Mastering English Sentence Structure and Connectors
Common Connectors and Adverbs: Usage Contrast
Contrasting Uses of Conjunctions and Adverbs
But
Used for contrast or destination.
Example: Do not go over today, but tomorrow.
If
Introduces a condition. Note: Check if removing “not” changes the sentence meaning.
Example: He said if I died with him.
Because
Causal conjunction (Since, For).
Example: They moved slowly because it was dangerous.
Why (Relative)
Used as a relative element (e.g., ‘the reason why’).
Example: The walking trail was ugly. (Note: This example sentence is incomplete for this usage.)
Why (Interrogative/Exclamatory)
Used for questions or exclamations.
Example 1: I do not know why they would not tell me the reason for his displeasure.
Example 2: Ask, “Why not trust us?”
So
Consecutive conjunction (Consequently, Therefore).
Example: So, do not you bring your copy.
With That
Conditional conjunction or relative phrase (‘with which’).
Example: The damage [to] the pen with which he wrote.
With Why
Interrogative or exclamatory phrase.
Where (Static Location)
Relative adverb: In which, the place where.
Example: In this workshop is where [I work].
Where (Movement/History)
Relative adverb: Used with verbs of movement.
Example: This is the workshop where I went.
Where (Indefinite Location)
The place to which, the place where.
Example: We go wherever we play.
Where (Interrogative/Exclamatory)
Question or exclamation: What place?
Punctuation Rules for Series and Complex Sentences
Punctuation (typically commas or semicolons) is required in the following contexts:
- Vocative (e.g., “Listen, my friends, as I say”)
- Hyperbaton (Inverted word order, e.g., “Afternoon, Laura left the house.”)
- Verbal Ellipsis (Omission of a verb, e.g., “They go by car; we, on foot.”)
- Causal conjunctions
- Adverse consecutive clauses
- Inferential elements (e.g., “This is, for example, the whole truth.”)
- Explanatory or clarifying expressions
- Parenthetical/Clarifying Subsections (e.g., “She, smart, was wrong in the response.”)
- Complex series
- Before conjunctions
- Elements of an extensive series
- Juxtaposed opposite selection
- Before inferential elements between propositions (e.g., “I had no resources; however, I built it.”)
- Before an explanation, cause, or consequence in an open enumeration
- Verbatim quotes
- Direct style speech
Classification of Nexus and Subordinate Clauses
Coordinate Conjunctions
- Copulative: and, e, nor, that.
- Disjunctive (Choice): o, u, either… or, now.
- Adversative: but, yet, however, although, rather… but.
- Distributive: o… o, u… u, either… or, well… well, whether… or, now… now.
- Explanatory: that is, i.e., namely.
Adverbial Subordinate Clauses
Place
Nexus: where. Guide: there, here.
Time
Nexus: when, before, after, while, whenever. Guide: time.
Mode
Nexus: as, which, according as, according. Guide: as.
Quantity
Nexus: the. Guide: everything, nothing, just.
Cause
Nexus: Because, since, as. Guide: because.
Purpose
Nexus: for that, so that, in order to. Guide: so that.
Comparison
Nexus: such as, so… as, like, so much.
Subordinate Clauses (Specific Types)
Adjective Clauses
Introduced by the particle that, following a noun antecedent.
Noun Clauses
Introduced by links: that, whether, what, who, when, how, where, without an antecedent.
Concessive Clauses
Nexus: although, despite, with all that… Guide: although.
Conditional Clauses
Nexus: if, provided that. Guide: if.
Consecutive Clauses
Express a consequence of the main action. Nexus: That.
Unreal Causal Clauses
Nexus: because, since, as. Guide: because.
Relative Clauses (Explanatory)
Nexus: which, who. Guide: That/Which.