Here's a breakdown of types of connectives, including some common examples:
1. Coordinating Conjunctions: These connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank.
* FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
2. Subordinating Conjunctions: These introduce dependent clauses, which are clauses that cannot stand alone.
* Time: after, before, since, until, while
* Cause and Effect: because, since, so that
* Contrast: although, even though, though, whereas, while
* Condition: if, unless
* Purpose: in order that, so that
* Comparison: as, than
3. Conjunctive Adverbs: These connect sentences or clauses and show a relationship between them. They are often preceded by a semicolon.
* Cause and Effect: consequently, therefore, thus
* Contrast: however, nevertheless, nonetheless
* Addition: also, furthermore, moreover
* Exemplification: for example, for instance
* Conclusion: finally, in conclusion, in summary
4. Prepositions: These connect nouns or pronouns to other words in the sentence, often indicating location, time, or direction. They can also act as connectives.
* Time: at, before, during, after, since
* Location: on, in, under, above, behind
* Direction: to, from, through, across
5. Relative Pronouns: These connect a dependent clause to a noun or pronoun in the main clause.
* Who, whom, whose, which, that
6. Transitional Phrases: These are longer phrases that connect sentences or paragraphs and indicate the relationship between them.
* Addition: in addition, furthermore, moreover
* Contrast: on the other hand, however, nevertheless
* Cause and Effect: as a result, consequently, therefore
* Exemplification: for example, for instance
* Conclusion: in conclusion, in summary
Beyond these categories:
* Phrases: There are many other phrases that function as connectives, like "in other words," "on the contrary," or "at the same time."
* Sentence Structure: Connectives can also be implied through sentence structure, such as using a semicolon or colon.
Remember, the specific "connectives" used will depend on the meaning and structure of the sentence or paragraph you're writing.