Articles and Connecting Words

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Articles and Connecting Words
ESL Short Subject
Intensive Course in Research Writing Texas AM
University July 11-15, 2011 Susan E. Aiello,
DVM, ELS susan_at_words-world.net WordsWorld
Consulting www.words-world.net
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Articles

• An article is a special type of modifier called a
  determiner.
• a, an indefinite articles
• the definite article
• no article indefinite

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Guidelines for Article Use

• Every time you use a common noun or noun phrase
  (the noun plus its modifiers), you must decide
  between

• a
• an (used before a vowel sound)
• the
• no article

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Guidelines for Article Use

• First determine whether the noun is countable or
  uncountable.
• If classifying a countable noun, use a or an.
• If classifying an uncountable or plural noun, do
  not use an article.
• To identify a noun, countable or uncountable,
  singular or plural, use the.

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Guidelines for Article Use

• the identifies the noun
• Example I ate the apple in my lunch.
• a, an, or no article does not identify the
  specific noun but shows to what class or group
  the noun belongs.
• Examples I eat an apple every day.
• I like police movies.

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Guidelines for Article Use

• If the noun is a singular countable noun, use a
  or an.
• Example Last week, I bought ___ chemistry
  book at the University Book Store.
• If the noun is uncountable or plural, do not use
  an article.Note The determiner some can be
  used with uncountable and plural nouns but only
  when an amount can be indicated.
• Example Many people drink ___ bottled water.
• Example Before I go to the office, I had better
  buy ___ printer paper.

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Guidelines for Article Use

• To identify a common noun, use the.
• After you have classified a noun with a, use
  the when you use the noun again.
• Example I found ___ used car that I liked
  yesterday and bought it. Now I have to buy
  insurance for ___ car.

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Guidelines for Article Use

• In the following circumstances, use the.The
  noun can be singular or plural, countable or
  uncountable.

• The noun is identified by a ranking adjective
  that identifies it as one of a kind (the best,
  the next, the only, etc)
• The noun is identifiable to the reader and the
  writer through shared knowledge. The sun is
  going to rise at 600 am tomorrow. I left my
  papers in the break room.

cont
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Guidelines for Article Use

• In the following circumstances, use the.The
  noun can be singular or plural, countable or
  uncountable.

• The noun phrase is identified by the modification
  that follows it. Last week I finally read ___
  article that Dr. Gastel recommended.
• The noun is part of an of phrase showing
  quantity. Susan noticed that half of ___
  chicken had been eaten already. Some of ___
  horses will be moved to a larger paddock.

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Connecting Words

• A connector is a word or phrase used to link
  paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or words.

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Types of Connectors

• Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases,
  or independent clauses.
• The dog ran out of the house and barked at the
  car.
• Vincent wanted to study philosophy, but his
  father convinced him to study veterinary
  medicine.
• Correlative conjunctions connect similar
  grammatical structures.
• You will have to either get a higher-paying job
  or cut down on your expenses to pay your bills.

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Connecting Words

• Transitional words and phrases link sentences and
  paragraphs. I dislike working at night however,
  I cannot find a day job.
• Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent
  (or subordinate) clause with an independent
  clause. When we have finished the training
  course, we will have a test.

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Connecting Words

• Used to link items together (eg, two sentences)
  or to lead the reader to a new point
• Help make writing clear and easy to follow by
  providing smooth links between ideas
• Be certain of the meaning of connectors!

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Connecting Words
Connecting words that add information

• and
• not onlybut also
• bothand
• also
• beside

• moreover
• furthermore
• in addition
• additionally

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Connecting Words
Connecting words that give an example or
illustrate a point

• for example
• for instance
• to illustrate
• specifically
• in particular

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Connecting Words
Connecting words that show a contrast

• but
• however
• in contrast
• conversely
• on the contrary

• on the other hand
• otherwise
• still
• instead

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Connecting Words
Connecting words that show a similarity

• likewise
• similarly
• in the same way

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Connecting Words
Connecting words that show a concession

• yet
• nevertheless
• even so
• admittedly

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Connecting Words
Connecting words that show a result

• so
• accordingly
• as a result
• consequently
• as a consequence
• therefore
• thus

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Connecting Words
Connecting words that give a reason or cause

• for
• because

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Connecting Words
Connecting words that establish a time
relationship or order

• first
• second
• afterward
• finally
• in conclusion

• meanwhile
• previously
• next
• subsequently

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Connecting Words
Connecting words that show a condition

• or (or else can also be used)
• whetheror

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Connecting Words
Connecting words that explain or emphasize

• in fact
• namely
• that is
• actually
• in other words

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Connecting Words
Connecting words that give a choice or
alternative

• or
• eitheror

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Connecting Words
Pets play an important role in societies
throughout the world. They are important
companions in many households, contributing to
the physical, social, and emotional development
of children and the well-being of their owners,
especially senior citizens. Although pets make
important contributions, however, pet ownership
may also be associated with potential hazards.
For example, more and more exotic animals are
being invited into homes as pets. Unfortunately,
though, pet owners, and often physicians, do not
know as much as they should about the potential
of many of these unusual animals to transmit
zoonotic diseases.
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Connecting Words
Remember

• Transitional words and phrases lead your reader
  from one idea to another.
• Connectors can introduce an example, indicate the
  order of ideas, show a contrast, etc.

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Preposition Use

• In a phrase (eg, during the daytime)
• With a two- or three-word verb(eg, turn in,
  check up on)
• After a noun or an adjective (eg, to be happy
  about)

Correct use of prepositions is learned mainly
through listening and reading.
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Prepositions of Time

• in month, year in February, in 1999
• on day of the week, date on Monday, on June 1
• in time of day in the morning, in the
  afternoon, in the evening (but at
  night)
• at specific time of day at 800 am, at
  330 pm sharp

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Prepositions of Place

• in city, country in Dallas, in Mexico
• on street on First Street
• at address at 119 Royfield Dr.
• in inside of a place in the lab, in the library
• at a specific place at work, at home, at the
  store, at the airport, at the movies

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Prepositions of Position

• on on top of on the desk, on the chair
• in inside in my office, in my car, in my desk