Connectors
an interactive lesson on
connecting expressions
Developed by Sara Kol and Elana Spector-Cohen
Read this sentence:
The researcher gathered the data and …
What do we expect after the word and?
Think about your answer and then click.
After and we expect to read about something else that the
researcher did, for example:
The researcher gathered the data and analyzed it.
Look at the sentences below. What kind of
information could complete each sentence?
Think about each answer and then click.
• The researcher gathered
didn’t analyze it.
the data but …
• The researcher gathered
he went on vacation.
the data before …
• The researcher gathered
the data in order to…
check her hypothesis.
Notice how the connector changes the kind
of information that can complete the
sentence.
The words and, but, before and in order to are
connectors.
• Connecting expressions connect parts of
complex sentences.
Our environment is in great danger unless we begin to
conserve our natural resources.
• They may also show the connection between
sentences and paragraphs.
Our environment is in great danger. Therefore we must
begin to conserve our natural resources.
• Connectors show the logical relationship
between ideas.
Unless shows condition. Therefore shows result.
Connectors can be organized by categories.
Click to see some of the categories.
Connectors of addition
tell us that extra
information will follow.
Can you think of some
connectors of addition?
as well / as well as
moreover
furthermore
in addition
not only … but
neither … nor
•
•
•
Chimpanzees can learn
language. Moreover, they
can use tools.
Chimpanzees can learn
language as well as use
tools.
Not only can chimpanzees
learn language, but they can
use tools as well.
Connectors of contrast tell us
that very different
(opposite) ideas will follow.
•
Can you think of some
connectors of contrast?
whereas /while
rather than / instead of
although
in spite of / despite
nevertheless / nonetheless
on the one hand … on the
other
but / yet
in contrast / conversely
•
•
Whereas military service is
compulsory in Israel, it is
voluntary in the USA.
In Israel, military service is
compulsory rather than
voluntary.
In contrast to Israel, where
military service is
compulsory, it is voluntary in
the USA.
Connectors of cause tell us
that a reason will follow.
Can you think of some
connectors of cause?
because
due to
for
since
as
on account of
•
•
Due to the outbreak
of foot-and-mouth
disease, Israel has
stopped importing
meat from Europe.
Israel has stopped
importing meat
from Europe, since
there is an outbreak
of foot-and-mouth
disease there.
Connectors of effect tell
us that a result or
conclusion will follow.
Can you think of some
connectors of effect?
as a result
therefore
consequently
thereby
thus
then
hence
so
• He tested positive for
drugs; thus he could not
participate in the games.
• He tested positive for
drugs; as a result, he
could not participate in
the games.
• He tested positive for
drugs, thereby
disqualifying him from
the games.
Connectors of restatement
tell us that exactly the
• Monotheism, or the belief in
same information will follow,
one god, began thousands of
but in other words.
years ago.
Can you think of some
connectors of restatement? • Monotheism, i.e. the belief in
one god, began thousands of
in other
years ago.
words
• Monotheism, namely the
i.e.
belief in one god, began
thousands of years ago.
that is
namely
or
Connectors of parallel
information tell us that
similar information will
follow.
Can you think of some
connectors of parallel?
similarly
likewise
in the same way
as … as
just as … so …
•
•
•
The composer Chopin
died at a very young age.
Similarly, Mozart died in
his early thirties.
Just as Mozart died in his
early thirties, so Chopin
died at a very young age.
The composer Chopin
died at a very young age.
Likewise, Mozart died in
his early thirties.
Connectors of example tell
us that an example of
more general information
will follow.
Can you think of some
connectors of example?
for example
 for instance
 e.g.
• Researchers have found
that many animal sounds
are similar. For instance,
animals make loud sounds
when they are angry.
• Animal sounds are
remarkably similar; e.g.,
loud sounds when they are
angry.
Connectors of purpose
tell us that the
purpose for doing
something will follow.
Can you think of some
connectors of
purpose?
so that
 so as to
 in order to
 to
•
•
•
In order to check the
effects of the drug, the
researcher conducted an
experiment.
The researcher conducted
an experiment to check
the effects of the
drug.
The researcher conducted
an experiment so as to
check the effects of the
drug.
so as to
thus
for instance
however
or
e.g.
namely
i.e.
nevertheless
because
in order to
Remember:
Connectors help you predict
what information will follow.
Connectors help you read
more effectively.
but
despite
hence
so
due to
moreover
likewise
furthermore
although