Grammatical

Signals
What are
grammatical
signals?
● They are writing devices that serve to
maintain text coherence or unity of
ideas.
● They signal relationship between
sentences. They can be words or
phrases that connect ideas of sentences
and paragraphs for coherence.
● They also indicate building up new idea
or thought or compare ideas or draw
conclusions.
Grammatical signals or expressions are used in
idea development for each pattern, namely:
1. general to particular
2. claim and counterclaim
3. problem – solution
4. cause – effect
5. emphasis
 Grammatical signals on
general to particular pattern?
It is a method of writing a composition that discusses the
broad topic using specific details that support the topic.
It is a pattern of developing ideas that begins with a
general idea or statement. This is followed by specific details
to support and explain the general idea. We use grammatical
signals or expressions to connect the general idea or
statement and the specific details.
● I can play quite a few musical
instruments.

● I can play quite a few musical

instruments, such as the flute,
the guitar, and the piano.
 Notice that both sentences have the same
idea. However, we can say that the second
sentence is more specific than the first
sentence.
This is because the second sentence
contains supporting details and uses the
grammatical signal such as to connect the
general idea “I can play quite a few musical
instruments” with the supporting details
“the flute, the guitar, and the piano.”
 Grammatical signals on claim
and counterclaim

These are expressions used when the idea of the

sentence or the paragraph signifies argument where
there is more than one side to a debate.
● You can come with us if you are
ready; otherwise you will have to
ride the bus.
● James and his team didn’t finish
the project; however they did
work hard.
● The bullet ant is a small creature.
Nonetheless, its bite is extremely
painful.
 The highlighted words or
expressions in the above
examples are used to express
claims and counterclaims.
 Grammatical signals on
problem and solution

These are words that are used to present and

explain a problem. When you use these expressions,
you propose a possible solution to solve the problem.
If there is no solution, only the problem is presented.
● Many students have difficulty in
answering their modules. To
address this, parents are asked
to assist their children in
accomplishing the activities.
● The number of students who
have no gadgets for their online
education is high. A proposed
solution is to give them modules.
 The highlighted words or
expressions in the examples are
used to signal
problem-solution.
 Grammatical signals on cause
and effect

These are words used to describe how an action or

event is caused by another event or action.
● It was raining; therefore, I stayed
at home.

● Because of the rain I stayed at

home.

● I stayed at home due to the rain.

 The highlighted words or
expressions in the examples
signal cause and effect.
 Grammatical signals on
emphasis

These are words or expressions used to show that

something is important and therefore, should be
noted.
● The storm was severe indeed,
many homes were destroyed.

● I know how to do many things; in

fact, I am a working student.

● Certainly, you may borrow my

book in English 8.
 The highlighted words or
expressions in the examples are
used to signal emphasis.
Task
Write your answers in a
½ sheet of paper. Task 1
in the front and Task 2 at
the back.
TASK 1. Complete the sentences about
you using the given grammatical
signals.
TASK 2. Write one sentence for each of
the following grammatical signals
provided below.

however, so that, because, to solve this,

due to