CONNECTORS AND FOCUS STRUCTURES

CONNECTORS AND FOCUS STRUCTURES

CARLA MONTILLA

START

CONNECTORS

Example: the japanese economy has been very strong and consequently the yen has risen in value. In addition, the dollar has continued to show weakness. The pound, however, has remained steady.

Are words such as consequently,however and phrases such as in addition, in fact and for example which are used to link clauses and sentences

FOCUS STRUCTURE

Focus structure are also used to link sentences. one type of focus structures is called fronting. In fronting, one part of the sentence (I can’t eat asparagus) is moved to front position in order to focus attention on that part. (I can’t eat broccoli and carrots. Asparagus I can’t eat.)

Another type of focus structure is a cleft sentence. In a cleft sentence, We focus attention on one part of a sentence and put the other part of the sentence in a separate clause. we can begin a cleft sentence with it (it’s asparagus I can’t eat) or what (What I can’t eat is asparagus).

Type of connectors and focus structures

Adverbs as connectors

Focus structure

Phrases as connectors

Connectors, prepositions and conjunctions

Connectors used for adding or contrasting:

Contrasting connectors:

Result and time connectors

Result connectors: We can use SO in front position to show that what follows is result of, or is caused by, earlier events Example: we were moving some things out of the house when it started pouring with rain.So everything got very wet.We sometimes use THEREFORE when we want to emphasize a logical or necessary result. Example: The woman killed her husband and she intended to do it therefore she is guilty of murder. In formal situation,we can use AS A RESULT, usually in front position,to show that something is a direct result of earlier event Time connectors: We can use THEN as a connector, usually in front position, to show that one action or situation is later than another. Example: we had upaked everything for the picnic and had just sat down.Then it started to rain. -or follows logically from another Example: Perhaps you could hire a car for a few days.Then you'd be able to go wherever you wanted. We sometimes use then at the beginning of a clause emphasizing what follows logically from a preceding if-clause

LISTENING CONNECTORS

we can use first (or firstly), second (or secondly), etc. in front position to show the order or things in a list or a sentence. We sometimes use then or next instead of second(ly), third(ly), etc. we really have to clean the house. First, we have to take out the rubbish. Then/Second, we’ll have to wash all the dishes piled up in the kitchen sink. Thirdly/Next we really need to scrub the floor because it’s so dirty.

We can use for a start instead of first(ly) in front position to show that we are begining a sequence of reasons to support or explain a preceding statement. We can use finally in fron position to show that we are at the end of a list. We can use a phrase such as to sump up when we are going to provide a summary of points already made.

PRACTICE EXERCICE

Result connectors: A/ Complete the sentences with the corresponding connector: 1. She hasn’t decided ____ which university she will go to. (Ella aún no ha decidido a qué universidad irá). 2. I _____think about my grandfather despite the fact he is gone. (Aún pienso en mi abuelo a pesar de que ya se fue). 3. We brought some groceries, ____ we forgot to buy vegetables. (Trajimos algunos alimentos, pero olvidamos comprar vegetales). 4. Michael, Pam ___ Phill went to the concert to see the new rock band. (Michael, Pam y Phill fueron al concierto a ver a la nueva banda de rock). B/ Join the following sentences with the appropriate connector: 6. He wants to start a business. He doesn’t have any money. 7. I was cooking my favorite recipe. My wife was looking at me when I was cooking. 8. Do you like cats? Do you prefer dogs?

ANSWERS

1. Yet 2. Still 3. But 4. And 5. Still

6. He wants to start a business. However, he doesn’t have any money. 7. My wife was looking at me, while I was cooking my favorite recipe. 8. Do you like cats or dogs?

Phrases as connectors

Usually in front position. sometimes in mid or end position. we separate phrases used as connectors with commas. 7. the doctor will see you soon. In the meantime, could you please complete these forms? 8. we have your application, but it’s incomplete. You didn't, for example, include a photograph. 9. One man lied about having a degree in English. He had never been to university, in fact. Others include: as result, for a start, in addition, in conclusion, in other words, on the other hand

Focus structure

To link sentences. we can move one part of a sentence to front position to link that sentence more closely to the preceding sentence. This is called fronting. 11. I’d rather visit Paris than London these days. (I don’t like London as much as i used to.) London I don’t like as much as i used to. To emphasize one part of the sentence, usually when we are making a contrast with, or adding to, information in a preceding sentence, sentences like this wich begin with it or what, are called cleft sentences. 12. I didn’t eat the strawberries. (jack ate them) = It was Jackie who ate them. 13. We didn’t like the way he spoke. (we really didn’t like this tude behaviour.) = what we really didn’t like was his rude behaviour.

Adverbs as connectors

However or Then. linking words. 1. sentence: we wanted to rent a flat near the university However, they were all too expensive. 2. Clause: The old woman poured two cups of tea, then I asked her if the remembered my grandparents. Others include: Actually, also, finally, instead, later, meanwhile, secondly, so, therefore.