Connectives connect and relate sentences and paragraphs. They assist in the logical flow of ideas as they signal the relationship between sentences and paragraphs. In prose, the material is supported and conditioned not only by the ordering of the material (its position) but by connectives which signal order, relationship and movement.
Some of the more commonly used connectives are listed below. Note especially how these connections function to develop, relate, connect and move ideas.
USAGE | CONNECTIVE WORDS |
addition of ideas | and, also, besides, further, furthermore, too, moreover, in addition, then, of equal importance, equally important, another |
time | next, afterward, finally, later, last, lastly, at last, now, subsequently, then, when, soon, thereafter, after a short time, the next week (month, day, etc.), a minute later, in the meantime, meanwhile, on the following day, at length, ultimately, presently |
order or sequence | first, second, (etc.), finally, hence, next, then, from here on, to begin with, last of all, after, before, as soon as, in the end, gradually |
space and place | above, behind, below, beyond, here, there, to the right (left), nearby, opposite, on the other side, in the background, directly ahead, along the wall, as you turn right, at the top, across the hall, at this point, adjacent to |
to signal an example | for example, to illustrate, for instance, to be specific, such as, moreover, furthermore, just as important, similarly, in the same way |
results | as a result, hence, so, accordingly, as a consequence, consequently, thus, since, therefore, for this reason, because of this |
purpose | to this end, for this purpose, with this in mind, for this reason(s) |
comparison | like, in the same manner (way), as so, similarly |
contrast connectives | but, in contrast, conversely, however, still, nevertheless, nonetheless, yet, and yet, on the other hand, on the contrary, or, in spite of this, actually, in fact |
to summarize or report | in summary, to sum up, to repeat, briefly, in short, finally, on the whole, therefore, as I have said, in conclusion, as you can see |
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