 Four Grammatical Classifications for Logical Connectors
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Think about surface signals carefully. What signal words do you need to make your writing as clear and coherent logically connected as possible? Review the chart below for common signal words and their meaning. Click the teacher icon to see example sentences using some of these surface signals.
Meaning of logical connector Transitions Coordinators Subordinators Prepositions Click the icons 
Example: A civil war began in Sudan more than 20 years ago. Consequently, more than 20,000 young boys lost their families and wandered hundreds of miles across the desert seeking safety.
Example: Bands of these young boys made it to Ethiopia, but then the Ethiopian government fell and the Sudanese boys were chased out of Ethiopia.
Example: When they could no longer stay in Ethiopia, the young boys fled back across Sudan and into Kenya.
Example: Afterspending 10 years in a Kenyan refugee camp, nearly 4,000 of these boys have found a new home in America.Time/Sequence of Events
first, next, then, finally, before, after, when, while, until, as before, after, during, for, since
Surface signals for sequence of events and time (chronological) order:
In 1987, a civil war in Sudan drove 26,000 children from their homes and villages in Southern Sudan. Many were very young - only six or seven years old - when they fled the violence. First, they walked hundreds of miles through the desert until they reached Ethiopia, where they settled in refugee camps for a few years. Then they were chased out of Ethiopia by government tanks and armed militia. As they frantically tried to cross the River Gilo, thousands drowned, were eaten by crocodiles or shot. Those who survived walked for more than a year back through Sudan to Kenya. Finally, the survivors reached the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya in 1992. These children, the majority of whom were then between the ages of 8 and 18, became known as "the lost boys of Sudan."Additional idea or information
in addition, moreover, furthermore, and, not only...but also besides, in addition to
Surface signals to add information:
These children were not only forced out of Sudan by a brutal civil war, but also had to flee violence in Ethiopia.
They went for days without water and had only leaves or wild berries to eat. In addition, they faced danger from hungry lions.
Besides facing dangers from hunger and wild animals, they faced unrelenting sub-Saharan heat and continuing military assaults.Exemplification or
Illustration
for example,
for instance,</td>such as,
like
Surface signals providing examples:
During their years of wandering, the children faced extreme risks, such as starvation, dehydration, wild animal attacks, and illness from eating poisonous leaves and drinking dirty water.
They banded together in groups and helped one another. For example, the older boys would carry a younger child when he became too weak to walk further.Reason or cause
for this reason, now that, for because, since, as because of, due to
Surface signals showing cause or reason:
More than 2 million Sudanese have been killed and another 4 million displaced because of war, famine, and disease in southern Sudan.
Many boys in Sudan escaped the carnage because they were away from their villages herding their families' cows and goats.
Thousands of boys banded together and headed toward Ethiopia, for their families had been killed or displaced and they had no home to return to.
Aid organizations at the Kakuma camp are overwhelmed with 65,000 refugees from seven African nations. For this reason, the lost boys who are still in the camp receive only subsistence-level food rations and a gallon of water a day.
Since these children wandered for years and are orphans, most of them don't know their real age.Result or effect
therefore, as a result, thus, consequently, so so ...+adj... that
so...+adv...that
such...+noun ..thatas a result of, as a consequence of Surface signals showing result or effect:
In 2001, The United States government agreed to help the lost boys of Sudan. As a result, 3,600 of them were allowed to come to America.
Neither the boys nor the resettlement agencies knew their correct ages, so the social service caseworkers had to guess how old they were.
Some boys were judged to be below the age of 18; thus, they could go to school.
Those judged to be over 18 were too old for high school. Therefore, they had to go straight to work.
As a result of having little English and no job qualifications, they had to take menial, low-paying jobs.
When five of the Lost Boys arrived in Boston in February, they were so cold that they couldn't feel their hands and ears.
It was such a cold winter in Boston that they wondered if they should have stayed in Africa.Comparison
similarly, likewise, (to be) similar to, the same...as, as...as, like
Signals that introduce similarities:
Many children lost their lives in the sub-Saharan heat and wilderness. Similarly, thousands died trying to cross the River Gilo.
Many of the Lost Boys want to go back and help their people in Africa who are enduring the terrors and hardships of religious intolerance and civil war just as they did.
Many of these boys battled hardship in the refugee camp by focusing on their studies. Likewise, once they got here, they worked very hard to learn English and get an education.
Working with the Somali Banto is the same as working with the Sudanese. They have had similar experiences and problems.
The experiences of the Tamil of Sri Lanka are also similar to those of the Sudanese.Contrast
however, in contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary, instead but, yet,
or (for an alternative)while, whereas instead of, contrary to
Surface signals introducing a contrasting idea:
While some of the Lost Boys have failed to adjust well to their new environment, others have adapted very well.
Those over 18 were too old for admission to high school. However, younger boys were allowed to complete their high school educations and go to junior colleges free of charge.
Some of the refugees want to go to school, but with two or three jobs they cannot find the time.
Santino, who arrived in Texas at the age of 21 in 2001, doesn't waste any money on movies or nightclubs. Instead, he watches educational programs on television.
Contrary to their earlier expectations, many of the Lost Boys have found that their new lives continue to be a daily struggle.Concession
(Unexpected result)
despite the fact that, nevertheless, nonetheless, however but although, though, even though despite, in spite of Although James lost some of his initial enthusiasm for his new life, he continued to work hard to pursue his goals.
Despite the fact that these boys were malnourished and dehydrated for years, many of them are very healthy today.
It has been more than ten years since James experienced the terror of his horrific journey. Nevertheless, the nightmares continue.
In spite of the hardships he has endured, James remains optimistic about his future.If James had never been forced from Sudan, he would have led a simple life raising cattle. Condition
in the case that, provided that, on condition that, otherwiseShows negative condition if, whether or not, unlessShows negative condition, no matter if
It remains unclear whether James will be able to return home to Sudan.
James believes he can help make Sudan's economy stronger provided that he gets a degree in accounting and agriculture.
He knows, though, that he cannot go back unless there is peace.Explanation
inasmuch asIntroduces an explanation or reason. , in other words, that is Surface signals to introduce explanation:
The war in Southern Sudan was one of systematic destruction and violence. In other words, government troops deliberately blocked the victims' access to food and aid.
It's a miracle so many of the children survived inasmuch as they were forced to wander under harsh conditions for so many years.
Read about the Lost Boys of Sudan. [Lost Boys of Sudan][Close Web]
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