Cohesive Devices


We use cohesive devices to link sentences, paragraphs or any pieces of text. In other words, cohesive devices make our content coherent. Overusing cohesive devices or not using them enough might affect the reader negatively.

Also see:

Connectives List
Conjunctions
Conjunctions Exercises
Conjunctions Multiple Choice Tests
Here is a list of words and phrases used as cohesive devices:


Addition


CoordinatorPairedSubordinatingTransitionsPrep. Phrase
AndBoth...and---In additionIn addition to
Not only...but(also)Further moreAs well as
Neither...norBesides*Besides*
What's moreApart from
AlsoAside from
On top of that
Moreover
Indeed


Examples:

  • Both/not only proteins and/but also vitamins are essential for small children.
  • The film was neither well made nor well-performed.
  • I can play the piano apart from the guitar.


  • Contrast


    CoordinatorPairedSubordinatingTransitionsPrep. Phrase
    But---Although, thoughHoweverDespite
    YetEven though, much asNonethelessIn spite of
    NotwithstandingYet, even soFor all
    No matter + question wordNeverthelessRegardless of
    However + adj./adv.StillNotwithstanding
    Adj./adv. + though/asNotwithstanding


    Examples:

  • Although he's very smart, he cannot pass his English class.
  • No matter how smart you are, you shouldn't underestimate your opponents.
  • He's very smart, he doesn't respect his friends though.
  • Regardless of age, anybody can ride this ride.


  • Direct Contrast


    CoordinatorPairedSubordinatingTransitionsPrep. Phrase
    But---WhileOn the contraryUnlike
    YetWhereasIn contrastIn contrast to
    On the other handContrary to
    ConverselyAs opposed to
    Contrarily
    While / whereas


    Examples:

  • The winters are very wet here; whereas, the summers are very dry.
  • It was very hot yesterday, in contrast, it’s very cold today.
  • It's cold and windy today, on the other hand, it’s not raining.


  • Result


    CoordinatorPairedSubordinatingTransitionsPrep. Phrase
    ---So/such ... that---ThereforeAs a result of
    As a result of thisAs a consequence of
    As a result
    So, this, hence
    Consequently
    As a consequence of this
    Because of this
    Accordingly


    CauseEffect
    Man's hunting whales in large numbersCauses
    leads to
    results in
    is the result for
    is responsible for
    the danger of their becoming extinct
    EffectCause
    Whales' facing extinctionis the result of
    is due to
    is a consequence of
    result from
    man's hunting them in large numbers


    For Example:

  • As a consequence of rising population, people now have to cope with heavy traffic.
  • It was such a great movie that I watched it three times.
  • The basketball team's introducing a talented young player resulted in winning more games.


  • Purpose


    CoordinatorPairedSubordinatingTransitionsPrep. Phrase
    ------So that---In order to
    In order thatTo
    For the purpose thatFor the purpose of
    For fear of
    So as to


    For Example:

  • I talked to the shy girl for the purpose that she wouldn’t feel isolated.
  • We all spoke in quiet voices for fear of waking the baby up.
  • She went to her husband’s office for the purpose of seeing him.


  • Comparison


    similarly
    equally
    in the same way
    compared with
    like

    I can speak Spanish; similarly, my brother can speak Spanish.


    Listings


    first(ly)
    finally
    in the first place
    then
    to conclude
    to begin
    next

    I loved England a lot. First I loved its museums. Secondly, I loved its people. Finally I loved its tourist attractions.


    Giving Examples


    for example
    for instance
    such as
    as follows
    namely

    I like small pets such as cats and birds.


    Generalizing


    in general
    generally
    in most cases
    most of the time
    on the whole

    In general, people don't like getting up early.

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