Charts of Connecting Words and Transition Signals

Coordinating conjunctions: connect grammatically equal elements. Coordinating conjunctions are

sometimes called the “Fan Boys” conjunctions – For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

Conjunction Function Example

for Connects a reason to a result I am a little hungry, for I didn’t
eat breakfast this morning.
and Connects equal similar ideas John likes to fish and hunt.
nor Connects two negative sentences She does not eat meat, nor does
she drink milk.
but Connects equal different ideas I like to eat fish but not to catch
them.
or Connects two equal choices Do you prefer coffee or tea?
yet Connects equal contrasting ideas It is sunny yet cold.
so Connects a result to a reason I did not eat breakfast this
morning, so I am a little hungry.

Bài tập thực hành:

Hoàn thành câu bằng cách sử dụng các liên từ kết hợp có trong ngoặc

1. My car has a radio _________ a CD player. (but, or, and)

2. Sharon hates to listen to rap music, _________ will she tolerate heavy metal. (but, nor, or)

3. Carol wanted to drive to Colorado, _________ Bill insisted that they fly. (and, or, but)

4. Carlos wanted to eat seafood, _________ Bonny insisted that they eat steaks. (and, or, but)

5. I have to be on time, _________ my boss will be annoyed if I’m late. (and, nor, for)

6. Do you like chocolate _________ vanilla ice cream better? (or, nor, and)

7. I have to go to work at six, _________ I’m waking up at four. (but, so, yet)

8. I was on time, _________ everyone else was late. (so, but, for)

9. Nadia doesn’t like to drive, _________ she takes the bus everywhere. (but, yet, so)

10. Our trip to the museum was interesting, _________ there were several new artifacts on display. (but,
for, yet)

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Paired (correlative) conjunctions: are always in pairs. Like coordinating conjunctions, they connect
grammatically equal elements.

Conjunction Pairs Example

both … and … Both San Francisco and Sydney have beautiful
harbours
not only … but also Japanese food is not only delicious to eat but also
beautiful to look at
either … or Bring either a raincoat or an umbrella when you
visit Seattle
neither … nor My grandfather could neither read nor write, but
he was a very wise person
whether … or The newlyweds could not decide whether to live
with her parents or rent an apartment

Lưu ý:

 Tất cả các vị trí dấu ba chấm (..) trong cấu trúc trên đều phải cùng loại từ với nhau (2 danh từ, 2
tính từ, 2 cụm từ, 2 mệnh đề chứ không thể nối 1 danh từ với 1 cụm từ hay 1 mệnh đề được)
 Khi gặp both…and, thì động từ luôn chia số nhiều
 Khi gặp either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also thì động từ chia theo danh từ nào đứng gần
động từ nhất.
 Liên từ tương quan luôn đi thành đôi và không thể tách rời.

Bài tập thực hành:

Bài tập 1: Nối các câu sau lại với nhau để ghép thành một câu hoàn chỉnh

1. Both Peter … a. …but we also have enough money.

2. Not only do we want to go … b. …neither true nor realistic.
c. …not only wise to listen to your parents but also
3. Either Jack will have to work more hours ...
interesting.
4. That story was … d. … and I are coming next week.
5. Students who do well not only study hard … e. …either his career or his hobby.
6. In the end he had to choose … f. … both my laptop and my cellphone on holiday.
g. …but also use their instincts if they do not know
7. Sometimes it is …
the answer.
8. I would love to take … h. … or we will have to hire somebody new.

Bài tập 2: Chọn đáp án đúng

1. She is neither polite _______ funny. 9. Andrew wasn’t sure __________ to go on

a. or holiday ____________ stay at home
b. nor a. both/ and
c. not b. either/ or
d. yet c. neither/ nor
d. whether/ or
2. _______ that is the case, _______ I’m not
surprised about what’s happening. 10. It snowed ___________ in Barcelona,
a. If/ then ____________ in neighbouring cities
b. Scarcely/ when a. both/ and
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c. Whether/ or b. either/ or
c. neither/ nor
3. Have you made a decision about _______ to d. not only/ but also
go to the movies _______ not?
a. If/ then 11. Summer school is __________ easy
b. Either/ or _____________ difficult.
c. Whether/ or a. both/ and
d. What with/ and b. neither/ nor
c. not/ but
4. _______ had I put my umbrella away, d. not only/ but also
_______ it started raining.
a. No sooner/ than 12. ________________ trees ______________
b. If/ then flowers grow colourfully during summer.
c. What with/ and a. both/ and
d. Neither/ nor b. neither/ nor
c. not/ but
5. This salad is _______ delicious _______ d. not only/ but also
healthy.
a. Whether/ or 13. Summer camp offers ___________ swimming
b. Both/ and ___________ camping instruction.
c. Scarcely/ when a. either/ or
d. Rather/ than b. neither/ nor
c. not/ but
d. not only/ but also

6. _________husband ____________ wife loved 14. I'll take my vacation __________ in July
going to the cinema ____________ in August.
a. both/ and a. either/ or
b. either/ or b. neither/ nor
c. neither/ nor c. not/ but
d. whether/ or d. not only/ but also

7. What is her name? It’s _____________ Ann 15. Most students are ___________ below
_______ Annalisa. ____________ above national academic standards.
a. both/ and a. either/ or
b. either/ or b. neither/ nor
c. neither/ nor c. not/ but
d. whether/ or d. not only/ but also

8. I’m vegan, I eat ___________ dairy

__________ eggs
a. both/ and
b. either/ or
c. neither/ nor
d. whether/ or

Đáp án:
Bài tập 1: Bài tập 2: 9. D
1. d 1. B 10.D
2. a 2. A 11.C
3. h 3. C 12.A

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4. b 4. A 13.D
5. g 5. B 14.A
6. e 6. A 15.B
7. c 7. B
8. f 8. C

Subordinating words: a subordinating word is the first word in a dependent clause. Common
subordinating words include the following.

Subordinating Conjunctions for Adverb Clauses

Time (When?)
after After we ate lunch, we decided to go shopping

as, just as Just as we left the house, it started to rain

as long as We waited as long as we could

as soon as As soon as the front door closed, I looked for my

house key

before I thought I had to put it in my coat pocket before we left

since I have not locked myself out of the house since I was 10 years old

until Until I was almost 12, my mother pinned the key to my coat

when When I turned 12, my mother let me keep the key in my pocket

whenever I usually put the key in the same place whenever I come home

while While I searched for the key, it rained harder and harder
Place (Where?)
where I like to shop where prices are low

whenever I try to shop whenever there is a sale

anywhere You can find bargains anywhere you shop

everywhere I use my credit card everywhere I shop

Manner (How?)
as, just as I love to get flowers(,) as most women do

as if You look as if you didn’t sleep at all last night

as though She acts as though she doesn’t know us

Distance (How far? How near? How close?)
as + adverb + as We will hike as far as we can before it turns dark
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 The child sat as close as she could to her mother
The child sat as close to her mother as she could
Frequency (How often?)
as often as I call my parents as often as I can
Reason (Why?)
as I can’t take evening classes(,) as I work at night

because I can’t take evening classes(,) because I work at night

since I can’t take evening classes since I work at night
Purpose (For what purpose?)
so that Many people emigrate so that their children can have a better life

in order that Many people emigrate in order that their children can have a better life
Result (With what result?)
so + adjective + that I was so tired last night that I fell asleep at dinner

so + adverb + that She talks so softly that the other students cannot hear her

such a(n) + noun + that It was such an easy test that most of the students got A’s

so much/many/little/few + noun He is taking so many classes that he has no time to sleep

+ that
Condition (Under what condition?)
if We will not go hiking if it rains

unless We will not go hiking unless the weather is perfect

Partial contrast
although I love my brother although we disagree about almost everything

even though I love my brother even though we disagree about almost everything

though I love my brother though we disagree about almost everything

Contrast (Direct opposites)
while My brother likes classical music, while I prefer hard rock

whereas He dresses conservatively, whereas I like to be a little shocking

Subordinating Words for Adjective Clauses

To refer to people
who, whom, whose, that People who live in glass houses should not throw stones
(informal) My parents did not approve of the man whom my sister married
An orphan is a child whose parents are dead
To refer to animals and things
which My new computer, which I bought yesterday, stopped working today

that Yesterday I received an e-mail that I did not understand

To refer to a time or a place
when Thanksgiving is a time when families travel great distance to be together

where An orphanage is a place where orphans live

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Subordinating Words for noun clauses

That Clauses
that Do you believe that there is life in outer space?
If/Whether Clauses
whether I can’t remember whether I locked the door
whether or not whether or not I locked the door
whether … or not whether I locked the door or not
if I can’t remember if I locked the door

if … or not if I locked the door or not

Question Clauses
who, whoever, whom Whoever arrives at the bus station first should buy the tickets

which, what, where Do you know where the bus station is?

when, why, how We should ask when the bus arrives

how much, how many Do not worry about how much they cost

how long, how often, etc. He didn’t care how long he had to wait

Bài tập thực hành:

Bài tập 1: Điền những từ trong bảng sau vào chỗ trống thích hợp

Although | Until | While | Because | As long as | Even if | So that

1. She has decided to move to Portland ___________ there are more opportunities for employment in that
city.

2. You can borrow my car _____________ you agree to be very careful with it.

3. Our neighbour is going to buy a gun __________ she can protect herself from intruders who break into
her apartment.

4. ___________ he can save a lot of money by taking the bus, Russ still drives his car into the city every
day.

5. Ronald is going to finish his homework ____________ it takes him all night.

6. My daughter can't wait _____________ she gets her new bike.

7. Stay in the car ____________ I go into the store. I'll be right back.

8. It's a good idea to go to college for four years ___________ it's possible to get a good job without a
degree.

9. _______________ he's overweight, Tony eats a lot of food before he goes to bed. That's not healthy.

10. Tim's parents will let him have his own car ______________ he pays for his own insurance and
doesn't get into any trouble with it.

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Bài tập 2: Chọn đáp án đúng

1. ___ he worked hard all year long, he wasn’t able 6. ___ he buys his father an expensive gift, he
to buy his father an expensive gift. won’t buy anything for himself.
a. Since a. While
b. Because b. Until
c. Even though c. When
2. ___ he didn’t have much money, he wasn’t able 7. ___ he was shopping for an expensive gift for his
to buy his father an expensive gift. father, he realized he didn’t have any money.
a. Even though a. Even if
b. Because b. While
c. Although c. Unless
3. ___ he didn’t have much money, he was still 8. ___ he bought an expensive gift for his father, he
able to buy an expensive gift for his father. felt tremendous joy.
a. Unless a. When
b. Although b. Unless
c. As long as c. Till
4. ___ he worked hard all year long and was able to 9. ___ he buys his father an expensive gift, he
earn a lot of money, he bought his father a very needs to make sure he has enough money.
expensive gift. a. After
a. Though b. Before
b. Although c. Unless
c. Since 10.___________ Terry was talking on the phone
5. ___ spend a lot of money on a gift, he made a and not paying attention, her kids were making a
present for his father. big mess in the kitchen.
a. Before a. Because
b. Rather than b. After
c. If only c. While

Đáp án:
Bài tập 1: Bài tập 2:
1. Because 1. C
2. As long as 2. B
3. So that 3. B
4. Although 4. C
5. Even if 5. B
6. Until 6. B
7. While 7. B
8. Even if 8. A
9. Although 9. B
10.As long as 10.C

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Conjunctive Adverbs: can appear at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of one independent
clause, but we often use them to connect two independent clauses.

Remember to put a semicolon before and a comma after the conjunctive adverb if an independent clause
follows.

Conjunctive Examples
Adverb
To add a similar idea
also Community colleges offer preparation for many jobs; also, they prepare students to
transfer to four-year colleges or universities
besides ; besides,
furthermore ; furthermore,
in addition ; in addition,
moreover ; moreover,
To add an unexpected or surprising continuation
however The cost of attending a community college is low; however, many students need
financial aid
nevertheless ; nevertheless,
nonetheless ; nonetheless,
still ; still,
To add a complete contrast
in contrast Most community colleges do not have dormitories; in contrast, most four-year
colleges do
on the other hand ; on the other hand,
To add a result
as a result Native and nonnative English speakers have a different needs; as a result, most
schools provide separate classes for each group
consequently ; consequently,
therefore ; therefore,
thus ; thus,
To list ideas in order of time
meanwhile Police kept people away from the scene of the accident; meanwhile, ambulance
workers tried to pull victims out of the wreck

afterward The workers put five injured people into an ambulance; afterward, they found another
victim
then ; then,
subsequently ; subsequently,

To give an example
for example Colours can have different meanings; for example, white is the colour of weddings in
some cultures and of funerals in others
for instance ; for instances,
To show similarities
similarly Hawaii has sunshine and friendly people; similarly, Mexico’s weather is sunny and its
people hospitable
likewise ; likewise,
To indicate “the first statement is not true; the second statement is true”
instead The medicine did not make him feel better; instead, it made him feel worse
on the contrary ; on the contrary,
rather ; rather,
instead (meaning They had planned to go to Hawaii on their honeymoon; instead, they went to Mexico
“as a substitute”)
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 To give another possibility
alternatively You can live in the dorm on campus; on the other hand, you can rent a room with a
on the other hand family off campus
; alternatively,
otherwise Students must take final exams; otherwise, they will receive a grade of Incomplete
(meaning “if not”)
To add an explanation
in other words Some cultures are matriarchal; in other words, the mothers are the head of the family
that is ; that is,
To make a stronger statement
indeed Mangoes are a very common fruit; indeed, people eat more mangoes than any other
fruit in the world
in fact ; in fact,

Transition Signals

Transition Signals and Coordinating Subordinating Others: Adjectives,

Conjunctive Adverbs Conjunctions and Conjunctions Prepositions, Verbs
Paired Conjunctions
To list ideas in order of time
first, … before the first (reason, cause,
first of all, … after step, etc.)
second, … until the second …
third, … when the third …
next, … while another …
then … as soon as the last …
after that, … since the final …
meanwhile, …
in the meantime, …
finally, …
last, …
last of all, …
subsequently, …
To list ideas in order of importance
first, … the first … (reason,
first of all, … cause, step, etc.)
first and foremost, … an additional …
second, … the second …
more important, … another …
most important, … a more important
more significantly, … (reason, cause, step,
most significantly, … etc.)
above all, … the most important …
most of all, … the most significant …
the best/ the worst …
To add a similar or equal idea
also, … and another … (reason,
besides, … cause, step, etc.)
furthermore, … both .. and a second …
in addition, … not only … but also an additional …
moreover, … a final …
too as well as
as well
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 To add an opposite idea
however, … but although despite
on the other hand, … yet even though in spite of
nevertheless, … though
nonetheless, …
still, …
To explain or restate an idea
in other words, …
in particular, …
(more) specially, …
that is, …
To make a stronger statement
indeed, …
in fact, …
To give another possibility
alternatively, … or
on the other hand, … either … or
otherwise, … whether … or
To give an example
for example, … such as
for instance, … an example of
to exemplify
To express an opinion
according to … to believe (that)
in my opinion, … to feel (that)
in my view, … to think (that)
To give a reason
for this reason, … for because as a result of
because of
due to
To give a result
accordingly, … so the cause of
as a consequence, … the reason for
to cause
as a result, … to result (in)
consequently, … to have an effect on
for these reasons, … to affect
hence, …
therefore, …
thus, …
To add a conclusion
all in all, …
in brief, …
in short, …
to conclude, …
to summarize, …
in conclusion, …
in summary, …
for these reasons, …
To show similarities
likewise, … and alike, like, just like
similarly, … both … and as, just as
also not only … but also as well
neither … nor as well as
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 compared with or to
in comparison with or to
to be similar (to)
too
To show differences
however, … instead of
in contrast, ..
instead, ..
on the contrary, ..
on the other hand, …
rather, …

Bài tập thực hành:

Bài tập 1: Chọn đáp án đúng

1. The class discussion was short;_____________, we gained some knowledge from it.

A. however B. moreover C. although D. therefore

2. The subway is cheap;_____________, it’s faster than the train.

A. however B. moreover C. but D. so

3. The countryside air is fresh,________________, it’s not polluted.

A. however B. whenever C. moreover D. beside

4. Minh had a terrible headache. __________________, he still wanted to go to school.

A. Therefore B. But C. However D. Although

5. My car broke down on the way.____________, when I got the airport, the plane had taken off.

A. Because B. However C. Therefore D. Although

6. His mother was sick._________________, Jane had to stay at home to look after her.

A. But B. However C. So D. Therefore

7. They asked me to wait for them; ____________, he didn’t turn back.

A. but B. however C. so D. therefore

8. He knew the danger of smoking;______________, he couldn’t give it up.

A. therefore B. but C. however D. although

Bài tập 2: Điền các từ nối dưới đây vào chỗ trống

However | Then | Similarity | Therefore | Nevertheless | After sometime | Eventually | Otherwise |

Afterwards

1. There is no more food left. _____________ there is plenty of drinks.

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2. The Interact Club has done well to help the poor. ___________ the Welfare Club has done well too.

3. The documents will be scrutinized by the police. ___________ they will be sent back to be relevant
authority.

4. The retailer has been making losses. _____________ he intends to wind up his business.

5. Wash the potatoes first. _______________ you can boil them

6. We have been trying to contact Michael for the past few days. _____________ we managed to trace
him to a hotel in town.

7. Life in the country may not be as exciting as life in the city. _______ you are close to nature which
provides peace and quietness.

8. The dog will bark without fail every time the ice-cream man passes by. _____________ it will start
howling.

9. Let us not be complacent with ourselves. _________ we may lose out in the final round.

10. Lopez has experienced poverty and hardship before. _____________ he has a sympathetic heart
towards the poor and needy

Đáp án:
Bài tập 1: Bài tập 2:
1. A 1. However
2. B 2. Similarity
3. C 3. Then
4. C 4. Therefore
5. C 5. Afterward
6. D 6. Eventually
7. B 7. Nevertheless
8. C 8. After sometime
9. Otherwise
10. Therefore

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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