Part 1: Sentence and Clause Structure
Connectors
Examples
The rain fell, and the wind howled.
The game ended because it was raining.
The weather was terrible. However, the band played on.
The concert was canceled due to the weather.
Definition
Connectors are words that create logical relationships between ideas in clauses and sentences. Connectors can be classified by their form (conjunctions, adverbs, prepositions) or function.
Connectors include:
Coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so = FANBOYS), which combine two independent clauses into a compound sentence.
Subordinating conjunctions, which join a dependent clause to an independent clause to form a complex sentence (e.g. because, although, if, when, etc.).
Sentence connectors, or conjunctive adverbs, which show the logical relationship between two sentences (e.g., therefore, however, in addition, also, etc.).
Phrase connectors, or prepositional phrases that express logical connects (e.g., due to, because of, in spite of, etc.)
Discovery
|
The day of the game saw rainy weather, and it was uncertain if the game would be played, but the skies cleared enough to allow it to proceed. Brooklyn scored a run in the fifth inning, and Boston in the sixth; thereafter, the pitchers became increasingly dominant. As the game exceeded eighteen innings, the small crowd at Braves Field cheered both pitchers. The last twenty innings were scoreless, and when darkness started to fall, the umpires called a halt after the twenty-sixth inning, as baseball fields did not yet have artificial lighting. (Wikipedia) |
1. Categorize the bolded connectors as coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, or conjunctive adverbs (sentence connectors). 2. What is the function or meaning of each connector? |
Form
Coordinating conjunctions are usually punctuated with a comma when they join complete independent clauses.
Most subordinating conjunctions do not require a comma when the dependent clause follows the independent clause (except for although, even though). When the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, a comma usually separates them, as in this sentence.
It is important not to join clauses using a sentence connector like therefore. Conjunctive adverbs usually start a new sentence; however a semi-colon is also correct (as in this sentence).
Phrase connectors are followed by noun groups (noun phrase) not clauses because they are basically prepositions.
Examples of each category of connector are shown here, organized by their function:
|
Functions |
Coordinating Conjunction |
Subordinating conjunction |
Sentence connector |
Phrase connector |
|
Addition |
and |
|
in addition; moreover; also |
in addition to; as well as; like |
|
Contrast |
but; nor |
|
however; on the other hand |
unlike |
|
Concession |
yet |
although; even though |
|
despite; in spite of |
|
Cause |
for |
because; since; as |
|
because of; due |
|
Result |
so |
so that |
therefore; thus; consequently |
in order to |
|
Condition |
|
if, unless |
|
|
|
Sequence |
and |
after; before; when; while; as soon as |
first, next, then, last, subsequently |
after (the rain), before (2020), since (the war) |
Careful!
In formal academic writing, fragments and run-ons caused by misusing connectors may be penalized. A run-on sentence, or commas splice, occurs when two independent clauses are joined with a comma but should be separated into two sentences:
*Security at the game was tight, therefore the start was delayed.
CORRECTION: Security at the game was tight. Therefore, the start was delayed.
OR: Security at the game was tight, so the start was delayed.
A fragment is an incomplete sentence. A dependent clause by itself is a fragment in writing:
*Because it was raining.
Functions
The WIDA Framework is helpfully very precise about the different functions of connectors in different KLUs and genres. Connectors should be used because they add meaning and help the reader, not in the hope of increasing the complexity of a text! Similarly, helping students identify the function of connectors will enable them to read and comprehend at a higher level.
Connectors can express many logical meanings:
In texts that Narrate, they may show a sequence of events, contrasts, surprises, and outcomes.
In texts that Inform, they may show the order of steps, similarities, differences, and purposes.
In texts that Explain, they may show causes, effects, consequences, and conditions.
In texts that Argue, they may also introduce hypotheses, concessions, reasons, and results.
For this reason, connectors can be the focus of attention in any genre and subject area as teachers help students understand how the language choices show logical relationships that are typical of the KLU in each discipline. Refer to the WIDA Language Expectations for suggested forms and functions of connectors.
Exercises
