Cohesive Devices

A variety of useful english Conjunctions exists, which complete this list of the most used Cohesive Devices. Together, these Linking Words can help to express a cohesive view and easy undertandable texts.

Definition

Words that link two parts of a sentence are called conjunctions (see "to conjoin"). The most common ones are 'and', 'or' and 'but'. There are three basic types of conjunctions:

coordinating conjunctions
used to connect two independent clauses
subordinating conjunctions
used to establish the relationship between the dependent clause and the rest of the sentence
correlative conjunctions
used to join various sentence elements which are grammatically equal

List of Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

A coordinating conjunction usually comes in the middle of a sentence, and a comma is used before the conjunction (unless both clauses are very short). They join individual words, phrases, and independent clauses.
Whereas coordinating conjunctions join parts of a 'sentence', the purpose of transitional words and phrases usually is to join two 'sentences'.

Examples:
We can draw lessons from the past, but we cannot live in it. [Lyndon B. Johnson]
The purpose of most computer languages is to lengthen your resume by a word and a comma. [Larry Wall]

And, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet — are the seven coordinating conjunctions. To remember them, the acronym FANBOYS can be used.

  1.  F = for

  2.  A = and

  3.  N = nor

  4.  B = but

  5.  O = or

  6.  Y = yet

  7.  S = so

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions, also called subordinators, are conjunctions that introduce a dependent clause. These adverbs that act like conjunctions are placed at the front of the clause - and a comma is needed at the end of the adverbial phrase when it precedes the main clause.

Examples:
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail. [Abraham Maslow]
Some people make headlines while others make history. [Philip Elmer-DeWitt]

 

Conjunctions Concession

  • though
  • although
  • even though
  • while

Conjunctions Condition

  • if
  • only if
  • unless
  • until
  • provided that
  • assuming that
  • even if
  • in case (that)
  • lest

Conjunctions Comparison

  • than
  • rather than
  • whether
  • as much as
  • whereas

Conjunctions Time

  • after
  • as long as
  • as soon as
  • before
  • by the time
  • now that
  • once
  • since
  • till
  • until
  • when
  • whenever
  • while

 

Conjunctions Reason

  • because
  • since
  • so that
  • in order (that)
  • why

Relative Adjective

  • that
  • what
  • whatever
  • which
  • whichever
  •  

Relative Pronoun

  • who
  • whoever
  • whom
  • whomever
  • whose
  •  
  •  

Conjunctions Manner

  • how
  • as though
  • as if

Conjunctions Place

  • where
  • wherever

 

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are always used in pairs. They denote equality; and show the relationship between ideas expressed in different parts of a sentence - and thus make the joining tighter and more emphatic. When joining singular and plural subjects, the subject closest to the verb determines whether the verb is singular or plural.

 

  • as . . . as
  • just as . . . so
  • both . . . and
  • hardly . . . when
  • scarcely . . . when
  • either . . . or
  • neither . . . nor
  •  
  • if . . . then
  • not . . . but
  • what with . . . and
  • whether . . . or
  • not only . . . but also
  • no sooner . . . than
  • rather . . . than

 

Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs are often used as a linking device between ideas. They show logical relationships expressed in clauses, sentences or paragraphs.
Conjunctive adverbs are very emphatic, so they should be used sparingly.

 

Similar to And

  •  
  • also
  • besides
  • furthermore
  • likewise
  • moreover

Similar to But

  •  
  • however
  • nevertheless
  • nonetheless
  • still
  •  
  • conversely
  • instead
  • otherwise
  • rather

Similar to So

  •  
  • accordingly
  • consequently
  • hence
  • meanwhile
  • then
  • therefore
  • thus

 

 

Relations Between Words

A concept is an idea - and what is an idea? A thought which is in or on our mind. And what is that? Arguably, even more difficult to describe - if not impossible. So, to make it easier, how do we express ideas? With words - and more often than not - with attitude, gesture, movement, and any other kind of physiological behavior.

So, a concept can be expressed as something between a single word, and an elaborate and in extenso described philosophy.

A concept by itself does not necessarily communicate a clear, unambiguous, understandable meaning. Therefore, especially in written communication, it is more than helpful, to use words, which can join ideas (expressed in different words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs). For this, we need linking words or linking phrases. These are a set of words used to join concepts and to express the relationships between concepts. Depending on the linking words selected, the connection between the concepts becomes more apparent, clear, vivid, self-explanatory, definite or on the contrary, more nebulous, vague, inexplicit, ambiguous or obscure.

 

Linking Words

English Cohesive Devices

Conjuntions are also sometimes called - or put in the category of - Linking Words. Please feel free to download this concise and comprehensive guide as a 2 page cheat sheet Linking Words & Connecting Words (Conjunctions & Transitional devices) as a PDF. It contains all the conjunctions listed on this site. The image to the left gives you an impression how it looks like.