Connectors (conn)

Connectors are words or expressions that make the logical relationships in your writing clear to the reader.  They may be coordinators, subordinators, transitionals or certain prepositionals.

I will use this correction symbol if you have used the wrong connector for the meaning you want to express:

    1.  Students want to escape from stress, then they play
         video games. ("So" would be better.)
    2.  Video games can be addictive; in other words, my
         roommate stays up all night playing Mortal Kombat.
         ("For example" would be better.)

I may also use this symbol if you use the wrong grammar with the connector you have chosen:

    3.  Despite fatty foods are bad for our health, they are popular
         all over the world.  ("Despite" cannot be followed by a clause.)

The real problem with connectors is often not problems like these; the real problem is that many students do not know how to use the more formal connectors, which are common in academic writing but not in speech.

To practice using connectors, go to the Connections  page of this website.