Transitions / Connectors

Transitions / Connectors

Types of Sentences Sentence Simple Sentence Compound Sentence Complex Sentence 1 independent clause 2 or > independent clauses At least 1 independent clause with other dependent clause(s)

Identify the sentence types • Politicians and scientists should work closely to solve environmental problems. • Conservation of energy is an urgent matter. • Engineers play an important role in society through technological advances which cover various fields such as healthcare, computing, and stem cell research.

Identify the sentence types • Politicians and scientists should work closely to solve environmental problems.(Compound) • Conservation of energy is an urgent matter.(Simple) • Engineers play an important role in society through technological advances which cover various fields such as healthcare, computing, and stem cell research.(Complex)

Errors in Transitions • Happen when connectors used between words, clauses, sentences or paragraphs are ambiguous or illogical Engineering is an important discipline, it is considered the engine of any economy. To save the earth, we should not only focus on energy conservation and also consider renewable energies.

Errors in Transitions • Happen when connectors used between words, clauses, sentences or paragraphs are ambiguous or illogical Engineering is an important discipline; it is considered the engine of any economy. (punctuation – use of comma splice) To save the earth, we should not only focus on energy conservation but also consider renewable energies. (wrong use of connector)

Transitions • Function like traffic signs • Tell you about the connections between ideas e.g. similarities, differences, opposition, consequences etc. • Provide coherence within a sentence; across sentences; within a paragraph and across paragraphs

Types of Transitions / Connectors • Connectors join similar grammatical structures Oil and water do not mix. • Transitions link sentences and paragraphs Bioengineering is an expanding field; however, job opportunities may be limited.

Types of Transitions / Connectors • Subordinators connect a dependent clause with at least one independent clause When accurate weather prediction tools are available, we should be able to anticipate the disasters and hopefully reduce the fatalities.

Meaning of Connectors • To add information • To illustrate or give an example • To show contrast • To show concession • To show similarity • To show a result • To provide a reason or cause • To establish a time relationship or order • To show a condition • To explain or emphasize • To give a choice or alternative Please refer to Lane and Lange (1999) for more details and examples. See pp.170-175.

To Add Information Coordinating Conjunctions and Coorrelative Conjunctions not only…but also both…and Transitional Words and Phrases also besides moreover furthermore in addition additionally

To Illustrate or Give an Example Coordinating Conjunctions Coorrelative Conjunctions Transitional Words and Phrases for example for instance such as to illustrate specifically in particular

To Show Contrast Coordinating Conjunctions but Coorrelative Conjunctions Transitional Words and Phrases however in contrast conversely on the contrary on the other hand otherwise still instead

To Show Concession Coordinating Conjunctions yet Coorrelative Conjunctions Transitional Words and Phrases nevertheless even so admittedly

To Show a Similarity Coordinating Conjunctions Coorrelative Conjunctions Transitional Words and Phrases likewise similarly in the same way

To Show a Result Coordinating Conjunctions so Coorrelative Conjunctions Transitional Words and Phrases accordingly as a consequence as a result Consequently hence therefore thus

To Provide a Reason or Cause Coordinating Conjunctions for Coorrelative Conjunctions Transitional Words and Phrases

To Establish a Time Relationship or Order Coordinating Conjunctions Coorrelative Conjunctions Transitional Words and Phrases first second afterward finally in conclusion meanwhile previously next subsequently

To Show a Condition Coordinating Conjunctions or Coorrelative Conjunctions whether…or Transitional Words and Phrases

To Explain or Emphasize Coordinating Conjunctions Coorrelative Conjunctions Transitional Words and Phrases in fact namely that is actually in other words

To Give a Choice or Alternative Coordinating Conjunctions or Coorrelative Conjunctions either…or Transitional Words and Phrases alternatively

Rules for Punctuating Connectors • Coordinating Conjunctions –a comma before the conjunction is not needed if the two independent clauses are very short. Having LASIK is an important decision and the patient should consider all factors carefully. The comma is optional in this case.

Rules for Punctuating Connectors • Coorrelative Conjunctions –a comma is needed before the 2nd correlative conjunction only for joining 2 clauses, not words or phrases. Not only does LASIK treat common ophthalmic conditions like nearsightedness, it also treats farsightedness and astigmatism. LASIK not only treats common ophthalmic conditions like nearsightedness but also farsightedness and astigmatism.

Rules for Punctuating Connectors • Transitional words/phrases – put a semicolon before and a comma after the transitional signal when joining 2 independent clauses. Technological breakthroughs have been rapid in recent decades; however, the public need to be educated on their use.

Rules for Punctuating Connectors • Transitional words/phrases – put a comma after the transitional signal when introducing an independent clause. Technological breakthroughs have been rapid in recent decades. However, the public need to be educated on their use.

Rules for Punctuating Connectors • Transitional words/phrases – put commas before and after the transitional signal within a clause. Stem cell research is promising, however, the ethical issues must not be ignored.

Subordinators • Appear before the dependent clause • Have a comma at the end of it before the independent clause Although academic studies are challenging, most students will persist in their efforts. Please refer to Oshima and Hogue (2006) for more details and examples. See pp.292-299

Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Time after before whenever as, just as since while as long as until as soon as when Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses • A subordinating conjunction is the first word in a dependent clause.

Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Place where wherever anywhere everywhere Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses

Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Manner as, just as as if as though Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses

Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Distance as far as as close as Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Frequency as often as Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses

Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Reason as because since Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Purpose so that in order that Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses

Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Result so…that such…that so few/many/little/much…that Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Condition if unless Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses

Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Partial Contrast although even though though Subordinators for Adverb Clauses of Contrast while whereas Subordinating Words for Adverb Clauses

To refer to people who,whom whose, that To refer to animals and things which, that whereas To refer to a time or place When, where Subordinating Words for Adjective Clauses

Used in That clauses Do you believe that there is life in outer space? Used in If/Whether clauses which, that whereas Used in wh- and how clauses When, where Subordinating Words for Noun Clauses

Sources Lane, A. and Lange, E. (1999). Writing Clearly: An Editing Guide (2nd ed.). Boston: Heinle and Heinle Publishers, 165-178. Oshima, A. and Hogue, A. (2006). Writing Academic English (4th ed.). New York: Pearson Education, 292-299. Raimes, A. (2006). Grammar Troublespots: A Guide for Student Writers (3rd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press, 9-17.

Transitions / Connectors