Sentence Connectors and Sentences - Showing Comparison

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Once you have mastered the basics of correct usage in written English, you will want to express yourself in increasingly complex ways. One of the best ways to improve your writing style is to use sentence connectors. Sentence connectors are used to express relationships between ideas and to combine sentences. The use of these connectors will add sophistication to your writing style.
Sentence connectors are also referred to as linking language. There are a number of forms of sentence connections such as conjunctions, coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions and prepositions. These sentence connectors can indicate opposition between ideas, cause and effect, contrasting ideas and setting conditions. This page focuses on comparisons. Follow the links to other types of sentence connectors below.

Type of Connector	Connector(s)	Examples
Coordinating Conjunction	and...too	High level positions are stressful, and can be harmful to your health too.
Subordinating conjunction	just as	Just as high level positions are stressful, they can be harmful to your health.
Conjunctive adverbs	similarly, in comparison	High level positions are stressful at times; similarly, they can be harmful to your health.
Prepositions	like, similar to	Similar to other important professions, high level business positions are stressful at times.

 

What are Conjunctions?

 

Conjunctions are used to join two sentences into one sentence by showing a relationship between the two. There are a number of conjunctions used in English including co-ordinating conjunctions and subordinate conjunctions. Each type of conjunction is explained below, as well including a discussion of FANBOYS as a means of helping you remember important conjunctions.

Answer: 

Conjunctions are used to link two clauses together. In other words, if you have two separate sentences you can join them by using a conjunction. Here are some examples with conjunctions highlighted in bold. Conjunctions are one of the eight parts of speech
He was interested in joining the team, but he couldn't come to practice.
Peter bought a new TV because his old one broke.
Let's go to a restaurant or get something quick and easy to cook.
Notice how the conjunctions in the above examples also define the relationship between the two clauses.
He was interested in joining the team, but he couldn't come to practice.
But shows that the first part of the sentences 'He was interested in joining the team' was not possible because of the second part of the sentence 'he couldn't come to practice'.
Peter bought a new TV because his old one broke.
In this sentence the second clause gives the reason for the action in the first clause 'Peter bought a new TV' using the conjunction because.
Let's go to a restaurant or get something quick and easy to cook.
In this example, the conjunction or indicates a choice between the first clause and the second clause.
Conjunction Types

There are two types of conjunctions in English. The first type are called co-ordinating conjunctions, and the second type are called subordinating conjunctions. These terms refer to whether clauses are independent or dependent on another clause. In other words, whether a clause could stand on its own as a sentence without the other.
Co-ordinating Conjunctions
Co-ordinating conjunctions are used to join two independent clauses. In other words, two sentences that could stand alone can be joined by a co-ordinating conjunction. Co-ordinating conjunctions include and, but and or. Here are some examples to help explain co-ordinating conjunctions:
First Sentence
Tim enjoys playing tennis.
Second Sentence
Tim Enjoys doing yoga.
Full Sentence Using a Co-ordinating Conjunction
Tim enjoys playing tennis and doing yoga.
NOTE: When using the same verb, it is possible to connect the two sentences by a co-ordinating conjunction without the same verb. This is referred to as parallel structure. For example: He enjoys playing golf and tennis. First Sentence
Martha wants to go on holiday.
Second Sentence
Martha has to work.
Full Sentence Using a Co-ordinating Conjunction
Martha wants to go on holiday, but she has to work.
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating clauses take the conjunctions such as because, when, that or which. Subordinating conjunctions connect an independent and a dependent clause. This means that one clause can stand on its own, but the other clause can not. It is dependent on the other clause to make sense.
First Sentence (independent clause)
He'll have some lunch.
Second Clause (dependent clause)
...when he arrives.
Full Sentence Using a Subordinating Conjunction
He'll have some lunch when he arrives.
First Sentence (independent clause)
Alison purchased the book.
Second Sentence (changed to a dependent clause)
The book was on the shelf.
Full Sentence Using a Subordinating Conjunction
Alison purchased the book which was on the shelf.
More information on subordinate clauses such as concessive clauses, time clauses, etc.
Conjunctions and Punctuation
Commas are often used with conjunctions in more complex structures:
Alexander felt that he should be able to attend the camp, but his parents insisted that he stay home to focus on his studies.
Commas are not required in shorter sentences:
I didn't go because I didn't feel well.
Help Remembering Conjunctions: FANBOYS
Many English books refer to principal conjunctions as FANBOYS. This is an acronym used to help you remember the following conjunctions:
F - for
A - and
N - nor
B - but
O - or
Y - yet
S - so
Teachers might enjoy this lesson on paired conjunctions to help students practice more advanced uses of conjunctions.

Focus on Paired Conjunctions

 

Paired conjunctions are often used in both spoken and written English to make a point, give an explanation, or discuss alternatives. Unfortunately, not only are they difficult to use, but their structure is also rather strict! For this reason, this lesson is a straight forward, teacher centered, grammar lesson focusing on written and oral production of the target structure.
Aim: Grammar focus on the use of paired conjunctions
Activity: Teacher introduction followed by sentence completion, construction and, finally, oral drill work

 

Level: Upper-intermediate
Outline:

• Introduce paired conjunctions by asking students to give reasons for some simple event. Take two of the suggestions and construct target structure sentences using paired conjunctions. For example: Either John has stayed at home or he has been held up in traffic.
• Explain the structure of the paired conjunctions: both...and; not only...but also; either...or; neither...nor
• Distribute worksheets and ask students to match the sentence parts to match both columns to make complete sentences.
• Ask students to complete the second exercise by combining the ideas to make one complete sentence using one of the paired conjunctions.
• Focus on oral production skills by asking paired conjunction questions on the separate teacher sheet.

Paired Conjunctions Match the sentence halves to make a complete sentence. Sentence Half A
Both Peter
Not only do we want to go
Either Jack will have to work more hours
That story was
Students who do well not only study hard
In the end he had to choose
Sometimes it is
I would love to take
Sentence Half B
but we have enough money.
neither true nor realistic.
not only wise to listen to your parents but also interesting.
and I are coming next week.
either his career or his hobby.
both my laptop and my cell phone on holiday.
but also use their instincts if they do not know the answer.
or we will have to hire somebody new.
Combine the following sentences into one sentence using paired conjunctions: both ... and; not only ... but also; either ... or; neither ... nor

• We could fly. We could go by train.
• She will have to study hard. She will have to concentrate to do well on the exam.
• Jack is not here. Tom is in another city.
• The speaker will not confirm the story. The speaker will not deny the story.
• Pneumonia is a dangerous disease. Small pox is a dangerous illness.
• Fred loves traveling. Jane wants to go around the world.
• It might rain tomorrow. It might snow tomorrow.
• Playing tennis is good for your heart. Jogging is good for your health.

To the teacher: Read the following aloud and have students use paired conjunctions to respond. Example: You know Peter. Do you know Bill? Student: I know both Peter and Jack.

• You like tennis. Do you like golf?
• You don't know Jane. Do you know Jack?
• You are studying Math. Are you studying English?
• You need to work on the weekend. Do you need to work in the evening?
• You don't eat fish. Do you eat beef?
• I know your country has good universities. Does England have good universities?
• He collects money. Does he collect stamps?
• They haven't visited Rome. Have they visited Paris?