C1.

1 - UNIT 8
GRAMMAR

SENTENCE CONNECTORS & CONJUNCTIONS

Can you tell the difference between ​sentence connectors​​ and ​conjunctions​​?

● Sentence connectors are words which ​link one sentence to another​. Let’s take
a look at these examples.

There was political instability in the country. ​However​, the demonstrations in Sudan
were largely peaceful compared to the protests witnessed in other countries.

The firefighter said that he had never injured anyone or anything. On the contrary,​
he had tried to save the lives of innocent human beings.

● However, ​conjunctions are words which ​link clauses within a single sentence​.
Observe.

​ s long as​ he promises to take care of it.

I told my son that he can have a pet a

In my speech, I simply ran out of time ​before I​ could wish colleagues a happy
summer.

Once we’ve understood the difference between sentence connectors and

conjunctions, you must learn these grammar points:

● Sentence connectors are most commonly used at the beginning of a sentence

and less at the end. The only connectors that cannot be used at the beginning
of a sentence are ‘​too​​’ and ‘​as well​​.’

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You could start by tidying your room and doing your homework ​as well / too. ​(​*​As
well​ you could start … / ​*​Too​ you could start …​).

● We usually put a ​comma ​after a sentence connector at the beginning or end

of a sentence. We also use commas between clauses linked by a conjunction.

Nevertheless​, the results are likely to be far from accurate. We don’t have enough
data.

Despite the fact that many criminals were apprehended last year​, r​ elatively few
weapons were confiscated.

● However, when a sentence connector is used elsewhere in a sentence,

punctuation is more variable. Take a look at this example.

Earthquakes​, ​for instance​,​ are more frequent in other countries.

● When we link two clauses together we use one connector, not two.

Even though I spent weeks practising my speech, my mind still went blank when
standing up in front of everybody.

not

* ​Even though I spent weeks practising my speech, but my mind still went blank
when standing up in front of everybody.

● Sentence connectors can link clauses in a sentence if the clauses are joined
with ​and, but, or, so​ or a semicolon (;), colon (:) or dash (-).

She trained a lot;​ however,​ she didn’t win the competition.

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CONJUNCTIONS: BEFORE, UNTIL, HARDLY, NO SOONER & SCARCELY

● ‘Before’ and ‘until’ can be used with little difference in meaning.

​ efore / until I started to go to

My parents wouldn’t let me see horror movies b
secondary school.

● ‘Until’ is used when an action continues and leads up to a particular moment

in time and then stops.

I just remained positive and kept trying ​until m

​ y luck finally changed.

● After ‘hardly’ or ‘scarcely’, the second clause normally starts with ‘when’ or
‘before’. ‘No sooner’, however, is normally followed by ‘than’ or ‘when’.

​ o sooner passed my exams w

I’d n ​ hen / than they called me to start studying for my
Master’s degree.

​ ardly r​ eached our holiday home ​when​ it started to tip down with rain.
We had h

SENTENCE CONNECTORS: FIRST(LY), LAST(LY) & AT LAST

● We use ​first or ​firstly​, to indicate the first point on a number or list of items
that we wish to discuss. We use ​at first to indicate the beginning of two or
more events that occurred in the past. Finally, ​at last i​ s used to show that
something finally happened, although later than what was initially expected.

Firstly, I would like to say that I am pleasantly surprised by the response that the
marketing plan has had since the launch last month.

At first, she seemed like a really fun and easy-going person, but then she told me
she was married, so I stopped seeing her.

At last​ I’ve discovered how to use my new tablet!

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 ● We don’t use ​at last t​ o indicate the final point on a list of items:

First, we went on this really fast roller coaster ride, then we went on the big wheel
and f​ inally / lastly​ we stopped and ate a hamburger.

not

* ​First, we went on this really fast roller coaster ride, then we went on the big wheel
and a ​ t last​ we stopped and ate a hamburger.

HOWEVER, EVEN SO & EVEN THOUGH

● However is most commonly used as a connector, but it can also be used as

an adverb or a conjunction meaning ‘in whatever way’. Take a look at the
examples:

However ​badly ​(= despite how badly) I sang, my teacher never lost faith in my
abilities.

However​ (​ = in whatever way)​ you look at it, it's still utter chaos.

● We use ​even so as a sentence connector. It has a very similar meaning to

however.​ We use it to put emphasis on a fact that has just been made but has
a surprising outcome in either case.

He turned up for work on time every day and he worked very hard. E​ ven so​, we
were not happy with the results he made and we had to let him go.

● We use even though as a conjunction to defend a point in a sentence and

state a fact that is convincing.

Even though it takes a whole day to get there by car, it is worth it in the end
because the views are absolutely breathtaking.

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ON THE OTHER HAND & ON THE CONTRARY

● We use ​on the other hand and ​on the contrary to compare two statements.
We often start the first statement with ​on the one hand.​

It may well be in your interest to just go to law school and get your degree there. On
the other hand, many young people are getting jobs at law firms as interns and are
studying to get their degree whilst working.

or

On one hand, it may well be in your interest to just go to law school and get your
degree there. On the other (hand), many young people are getting jobs at law firms
as interns and are studying to get their degree whilst working.

● On the contrary is used to reject the first statement and accept the second
as true.

Some people say that it is better to go to law school as opposed to working and
studying at a law firm. On the contrary, you get more practical experience and it’s
more affordable.

NOMINALISATION

We can sometimes use a noun or a noun phrase for an idea usually expressed by a
verb or adjective. This process is called ​nominalisation​. It is especially common in
formal styles of writing. Study the following information.

● When an adverb modifies a verb, it changes to an adjective in a nominalised

form.

Unemployment rates i​ ncreased rapidly and the citizens started to become more
and more concerned.

The ​rapid increase in unemployment rates started to cause more and more concern
among the citizens.

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 ● The main noun in a noun phrase is usually followed by a prepositional phrase.

Consuming illicit drugs​ threatens sustainable development.

​ onsumption of illicit drugs​ threatens sustainable development.

The c

● We usually use nominalisation to express two clauses more concisely as one

clause. Compare these sentences.

A new petrol station was built in front of the theme park. This forced the
negotiations with the government.

The building of a new petrol station in front of the theme park forced the
negotiations with the government.

● We sometimes use a form with ​do / give / have / make / take ​+ noun instead
of a verb. This patterns are less formal than using the verb form.

She ​rested ​as soon as she got home.

She t​ ook a rest​ as soon as she got home.