A rticles and Connecting Words

AArticles and Connecting Wordsrticles and Connecting Words

Intensive Course in Research WritingTexas A&M University July 11-15, 2011

Susan E. Aiello, DVM, [email protected]

WordsWorld Consultingwww.words-world.net

ESL Short SubjectESL Short Subject

ArticlesArticles

An article is a special type of modifier An article is a special type of modifier called a determiner.called a determiner.

a, ana, an indefinite articlesindefinite articlesthethe definite articledefinite articleno articleno article indefiniteindefinite

Guidelines for Article UseGuidelines for Article Use

Every time you use a common noun Every time you use a common noun or noun phrase (the noun plus its or noun phrase (the noun plus its modifiers), you must decide between:modifiers), you must decide between:

aaan an (used before a vowel sound)(used before a vowel sound)thetheno articleno article


First determine whether the noun is countable First determine whether the noun is countable or uncountable.or uncountable.

If classifying a countable noun, use “If classifying a countable noun, use “aa” or “” or “anan.”.” If classifying an uncountable or plural noun, do If classifying an uncountable or plural noun, do

not use an article.not use an article. To identify a noun, countable or uncountable, To identify a noun, countable or uncountable,

singular or plural, use “singular or plural, use “thethe.”.”


““thethe” identifies the noun” identifies the noun

Example:Example: I ate I ate thethe apple in my lunch. apple in my lunch.

““aa, ” “, ” “anan,” or no article does not identify the ,” or no article does not identify the specific noun but shows to what class or specific noun but shows to what class or group the noun belongs.group the noun belongs.

Examples:Examples: I eat I eat anan apple every day. apple every day.

I like police movies.I like police movies.


If the noun is a singular countable noun, use “If the noun is a singular countable noun, use “aa” ” or “or “anan.”.”

Example:Example: Last week, I bought ___ chemistry book at Last week, I bought ___ chemistry book at the University Book Store. the University Book Store.

If the noun is uncountable or plural, do not use If the noun is uncountable or plural, do not use an article.an article.Note:Note: The determiner “some” can be used with uncountable The determiner “some” can be used with uncountable and plural nouns but only when an amount can be indicated.and plural nouns but only when an amount can be indicated.

Example: Example: Many people drink ___ bottled water.Many people drink ___ bottled water.

Example:Example: Before I go to the office, I had better buy ___ Before I go to the office, I had better buy ___ printer paper. printer paper.


To identify a common noun, use “To identify a common noun, use “thethe.”.”

After you have classified a noun with “After you have classified a noun with “aa,” ,” use “use “thethe” when you use the noun again.” when you use the noun again.

Example:Example: I found ___ used car that I I found ___ used car that I liked yesterday and bought it. Now I have liked yesterday and bought it. Now I have to buy insurance for ___ car.to buy insurance for ___ car.


– The noun is identified by a ranking adjective that identifies The noun is identified by a ranking adjective that identifies it as one of a kind (the best, the next, the only, etc)it as one of a kind (the best, the next, the only, etc)

– The noun is identifiable to the reader and the writer The noun is identifiable to the reader and the writer through shared knowledge.through shared knowledge.

TheThe sun is going to rise at 6:00 am tomorrow. sun is going to rise at 6:00 am tomorrow. I left my papers in I left my papers in thethe break room. break room.

In the following circumstances, use “In the following circumstances, use “thethe.”.”The noun can be singular or plural, countable The noun can be singular or plural, countable or uncountable.or uncountable.

cont


– The noun phrase is identified by the modification that The noun phrase is identified by the modification that follows it.follows it.

Last week I finally read ___ article that Dr. GastelLast week I finally read ___ article that Dr. Gastelrecommended.recommended.

– The noun is part of an “of” phrase showing quantity.The noun is part of an “of” phrase showing quantity.Susan noticed that half of ___ chicken had been Susan noticed that half of ___ chicken had been eaten already.eaten already.Some of ___ horses will be moved to a larger Some of ___ horses will be moved to a larger

paddock.paddock.

In the following circumstances, use “In the following circumstances, use “thethe.”.”The noun can be singular or plural, countable The noun can be singular or plural, countable or uncountable.or uncountable.

Connecting WordsConnecting Words

A connector is a word or phrase A connector is a word or phrase used to link paragraphs, sentences, used to link paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or words.clauses, or words.

Types of ConnectorsTypes of Connectors

Coordinating conjunctions Coordinating conjunctions connect words, connect words, phrases, or independent clauses.phrases, or independent clauses.– The dog ran out of the house The dog ran out of the house andand barked at the car. barked at the car.– Vincent wanted to study philosophy, Vincent wanted to study philosophy, butbut his father his father

convinced him to study veterinary medicine.convinced him to study veterinary medicine.

Correlative conjunctions Correlative conjunctions connect similar connect similar grammatical structures.grammatical structures.

– You will have to You will have to eithereither get a higher-paying job get a higher-paying job oror cut cut down on your expenses to pay your bills.down on your expenses to pay your bills.


Transitional words and phrases Transitional words and phrases link link sentences and paragraphs.sentences and paragraphs.

I dislike working at night; I dislike working at night; howeverhowever, I , I cannot cannot find a day job.find a day job.

Subordinating conjunctions Subordinating conjunctions connect a connect a dependent (or subordinate) clause with dependent (or subordinate) clause with an independent clause.an independent clause.

WhenWhen we have finished the training we have finished the training course, course, we will have a test.we will have a test.


Used to link items together (eg, two sentences) Used to link items together (eg, two sentences) or to lead the reader to a new pointor to lead the reader to a new point

Help make writing clear and easy to follow by Help make writing clear and easy to follow by providing smooth links between ideasproviding smooth links between ideas

Be certain of the meaning of connectors!Be certain of the meaning of connectors!


andandnot only…but alsonot only…but alsoboth…andboth…andalsoalsobesidebeside

Connecting words that add information:

moreovermoreoverfurthermorefurthermorein additionin additionadditionallyadditionally


for examplefor example

for instancefor instance

to illustrateto illustrate

specificallyspecifically

in particularin particular

Connecting words that give an example or illustrate a point:


butbuthoweverhoweverin contrastin contrastconverselyconverselyon the contraryon the contrary

Connecting words that show a contrast:

on the other handon the other handotherwiseotherwisestillstillinsteadinstead


likewiselikewise

similarlysimilarly

in the same wayin the same way

Connecting words that show a similarity:


yetyet

neverthelessnevertheless

even soeven so

admittedlyadmittedly

Connecting words that show a concession:


sosoaccordinglyaccordinglyas a resultas a resultconsequentlyconsequentlyas a consequenceas a consequencethereforethereforethusthus

Connecting words that show a result:


forfor

becausebecause

Connecting words that give a reason or cause:


firstfirstsecondsecondafterwardafterwardfinallyfinallyin conclusionin conclusion

Connecting words that establish a time relationship or order:

meanwhilemeanwhilepreviouslypreviouslynextnextsubsequentlysubsequently


or (or (or elseor else can also be used) can also be used)

whether…orwhether…or

Connecting words that show a condition:


in factin fact

namelynamely

that isthat is

actuallyactually

in other wordsin other words

Connecting words that explain or emphasize:


oror

either…oreither…or

Connecting words that give a choice or alternative:


Pets play an important role in societies throughout the world. They are important companions in many households, contributing to the physical, social, and emotional development of children and the well-being of their owners, especially senior citizens. Although pets make important contributions, however, pet ownership may also be associated with potential hazards. For example, more and more exotic animals are being invited into homes as pets. Unfortunately, though, pet owners, and often physicians, do not know as much as they should about the potential of many of these unusual animals to transmit zoonotic diseases.


Transitional words and phrases lead your reader from one idea to another.

Connectors can introduce an example, indicate the order of ideas, show a contrast, etc.

Remember

Preposition UsePreposition Use

In a phraseIn a phrase (eg, during the daytime) (eg, during the daytime)

With a two- or three-word verbWith a two- or three-word verb(eg, turn in, check up on)(eg, turn in, check up on)

After a noun or an adjective After a noun or an adjective (eg, to be happy about)(eg, to be happy about)

Correct use of prepositions is learned Correct use of prepositions is learned mainly through listening and reading.mainly through listening and reading.

Prepositions of TimePrepositions of Time

inin:: month, yearmonth, year in February, in 1999in February, in 1999

onon:: day of the week, dateday of the week, date on Monday, on June on Monday, on June 11

inin:: time of daytime of day in the morning, in the morning, in the afternoon, in the afternoon, in the evening in the evening (but at night)(but at night)

atat:: specific time of dayspecific time of day at 8:00 am, at 8:00 am, at 3:30 pm sharpat 3:30 pm sharp

Prepositions of PlacePrepositions of Place

inin:: city, countrycity, country in Dallas, in Mexicoin Dallas, in Mexico

onon:: streetstreet on First Streeton First Street

atat:: addressaddress at 119 Royfield Dr.at 119 Royfield Dr.

inin:: inside of a placeinside of a place in the lab, in the libraryin the lab, in the library

atat:: a specific placea specific place at work, at home, at the store, at work, at home, at the store, at the airport, at the moviesat the airport, at the movies

Prepositions of PositionPrepositions of Position

onon:: on top ofon top of on the desk, on the chairon the desk, on the chair

inin:: insideinside in my office, in my car, in my deskin my office, in my car, in my desk

A rticles and Connecting Words

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