Connectors, also called logical, discursive or sentence connectors, are words, phrases or expressions that allow us to indicate a semantic relationship between two statements, sentences or parts of a text.
For example:
on the one hand, in sum, on the other hand.There are different types of connectors and each class reveals relationships of a different nature, including cause, contrast, consequence, addition, opposition, equivalence.
For example:
indeed, so, therefore, in the first place, on the contrary, however. To take into account:The use of connectors allows a more fluid writing and favors the understanding of the texts. Along with correct spelling and grammar, it is one of the elements that add quality and clarity to a piece of writing. Therefore, it is important to know the function of each connector, in order to use them properly when linking the different ideas in a text.
Sentence connector types
Additive and precision sentence connectors and examples
They provide the meaning of addition and can also be used to specify the information that is transmitted.
| connector | Example |
|---|---|
| what’s more | We will go to the movies and, in addition, to dinner. |
| likewise | The book is entertaining; Also, it is very instructive. |
| in fact | He left home late. In fact , she was late for the appointment. |
| over | The player missed the penalty and, on top of that, he was injured. |
| it’s more | I have many books; What ‘s more , you can take the one you want. |
| in addition | The manager has resigned and, to boot , his entire team has gone with him. |
| on one side / on the other side | On the one hand , he is a very good teacher; on the other hand , he can become very strict. |
| in reality | I assume it will come. Actually, I have no way of knowing. |
| above all | Wear a coat and, above all, good shoes. |
| besides | I do not want to go. Besides , I have a commitment at the same time. |
Adversative and counterargumentative sentence connectors and examples
They express opposition or contrast between two statements.
| connector | Example |
|---|---|
| However | The play was a bit boring; Now , the actors did an excellent job. |
| on the contrary / on the contrary / on the contrary | I’m not cold; On the contrary , it is quite hot here. |
| nevertheless | He studied a lot. However , he failed the exam. |
| nevertheless | Was feeling bad; nonetheless , he went to work. |
| instead | He doesn’t like fruit; instead , he loves vegetables. |
| however | The young man listened to the entire discussion; however , he did not want to get involved. |
| although | Despite the bad weather, they decided to go to the beach. |
| yes indeed | The property is in price. It is, however , a bit old. |
| rather well | Things didn’t go as expected. Rather , the situation was very tense. |
Concessive sentence connectors and examples
They introduce an obstacle or difficulty for the realization of something, but that does not prevent it from happening.
| connector | Example |
|---|---|
| Even so | I was exhausted. Still , the job was done. |
| with everything | He never studies; All in all , she does well in exams. |
| even so | The goalkeeper is injured. Even so , he had an excellent performance. |
| in any way/manner | The entrance is a bit expensive. Either way , we’ll get the money and go to the concert. |
| anyway/however | They packed their bags and left; anyway , they arrived late at the airport. |
| in any case | I don’t think I’ll make it. In any case , I’ll try. |
| in any case | You can go to his house; anyway , she won’t be there to receive you. |
Consecutive, inferential and causal sentence connectors and examples
They establish a relationship of cause or consequence between two statements.
| connector | Example |
|---|---|
| Thus | They argued strongly and therefore they do not want to see each other anymore. |
| then | I understand that you do not want to leave your house; So , I’ll go visit you. |
| for that reason | I left in a hurry, that’s why I forgot the coat. |
| so that | I was already tired of driving. So he stopped by the side of the road. |
| therefore | The hotel was complete. Therefore , we had to stay in a family house. |
| consequently | The store was not well set up. Consequently , the rain wet all our things. |
| in this/that way | Patients must announce themselves at reception; that way , the doctor knows that they are already in the office. |
| thus | I already finished my homework; therefore , I withdraw. |
| consequently | When they arrived, visiting hours were over; consequently , they could not enter the room. |
| for this / that reason | The participant did not respect the regulation; for that reason , he was disqualified. |
| due | Many children missed school because of the rain. |
| because | The flight is delayed due to fog. |
| because of | They organized a surprise party for his birthday. |
Explanatory sentence connectors and examples
They clarify or detail something that has just been said.
| connector | Example |
|---|---|
| namely | We will be arriving in two days, that is , on Wednesday. |
| that is | I have everything I need for dinner, that is , food, drinks and dessert. |
| namely | The band is made up of different musicians, namely a singer, a guitarist, a bassist and a drummer. |
| I mean | It started to rain, that is , we will not go anywhere. |
Reformulator sentence connectors and examples
They explain, summarize, modify or clarify something already said.
| connector | Example |
|---|---|
| said in another way/form | The striker was key in the victory. Put another way , they wouldn’t have won without him. |
| in other words | Juan called saying he has a fever. In other words , he won’t come to work. |
| in other terms | The economic plan is not working. In other words , if we don’t change course we will be in trouble. |
| more plainly | Plants are self-sufficient living beings. More simply , they can feed and grow autonomously. |
| In other words | Oranges provide a lot of vitamin C. In other words , eating oranges is good for your health. |
Example sentence connectors and examples
They introduce examples that illustrate something already said.
| connector | Example |
|---|---|
| for instance | Concrete nouns designate things that can be perceived with the senses, for example : house, dog, cloud. |
| So | Plant species can be very different. Thus , they can be large or small, with or without flowers, perennial or annual. |
| for example | There are moments in life that can be very stressful, for example , a move, a job change or a duel. |
| so we have | There are many excellent Borges stories; Thus we have “Death and the compass”, “The south”, “The Aleph”, “Funes, the memorious”. |
Rectifying sentence connectors and examples
They correct or modify previous information.
| connector | Example |
|---|---|
| rather | We will have to work a full day; rather , two six-hour days. |
| rather | That he arrived at that hour was something strange; rather , it was rare. |
| to better say | The company—or, to put it better , the manager—has already made a decision. |
Recapitulative sentence connectors and examples
They conclude or close an idea or a text.
| connector | Example |
|---|---|
| in summary | We have walked, read, rested, eaten and drunk. In short , we had an extraordinary vacation. |
| in the end | She will do what she wants. Ultimately , it is her decision. |
| after all | This could not have been possible without everyone’s collaboration. At the end of the day , it is a collective project. |
| in conclusion | More than half of the deputies were absent; In conclusion , the project could not be dealt with. |
| definitely | You can go dressed as you want; In short , it is an informal party. |
| in summary | Everything said so far, in short , confirms that the decision made was correct. |
| in sum | The plant is finished. In short , it only remains to inaugurate it. |
| anyway | He was good, supportive and empathic, in short , an excellent person. |
| In short | The presidential speech was extensive, but, in short , it did not contribute anything new. |
Orderly sentence connectors and examples
They organize information sequentially and present facts and ideas in an orderly fashion.
| connector | Example | |
|---|---|---|
| Start or previous | first of all | We must buy many things. First of all , let’s take care of the food. |
| first / last | In the first place , we will go to Madrid; then we will visit Barcelona. | |
| Firstly | Firstly , we will talk about the reasons for the crisis, and then we will focus on possible solutions. | |
| in principle | You have to bring a lot of coat. In principle , a good jacket and thermal clothing. | |
| to start | To begin with, we would like to thank all of you for being here tonight. | |
| simultaneity or continuity | next | The second place will be announced and then the winner of the contest. |
| second/final | First, we will analyze the causes and, secondly , the consequences. | |
| next | The president of the company will speak, followed by the vice president. | |
| Closing or later | Finally | Finally , after so much waiting, the reward arrived. |
| finally | First they went to the park, then to have a snack and, finally , to the movies. | |
| to end | The writer spoke about his novel and, to finish , he signed copies. | |
| in the last place | To discharge the patient, it remains to wait, lastly , for the results of the ultrasound. |
Argumentative support sentence connectors and examples
Structure ideas for argumentative purposes.
| connector | Example |
|---|---|
| having said that | The director stated that he no longer had anything to contribute to the company. With that said , he tendered his resignation. |
| things like that | The car broke down. This being the case , we will have to look for another means of transport. |
| in view of it | Good weather is expected today. In view of this , they will go sailing this afternoon. |
| as well | Well , after all the above, we can conclude that it is a measure that favors those most in need. |
Digression sentence connectors and examples
They introduce marginal comments regarding the thread of the argument.
| connector | Example |
|---|---|
| by the way | Today it’s a sunny day. By the way , I love sunny days. |
| to all this | We’ll go to the beach tomorrow. To all this , I still did not get a bathing suit. |
| by the way | We had a lovely evening. Incidentally , the food was prepared by a chef of international prestige. |
| about | The minister referred to the current situation in the country. Regarding the economy, he stated that growth will only be seen in the coming months. |
| in brackets | The movie was very good. Parenthetically , we were late for the movies because Juan got sick just before leaving. |
Examples of sentences with connectors
- The boy was tired and, moreover , hungry.
- I really like the theater; In fact , I want to invite you to see a play.
- On the one hand , I feel like going out for a walk; for another , it’s too cold.
- His dream was to buy a house. However , it was not within his possibilities.
- Juan loves going to museums; On the other hand , Pablo enjoys outdoor activities more.
- Despite the fog, the plane took off just the same.
- The woman was not feeling well. Still , she decided to attend the event.
- We have to leave because the restaurant is closing. Anyway , we’ve already finished eating a while ago.
- He felt very cold, so he decided to turn on the heating.
- The boy has a cold, that’s why he missed school.
- My grandmother is a person who keeps many memories; for example , she has a doll of her when she was little.
- The course is given in two days, since it lasts 16 hours.
- Tomorrow there will be a transport strike. Therefore , the factory will remain closed.
- They will return to the country in three months, that is , almost at the end of the year.
- First of all , we must beat the eggs. Secondly , add the flour in the form of rain.
- It snowed during the whole vacation; I mean , we almost couldn’t leave the house.
- I liked the art exhibition a lot, rather , I loved it.
- The conference was short, precise and very interesting, in short , a complete success.
- It is about to rain. By the way , she didn’t bring an umbrella.
- We will visit Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and, finally , Prague.
From traditional grammar, conjunctions and conjunctive phrases are usually considered as types of connectors, since they resemble them in function and meaning. However, the New Grammar considers that they do not belong to this class. The connectors guide the reading of a text and logically link the ideas that are sought to be conveyed, while the links —in particular the coordinates , which are always conjunctions or conjunctive phrases— refer only to strictly grammatical elements.
