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Sentence Connectors and Transitions Rev. S2012

This document discusses different types of sentence connectors and transitions that can be used when writing. There are four main types: coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and conjunctive adverbs. Coordinating conjunctions join grammatically equal elements, such as nouns or clauses, and there are seven basic ones. Correlative conjunctions always travel in pairs and join equal elements. Subordinating conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses and show relationships like time or cause/effect. Conjunctive adverbs connect ideas within or between sentences and can occupy different positions.

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23 views

Sentence Connectors and Transitions Rev. S2012

This document discusses different types of sentence connectors and transitions that can be used when writing. There are four main types: coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and conjunctive adverbs. Coordinating conjunctions join grammatically equal elements, such as nouns or clauses, and there are seven basic ones. Correlative conjunctions always travel in pairs and join equal elements. Subordinating conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses and show relationships like time or cause/effect. Conjunctive adverbs connect ideas within or between sentences and can occupy different positions.

Uploaded by

Astrid Castillo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Writing Centre

SENTENCE CONNECTORS & TRANSITIONS


There are four basic types of sentence connectors: coordinating conjunctions,
correlative conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and conjunctive adverbs. A
conjunction or conjunctive adverb is a joiner; a word that connects (conjoins)
parts of a sentence.
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Coordinating conjunctions must always join grammatically equal (parallel)
elements: e.g., noun + noun; verb phrase + verb phrase; independent clause +
independent clause.

There are seven coordinating conjunctions in English. An easy way to remember


these seven conjunctions is to think of the acronym FANBOYS. Each of the letters
in this unusual word is the first letter of one of the coordinating conjunctions. The
most common are AND, BUT and OR.
FOR- means “because,” introduces a “reason” clause, and joins it to a “result”
clause.
I was late, for I had forgotten my watch. (joins two independent clauses)

AND -joins two similar ideas together


The bowl of stew is hot and delicious. (joins two nouns)
I will eat it quickly and enjoy every bite. (joins two independent clauses)

NOR- used to combine two negative ideas. Note the reversed word order in the
second clause below:
I do not eat meat, nor do I eat fish. (joins two independent clauses)

BUT- joins two contrasting ideas together


John is Canadian, but Sally is English. (joins two independent clauses)
They speak the same language but different dialects. (joins two noun
phrases)

OR- joins two alternative ideas


I could cook some supper, or we could order a pizza. (joins two independent
clauses)
We could eat at home or at a restaurant. (joins two prepositional phrases)

YET- means “but” and joins two contrasting ideas.


I was completely exhausted yet happy. (joins two adjectival phrases)
She knew I was injured, yet she insisted that I jump over the fence. (joins
two independent. clauses)
SO- introduces a clause containing a result, and joins it to a clause containing a
reason/cause.
It was raining, so I brought an umbrella. (joins two independent clauses)
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS
Some coordinating conjunctions combine with other words to form what are called
correlative conjunctions. They always travel in pairs, joining various sentence
elements that are grammatically equal. Here is a brief list of common correlative
conjunctions:
 both . . . and
Both my grandfather and my father worked in the steel plant. (noun phrases)
 not only . . . but also
The explosion not only destroyed the school, but also flattened the bank. (verb
phrases)
*Note the word order when this correlative pair joins two clauses:

Not only did I fail the exam, but I also missed the final assignment!
 not . . . but
She is not going to attend university but will attend college. (verb phrases)
 either . . . or/neither . . . nor
Bring either a macaroni salad or scalloped potatoes; it’s your choice. (noun
phrases)
Bring neither a macaroni salad nor scalloped potatoes; no one likes them. (noun
phrases)
 whether . . . or
Corinne is trying to decide whether to go to medical school or to go to law
school. (verb phr.)
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
A subordinating conjunction is a word which introduces a subordinate (dependent)
clause and joins it to an independent clause. There are many, but the more
commonly used ones are:

Because, As, Since - used to introduce the cause in a cause/effect relationship


between two ideas
Although, Even Though, While (meaning ‘although’), WHEREAS - used to
express contrast between ideas
After, Before, When, While (meaning ‘during’) - used to show time
If – used to show a condition
Notice the difference in punctuation, depending on whether the subordinate clause
comes first or second. If it comes first, a comma is needed.
Examples:
Because/As/Since it was raining, I took my umbrella.
I lost my job because I was often late.
Since I have no money, I can't go to the movie.
I used to visit my grandparents frequently when I was a little girl.
If you love me, you’ll buy me a pony.

Although/Even though she is quite small, she's very strong.


She’s very strong even though she’s quite small.
John is tall, whereas Mary is quite small.*

*Note that “whereas” is used differently from “although.” It is less flexible, and
can only be used to contrast two complete facts rather than two aspects of the
same item/person/subject. We cannot say, “She’s very strong, whereas she’s
quite small.”

*Note that “whereas” and “while” are always preceded by a comma, even if they
are in the second clause. (My minor is in East Asian Studies, while Bob’s minor
was Art History.)
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS/TRANSITIONS
These words and phrases are extremely flexible and powerful because they not
only connect ideas within a sentence but also create transitions between major
ideas and sections within a piece of writing. Additionally, they can occupy several
different positions in a sentence and can introduce an independent clause as a
stand-alone sentence.

There are many conjunctive adverbs in English; however, some of the most
common are:

Additionally, Moreover – connects two similar ideas


However, Nevertheless, In Contrast – connects two contrasting ideas
Therefore, Consequently, Thus – connects a result to a preceding cause
For Example, For Instance – connects an example/illustration to a preceding
statement
First, Next, Then, Finally – shows a sequential relationship between ideas

Use, position and punctuation:


When connecting two independent clauses within a single sentence, use a semi-
colon and comma:
I love learning about grammar; however, I don’t understand all of it.
When connecting ideas in separate sentences, use a period before the adverb and
a comma after it:
I love learning about grammar. Nevertheless, I don’t understand all of it.

*Note: ‘Thus’ and ‘Then’ are exceptions and are not followed by commas in these
cases.

The adverb can occupy different positions in the second clause/sentence,


depending on what we want to emphasize. When surrounded by other sentence
parts, commas are used to set the adverb apart:

I love learning about grammar. I don’t, however, understand all of it.


(emphasizes contrast between positive feeling and negative ability)
I love learning about grammar. I don’t understand all of it, however.
(emphasizes contrast between learning and understanding or emphasizes lack of
complete understanding)
I love learning about grammar. He, however, hates it. (emphasizes difference
between he & I)
See the “Transition Words & Phrases” handout for a great list of transitions by
their logical function!

Conjunctions sections adapted from:


newton.uor.edu
http://newton.uor.edu/facultyfolder/rider/conjunctions.html

Conjunctive Adverbs section and Revision by: The Writing Centre/Carol


Shields/June 2012

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