organizing text
(1)
adding a point
Also is used to add a point within a sentence.
It is not normally used as a connector at the
beginning of a sentence in formal speech and
writing.
• Cars use up valuable energy resources, and
also pollute the environment.
As well as is followed by a noun or -ing, and can
be used in an introductory clause.
• Cars use up valuable energy resources, as well
as polluting the environment.
• As well as polluting the environment, cars use
up valuable energy resources.
As well as this can be used as a connector,
referring to a previous sentence.
• Cars use up valuable energy resources, and
also pollute the environment.
• As well as this, they make life unpleasant in
big cities.
In addition can be used as a connector.
• Cars use up valuable energy resources, and
also pollute the environment. In addition, they
make life unpleasant in big cities.
Moreover, furthermore, what is more are
formal connectors which emphasize that there
is an additional point to be made.
• Cars use up valuable energy resources, and
also pollute the environment.
• Moreover / Furthermore / What is more, they
make life unpleasant in big cities.
Above all is a connector which adds a point, and
stresses that this point is the most important
one.
• Cars use up valuable energy resources, and
also pollute the environment. Above all, they
make life unpleasant in big cities
Besides is an informal connector, it has the
same meaning as anyway or in any case.
• This car is too big for me. Besides, I can't really
afford it
contrast or concession
However can be used as a connector at the beginning or
end of the sentence.
Note that there is always punctuation on both sides of it
i.e. a full stop or comma.
It cannot be used to connect two clauses.
• Wind turbines are another source of renewable energy
However, they are not without drawbacks.
• Wind turbines are another source of renewable energy
They are not without drawbacks, however.
Compare the use of although:
• Wind turbines are another source of renewable energy,
although they are not without drawbacks
Despite (this) introduces a point which contrasts with
a previous statement.
Note that despite is followed by a noun or -ing form
of the verb.
• Wind turbines are an increasingly popular source of
renewable energy. Despite being easy to build, they
do have some drawbacks.
Nevertheless, nonetheless are more formal
connectors referring back to the previous
point: they can also come at the end of the
sentence.
• Wind turbines are an increasingly popular
source of renewable energy Nevertheless /
Nonetheless, they do have some drawbacks.
• They do have some drawbacks, nevertheless /
nonetheless.
degree
To some extent / to a certain extent are used as
a way of saying 'partly'.
It can come at the beginning, in the middle or at
the end of a sentence.
• Most people would accept this argument to
some extent.
• To a certain extent, I agree with you.
• This solution is, to a certain extent, easy to
understand.
In some respects / ways are used as a connector
limiting what comes before or after.
• Some people argue that the only solution to the
problem of global warming is new technology.
In some respects, this is true.
• Some people argue that the only solution to the
problem of global warming is new technology.
In some respects, the development of non-polluting
fuels might solve part of the problem.
comparing and contrasting
On the one hand ... (but / while) on the other hand...
introduce contrasting points.
• On the one hand, nuclear power does not add carbon to
the atmosphere, but on the other hand it presents other
more serious pollution risks.
We can also use on the other hand to introduce a
contrasting paragraph.
On the contrary introduces a contrasting positive point
after a negative statement.
• The cost of electricity produced by nuclear power does
not go down. On the contrary, clean-up costs mean that
in the long term the cost increases substantially
Compared to, in comparison to / with are used as an introductory
phrase, or at the end of the sentence.
• In comparison to / Compared with last year, there has been some
improvement.
• There has been some improvement in comparison to / compared
with last year.
In the same way introduces a point which is similar to the previous
one.
• Wave power generators use the constant movement of the waves
to produce electricity. In the same way, tidal generators use the
back and forward motion of the tides.
The sentence adverb similarly can also be used.
• Similarly, tidal generators use the back and forward motion of the
tides.
(But) at least is used to emphasize that there is an advantage,
despite a disadvantage just mentioned.
• Wind turbines are noisy, but at least they do not create air
pollution.
results and reasons
consequently, as a result (of)
• The house was left empty for several years and no
maintenance was carried out. Consequently / As a
result, it is now in a poor condition.
• As a result of this neglect it is now in a poor condition.
thus (formal)
• The locks on the front door had been changed. Thus, it
was impossible for the estate agent to gain entrance to
the house.
• It was thus impossible to gain entrance to the house
accordingly (formal)
• Smith was away in Italy at the time of the attack.
Accordingly, he could not have been responsible.
Hence explains how the words following it are
explained by what has gone before.
• The city is the site of ancient spring and Roman
bath; hence the name Bath.
On account of, owing to have the same meaning as
because of and are both prepositions.
• Maria had to retire from professional tennis on
account of/ owing to a foot injury.
Due to is a preposition with the same meaning as
owing to, but which can follow be.
• Her retirement from professional tennis was due
to a foot injury.
Genetically modified (or GM)foods are foods from plants (e.g. cotton,
maize, tomatoes) which have been modified in a laboratory by
inserting DNA from another organism. As a A. ____of this process, the
new plant variety will have some new quality (e.g resistance to certain
pests, improved flavor) which makes it, in some B. ____ , more
valuable. C. ____ all, a GM plant can be specially developed to suit
certain conditions, and although the process produces similar results
to normal plant selection to some D . ____ , genetic modification is
quite a different way of creating new varieties of plants, E. ____ to the
range of possible modifications. F. ____ to natural breeding
techniques, which take place over a long period and may require
thousands of plantings, genetic modifications can be made more
efficiently, and targeted precisely at a specific need. G. ____, the GM
industry has come in for a great deal of criticism. Many people argue
that it is dangerous to release GM plants into the environment on H.
____ of their unusual characteristics. I. ____,critics stress that such
plants are unnecessary. They argue that rather than creating
potentially dangerous new varieties, we should be distributing food
more efficiently.
(suggested) Answers
a result b respects c. Above d extent e owing f
Compared g However h account i Furthermore
/ Moreover
Writing task
• Write a short text comparing further
education with getting a job, or using public
transport with using a car.