What Are Sentence Connectors?
Sentence connectors are words, phrases, clauses, or symbols that are used to ensure a sentence transitions smoothly. Moving from one sentence to the next without using proper words to connect them makes a piece of writing seem abrupt. To ensure seamless sentence transitions, different types of sentence connectors are used in the English language.
Types of Sentence Connectors
There are different types of sentence connectors used to bridge the gap between two sentences. Although the different types perform the same function, it’s important to know which one to use when.
Listed below are the different types of sentence connectors along with some examples.
1. Transition Words and Phrases
Transition words and phrases are used to link different sentences for continuity between them. Depending on the function they serve, there are different types:
Cause-Effect Sentence Connectors
These are words or expressions that show a cause and effect relationship.
Examples:
- Consequently
- Therefore
- Hence
- As a result
- Accordingly
Sentences that show the usage of the connectors listed above:
- Joshua woke up late. Consequently, he was late for school.
- She isn’t too tolerant. You should, therefore, be careful around her.
- Amanda’s daughter refused to eat cereal; hence, she had to make pancakes.
- She fell and broke a bone. As a result, she won’t be able to walk for some time.
- Donna was instructed to keep her speech short. She trimmed her speech accordingly.
Emphasis-Indicative Sentence Connectors
These connectors are used to suggest emphasis.
Examples:
- Essentially
- More importantly
- Primarily
- Above all
- In fact
Sentences that show the usage of the connectors listed above:
- What Joe said isn’t all that pleasant. But we must admit that it is essentially true.
- Make sure you finish all the assigned tasks by Friday. Most importantly, the MIS report that should be submitted on Monday.
- The Mansons grow all kinds of vegetables on their farm. They’re primarily corn farmers though.
- I would like to thank everyone for their support. Above all, I’d like to thank my family for standing by me and helping me through thick and thin.
The movie isn’t worth the hype. In fact, I fell asleep halfway through it.
Addition or Alternative-Indicative Sentence Connectors
These connectors are used when there are additional things or alternatives being suggested.
Examples:
- What’s more
- Besides
- Moreover
- In addition
- Alternatively
Sentences that show the usage of the connectors listed above:
- The resort we booked for our summer outing is lovely and tranquil. What’s more, we got it for half the price.
- Besides the tasty corn dogs, the restaurant is also famous for its steaks.
- I’m afraid the report is inaccurate. Moreover, the numbers are not adding up.
- Social cognition is a hot research topic of late. In addition, trauma bonding and post-traumatic stress are other topics of interest.
You can save the file on the computer. Alternatively, you can save it on the hard disk if there isn’t enough space in the computer.
Contrast-Indicative Sentence Connectors
Whenever there is a need to show contrast, then these connectors are used.
Examples:
- However
- Yet
- On the other hand
- Despite
- In spite of
Sentences that show the usage of connectors listed above:
- I love pastries! However, I can’t eat any because I’m allergic to gluten.
- There are several spare golf clubs. Yet, we aren’t allowed to play with any.
- I’m tempted to accept the offer from the new company. On the other hand, I don’t want to quit my current job because I like what I do.
- He injured his leg when he fell. Despite the pain, he is trying his best to recover soon.
- They took very good care of their premature baby. In spite of their best efforts, unfortunately, the little one passed away.
Comparative Sentence Connectors
As the name suggests, these connectors are used to show similarities or differences between different things.
Examples:
- Similarly
- Likewise
- By comparison
- In the same way
- Also
Sentences that show usage of connectors listed above:
- Salamanders are land and aquatic creatures, which are called amphibians. Similarly, frogs and newts are also amphibians.
- Tigers are dangerous carnivores. Likewise, lions and cheetahs are carnivores too.
- Port Arthur city experiences an average of 65 inches of precipitation each year. By comparison, this year’s precipitation of 50 inches is less than the yearly average.
- Becoming a good dancer isn’t easy. In the same way, getting better at singing isn’t easy and requires a lot of practice.
- You can pay by cash. Also, we accept cards in case you don’t have cash.
2. Conjunctions
Conjunctions are also connectors used to connect different clauses, statements, or sentences. There are three types of conjunctions:
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect different words, phrases, or independent clauses. Examples of coordinating conjunctions are:
- So
- Or
- Nor
- For
- And
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions are used to connect dependent and independent clauses. Examples of subordinating conjunctions are:
- Although
- Unless
- Because
- Since
- Before
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions occur in pairs. These conjunctions are words or phrases that occur together in a sentence. Examples of correlative conjunctions are:
- Either – or
- Neither – nor
- Both – and
- As many – as
- No sooner – than
3. Punctuations
Besides sentence connectors and conjunctions, punctuation marks like colons, semicolons, and dashes are also used to connect different parts of sentences or different sentences.
Sentence connectors are important because they not only join sentences, but also ensure continuity between sentences, which in turn makes a piece of writing clear and comprehensible. Using them is one of the most effective ways to ensure smooth sentence transition.
