Notes On Connectives

Connective
Definition:
Here are two senses of connective:
1. A connective, in its most common usage, is an expression having a function similar to that of
a conjunction.
2. A connective, broadly defined, is any linguistic unit that links two other constituents together.
Examples: Conjunctions, Copulas, Conjunctive adverbs
A conjunctive adverb, adverbial conjunction, or subordinating adverb is an adverb that

connects two clauses by converting the clause it introduces into an adverbial modifier of
the verb in the main clause. For example, in "I told him; thus, he knows" and "I told him. Thus,
he knows", thus is a conjunctive adverb.
In English grammar, a copula is a verb that joins the subject of a

sentence or clause to a subject complement. For example, the word "is" functions
as a copula in the sentences "Jane is my friend" and "Jane is friendly."
The primary verb "be" is sometimes referred to as "the copula." However, while
forms of "being" (am, are, is, was, were) are the most commonly used copulas in
English, certain other verbs (identified below) have copular functions as well.
Connectives are the often overlooked 'smaller' functional words that help us link our writing
together. They are the glue of the literary world. Furthermore, they help our words flow and lead
on from one to another without sounding awkward. Essentially, without connectives, we wouldn't
be able to speak or write in full sentences!
Connectives
Conjunctions
A "conjunction" is used to show the relationship between two ideas in a sentence. Sometimes the
ideas are expressed as single words or phrases--as simple as a noun or an adjective. (Note that
conjunctions used in this way require the use of "parallelism," where the same part of speech
must occur on both sides of the conjunction.)
This course is hard but not impossible.

(hard and impossible are adjectives)
I'm taking English and biology this semester.
(English and biology are nouns.)
Often, conjunctions connect more complex ideas, expressed in the form of clauses. (A clause can
be loosely defined as a group of words having its own subject and verb.)
When showing the relationship between clauses, conjunctions are usually divided into two sub-
classes. These are "coordinating conjunctions" and "subordinating conjunctions."
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are defined as conjunctions which show the relationship between two
ideas, or clauses, of equal importance.
We plan to go to the theater this evening, but we may be late.
You could finish out the year, or you could take a leave of absence.
I plan to retake the accounting course and hopefully do better than last time.
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions are defined as conjunctions which show the relationship of a less
important idea to a more important idea.
When you go to the lab, you'll need to take your calculator.
You'll need your calculator because we will be working on some formulas.
If you don't have your calculator, you won't be able to participate in the class.
Sometimes, the function of a subordinating conjunction can be expressed by a phrase, rather than
a single word. Such phrases often end with the word that:
By the time (that) you read this letter, I will be on a plane to Las Vegas.
I will consider giving you a raise provided that you promise to work harder.
The start-up company hired a lobbyist so that they could get local tax relief.
Conjunctive Adverbs
A conjunctive adverb has a similar function to a conjunction in that it is also used to show the
relationship between two clauses. However, usually the punctuation is different, and grammarians
don't typically divide conjunctive adverbs into coordinating and subordinating sub-classes.
His behavior in class is not the best; moreover, his work so far is very poor.
Getting a degree in engineering is pretty tough; however, I think you could do it.
Conjunctive adverbs may also be used to show the relationship between ideas across sentence
boundaries.
There are lots of reasons why Buffalo is losing population. For example, many of the old
manufacturing industries have fallen on hard times.
In an Ironman race, you start with a two-mile swim. Next, you cycle 112 miles. Then you run a
marathon.
Prepositions
While conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs typically show the relationship between two clauses,
prepositions typically show connections between ideas within clauses.
The internet company finally made a profit after two years of losses
The sailing class took the boats out despite the lack of wind.
Some prepositions are multi-word prepositions (for example, in spite of):
Marcia had to take a leave of absence because of illness.
In contrast to most people on my dormitory floor, I like to go to bed early.
In all of the examples above, the preposition is followed by a noun phrase, which is called the
"object" of the preposition. In the last two examples above, the objects of the prepositions
are illness and most people on my dormitory floor.
While the object of a preposition is generally a noun phrase, prepositions can also be followed by
a "gerund" instead of a noun phrase. A gerund is a verb + ing form that behaves in many ways
like a noun phrase. In the following two examples, the objects of the (multi-word) prepositions are
the gerunds studying and running.
In spite of studying all night, I still did badly on the midterm.
A triathlon involves swimming and cycling in addition to running.
It is important to recognize that sometimes the structure conjunction + clause can be abbreviated

to preposition + gerund. Compare the following sentence pairs:
It's not easy to communicate in sign language while you're driving.
It's not easy to communicate in sign language while driving.
He had a heart attack because he worked too hard.
He had a heart attack because of working too hard.
In the first pair of sentences, while in the first sentence is a conjunction that introduces the
clause while you're driving; while in the second sentence is a preposition following by the
gerund driving. In the second pair of sentences, because in the first sentence is a conjunction
that introduces the clause because he worked so hard; because of in the second sentence is a
preposition following by the gerund working.

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Connective

A conjunctive adverb, adverbial conjunction, or subordinating adverb is an adverb that

In English grammar, a copula is a verb that joins the subject of a

This course is hard but not impossible.

I'm taking English and biology this semester.

We plan to go to the theater this evening, but we may be late.

I plan to retake the accounting course and hopefully do better than last time.

When you go to the lab, you'll need to take your calculator.

You'll need your calculator because we will be working on some formulas.

I will consider giving you a raise provided that you promise to work harder.

Getting a degree in engineering is pretty tough; however, I think you could do it.

The internet company finally made a profit after two years of losses

The sailing class took the boats out despite the lack of wind.

Some prepositions are multi-word prepositions (for example, in spite of):

Marcia had to take a leave of absence because of illness.

In contrast to most people on my dormitory floor, I like to go to bed early.

In spite of studying all night, I still did badly on the midterm.

A triathlon involves swimming and cycling in addition to running.

It is important to recognize that sometimes the structure conjunction + clause can be abbreviated

It's not easy to communicate in sign language while you're driving.

It's not easy to communicate in sign language while driving.

He had a heart attack because he worked too hard.

He had a heart attack because of working too hard.

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