Unit 21 Grammar Notes

Pages 362-364

1.Connectors (often called discourse connectors) are words and phrases that

connect ideas both within sentences and between

sentences or larger blocks of text.

1.See the teacher’s chart of connecting words at

http://grammar5laney.wordpress.com/quick-grammar-review-

handouts/4-summary-of-connecting-words/

1.There are three types of connectors:

Type of connector Example

Coordinating conjunction I try hard, but I can never remember new people’s names.

Subordinating conjunction = Subordinator = Adverbial expression

*I can’t remember her name although I can remember her face.

Transition = Logical connector = Sentence adverb

I spent a lot on a memory improvement course. However, it was a waste of money.

2.The coordinating

conjunctions join two independent clauses.

Coordinating conjunctions come between clauses

and are normally preceded by a comma.

2.For example:

I often forget things, so I write everything down.

I heard what you said, but what did you mean?

Winters in California can be cold and windy, and there is sometimes a lot of rain.

I need to take a vacation, or I will tell my boss I am going to quit.

2.There are only seven coordinating conjunctions. They are sometimes

called FANBOYS:forand norbutor

yet so

2.Subordinating

conjunctions connect ideas within sentences.

They come at the beginning of a subordinate, or

dependent clause. This kind of clause is also called an

adverb clause.

2.If the subordinate clause comes first in a sentence, it is followed by a comma. If the subordinate clause follows the independent clause, it is not usually preceded by a comma.

2.For example:

Because I often forget things, I write everything down.I write everything down because I often forget things.

Although I heard what you said, I don’t know what you mean.I don’t know what you mean although I heard what you said.

If I can’t get a vacation, I will tell my boss that I am going to quit.I will tell my boss that I am going to quit if I can’t get a vacation.

2.Although there are only

seven coordinating conjunctions, there are many subordinating conjunctions.

See the chart at

http://grammar5laney.wordpress.com/quick-grammar-review-handouts/4-summary-of-connecting-words/

3.Transitions, or logical connectors, connect

ideas between sentences or larger

sections of text.

3.Logical connectors that connect sentences can come at the beginning of a sentence, within it,

or at the end.

3.Common logical

connectors include besides, consequently, however, in addition,

nevertheless, otherwise and therefore.

3.The position of the logical connector in the sentence affects the punctuation:

At the beginning of a sentence, a logical connector is preceded by a period or semicolon and followed by a comma

He said he would support the idea. However, I wouldn’t count on him.He said he would support the idea; however, I wouldn’t count on him.

In the middle of the sentence, it is preceded and followed by commas.

He said he would support the idea. I wouldn’t, however, count on him.

At the end of a sentence, it is preceded by a comma.

He said he would support the idea. I wouldn’t count on him, however.

3.There are many, many logical connectors in

English. Many of them are formal, and used mostly in writing. Sometimes

they are called sentence adverbs.

4.There are five principal types of transitions or

logical connectors.

4a. Some logical connectors show addition.

These include additionally, besides, furthermore, in addition,

likewise, moreover, and *plus

I remember her telephone number. In addition, I remember what street she lives on.

I live too far away to visit you. Besides, I can never remember your address.

*Plus is an informal connector that should not be used in formal writing.

4b.

One transition of condition, otherwise, indicates that a result opposite to what is expected will happen if a certain action isn’t

taken.

I need to write down your email address. Otherwise, I’ll never remember it.

I need to write down your email address. I’ll never remember it, otherwise.

4c.Your teacher disagrees that though should be listed with the logical

connectors.

4c.Though is usually a subordinator. It means the

same as although and even though.

Though I’ve told him my name several times, he never remembers it =He never remembers my name though I’ve told it to him several times =

Although I’ve told him my name several times, he never remembers it =He never remembers my name although I’ve told it to him several times =

Even though I’ve told him my name several times, he never remembers it =He never remembers my name even though I’ve told it to him several times.

4c.Though, unlike other subordinators, can be added to the end of a

sentence.

4c.

That makes it a special kind of subordinator. It is not a logical

connector.

Though I carefully wrote her name on a piece of paper, I lost the piece of paper.

I carefully wrote her name on a piece of paper. I lost the piece of paper, though.

4d. Some transitions show effect/result.

These include accordingly, as a result, because of this,

consequently, on account of this, otherwise, therefore and thus.

I was not paying close attention when she was introduced. Consequently, her name escapes me.

This new memory technique is helpful. On account of this, I recommend it to you.

4e. Some transitions show relationships of actions, events and ideas in time.

These include after that, afterwards, in the meantime,

meanwhile, and then.

Bob spend three years in the military. Meanwhile, his brother was earning a college degree.

I went to a memory workshop. Afterwards, I couldn’t remember a single thing.

5.

Some transitions connect blocks of text.

They usually come at the beginning of a sentence and are commonly followed

by a comma.

Such transitions have these uses:

5a. To list ideas in order of time or importance:

These include finally, first of all, most of all, most importantly,

next, second, third, etc.

First of all, let’s consider the question of short-term memory.

Most importantly, let’s consider the question of memory improvement courses.

5b. To give examples:

These include for example and for instance.

I can remember lots of things about people. For example, I always remember what they’re wearing.

5c. To summarize:

These include all in all, in summary, overall, to

summarize.In summary, here are the key points about memory loss.

5d. To add a conclusion:

These include in conclusion and to conclude.

To conclude, let me just say that we can all improve our memory if we work at it.