Transition Words

Transition words, also known as “conjunctive adverbs,” are excellent additions to a writer's toolbox.  INDEED, they are especially useful for improving the clarity and quality of a piece of writing.

These words and phrases allow us to connect ideas (mainly in formal, written English) in a variety of ways.  FOR EXAMPLE, we might use them to add information, contrast ideas, or inform the reader of time relationships between events.  IN ADDITION, transition words can be used to introduce a summary of ideas and connect clauses that show cause and effect. There are so many possible ways to use them!

Transition words are particularly important in written communication. HOWEVER, if they are used incorrectly, they can do more harm than good.  THEREFORE, let’s get some practice and make sure we know how to use them…

Some Transition Word Videos:

• Adding information (Engvid)
• Cause and effect (Engvid)
• However(LearnAmericanEnglish Online)
• Nevertheless (Learn AmericanEnglishOnline)

Additional information: 

• All About Transition Words (Grammarly)

For Practice:

• Here is a useful Quizlet page to review these words (*Note- this also includes some coordinating and subordinate conjunctions)
  
• Practice from "to Learn English" (Multiple choice activity)
  
• Another Practice from "to Learn English" (Multiple choice activity)
• 4 Linking word practice exercises from "Flo Joe"
• Chart and printable exercises, from MDC.EDU
  
• Practice using a variety of connecting words in writing (English Hints)
  

 

 

Adjective Clauses, Part 1

An adjective clause (also called a ”relative clause”) is a group of words that modifies a noun. It is used to link two ideas, to give us more information about a noun in the sentence.

A few things to remember:

1. Adjective clauses begin with a word called a “relative pronoun.” These include: who, whom, which, that, whose (and also where and when).
 
2. Each adjective clause should have a subject (see notes 7 and 8 below), a verb, and express some kind of  idea.
 
3. Apart from the adjective clause, the sentence should also have a main clause with its own subject, verb, and ”complete” idea.

• CORRECT: The scientist who researched DNA in the 1980s made many important discoveries. (modifies “scientist”)

• INCORRECT: The scientist who researched DNA in the 1980s. (the main clause in not complete- has only a subject)

4. An adjective clause is (generally) placed directly after the noun (or noun phrase) it modifies.

• CORRECT: The scientist who researched DNA in the 1980s made many important discoveries. (modifies “scientist”)

• INCORRECT: The scientist made many important discoveries who researched DNA in the 1980s. (OOPS! Does not modify “discoveries”!)

5. Because of rule number 4, adjective clauses sometimes fall at the end of a sentence…

• EXAMPLE: The researcher made many important discoveries that changed the world’s view of human evolution. (OK- this one modifies “discoveries”)

6. Or sometimes the adjective clause will split the main clause and fall in the middle of the sentence. (see “the scientist” example in #7)

7. Sometimes a relative pronoun acts as the subject of the adjective clause…

• EXAMPLE: The scientist who researched DNA in the 1980s made many important discoveries. (who=subject, researched=verb)

8. And sometimes a relative pronoun acts as the object of the adjective clause…

• EXAMPLE: The scientist whom he assisted made many important discoveries about DNA. (he=subject, assisted=verb, whom=object)

9. WHOSE is a possessive relative pronoun.  It is always followed by a noun and can act as either subject or object…

• EXAMPLE: The scientist whose research changed the world’s view of human evolution is recognized around the world. (Her research=subject, changed=verb)

• EXAMPLE: The archaeologist whose program we watched on the History Channel discovered a lost Greek city. (we=subject, watched=verb, his program=object)

Try this exercise to practice with subject and object relative pronouns:

• Exercise 1

Here is one to practice combining sentences with adjective clauses:

• Exercise 2

With this one, you can practice with “who” (subject) and “whom” (object):

• Exercise 3

And here are a few to practice with the relative pronouns who, which, and whose:

• Exercise 4
• Exercise 5
• Exercise 6
• Exercise 7 (also includes "who's," and is not only relative clauses)