Basic Connectives

Basic Connectives A connective is a word or phrase that joins two simple sentences to make a complex sentence. Simple sentences Complex sentences Complex sentences

I got up. I got up and had breakfast. I had breakfast when I got up.

Connectives

I had breakfast. I got up then had breakfast. When I got up, I had breakfast.

and

and in addition

also as well as

synonyms too together with

plus along with

including another thing

but

but whereas

however apart from

although yet

other than even so

except on the other hand

so

so so that

because as a result

therefore consequently

since hence

thus for this reason

then

then next

secondly later on

after that afterwards

soon after before long

following this after a while

when

when earlier

as once

while as soon as

during after

before meanwhile

however

however even so

but it appears

yet on the other hand

still whereas

though despite this

some

nothing several

none many

some most

few mainly

a minority the majority

because for that reason

as due to

since

given that

seeing as

because

Openers

synonyms

First

First of all To begin with

At first In the beginning

To start At the outset

At the start Initially

It all started Originally

Next

Next Secondly

Then Later

After that After a while

Following this Soon after

Afterwards Subsequently

Soon

Soon after Before long

Quickly In no time at all

Suddenly Shortly after

All of a sudden Moments later

In a flash Not long after

Last

At last Finally

Last of all In time

Lastly Ultimately

In the end Eventually

To finish In conclusion

Choosing and Using Connectives For addition: and in addition furthermore

also as well as moreover

too together with another thing

plus along with what is more

To compare and contrast: but however whereas alternatively similarly equally

although compared with unlike

despite this in contrast apart from

To show cause and effect: so because so that inevitably

therefore consequently

since in the same way

to begin with after that afterwards at last

at the start soon after before long in the end

during later As evening fell

meanwhile after After many days

To signal sequence: first first of all then secondly next later on lastly finally To signal time and sequence: when while earlier previously Early that morning Later that day

AND including not forgetting not withstanding BUT nevertheless on the other hand and yet SO as a result for this reason THEN initially following this after a while eventually WHEN before following Weeks later

To give opinion: however it would seem maybe

despite this it appears perhaps

even so on the other hand possibly

nevertheless whereas probably

For quantity: nothing several

none many

some most

few mainly

SOME a minority the majority

For surprise or suspense: suddenly that very moment out of nowhere unexpectedly

all of a sudden however

without warning unknown to them

in a flash secretly

For dramatic effect: happily sadly

unbelievably tragically

remarkably luckily

frighteningly terrifyingly

For emphasis and to persuade: the fact is most agree that surely clearly more importantly especially

some would argue obviously above all

it is important to of course indeed

naturally undoubtedly in truth

For illustration: such as to show that

for instance one example is

in other words except for

as shown by unless

after all in conclusion

on the whole to conclude

on balance in the end

fortunately unfortunately

for example this can be seen in

For conclusion and summary: therefore overall to summarise finally

HOWEVER in spite of it is likely