Connecting ideas between and within sentences

Connecting ideas between and within sentences


Some words are used to connect ideas between two sentences, some are used to connect ideas within a single sentence.
Many words used to connect sentences between sentences can also connect two clauses in a sentence joined with: and, but, or, so ...

I Sequence

II Contrast

III Cause and consequence

IV Other text organisers

V Exercises

I Sequence

I-1 Speak about events that happened


The following adverbs are used to speak about events that happened one after the other .

Rule

The adverbs below are used to connect ideas between sentences :
soon, then, afterwards, after that, before, that, subsequently.

Eg

  • He picked me up. Afterwards we went shopping.
  • He picked me up and afterwards we went shopping.

Rule

The adverbs below are used to connect ideas within sentences:
after, before, as soon as, since, as

Eg

  • He came after preparing dinner. He came after dinner.
  • Before going to the market please call your grandmother.
  • As soon as he left we opened the box of chocolates.
  • Going to Paris was the nicest holiday we have had since the last time I saw you.
  • His eyes slowly opened wide as he was reading the letter.

Linkwords and text organisersI Sequence → I-1 Speak about events that happened

I-2 Speak about events that happened the same time.

The following adverbs are used to speak about events that happened at the same time .

Rule

The adverbs below are used to connect ideas between sentences :
meanwhile, at the same time, at that time

Eg

We could go skiikng at Christmas. At the same time / Meanwhile we could visit your uncle.

Rule

The adverbs below are used to connect ideas within sentences :
while, as, whenever

Eg

While / As / When I was waiting I read a magazine.
Linkwords and text organisersI Sequence → I-2 Speak about events that happened the same time.

II Contrast

Rule

To connect ideas between sentences, the following adverbs can be used:
however, nevertheless, on the other hand, otherwise, though, still, all the same.

Eg

The more he talked the more silent Mary became. However he thought she had been interested.

Rule

To connect ideas within sentences the following adverbs can be used:
although, though, even though, yet, while, in spite of / despite +noun, in spite of / despite+noun or despite+verb(ing).

Eg

  • She wore a fur coat (even) though it was summer.
  • Despite/In spite of our late order we recieved the computer in time.
  • Despite/In spite of his coming late we managed to catch the train.
  • They constantly criticise the government, yet they have all sorts of financial advantages.

III Cause and consequence

Rule

To connect ideas between sentences the following adverbs can be used:
therefore, consequently, as a result, so, as a consequence, because of this, that's the reason why

Eg

Prices have gone up. Therefore we cannot afford to go on holiday this year.

Rule

To connect ideas within sentences the following adverbs can be used:
  • consequence:
    lead to, result in, so, bring about, give rise to, account for, be responsible for
  • cause
    because, since, because of+noun/verb(ing), owing to+ noun/verb(ing), due to+noun/verb(ing), on account of+noun/verb(ing).

Eg

  • He failed his exam since / because / as he was often ill.
  • Due to / Owing to high inflation prices have rocketed.
Linkwords and text organisers → III Cause and consequence

IV Other text organisers

The words/expressions below are used to structuring a piece of text.
  • Adding more information.
    furthermore, moreover, in addition to this, besides, as well as

    Eg

    I'm not inviting my cousin - I don't like him. Besides , he didn't invite me to his party.
  • Giving opinions
    Personally, in my opinion / view...
  • Giving examples
    for example, namely, that is to say (i.e. in writing), for instance, such as

    Eg

    The factory produces electrical goods, such as food mixers.
  • Summing up
    in conclusion, to sum up, lastly, finally, to conclude
Linkwords and text organisers → IV Other text organisers

V Exercises


  • A - Linkwords
  • B - Linkwords
  • C - Linkwords: text organisers

document on linkwords.
: linkword, interactive mathematics, interactive math, server side interactivity

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