SFL/METU
DBE
Writing Handout 3
October 2016
BEGINNER B GROUP
(Instructor’s Copy)
OBJECTIVES:
1. revise the linking words ‘and, but, or’ to connect parallel structures in a sentence,
2. introduce ‘and, but, or, so’ to combine two simple sentences,
3. revise ‘because’ to show reason-result relationship,
4. practise using the linking words ‘and, but, or, so and because’ to connect sentences.
CONNECTING IDEAS II
In the previous handouts, you learned the WORD (and parts of speech of words) and the SENTENCE (how
to form a simple sentence in English).
In WHO 2, you studied how linking words (and, but, or) connect parallel structures such as nouns, adjectives,
adverbs, verbs and prepositional phrases.
*
Our teacher gives us homework and checks our work in class.
*
She is tired but happy.
*
We can go kayaking or scuba diving.
We sometimes need to combine the sentences because if all the sentences in our writing are simple
sentences, then it gets boring and more difficult to read. In order to make our writing more interesting and
varied, we can join two or more sentences by using and, but, or, so.
Sentence 1 ,
AND / BUT / OR / SO
sentence 2
My sister is good at English
, and
she always gets good grades.
I am also good at English
, but
her grades are higher.
To increase my grades, I ask my teacher for help
, or
I talk to my advisor.
My sister is not busy these days
, so
she can help me.
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Punctuation Rules
Do NOT use a comma to join two words or two phrases in a simple sentence. Use a
comma when you combine sentences with and, but, or.
Joining two words or two phrases (without a COMMA)
 The old man is a generous and helpful person.
 I am very happy but tired.
 I will talk to my friend or my teacher.
Joining two simple sentences (with a COMMA)
 The old man is a generous person, and he likes to help others.
 I am very tired, but I will go out with my friends.
 I will talk to my friend, or I will get advice from my teacher.
These linking words add a different meaning to a sentence, so they show different relationships between the ideas.
AND connects two parallel ideas.
Examples:
*
*
*
It can snow during this period, and it gets extremely cold in some towns.
The hotel is on a cliff, and it has marvelous views of the ocean.
My roommate is an art student, and her brother plays in a rock band.
BUT signals a change in the flow of ideas. In other words, it connects contrasting ideas.
Examples:
*
*
*
She is quite old, but she can take care of herself.
Jennifer wants to go to Italy, but she doesn’t have enough money.
My roommate likes country music, but her brother hates it.
OR connects two or more alternatives or choices.
Examples:
*
*
*
She has an active social life. She visits her friends in the afternoon, or she invites them for afternoon tea.
We can go diving and sea kayaking in Belize, or we can just stay at the hotel and take a rest.
Every Friday night, my roommate and her brother go to a classical music concert, or they visit an art
gallery.
SO connects two ideas when there is a reason-result relationship. It introduces the result.
Examples:
*
*
*
She has a pleasant personality, so people like to spend time with her.
My racket is broken, so I cannot play tennis.
We don’t have anything to eat at home, so we are planning to eat out tonight.
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EXERCISE 1. Read the sentences and underline the correct linker.
1.
It is a beautiful place, (and / or) I am happy here.
2.
I like his films, (so / but) I sometimes don’t understand their message.
3.
I go camping every summer with my family, (and / but) we usually have fun.
4.
It is raining, (so / or) the kids can’t play outside.
5.
You can stay at home, (or / but) you can go out with your friends.
6.
Jane never studies for exams, (so / but) she always gets good grades.
7.
The shoes aren’t the right size, (so / but) I won’t buy them.
8.
After graduation, I am planning to get a job here, (so / or) I will go to my hometown.
9.
The music is great at this pub, (and / but) there is free food.
10. I am very tired, (but / so) I will go to bed early.
Connecting Ideas with BECAUSE
BECAUSE connects two ideas when there is a reason-result relationship. It introduces the reason. We do not
use a comma before ‘because,’ but when it is at the beginning of a sentence, the two sentences are separated
with a comma.
Sentence 1
BECAUSE
BECAUSE
sentence 1,
sentence 2
sentence 2
Examples:
*
People like to spend time with her because she has a pleasant personality.
Because she has a pleasant personality, people like to spend time with her.
*
I cannot play tennis because my racket is broken.
Because my racket is broken, I cannot play tennis.
*
We are planning to eat out tonight because we don’t have anything to eat at home.
Because we don’t have anything to eat at home, we are planning to eat out.
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EXERCISE 2. Rewrite the following sentences by using SO and BECAUSE.
1. The bridge is closed. We cannot get across the river.
The bridge is closed, so we cannot get across the river.
We cannot get across the river because the bridge is closed.
Because the bridge is closed, we cannot get across the river.
2. I don’t read many books. I haven’t got much time.
I haven’t got much time, so I don’t read many books.
I don’t read many books because I haven’t got much time.
Because I haven’t got much time, I don’t read many books.
3. We both like jazz. We go to jazz concerts together.
We both like jazz, so we go to jazz concerts together.
We go to jazz concerts together because we both like jazz.
Because we both like jazz, we go to jazz concerts together.
4. I can’t come to your birthday party. I have an important meeting.
I have an important meeting, so I can’t come to your birthday party.
I can’t come to your birthday party because I have an important meeting.
Because I have an important meeting, I can’t come to your birthday party.
5. Take your umbrella with you. It is raining.
It is raining, so take your umbrella with you.
Take your umbrella with you because it is raining.
Because it is raining, take your umbrella with you.
EXERCISE 3. Complete the sentences with and, but, or, so, because. Do not forget to use the necessary
punctuation marks.
1. My friend tells me lies_, but _ I still like her.
2.
In Turkey, people usually travel by bus __because__ it is a cheap way of transport.
3. You can study for the exam at home _ , or __ we can go to the library together.
4.
Monique wants to become a tourist guide _, so _ she is learning English and Spanish.
5.
The students can ask their questions to the teacher _, or_ they can get help from their friends.
6.
I’ll have a big hamburger __because___ I’m very hungry.
7.
The Moscow Metro is the busiest system in Europe __, and__ the stations are the most beautiful.
8.
Moscow needs a good transport system __because__ it is the largest city in Europe.
9.
There is a speed limit on the majority of motorways , so__ you can only drive at around 120 km/h.
10. Ships are nice and easy way of travelling in İstanbul. They are slow _, but__ they are more comfortable
and relaxing than other means of transport.
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EXERCISE 4. Read the text below. Fill in the gaps with a suitable connector from the box below. Use
each connector only ONCE.
and
but
so
because
or
Sleeping is a big problem for most people, (1) but it is not difficult any more with our new product, The
Sleep Machine. The sleep machine helps you fall asleep while you are listening to the sounds of nature. You
can choose from ten different sounds. It’s portable, (2) so you can use it anywhere you want; when you are
at home or when you travel. It weighs just 0.9 kg. It’s easy to use - just press a button (3) and choose a
sound. Then set the timer for fifteen minutes, thirty minutes (4) or an hour. You will fall asleep in a short
time while you are listening to the sounds of nature. You don’t have to keep the machine if you do not like it
(5)because it is guaranteed. You can return it in 30 days. Call today to order The Sleep Machine to sleep like
a baby!
EXERCISE 5. Fill in the gaps with a suitable connector from the box and a sentence below (a-d). Use
each connector and sentence only ONCE. Be careful. The sentences are NOT in the correct order.
Discover London with Magic Tours
There are many sightseeing tours in London, (1) but our company, Magic Tours, is the best. Magic Tours
has been organizing small group tours of London for more than ten years. We offer sightseeing tours of high
quality and exceptional service. You can see the most popular tourist attractions within only eight hours with
our experienced guides. Our tour starts with a visit to the Tower of London, which is a historic monument in
central London. Afterwards, you take a short cruise on the river Thames. During this cruise, you can enjoy
excellent views of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and the House of Parliament, but
don’t forget to bring a jacket (2) because London can be rainy even in summer. During our tour, you have
the chance to visit popular tourist attractions and famous shops, (3) so you can buy gifts and souvenirs for
your friends and family when touring London.
Finally, you visit Buckingham Palace, the official house of Queen Elizabeth II, and the tour finishes with
this marvelous sight. With Magic Tours you’ll see all the main sights and attractions of this lovely city at a
price of £128 per person. For your reservations please visit our website, (4) or you can reach us at 44
08702255303.
so
or
because
but
a) London can be rainy even in summer
b) you can buy gifts and souvenirs for your friends and family when touring London
c) our company, Magic Tours, is the best
d) you can reach us at 44 08702255303
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EXERCISE 6. Finish these sentences with your own words.
1. I want to go to bed early, but ... Answers may vary.
2. We don’t have classes on Mondays, so ... Answers may vary.
3. We usually go dancing on Saturday nights, or we sometimes ... Answers may vary.
4. In the evenings, I call my best friend, and ... Answers may vary.
5. I don’t have time to relax during the week because ... Answers may vary.
6. You can visit Ankara Castle today, or … Answers may vary.
7. Ankara is a big city, but … Answers may vary.
8. METU has a big campus, so … Answers may vary.
References:




Hogue, L. (2008). First Steps in Academic Writing. Pearson Education, Inc: NY.
Butler, L. (2007). Fundamentals of Academic Writing. Pearson Education, Inc: NY.
Butler, L. (2014). Longman Academic Writing Series. Pearson Education, Inc: NY.
Pollock, C.W. (1982). Communicate What You Mean. Prentice Hall Regents: New Jersey.
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