LOGICAL CONNECTORS

Logical connectors are used to join or connect two ideas that have a particular relationship. These relationships can be: sequential (time), reason and purpose, adversative (opposition and/or unexpected result), condition. Within each category, the words used to join the ideas or clauses are used differently, with different grammar and punctuation. Subordinating conjunctions Introduce adverb clauses Either the dependent clause or the independent clause may come first in the sentence, with no change in meaning ex: Before he came, we didn't have a physical education teacher. We didn't have a physical education teacher before he came.

Prepositions

Is followed by a noun or noun phrase Either clause may appear first ex: He didn't come to class due to his illness.

Transitions and Conjunctive adverbs

Joins two sentences separated by a period or two clauses separated by a semi-colon. Only one possible order of the sentences The transition may appear clause initial, clause final, or between the subject and verb of the second sentence. ex: He was sick. Nevertheless, he came to class.

Conjunctions

One possible order A comma is used before the conjunction In academic writing, do not begin a sentence with a conjunction ex: He didn't do his homework, so he didn't

pass the class.

Sequential (Time)

Subordinating conjunctions

until after before when while since once whenever as soon as as long as by the time

Prepositions

during after before since until upon

Conjunctive adverbs and transitions

then next after that

following that before that afterwards meanwhile beforehand Conjunctions and then

Causal (Reason and Purpose, Cause and Effect)

Subordinating conjunctions

because as since inasmuch as now that as long as such...that [such a/an + adjective + noun + that] so...that [so +adjective or adverb + that] [so much/many/little/few + noun + that]

expressing purpose so that in order that

Prepositions

because of due to

in order to

Conjunctive adverbs and transitions

therefore consequently

Conjunctions

so

Adversative (unexpected result, contrast, opposition)

Subordinating conjunctions

even though although though (in spite of the fact that)

while whereas where Prepositions despite in spite of

Conjunctive adverbs and transitions

however nonetheless nevertheless

on the other hand in contrast

on the contrary

Conjunctions

but...anyway but...still yet...still but

Condition

Subordinating conjunctions

if unless even if providing (that) provided (that) in case whether or not only if*

*verb inversion, no comma if only if appears first in the sentence

Prepositions Conjunctive adverbs and transitions Conjunctions otherwise

or (else)

Reduced Adverb Clauses

Rule: If the subject of the adverb clause and the main clause are the same, the adverb clause may be reduced.

To reduce, drop the subject and the verb be in the adverb clause.

1. I had an accident while I was driving past the REI climbing rock. 1. I had an accident while driving past the REI climbing rock. 1. Even though she was hungry, she didnt eat the pie. 1. Even though hungry, she didnt eat the pie.

If there is not be verb, change the adverb clause verb to the present participle.

y Before she owned a pet, she was afraid of dogs. y Before owning a pet, she was afraid of dogs.

You may omit the subordinating conjunction (while) with simultaneous actions.

y While camping at Mt. Rainier, I saw several mountain goats. y Camping at Mt. Rainier, I saw several mountain goats.

Because is always omitted in reduced clauses.

y Because she didnt get accepted to the university, she is going to attend community college.

y Not being accepted to the university, she is going to attend community college.

You may also omit being in the reduced clause.

y Being dyslexic, he doesnt like to read in public. y Dyslexic, he doesnt like to read in public.

Remember: Only sentences in whic

Common Errors in English

Stage 2 : Exercise
1. Logical connectors 1. What are Logical Connectors 2. Exercise

1. What are Logical Connectors

Logical connectors are words and phrases which, to give just a few examples, are used as sequencers (first(ly), second(ly), then, next, after that); contrasters (however, on the one hand on the other hand); generalizers (generally speaking, on the whole, in most cases); and topic-introducers (with regard to, regarding). Logical connectors are often, but not always, placed at the beginning of a sentence. In this emphatic position, they help listeners to understand, for example, the structure and direction of an oral presentation. Connectors are obviously important for listeners, because spoken words are constantly over-written as we speak. However, connectors, are less important in written English, since written texts can be re-read if necessary. In fact, rather than connectors, written English prefers the use of phrases which clearly refer back to a preceding idea or action. If too many connectors are used the writing becomes harder to comprehend. Hong Kong students especially overuse the connectors of addition Furthermore, Moreover, Besides.

2. Exercise
Read through the passage below and then replace each of the connectors which appear in the box with the appropriate linking word or phrase from the drop-down list box. Click submit to check the answers. in any case another important point is that however despite for this reason in fact

A number of writers have claimed that Asian women are now as free as their Western counterparts to get divorced. (1) , the average Asian woman does not really have the same freedom to get divorced if she is in an unhappy marriage. Statistics clearly show that in the West, it is women, relatively independent in attitude and finances, who initiate most divorces. (2 ) , many Asian women still depend financially on their husbands and, (3 )

may have to endure an unhappy marriage. (4 ) , some countries, the Philippines for example, do not permit divorce and, even if an Asian woman is prepared to live in relative poverty, she is likely to suffer from social problems related to divorce. (5 ) the problems, the Asian divorce rate is slowly increasing, as is the tendency to remain single. In Singapore, there are numerous unmarried professional women. They are mostly unworried about their single status; they have interesting work and money and (6 ) prefer freedom to an unequal or bad marriage.

Christopher Green Copyright October, 1998 All rights reserved.