Writing Skills
Develop strategies for more coherent writing!
CONJUNCTIONS ARE LINKING WORDS
Using the conjunction AND
AND:
- is used to link nouns e.g I speak English, Mandarin, and French.
- is used in joining 2 independent clauses i.e. complete sentences: John is 35 years old, and he is married.
Using the conjunction AND
AND:
- is used to link nouns e.g I speak English, Mandarin, and French.
- is used in joining 2 independent clauses i.e. complete sentences: John is 35 years old, and he is married.
CONTRASTING IDEAS
Using BUT, HOWEVER and ALTHOUGH
But: to join 2 sentences. Put a comma (,) before the word 'but'.
However: links the ideas of 2 separate sentences. It is usually placed a the beginning of the second sentence. Add a comma after 'however'. You can also use it with a semi-colon as follows: ...; however, ...
Although: joins 2 sentences into 1 sentence called a complex sentence. It can be placed at the beginning or at the beginning of a second clause. Put a comma at the end of the first clause.
EXAMPLE:
It is very hot in the desert. It can get cold at night.
It is very hot in the desert, but it can get cold at night.
It is very hot in the desert. However, it can get cold at night.
It is very hot in the desert; however, it can get cold at night.
It is very hot in the desert although it can get cold at night.
Although it is very hot in the desert, it can get cold at night.
Using BUT, HOWEVER and ALTHOUGH
But: to join 2 sentences. Put a comma (,) before the word 'but'.
However: links the ideas of 2 separate sentences. It is usually placed a the beginning of the second sentence. Add a comma after 'however'. You can also use it with a semi-colon as follows: ...; however, ...
Although: joins 2 sentences into 1 sentence called a complex sentence. It can be placed at the beginning or at the beginning of a second clause. Put a comma at the end of the first clause.
EXAMPLE:
It is very hot in the desert. It can get cold at night.
It is very hot in the desert, but it can get cold at night.
It is very hot in the desert. However, it can get cold at night.
It is very hot in the desert; however, it can get cold at night.
It is very hot in the desert although it can get cold at night.
Although it is very hot in the desert, it can get cold at night.
REASON AND RESULT CLAUSES
SO & BECAUSE
SO - is used to join sentences and tells the result of something
BECAUSE - is used to join sentences and tell the reason why or why not something happens
It is cold tonight, so (the result is) I'll wear a coat.
Because (the reason is) it is cold tonight, I'll wear a coat.
SO & BECAUSE
SO - is used to join sentences and tells the result of something
BECAUSE - is used to join sentences and tell the reason why or why not something happens
It is cold tonight, so (the result is) I'll wear a coat.
Because (the reason is) it is cold tonight, I'll wear a coat.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION