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Connectors Connectors are words or phrases that show how ideas or information are logically related. The underlined words in this example are connectors: She got angry because she thought he was lying; however, what he said was completely true. Types of Connectors.
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ConnectorsConnectors are words or phrases thatshow how ideas or information are logically related. The underlined words in this example are connectors:She got angry because she thought he was lying; however, what he said was completely true.
Types of Connectors • Coordinators: He was sorry, so he apologized. • Subordinators: He apologized because he was sorry. • Transitionals: He was sorry; however, he refused to apologize. • Prepositionals: Because of his apology, she forgave him.
Coordinators • Coordinators are short words you already know: and, so, but, or, nor. • Two other coordinators are not so common: for (with the meaning of because) and yet (with the meaning of although). • There is usually a comma between clauses connected with a coordinator: He apologized, yet she refused to forgive him.
Subordinators • Most subordinators are medium-length words like when, because, although (exception: if). • A clause beginning with a subordinator can never stand alone: *Because I apologized. • It must be connected to an independent clause: She forgave me because I apologized. • The subordinate clause can take either the first or second position: She forgave me because I apologized. Or: Because I apologized, she forgave me. Notice the punctuation difference.
Transitionals • Transitionals are usually long words or phrases like however, nevertheless, as a result (exceptions: then, thus). • Notice the punctuation: I apologized; therefore, she forgave me. It is not possible to use a comma before a transitional if it is the first word in the clause. *I apologized, therefore, she forgave me. • But it does not have to be the first word: I apologized. She, therefore, forgave me. • It is also possible to use a period instead of a semicolon: I apologized. Therefore, she forgave me.
Prepositionals • Prepositionals are connectors that end with a preposition: because of, due to, as a result of, in spite of (exceptions: despite, such as). • Prepositionals must be followed by nouns or noun structures such as gerunds or noun clauses: She forgave me because of my apology. • They cannot be followed by a clause: *She forgave me because of I apologized.
Problems with Connectors • Some of the words are unfamiliar to even advanced students, for example, whereas, nonetheless. • Some of the connectors are familiar but often used incorrectly, for example, although, in spite of. • Fragments are common with subordinators, especially because and although. She wouldn’t forgive me. *Although I apologized on my knees. • Run-ons are common with transitionals: *I apologized, nevertheless, she wouldn’t forgive me. • Clauses after prepositionals: *I did everything I could such as I bought her roses.