Connectors and Discourse Markers - Ejemplos y ejercicios

Introducción

This lesson puts into practice what you have learnt about connectors and discourse markers. Connectors link ideas inside a sentence or between sentences and show the reader how those ideas are related: addition, contrast, cause, result, purpose or sequence. Choosing the right connector, and using the right grammar after it, is one of the keys to a good mark in a Bachillerato or EBAU writing task.

Explicación

Before you start the examples, remember the three questions you must ask every time you choose a connector:

• What is the relationship between the ideas? Adding a new point (moreover, furthermore, in addition, what is more), contrasting (however, nevertheless, although, whereas), giving a cause (because, since, as, due to), a result (so, therefore, as a result, consequently) or a purpose (to, in order to, so as to, so that).
• What grammar comes after it? Although / even though / because / since / whereas / so that + a full clause (subject + verb). Despite / in spite of / because of / due to + a noun or a gerund (-ing). In order to / so as to + infinitive without subject.
• Where does it go and how is it punctuated? Sentence adverbs such as However, Moreover, Therefore, Nevertheless, As a result usually start a new sentence and are followed by a comma. Conjunctions such as although, because, whereas join two clauses in the same sentence.

Typical mistakes to avoid:

• Despite of does not exist. Say despite the rain or in spite of the rain.
• Despite is never followed by a subject + verb: NOT Despite it was late, but Despite the fact that it was late or Although it was late.
• However cannot join two clauses with only a comma: NOT It was cheap, however I didn't buy it, but It was cheap. However, I didn't buy it. (or a semicolon: It was cheap; however, I didn't buy it.)
• In order to is followed by an infinitive; so that is followed by a clause, often with can / could / would.

Ejemplo

Example 1. Join the sentences with the connector in brackets.

"It was raining heavily. We went for a walk." (although)

• Step 1: the relationship is contrast (the rain should have stopped us, but it didn't).
• Step 2: although needs a full clause, so we keep the subject and verb.
• Result: "Although it was raining heavily, we went for a walk."

Now the same idea with despite: we need a noun or a gerund, so "Despite the heavy rain, we went for a walk." or "Despite it raining heavily..." (less formal).

Example 2. Purpose: two correct options.

"She saved money. She wanted to travel to Canada." (in order to / so that)

• "She saved money in order to travel to Canada." (same subject, infinitive)
• "She saved money so that she could travel to Canada." (clause with subject + could)

Example 3. Improving a paragraph.

Original: "Public transport is cheap. It reduces pollution. Many people prefer their cars. Buses are often late."

Improved: "Firstly, public transport is cheap. Moreover, it reduces pollution. However, many people still prefer their cars, mainly because buses are often late. As a result, the city needs a more reliable service."

Notice how each connector shows the reader the function of the sentence: first point, extra point, contrast, cause, consequence.

Example 4. Correct the mistakes.

• "Despite of the cold, they swam in the sea." → "Despite the cold, they swam in the sea." (despite never takes of).
• "Although her injury, she finished the race." → "Despite / In spite of her injury, she finished the race." (her injury is a noun, so we need despite).
• "The test was easy, however many students failed." → "The test was easy. However, many students failed."
• "I study every evening for pass the exam." → "I study every evening to / in order to pass the exam." (in English, purpose is not expressed with for + infinitive).

Example 5. Cause and result with nouns and clauses.

"The flight was cancelled. There was a storm."

• Cause + clause: "The flight was cancelled because there was a storm."
• Cause + noun: "The flight was cancelled because of / due to the storm."
• Result: "There was a storm. Therefore / As a result, the flight was cancelled."

Example 6. Whereas for comparing two facts.

"My brother loves maths. I prefer languages." → "My brother loves maths, whereas I prefer languages." Whereas (or while) compares two different situations in the same sentence; it is very useful in opinion essays and in describing graphs.

Tip for exams: do not repeat the same connector again and again. If you have already used however, try nevertheless or on the other hand; instead of also every time, use moreover, in addition or what is more.

Ejercicios