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Sequence connectors:

and, or, but, so, first, then, later, before, finally

Presentation / Objective


Collage adapted from Malpartida, G. (2013). Postal [Illustration]. Taken from https://goo.gl/Tffkd5

What did you do last summer?
Have you told your friends about your adventures?
How do you do that?

To answer all these questions, you have to organise your ideas.; There are certain elements called sequence connectors that help us use them in a logical sequence.

First, you will read a text about a trip, which contains some connectors. You will have to identify the main ideas of the text. Then, you will find a reminder that explains the function of the main sequence connectors followed by examples. Next, you will have a fill-in-the-blanks activity. After that, you can use them in the other sections. The correct usage of these elements will allow you to organise the information you have, in a better way.

Objective

By the end of this topic you will:
• Use sequence connectors (and, or, but, first, then, later, before, finally, after, that) of the story a trip to Europe, to talk about events that happened at a particular time in the past.

Mauricio (2017)

Content

Sequence connectors

The main function of connectors in English grammar is to join words or sentences to express an idea. The correct usage of connectors gives coherence to what you write or communicate orally. In addition to joining words, sentences or paragraphs, the sequence connectors are very helpful to organise your ideas when you want to tell someone what happened at a particular time in a logical sequence. Now, read the following text in which you will find the correct use of connectors.

Reading

Activity 1

What am I reading?

Remember that there are three stages to the reading process. You will find in each stage the specific information needed to understand the whole text.

The first is the pre-reading stage where we are going to identify general information as well as tell what kind of text we are about to read.

Look at the following text and answer the questions. Remember to check your answers when you finish.

Activity 2

Travel diary: Europe

https://pixabay.com/photo-155207/

John and his friends went to Europe last December. John sent a letter to his friend Peter when he returned from his trip. John wrote to his friend some experiences he went through while in Europe.

Read the letter that John sent to Peter (included in the first activity). Complete the chart by following the instructions below.

Find the connectors in the text (words in bold) along with the sentence or idea that includes each of them. Once you have identified them, complete chart, by writing the connectors and the sentences in the correct order. Make sure that the information you include in the chart is the same as the one from the boxes below.

Click on the Start button to answer the questions. Once you finish all the activity, click on Activity 2.

Adapted from Altmann, G. (2016). Thoughts [Illustration]. Taken from https://goo.gl/UwipnE

And now, how to use the connectors in English?

Pay attention to the bold words in the text. Why are they important?, What are they used for?, In what way do they change the meaning of the text?

As you can see in Peter's letter, each connector has a specific function within a text, to either add some information, express consequence, or introduce a new idea, etc. The correct use of connectors allows the listener to interpret the speaker's message in a better way.

We can link the sentences and the discourse using CONNECTORS (and, or, but, because) and SEQUENCERS (then, before/after breakfast, ...) which sounds a lot more natural, don't you think so?

Check out the following rules:

Connectors Function Example
and
Is used to add another idea or concept. I ate a tasty a crepe and we went to the hotel.
or
Introduces one or more alternatives. I watched TV or read some of travel guides.
but
Introduces an exception or a contrast. We stayed there for three weeks but we were too tired in the first day.
because
Demonstrates the reason for something. I had to stay in bed because I was sick.
Connectors Function Example
first
Introduces the first of a sequence. First, I went to Paris.
then
Introduces the next action or concept. Then we took a boat.
later
Introduces the next action or concept. We took a train, later we went to Spain.
after
That also introduces another action or concept. After that, I proposed to go to Barcelona.
before
Demonstrates a previous action or concept. Before we leave Europe we visited Barcelona.
finally
Demonstrates the last action or concept. Finally, my friends and I decided to stay in Barcelona.

As you can see in the information above, each connector has a specific function (addition, to introduce new ideas, give a reason etc.); connectors of sequence will help you express the order in which things happen.

Now, I invite you to practice these elements.

Reading

Activity 3

Putting the sequence connectors in the right place

Now that you know the correct use of the sequence connectors fill-in the following sentences with a sequence connector from the box.

 

Writing

Activity 4

Do you want to know how my trip was?

John told Peter about his trip to Europe in a letter. Here is an extract of that letter.

Mauricio (2017)

Now, write a similar text or mail to a friend using 110 words in which you tell him about a trip you made to somewhere in Mexico or anywhere else. You have to describe your experience using sequence connectors (before, then, after, finally); and the conjunctions: and, or, but and because. Make sure that your text has an introduction and an ending too.

Read the following checklist carefully to make sure you include each of these aspects.

 

Listening

Activity 5

Tell me about your holiday!

Peter went on a holiday to France. During his trip, he came across his friend Rose, who also went to the south of France. Before listening to what happened, take into account the following recommendations or strategies.

Take a look at the pictures. Without listening to the audio, try to guess what happened when Rose was on holiday. Keep in mind that the images are not in order.

Now, listen carefully to the whole conversation. Try to pay attention to the connectors that are used, as well as the information about those connectors. Listen to the conversation as many times as necessary. Keep in mind that you will only have one opportunity to answer this activity.

Put Rose’s story in the correct order. Look at the connectors find the right order of the sentences.


 

Take a look at the following pictures:




 



Speaking

Activity 6

Do you want to tell me about your holiday?

When John and Rose came across, Rose told John about her trip to France. Both experiences were very different but enjoyable and pleasant.

Imagine that you were in that conversation too. Now it is your turn to talk about the last trip you took.

In this activity, you are going to record yourself for about one up to 3 minutes telling John and Rose about the last trip you took. You have to talk about both the enjoyable and inconvenient experiences you went through during your trip.

Remember to use sequence connectors.

Click here to listen to an example.


 

Remember that a spoken message to be clear. You have to begin with a little introduction on the main topic, in which you give reasons on why you are telling them that.

Compare your file with the audio provided. You can evaluate your audio using the following checklist.



Self-assessment

What did I learn about the sequence connectors?

Sequence connectors are elements that enable you to organise your speech in a logical order, each of them has a specific function. After carrying out all the activities, it is necessary to review what you just learned.

Do the following activity, decide if the sentences, about sequence connectors, are True or False.


References

Basic

• Murphy, R. (2014). Essential grammar in use: A self-study reference and practice book for elementary students of English: with answers. Cambridge, U.K: Cambridge University Press.
• Jayne, N. (2002). Conjunctions-Connecting words [electronic publication]. In KICO4U. Consulted on March 30th, 2017 in http://www.kico4u.de/english/uebungen/conjunctions/conj.htm