INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Sentence connectors are an integral part of writing; they help to manage logical harmony in writing. They may be individual words or phrases. Sentence connectors are wrongly known as sentence linkers or linking words. Connectors are different from linkers. Linkers are used to link two clauses together within a sentence. on the other hand, connectors are used to link two ideas together. they are, in general, used at the beginning of the sentence or at the beginning of the paragraph. There are different kinds of connectors I will discuss elaborately. 

If we go to understand connectors and linkers through examples, we will see the difference clearly.

• Though he is poor, he is honest.
• I spent much time on connectors yesterday. However, my idea regarding connectors remains vague. Here, “however” has connected two contradictory ideas. 

So, while connectors combine two clauses within the sentence, connectors combine two sentences or ideas. ideas. Connectors are used to connect different ideas to make a unity of thought. While linkers are dealt with at the micro-level, connectors are dealt with at the macro level. Connectors are used to show consistency or order, to add new information, to show comparison, to show the contrary, to show difference and similarity of time, to show the result, to give emphasis, to show examples, to make a summary, etc. 

Though we are supposed to deal with the usage of connectors in this section, we are to deal with linkers, some adverbs, and relative pronouns too because, in the exam, we may face linkers, adverbs along with connectors. 

There is no fixed number of connectors. But, I will discuss some connectors along with some linkers, some adverbs, and some relative pronouns necessary for the exam, dividing them into many categories. 

ELABORATE DISCUSSION
Category 1. To express consistency or sequence of events, we use the following connectors:

a. First, firstly, at first, first of all, in the first place, in the beginning.

b. To begin with: To begin with, Karim is more intelligent than Rahim.

c. Second, secondly, in the second place, third, thirdly, fourth, fourthly, fifth, fifthly.

e. In the end,  last, lastly, at last, last of all, finally, to sum up, in conclusion, to conclude.

f. Next, afterward, after that, then

g. The former,...the latter

h. The first point is

Firstly,...secondly,...lastly (or finally) are the most popular and useful ways of listing ideas. 

•  I will do many things today. Firstly, I will finish my homework. Secondly, I will write a letter to my friend. Thirdly, Finally, I will go to a book shop to buy some books.

When you go to mention one of the two points, you can use "the former" and "the latter". "Contemporary British literature" and Postmodernism are the two courses offered at the Master's level. The former is offered in the first semester and the latter is studied in the second semester. 

Category 2. To provide extra information, the following linkers and connectors are used:

a. And: Sachin scored a hundred and displayed his merit.

b. Both ------ and: Both Rohan and Rohit are my best friends.

c. Either ---------- or: Either Rohan or Rohit can do it.

d. Neither -------- nor: Neither Rahim nor Karim has done it.

e. As well as: Sachin, as well as Virat, will save the match.

f. Moreover: He is a rich man. Moreover, he is a generous human being.

g. Furthermore: Furthermore, he is a wise man.

h. Too: Rahman is a good student. He is a man of good health too.

i. Likewise: “Some have little power to do good, and have likewise little strength to resist evil” ( Samuel Johnson)

j. Not only ------ but also: He is not only knowledgeable but also wealthy.

k. Apart from:  Apart from this house, he has a shopping mall.

l. Similarly: You have to be a good student. Similarly, you have to be a good human.

m. Again: I went to Kolkata six months back. Again, I have decided to go there.

n. Also: He loves her. She also loves him.

To link ideas in a list, we use "and". We should remember the rule that each idea should be separated by a comma. Though there is no rule whether to put a comma before "and", many users do not use a comma before "and".

1. We all expect happiness, peace, and prosperity. 

"Also" is used to add more information or emphasis.

1. We also expect true love. 

Never use "also" at the beginning of a sentence. You can use "in addition" or "in addition to this". They mean "also". They are used at the beginning of the sentence.

We can use "as well as" at the beginning or the middle of a sentence.

1. As well as Sapiens, I love Harari's Homo Dues. 
2. I love Harari's Homo Dues as well as Sapiens.

"Besides" and "apart from this" mean "as well as", or "in addition to". 

1. Apart from Sapiens, I have read Harari's Homo Dues.
2. Besides Sapiens, I have read Harari's Homo Dues. 

"Too" means "as well". "Too" sits after the subject or it goes at the end of the sentence. 

1. It is a good book too. 
2. It, too, is a good book.

Category 3. To give examples, the following linkers and connectors are used: for example, for instance, namely, such as, in other words, that is (e.g.)

• Bangladesh has produced many good cricketers such as / namely,  Tamim, Shakib, Mushfiqur, Sabbir, Mashrafee, Mustafijur, etc.
  He has done the job. In other words, he is the only one who can do it.
• He is a good human being. For example, he donates warm clothes to poor people every year. 

Category:4. To show Dismissal, we can use anyhow, anyway, at any rate.

a. Anyhow: Anyhow, I've decided to buy a motorbike.

b. Anyway: I didn't expect any help from him. Anyway, I asked for help.

c. At any rate, I will reach college tomorrow.

Category 5. For Comparison of similarities we use:
a. Than: Karim is more intelligent than Rahim.
b. As ------ as: No other batsman in the world is as gentle as Sachin Tendulkar.
(It is used to form an affirmative sentence)
c. So ------ as: Karim is not so intelligent as Rahim.
(It is used to carry negative sense)

d. Likewise: Any device is not allowed here. Likewise, you are prohibited to carry mobile inside the classroom.

Correspondingly: He is an excellent writer. Correspondingly, people highly appreciate his writing.
e. In the same way: Rahim made brilliant result. Karim received brilliant results, in the same way,
f. By far: India has produced many great cricketers. Sachin was by far the best.

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Category 6. To express dissimilarities or contrasting ideas we have lots of connectors and linkers given below.
a. On the contrary / on the other hand: I like to help him. On the contrary / on the other hand he misbehaves with me.)
b. But: He works hard but he does not receive deserved payment
c. Yet / Still: He studied hard. Yet / Still he could not secure a good grade.
d. While/whereas You always love them while/Whereas they don’t love you
e. Although / though: Although/though he is poor, he is honest.
f. Even though: He does not study regularly even though his exam is knocking at the door.
g. Despite / in spite of: In spite/despite their hard efforts they could not save the match.
h. However / anyhow: He does not work hard. However / anyhow he will manage a good result.
i. All the same: It is all the same whether you do it or not.
j. Nevertheless / Nonetheless (He was sick. Nevertheless / Nonetheless he went to college.

"However" is a formal word in comparison with "but". We tend to use "however" at the beginning of a sentence. On the other hand, we generally use "but" at the beginning of a sentence. 

1. He is rich, but he is a miser. 
2. He is rich. However, he is a miser

We use "despite" and "in spite of" in the same way we use "due to" and "owing to".

1. Despite his sickness, he went to college.
2. In spite of his sickness, he went to college.
3. Despite the fact that he was sick, he went to college.
4. In spite of the fact that he was sick, he went to college. 

The idea of contrast is generated through some subordinating conjunction such as "though", "although", "despite", and "in spite of".

1. Though/although he is poor, he helps others financially.
2. In spite of his riches, he does not help the poor.
3. Despite his sickness, he went to University. 

"Nonetheless" and "nevertheless" equal to "in spite of" or "anyway" as far as meaning is concerned. 

1. He was talented, but he failed nevertheless. (In spite of the fact that he was talented. 
2. He studied throughout the year. Nonetheless, he failed to manage A+.

When we want to show two things that are different from each other, we use "whereas", "while" and "unlike". 

1. While he works hard regularly, his brother is a very lazy boy.
2. Terrorism is increasing day by day in our area, whereas authority is not taking effective steps.
3. Unlike our country, Japan is very advanced technologically. 

Category 7. To indicate reason we use these linkers: since, for, due to/due to the fact that, owing to/owing to the fact that, because, because of as, why.
a. He could not join the game because/since/as/for he was sick.
b. I do not know why he does not study seriously.

c. Due to the rise of the prices of daily necessaries, ordinary common people are suffering a lot.

d. Owing to her sickness, she could not go to college.

You can also use them with a clause. But they must follow "the fact". 

1. Due to the fact that the prices of daily necessaries have risen, ordinary common people are suffering a lot.
2. Owing to the fact that she has fallen sick, she could not go to college.

"Because of" has to follow a noun

1. Because of her talent, she stood first in the exam. 

We can use "because" either at the beginning or at the middle of a sentence. 

1. Because she was meritorious, she stood first in the exam. 
2. She stood first in the exam because she was meritorious.

Both "since" and "as" are equal to because.

1. Since she was rich, she could help the poor. 
2. As she was rich, she could help the poor.

Category 8. To express the impact of what has been spoken or done earlier, we use the following connectors: so, therefore, hence, as a result, as a consequence, consequently, eventually.
a. So / therefore: I have been working since morning. So / therefore I need a break.
b. As a result / as a consequence / consequently / eventually: Due to rain, he could not go out for work. As a result / as a consequence / consequently / eventually, he could not earn his livelihood.

• Karim is a hard-working guy. He regularly works in his garden. Thus he enjoys good health.
• He always gets us late. Naturally, he misses his first class.

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Category 9: To express the purpose and result of any work, we use the following linking words.

• a. Lest (Walk fast lest you should fail to reach the station.
  b. So as to (I exercise regularly; so as to keep myself fit.
  (so that)
  c. So that / in order that / that (He studies twelve hours a day so that/in order that/that he can finish his thesis as soon as possible.
  d. So --------- that (He is so poor that he cannot feed his family)
  e. As much as (He took milk as much as he could)
  f. As many as (She ate as many lychees as she could)

Category 10: To insist condition we can use the following linking words which are used to link two clauses.

• If, or / otherwise, unless, until/till, provided/provided that, in case, as long as, supposing that, had, were, should, when.
  a. If: If you work hard, you will succeed.
  b. Or / otherwise: Move or / otherwise die.
  c. You cannot do something worthwhile unless you are sincere.
  d. Provided / provided that / providing that (if): We will go to playground provided/provided that / providing that the weather is fine.
  e. In case: in case your failure to move, you will die.
  f. As long as: Divine mercy is with us as long as our purpose is honest.
  g. Supposing that: Supposing that you will play with us, I shall wait for you.
  h. Once you set your goal, you should work on that consistently.
  i. Had: Had you studied hard, you would do well in the exam.
  j. Were: Were I a bird, I would fly in the sky.
  k. Should: Should you not help the helpless people, you would not receive divine justice.
  l. When: When someone works from his or her heart, he or she will surely receive his or her fruit.

• Category 11. To indicate time and place we use at that time, there, where, as, when, while, before, after, since, as soon as, sometimes, at present/present / recently / of late, than, scarcely had …… when, hardly had --------- when.
  a. At that time: Messy took part in World Cup in 2006. At that time he was only 19 years old.
  b. Where: This is the place where I was born.
  c. There: I went to St. Martin Island in 2009. There I met real natural beauty.
  e. When: I don’t know when I will go there.
  f. While: I was taking bath while she called me.
  g. Before: The patient had died before the doctor came.
  h. After: The doctor came after the patient had come.
  i. Since: It has been a long time since I last met you.
  j. As soon as: As soon as the teacher entered the room, the students stood up.
  k. Sometimes: Sometimes I visit historical places.
  l. At present / presently: At present / presently he works in a university.
  m. Now: I am writing an e-mail now.
  n. Then: I want to have my dinner first. Then I will go to my garden.
  o. Recently: Recently I have visited Hyderabad.
  p. Once and first time: Try at least once. I will try it next month for the first time.
  q. No sooner had --------- than: No sooner had I reached there than the rain came.
  r. Hardly had ---------- when: Hardly had he reached the station when the train left.
  s. Scarcely had -------- when: Scarcely had the teacher entered the classroom when the students stood up.
  t. He fell ill and was admitted to the hospital. Afterward, he died.

• Category 12. To draw a conclusion we use the following connectors: in brief, in short, to sum up, to summarize, on the whole, above all, in all / in total.

          In general, we use these connectors at the beginning of the sentence to summarize what we have said or written. 

• a. In brief: He establishes a school in his village. He also set up a hospital. In brief, he is a kind-hearted man.
  b. In short: he is studious, serious, sincere, and obedient. He is short he is brilliant.
  c. To sum up / to summarize: He went to Europe during the last winter vacation. He visited Athens, Room, Paris, and London. To sum up / to summarize, it was a wonderful trip.
  d. On the whole: Our chairman sir likes all the students. He behaves well with everybody. On the whole, he is a gentleman.
  e. Above all: He is a good teacher. He is friendly, cooperative, and helpful to everybody. Above all, he is a good human.
  f. In all / in total: There are 1250 male students and 1250 female students. In all / in total, there are 2500 students in our college.

• Category 13. To express the manner of works we use as if, as though, how, however, like, as s, by and by, as it were, such ----- that.
  a. As if / As though: he speaks as/as though he knew everything.
  b. How: This is the way how he talks.
  c. However: You cannot talk however you like.
  d. As: Work as I suggest you.
  e. As --------- so: As you sow, so you reap.
  f. Like: She can play like her brother does.
  g. Such --------as / that: our country needs such teachers as / that are ideals.
  h. As it were: The camel as it were the ship of the desert.

• Category 14. To express two same events happening at the same time, we use at the same time, at that time, meanwhile, as.
  a. At the same time: he was reading and writing at the same time.
  b. When you called me, at that time I was writing.
  c. As (when) I was going to college, I came across my best friend.
  d. Meanwhile: I entered the wedding ceremony. Meanwhile, almost all the guests left the hall.

• Category 15. Relative conjunction "that" is also used as a linking word.
  a. That: He told me that he would like to come with me.

  Category 16. Relative pronouns are used as linking words such as who, which, whom, whose,    what, whatever, whichever, that.
a. Who: I know the man who is working out there.
b. Which: This is the pen which is mine.
c. Whom: The man whom you met in the park is my friend.
d. Whose: This is the boy whose book I was lost.
e. That: This is the house that he bought last year.
f. What is lost is lost forever.
g. Whoever: Whoever studies regularly, succeeds in life.
h. Whichever: Whichever of you can give the answer will be rewarded.

SUMMARY

WE CAN SERVE OUR PURPOSE IF WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING CONNECTORS, LINKERS, ADVERBS, AND RELATIVE PRONOUNS IN OUR MINDS.

ADDITION	CONTRARY	EMPHASIS	CONSISTENCY	CONDITION	RESULTS	EXAMPLES	REASON	ADVERBS	RELATIVE PRONOUN
and	on the other hand	in fact	first	if	as a result	for instance	since	suddenly	who
also	but	indeed	firstly	when	so	for example	because	specially	what
again	however	actually	secondly	while	hence	such as	as	naturally	when
then	on the contrary	certainly	at the beginning	until	eventually	namely	thereby	normally	whose
moreover	though/although	really	at the end	as long as	thus			usually	this
furthermore	even though	as a matter of fact	finally	provided that	in this way			commonly	that
additionally	instead	that is why	to sum up		consequently			similarly
in addition	rather		in conclusion					definitely
again	nevertheless		above all					obviously
besides	yet		last but not the least					incidentally
	still
	unfortunately
	despite the fact

You can watch the video on connectors:

H.S.C.: MODIFIER                 Pronoun Reference                         NARRATION

                 PUNCTUATION                                          ARTICLE: A, AN & THE (H.S.C.) 

English Alphabet and Speech Sound                        Right Forms of Verb

Subject-Verb Agreement                                           ARTICLE: A, AN & THE (H.S.C.)     

TRANSFORMATION OF STRUCTURAL SENTENCE: PART ONE

TRANSFORMATION OF STRUCTURAL SENTENCE: PART TWO

ARUP ROY

WORKING AS A LECTURER IN ENGLISH
LANGUAGE & LITERATURE

AT KANCHKHURA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF IELD

FORMER LECTURER OF STAMFORD COLLEGE

& DHAKA PUBLIC COLLEGE

WORKED AS A MEMBER SECRETARY

AT STAMFORD ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLUB UTTARA