SEQUENCE MARKERS

JUNE 12, 2017

Sequence markers in English are a certain group of items, mainly adverbs and
preposition phrases, that link sentences together into a larger unit of discourse. These
linguistic items go by various names, e.g. conjuncts, sentence
adverbials, connectives, linking devices, among others.
Sequence markers can signal how to interpret the relationship between sentences in a
number of different ways.
For example:
1. They can indicate chronological order, or order of importance (e.g. first …
secondly … thirdly; to begin with …. next … to conclude).
2. They can add to or reinforce what has already been said (e.g. furthermore; in
addition; what is more).
3. They can indicate that two propositions have equal status (likewise; similarly).
4. They can indicate cause-result relationships (e.g. consequently; so; as a result).
5. They can indicate that a given proposition contradicts an earlier one
(e.g. conversely; on the contrary;by way of contrast).
6. They can indicate concession (e.g. nevertheless; in any case; for all that; all the
same).
7. Sometimes a distinction is made between internal and external sequencers, i.e. the use
of these markers to indicate ‘real world’ events (external), or ‘rhetorical organisation’
(internal). For example, First of all …. then …. finally can indicate chronological
sequence (external), or order of importance (internal).
SEQUENCE MARKERS ACTIVITY
Answer the following, leave your answers in the comment box.
1. My sister was in the dentist’s office for ten minutes. ______, I sat in the waiting
room with an old magazine in my hands. ( First, Meanwhile, Later )
2. An hour passed but there was no sign of Mike. ______, we decided to go home.
( Until, Before, Finally )
3. We bumped into Salsa during our trip to Lang Island. A few weeks ______, we
met him again ( after, then, later )
4. The teacher had trouble telling the twins apart. ______ she realized one had a
mole above her lips. ( Subsequently, Finally, Meanwhile )
5. The men went to a nearby restaurant for breakfast. ______, they drove off
towards the Penang Bridge ( After, Afterwards, Meanwhile )
6. The football coach announced, “Today, we will begin practicing for the coming
match.” ______ he added, “Let’s warm up first.” ( Then, After, Eventually )
7. ______, heat the oil in the frying pan. Then put in all the marinated chicken
pieces. ( Before, After, First )
8. Many customers bought the delicious chicken pies. ______ all the pies were sold
out. ( Eventually, Afterwards, Next )
9. Many people wanted to buy the tickets. ______ a while, the queue was quite
long. ( Before, After, Finally )
10.Zulina will be back in fifteen minutes. ______, make yourself at home. ( Later,
Subsequently, Meanwhile )