Connectors

Teacher: Bruno Reis

Connectors:

and, or, but, so, because and although

Start

1. Video

7. Linkers

8. Text

2. Conjunctions

index

9. Ideas

3. Because / So / Although

10. More acitivities

4. Exercise

11. Prepare to write

5. As and Like

12. Thanks

6. Activities

Daisy, Amy, Oliver and Alfie are planning a weekend at a music festival when Sophie calls from Austria with a great idea.

Adapted from: https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org

We use and, or and but to connect two parts of sentences which are similar in grammatical status.Do you want chocolate, strawberry or vanilla? (joining words)Amy's dad is taking us on Saturday morning, and he's offered to bring us home again on Sunday. (joining clauses)We use and for adding information, or for giving alternatives and but for unexpected or different information. I'm OK for food, dance and music, and I'm having a wonderful time.There's a reggae band from Jamaica or a Russian electro-pop group on the other stage.She’d like to go but she can’t.

We use words called conjunctions, like and, or, but, because and although, to join two parts of sentences. Conjunctions can be used to give more information, give alternatives, give reasons, give results or give unexpected information.

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I'd like to see that Irish band, because Celtic music is pretty cool.(the second clause explains the reason Alfie wants to see the Irish band)Although he doesn’t like camping, he goes to lots of music festivals.(the speaker thinks it’s unusual to go to music festivals if you don’t like camping)... we'll be there by 12. Although we have to put up our tents too.(the information in the second sentence is different to, and contrasts, the information in the first sentence)It's one of those cars for seven people, so there's plenty of room.(the second clause shows the result of the first clause)We need to arrive early so (that) we can get a good place.(the second clause shows the purpose of the first clause; that is optional)

There are a lot more conjunctions which we use to connect one clause with another clause. For example: because, for giving reasons, so, for talking about results or purposes, and although, for unexpected or different information.

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Check your grammar: matching – conjunctions comparison

Match the two parts of the sentence and write a –h next to the number 1 –8.

1 ... ... ... We wanted to go to the show 2 ... ... ... I often make omelets 3 ... ... ... Shall we go to the cinema 4 ... ... ... Burgers are very tasty 5 ... ... ... My neighbors are friendly 6 ... ... ... Do you know if he's at home 7 ... ... ... Pick me up early, please, 8 ... ... ... We know he has great dreams

a. so we don’t get there late.b. or at the football match?c. because he laughs in his sleep.d. and watch that film you were talking about?e. because they’re quick and easy.f. although they are not very healthy.g. but they’re noisy.h. but there weren’t any seats left.

Check your grammar: multiple choice –conjunctions Circle the best word to complete these sentences.

1. I'd love to stay so / and / but I have to catch my bus.
2. His hot chocolate was too hot so / and / but he put some cold milk in it
3. .Or / Although / Because we had an umbrella, we got extremely wet.
4. I only passed my exam because / but / although you helped me.
5. They were hungry but / because / so they made some sandwiches.
6. We can go to the pool and / but / or we can go horse-riding, whichever you prefer.
7. She didn't want him to see her and / so / although she hid behind a plant.
8. He's in the town center so / because / but he wants to look for shoes.
9. I’m definitely coming tonight, or / because / although I could be a bit late.
10. We can go to the shop before we go to Clare’s house and / or / so go to Clare’s house first to see if she needs anything. What do you think?

Check your grammar: rewrite the sentence – conjunctions Rewrite as one sentence using the conjunction given.

1. I don't eat cheese. I don't eat butter. (or) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. I like him. He's annoying. (but) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. We're having salad for lunch. We're not very hungry. (so) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. She doesn't use much sun cream. She has very pale skin. (although) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. This year, he's been to China. He has also been to Brazil. (and) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Would you like to go to Paris? Would you rather go to Budapest? (or) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. He's very tired today. He went to bed very late last night. (because) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. It looks very near. It's quite a long way away. (although) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As and Like

Adapted from: https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com

As

1: 'As' can mean 'because'. As it was raining, we stayed at home. 2: 'As' can mean 'while' or 'at the same time': As I was walking down the street, I saw Julie.3: We can use 'as' to talk about the way one thing is similar to another thing. In this case too, 'as' is a conjunction and needs to be followed by a subject and a verb or by a prepositional phrase. Sometimes we invert the subject and the verb in a formal style. John loves spicy food, as I do (or 'as do I', more formally).4: We need to use 'as' with expressions like 'as much as' and by 'as adjective as'. This is also talking about similarity. These expressions can be followed by a subject and a verb or a noun or preposition. John loves spicy food as much as I do. Lucy travels as much as me. She's as clever as her sister is. London's not as big as Mexico City.5: 'As' can be used with a noun to show someone's position. This is especially common with jobs. In a similar way, 'as' can also be used to show something's function (what we are using it for). It must be followed by a noun. She works as a teacher. Don't use the knife as a screwdriver.

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Like

1: 'Like' can be used to give examples. It means the same as 'for example' and is usually followed by nouns or pronouns. I love big cats, like lions. Western European countries like France and Spain have high unemployment at the moment.2: We can also use 'like' to talk about how one thing is similar to another thing. Here 'like' is a preposition and is followed by a noun or a pronoun. John loves spicy food, like me. Tokyo is a busy and exciting city, like London.

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'Like' vs 'as' for similarity

Often, we can use both 'as' and 'like' to talk about similarity. I love coffee, like Julie / I love coffee, like Julie does. I love coffee, as Julie does.We need to follow 'as' with a clause (a subject and a verb). When we use 'as' for similarity, it's not followed by a noun or pronoun. I love coffee, as Julie. (incorrect)However, when we use 'as' to mean a role or job (it's followed by a noun in this case), then we can't use 'like'. Instead, 'like' is talking about similarity. As your mother, I'm telling you not to go out now. (I am your mother and I am telling you this in my role as your mother.) Like your mother, I'm telling you not to go out now. (I'm not your mother, but I am telling you the same thing as she is. I am acting in a similar way to your mother.)

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Choose 'as' or 'like'

1. She works__________ a teacher (it’s her job).
2. I’m very__________ my mother.
3. Julie loves mangoes as much__________ I do.
4. He arrived__________ I was leaving.
5. He works in a bank,__________ his father.
6. I used a tea towel__________ an oven glove and I burned it!
7. Your perfume smells__________ flowers.
8. __________it was cold, I took a scarf.
9. He works__________ a hairdresser (it’s his job).
10. That woman looks__________ my grandmother.
11. Please do it__________ me.
12. She hates chocolate as much__________ John.
13. .__________the other students, Paul failed the exam.
14. London is just as busy__________ Tokyo.
15. She often plays sports,__________ tennis or football.
16. Amanda works__________ a lawyer (it’s her job).
17. This room is just as hot__________ the other room.
18. You look__________ your sister.19.She studied really hard,__________ us.
19. We are as intelligent __________ you.

Conjunctions, adverbs and adverbial expressions join elements within a sentence or sentence within a text. These expressions are called "connectors" or "linkers".

And both ... and ...

Join two or more elements of a sentence. And is also used at the end of a list.

exmples

Or either ... or ...

Neither ... nor ...

Propose an alternative.

Exclude both elements.

example

example

But

On the other hand ...

But contradicts two sentences or two elements of a sentence.

Balances two different ideas. It can be preceded by on the other hand.

example

example

Although though

Even though

Although and though introduce a clause that makes the statement in the main clause seem surprising or unexpected.

Even though refers to a real fact, as opposed to even if that is used to make a hypothesis.

example

example

However though (informal use)

However and though are adverbs. However can be placed either at the beginning or end of a sentence. Though is placed at the end of the sentence.

example

Despite in spite of (+ noun or verb-ing, often proceeded by a possessive adjective)

However (+adjective or adverb)

example

example

Insert the right connector in each of these blanks:

With / beacuse / also / through / about near / in spite of / both / but / firstly

Studying in an English villageI recently visited England to try to improve my English ; (1)…………………………………………, all in all, I dare say, it certainly wasn’t what I had expected. (2) ……………………………, I wanted to go somewhere(3) …………………………… to Oxford(4) ……………………………..I had heard that the best English is spoken there. Besides, someone told me that the best academies are (5)…………………….. there. The other possibility was London, but it was (6)………………………very expensive and it offered too many temptations for my spare time.I chose to go to a village. I found it (7)…………………………….the Internet and kept in touch (8)………………….. the agency by e-mail. I received information (9)………………………. my tutor, a short explanation about my future house, pictures of the house, the village, etc… (10)………………………. I could never have imagined what it meant to live in an English village! (11)……………….. the “culture shock”, I consider that this experience was a good investment.

Connectors and their ideas

Now that we know some connectors, let's see and review some of them and their main idea.

Choose the correct conjunctive adverb to complete the sentence

consequently / otherwise / on the other hand / furthermore

1. Buying and living in a 200-year-old house would be interesting; ______________, it would probably be very expensive to maintain.
2. You'll have to start taking better care of your body and stop smoking; ______________, you'll die early.
3. Sandy had a bad experience shopping at that store; ______________, she decided never to shop there again.
4. Growing apples is an interesting hobby which provides me with a lot of pleasure; ______________, I don't need to buy apples at the store.
5. Patricia and Karl lost interest in each other; ______________, they both agreed to a divorce.
6. Golf is a very fun sport; ______________, it's very expensive.
7. The party became kind of boring after Toby left; ______________, everyone went home soon afterwards.
8. If we arrive at the restaurant early, we'll get a good seat; ______________, the restaurant won't feel very lively.
9. You should buy these boots while they're on sale; ______________, you'll have to pay full price next week.
10. When the economy went into recession, business slowed down; ______________, Hector was laid off.
11. They have recruited more people and______________ the service has improved.
12. You had better mend your ways; ______________, you will land in serious trouble.

Fill in the blanks with the best connective. Each connective can be used ONCE only.

therefore / to begin with / on the whole / nevertheless such as / with regard to / meanwhile / moreover

1. I consider snacks ______________ chocolate and potato chips as unhealthy.
2. The kids didn’t study. ______________, they failed the course.
3. Karen is rich; ______________, her cousin Kate is extremely poor.
4. I enjoy reading this new magazine. ______________, it is not expensive.
5. The flight will take off soon. ______________, please remain seated.
6. Although some guests were absent, ______________, I think my dinner party was a success.
7. ______________, she is too young for that kind of job. Secondly, she is not well-educated.
8. ______________ your compliant, we will discuss it fully later.

Prepare to write

Answer the questions:

Write an essay about your favorite place.In your essay, include as many connectors as you can.

Thanks!