Linking Ideas

(Connectors)

Irena Tseitlin
(based on High School
Grammar by Ronald Green)

1 ORT Greenberg K. Tivon

 We use linking words to link ideas and to
show how their meanings are related.

Some linking words link ideas that are in

separate sentences. They are called
sentence connectors.
The vacation was wonderful. Unfortunately, it was much too
expensive.
Some linking words link ideas within the
same sentence.
Our vacation was wonderful, although it was much too expensive.

2 ORT Greenberg K. Tivon

 Attitude

Unfortunately
Fortunately / luckily
Obviously
In fact
She called Bob. He was, unfortunately,
not at home.
They arrived at the airport late. Luckily,
the plane had been delayed.

3 ORT Greenberg K. Tivon

 Contrast (1)

but
however
though / although / even though
in spite of / despite
nevertheless

He promised me a job. However, he changed his mind.

Although the water was cold, they went swimming.
In spite of (despite) the rain, we enjoyed ourselves.
He doesnt have a good chance to win the election.
Nevertheless, Im going to support him.

4 ORT Greenberg K. Tivon

 Contrast (2)

whereas
while
on the other hand

The U.S.A. is a rich country whereas / while

Cuba is a poor country.
Mr. Jones is very careful with money. On the
other hand, he can be extremely generous
with his time.

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 Result

therefore
consequently
as a result

There was a shortage of tomatoes. Consequently,

the price went up.
He was always showing off. As a result, lots of
people didnt like him.
Bill left his car in a no-parking area. He was
therefore fined.

6 ORT Greenberg K. Tivon

 Reason

Because
As / since
Because of / due to / owing to (+ noun
phrase)

As we arrived late, we missed the bus.

Since it was raining heavily, we took a taxi.
I didnt go swimming because of the cold.
Due to the rainstorm, the outdoor concert was
cancelled.

7 ORT Greenberg K. Tivon

 Purpose

to
in order to
so as to
so that
for

You have to take the medicine in order to get better.

They phoned us so as to hear our opinion.
I set two alarm clocks so that I wouldnt oversleep.
Im telling you this for your own good.

8 ORT Greenberg K. Tivon

 Alternatives

or
either. or
neither.nor

I can buy one very large television or two small

ones.
I can buy either one large television or two small
ones.
We neither wanted nor needed their help.

9 ORT Greenberg K. Tivon

 Addition

too He can play the trumpet as

well as the saxophone.
as well
He can play both the
as well as trumpet and the saxophone.
also He can play not only the
trumpet but also the
bothand saxophone.
not onlybut also He can play the trumpet and
in addition the saxophone. In addition,
he has a great voice.
moreover
furthermore

10 ORT Greenberg K. Tivon

 Exceptions

apart from
except for
besides

Apart from / except for / besides the food, the

party was terrible.
We all wanted to go to the beach. Besides,
there was nowhere else to go.

11 ORT Greenberg K. Tivon

 Examples

for example / for instance

such as

There are a lot of environmental problems in the

world today. For example, in Mexico City air
pollution is so high that some people wear cloth
masks in the street.
Countries such as Australia and New Zealand
have banned the use of sprays.

12 ORT Greenberg K. Tivon