Discourse Markers (connectives and sequence words)

Topic - 9

DISCOURSE MARKERS (CONNECTIVES AND SEQUENCE WORDS)

INTRODUCTION

Sentence coherence is integral to sentence effectiveness. Appropriate connectives should be used to connect words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence. In order to achieve coherence, technical writers and speakers use several linking devices or connectives. There are two types of linking devices, overt and covert. Overt devices are direct and explicitly stated while Covert devices are indirect and implicit. Covert devices include techniques such as repetition of the key word, the use of articles (a, an, the), pronominal forms (he/she/it/they, and so on), and the use of synonyms. However, technical communication largely uses overt linking devices or connectives to indicate the logical progression of ideas in oral discourse or writing. 

Following are some examples, in which connectives (bolded) have been used:

1. When an object is placed on one side or the other of a converging lens and beyond the focal plane, an image is formed on the opposite side.

2. If the object is moved closer to the primary focal plane, the image will be formed farther away from the secondary focal plane and will be larger.

3. Land pollution is due to solid wastes.

4. Fresh water is a renewable source, but its distribution is uneven.

5. Asbestosis is caused by asbestos, which is used in making ceilings.

These connectives include subordinators and coordinators. They can also be classified according to their functions. The following is the list of the most common connectives and their functions:

Now, read the following paragraph, and note the use of connectives (bolded):

Plastics have specific properties, which may make them preferable to traditional materials for certain uses. In comparison with metals, for example, plastics have both advantages and disadvantages. Metals tend to be corroded by inorganic acids, such as sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid. Plastics tend to be resistant to these acids, but can be dissolved or deformed by solvents, such as carbon tetrachloride, which have the same carbon base as plastics. Colour must be applied to the surface of metals, whereas it can be mixed in with plastics. Metals are more rigid than most plastics, while plastics are very light, with a specific gravity normally between 0.9 and 1.8. Most plastics do not readily conduct heat or electricity. Plastics soften slowly and can easily be shaped while they are soft.

Practice Exercises

1. Join the following pairs of sentences, using the discourse markers given in the brackets against each pair.

1. My father earns plenty of money. He hates spending money on luxurious living. (Inspite of)

2. I have taken up a course in communication skills. I want to get a better job. (Inorder to)

3. I switch off the fridge at night. It saves money. (to)

4. I wear canvass shoes during rainy season. I don't want my feet to get wet.(so that) 

5. Asma's suitcase was lost in the transit. She got it back. (however)

6. Water could not be supplied by a centralized system. The cost of this would be very high. (because) 

7. We can partly solve the drinking water problem. We can use the ground water and hand pumps effectively. (if) 

8. India Mark II has built-in mechanical efficiency. Even children can operate it easily. (so that) 

9. Gold is malleable. We can change its shape by pressing and hammering. (therefore)

10. Rananujan was obsessed with mathematics. He did not want to stop even to eat. (because of)

11. Petrol has become expensive. Many people prefer to use cheaper forms of transport. (as)

12. Oil is struck in the rock layers. Production wells can be drilled to extract oil. (if)

13. The present level of oil and gas has caused great concern to scientists. A new form of energy has to be developed in a big way. (therefore). 

14. Burning coal for power generation leads to environmental hazards. There is a need for gradual shift from coal to other energy sources. (because)

15. We make use of a robot in our daily life. The robot can perform some of the actions of a human being or animal. (in order to)

II. Fill in the correct linking words from the list. There may be more than one possibility.

1. This is Jack's new mountain bike, _______ he got from his parents. He locks it up every evening ______ nobody can steal it.

2. ______ my father loves Jazz, he doesn't often listen to it.

3. ______ we were driving through the countryside, we saw lots of nice villages.

4. Honda makes cars ______ motorcycles.

5. Our flight attendants must be able to speak ______ English and Spanish.

6. The weather was perfect. It was ______ too hot______ too cold.

7. Sally invited me to her party last weekend. ______ I had to tell her I couldn't come.

8. I started to learn Italian ______ my stay in Rome.

9. ______ being the better team, we lost the match.

10. ______ we hadn't eaten for over 12 hours, we weren't hungry.

11. I arrived late for the show, ______ the bad traffic.

12. This cell phone costs 5 cents per minute, ______ the other has a flat rate.

13. He spent most of his time hanging around with friends. ______, he was not prepared for the exam.

14. She wakes up early ______ be on time for work.

15. This car offers 6 air bags and heating for your seats. ______ there is also a world class stereo system installed.

16. ______ Dad comes home from work he lied down on the sofa ______ he is tired.

17. Max had a headache yesterday, ______ he didn't come to basketball practice.

18. ______ Samantha was very tired, she watched TV until well after midnight.

19. First, cut out the pictures, ______ glue them into your album.

20. I would like to learn Japanese, _______, I don't know anyone who can teach me.

21. The Hemingways are our neighbours _______ our friends.

22. You can have ______ tea ______ coffee for breakfast.

23. ______ being a well-known politician, John Smith can also play the piano very

well.

24. ______ his injury, the boy desperately wanted to play for his team in the finals.

25. ______ the hike up the mountains we saw a lot of deer.

III. Complete the sentences using these linking words: although, because, but, so.

Examples

I like dancing but I don't like singing.

1. I bought a car ______ I need it for my job.

2. They offered him the job ______ he turned it down.

3. ______  Norway is a beautiful country, it is very cold in winter.

4. It is warm and sunny today ______ we are going to the beach.

5. The car is very old ______ it is reliable.

6. We decided to go on holiday ______ we didn't have a lot of money.

7. Today is my daughter's birthday, ______ I need to buy her a present.

8. You'd better take an umbrella ______ it is going to rain.

9. The camera is expensive _______it is very good.

10. I didn't like the concert ______ the band didn't play well.

11. I love fish and chips ______ it is not healthy.

12. His mother is not feeling well, ______ he needs to take care of her.

13. Your marks in English are low ______ you don't study hard enough.

14. _______ he is a good ski instructor, I don't like him very much.

15. I'd like to go with you _______I'm too busy right now.

16. There are no buses this hour, ______ we need to catch a taxi.

17. They didn't offer him the job ______ he didn't have any experience.

18. We invited them to the party ______they don't want to come.

19. He didn't pass his driving test, ______ he needs to do it again.

20. _______ it rains a lot in winter, I like walking the dog in the park.