has as much chance of doing well in
schoolwork as a boy does. :::':::, not all girls want to stay at home and become
housewives and mothers. Some girls do not like housework. Some girls will not be happy
staying at home all the time. :::(:::, even though a girl might want nothing more than
to be a wife and mother, she may not find anyone she would like to marry. :::):::, it
must be stressed that girls are people with feelings too and should be given a choice to
decide on their own future.
Activity ,
,. No one expected :::::: Felix :::::: 'en to be selected. They must be extremely
happy.

(!) neither ... nor
(') both ... and
(*) both ... or
(5) not only ... and

.. donBt think we can make it :::::: you pitch in.

(!) if
(') unless
(*) and
(5) and yet

4. :::::: night fell, the children packed their things and were ready to leave.

(!) 5espite
(') 3nless
(*) !s
?
(5) For

8. They did not do well in the physical test. ::::::, they were accepted.

(!) 7et
(') *onsequently
(*) Thus
(5) Therefore

9. 2e mentioned it to him :::::: we ran into him outside the school.

(!) when
(') whenever
(*) where
(5) wherever

<. They were told to practice more :::::: they would face elimination in the final
game.

(!) or
(') and
(*) so
(5) but

=. ::::::: the blue dress :::::: the yellow one look cheap. like neither.

(!) 1ither ... or
(') Neither ... nor
(*) 'oth ... or
(5) 'oth ... and

>. :::::: we comforted her, she could not seem to get over the bad experience.

(!) !lthough
(') For
(*) Since
(5) Therefore
?. No one expected :::::: Felix :::::: 'en to be selected. They must be extremely
happy.

(!) neither ... nor
(') both ... and
(*) both ... or
(5) not only ... and

,@. donBt think we can make it :::::: you pitch in.
,@

(!) if
(') unless
(*) and
(5) and yet

,,. :::::: night fell, the children packed their things and were ready to leave.

(!) 5espite
(') 3nless
(*) !s
(5) For

,.. They did not do well in the physical test. ::::::, they were accepted.

(!) 7et
(') *onsequently
(*) Thus
(5) Therefore

,4. 2e mentioned it to him :::::: we ran into him outside the school.

(!) when
(') whenever
(*) where
(5) wherever

,8. They were told to practice more :::::: they would face elimination in the final
game.

(!) or
(') and
(*) so
(5) but

,9. ::::::: the blue dress :::::: the yellow one look cheap. like neither.

(!) 1ither ... or
(') Neither ... nor
(*) 'oth ... or
(5) 'oth ... and

,<. :::::: we comforted her, she could not seem to get over the bad experience.

(!) !lthough
(') For
,,
(*) Since
(5) Therefore
,=. %e reali;ed that he only stood a slim chance :::::: he didnBt give up.

(!) and yet
(') or else
(*) but also
(5) and then

,>. The children, :::::: the teacher, were all en-oying the hilarious show.

(!) as well
(') as well as
(*) but also
(5) not only

,?. The teacher has explained the method to her many times. ::::::, she does not
seem to get it.

(!) Still
(') Therefore
(*) *onsequently
(5) Thus

.@. They started the variety show according to schedule :::::: the poor attendance.

(!) although
(') in spite of
(*) but for
(5) and yet

.,. The center will be closed :::::: renovation works until further notice.

(!) even with
(') because
(*) due to
(5) despite

... :::::: Tim :::::: am a club member. ::::::, we cannot go in.

(!) 1ither ... or ... 7et
(') Neither ... nor ... Therefore
(*) 'oth .. and ... Still
(5) 'oth ... and ... *onsequently

.4. 1llenBs grandparents dote on her very much, :::::: she is their only grandchild.
,.

(!) for
(') when
(*) and
(5) yet

.8. :::::: the lesson proceeded, we started to understand the topic better.

(!) !lthough
(') 1ven
(*) For
(5) !s
.9. will let you know :::::: receive the report.

(!) when
(') whenever
(*) since
(5) and

.<. They waited for her for almost an hour. ::::::, she did not turn up.

(!) Therefore
(') *onsequently
(*) %owever
(5) Thus

.=. :::::: you never asked, how would know you wanted the document E

(!) Since
(') !lthough
(*) 7et
(5) 1ven if

.>. was busy doing my homework :::::: my brothers were busy playing video
games.

(!) whenever
(') while
(*) so that
(5) or else

.?. She takes her sister with her :::::: she goes.

(!) when
(') where
,4
(*) whenever
(5) wherever

4@. :::::: you can show him the membership card, he will let you in.

(!) f
(') 2hile
(*) !lthough
(5) 3nless

4,. They offered to do it for her :::::: she declined their offer.

(!) or
(') when
(*) but
(5) for

4.. They were told to switch off all the lights :::::: going to bed.

(!) after
(') whenever
(*) before
(5) unless

44. 5o not give up so readily :::::: you will regret it later.

(!) and
(') or
(*) but
(5) since

48. am not going to the concert with you :::::: have to visit my ailing
grandmother.

(!) when
(') and yet
(*) because
(5) but

49. :::::: she had invited me, would not have attended her party.

(!) f
(') Since
(*) 5espite
(5) 1ven if

,8
4<. :::::: we have one more day, it is impossible for us to complete the work on
time.

(!) n spite of
(') 3nless
(*) Since
(5) 5espite

4=. :::::: repeated warnings, they still went ahead with their plan.

(!) 5espite
(') n spite
(*) 'ecause of
(5) 5ue to

4>. reminded him to go early :::::: he would not arrive late.

(!) or else
(') and yet
(*) so that
(5) but also

4?. The meeting was :::::: productive :::::: ended as scheduled.

(!) not only ... and yet
(') both ... and
(*) both ... as well as
(5) not only ... but also

8@. :::::: Fanet :::::: Teresa should be held responsible for the mistake. t will not
be fair to do so.

(!) 1ither ... or
(') Neither ... nor
(*) 'oth ... and
(5) 'oth ... or
,9