Methods of Joining Related Ideas

HUNTER COLLEGE READING/WRITING CENTER
GRAMMAR AND MECHANICS
Sentence Structure: Methods of Joining Related Ideas

Joining words--coordinators, subordinators, and transitions--all serve the function of connecting clauses within or between sentences to show the relationship between ideas in your writing. Some of these relationships, for instance, contrast or cause and effect, can be shown using any of these three types of words. The chart below shows the different alternatives you have for joining related ideas.

Relationship Coordinators Subordinators Transitions

To show an
additional
or similar
idea
and additionally
furthermore
moreover
also

To show a
contrasting
idea
but
yet
although
even though
unless
whereas
however
nevertheless
in contrast
on the contrary

To show a cause or
an effect
for so because
since
if so that therefore
consequently
thus
as a result

to show an
alternative
or
nor
while
whether
on the other hand

To show a time-
related idea
before
since
after
when
while
as
first
then
finally
today
yesterday
at first
at the same time
afterwards

Remember this is only a partial list. Many other phrases may be used in addition to the transitions and subordinators listed here.

Note that English does not have any subordinators to add an additional or similar idea.

The following examples show how different types of words that join related ideas can be used.

Using a coordinator
Anthropologists can make hypotheses, but they cannot prove them.
Using a subordinator Although anthropologists can make hypotheses, they cannot prove them.
Using a transition
Anthropologists can make hypotheses. However, they cannot prove them.

Although the three statements above have basically the same meaning, they are slightly different in emphasis. Coordinators and subordinators keep ideas closely related, within a single sentence. Using a subordinator also allows you to emphasize the relationship since a subordinator can occur at the beginning of a statement. A transition, on the other hand, creates a more dramatic effect since it begins a new sentence and is followed by a pause (indicated by the comma).

For more information on the rules for punctuating clauses using coordinators, subordinators, and transitions see handouts on Transitions and Connecting Clauses.

**Exercise:

Here are three sets of related ideas taken from a student's paragraph. In the space provided, try joining each pair of sentences using all three methods discussed above. First decide which relationship exists between the two ideas. Then use the chart to help you select an appropriate coordinator, subordinator, and transition. 1.

Anthropological research has shown that human behavior is very diverse. Human habits can vary endlessly.

Combined with a coordinator:

Combined with a subordinator:

Linked with a transition:

2.Most animals reveal the same patterns of behavior within any given species. The human species has very few patterns that are shared by all people.

Combined with a coordinator:

Combined with a subordinator:

Linked with a transition:

3.All humans have similar physical and mental structures. One might expect all human behavior to be similar.

Combined with a coordinator:

Combined with a subordinator:

Linked with a transition:

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