9.7 Sentence Connectors

COMPREHENSION Based on the reading, write T for true or F for false.

1. The name Dreamers comes from the high hopes new immigrants have. 2. The children of illegal immigrants could not get basic documents before DACA. 3. Before DACA, Luz Divina’s situation caused her emotional stress.

THINK ABOUT IT Discuss the questions with a partner or in a small group.

1. How do you think it feels as a young person not to be able to do the same simple things as your friends? 2. Do you think that allowing Dreamers basic rights is a good thing? Why or why not?

Sentence connectors, also called transistions, show the relationship between the ideas.

EXAMPLES Everyone needs basic rights in order to live a normal life. However, this is not always easy for children of illegal immigrants. It is wonderful to see young people hopeful for the future. Nevertheless, there are people who oppose DACA. Immigrating without the necessary paperwork is illegal. In addition, any child that accompanies an adult is illegal, too. Furthermore, these children may be adversely affected as they grow up.

Dreamers have to meet many conditions. First, they have to have been under 31 years old when DACA began. Next, they must have arrived in the U.S. before the age of 16. In addition, Dreamers must have lived in the U.S. continuously since June 2007.

DACA introduced basic rights for Dreamers. As a result, many young immigrants could lead more normal lives. It is possible DACA will be terminated. Therefore, Dreamers face a very uncertain future. Life was very difficult for Dreamers before DACA. For example, they could not enroll in college. Dreamers are a very large group. In fact, there are more than 800,000 young people who are protected by DACA.

EXPLANATION Sentence connectors that show contrast are however and nevertheless. These words are similar in meaning to but.

Sentence connectors that add more information to the same idea are in addition, furthermore, also, and moreover. These words are similar in meaning to and. Ideas can be ordered using first, second, third, next, then, etc. We can begin with first and continue with furthermore, moreover, also, in addition. Sentence connectors that show result or conclusion are therefore, as a result, and for this reason. These words are similar in meaning to so.

Other connectors are for example and in fact.

In fact emphasizes the preceding statement. Sometimes it introduces something that might surprise the reader or listener.

Punctuation Notes: 1. We use either a period or a semicolon (;) before a sentence connector if it comes at the beginning of a sentence or clause. We use a comma after a sentence connector. My friend Carlos was accepted into the DACA program. Therefore, he was able to attend college. My friend Carlos was accepted into the DACA program; therefore, he was able to attend college. 2. Some sentence connectors can come in the middle of a sentence. We separate these from the sentence by putting a comma before and after the connector. Many people want to immigrate to America. The process, however, can be long and complicated.

GRAMMAR IN USE Some connectors are used more in writing and formal speech than in everyday conversation. We generally use simpler connectors in informal speech.

Formal Informal Therefore, As a result, For this reason so

Nevertheless, However but

Moreover, Furthermore and

EXERCISE 16 Choose the correct sentence connectors to fill in the blanks. In some cases both choices are possible, so circle both options.

1. The Lost Boys were happy living with their families in Sudan. (However/In addition), a war forced them to leave.

2. The Lost Boys faced many problems when they left Sudan. They didn’t know where to go. (Furthermore/Moreover), they didn’t have enough to eat. 3. Some of them couldn’t swim. (As a result/However), some drowned when they had to cross a river in their escape. 4. Finally, they found safety in a refugee camp in Kenya. (However/In fact), conditions in the camp were very poor. 5. Many of the Lost Boys had never seen modern appliances before. (Also/For example), they had never used a gas stove. 6. They faced problems in the U.S. They had to find jobs quickly. (For example/In addition), they had to go to school to improve their English. 7. They are happy that they came to the U.S. (In fact/Nevertheless), they still miss their family and friends back home.

8. My grandfather immigrated to the U.S. for several reasons. (First/In addition), he needed to find a job to make more money. (In fact/Furthermore), he wanted to be reunited with his relatives who had come before him. 9. Most immigrants have come to the U.S. because they wanted to. (However/Furthermore), Africans were brought to America against their will to work as slaves. 10. In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “All men are created equal.” (Nevertheless/Therefore), Jefferson had 200 slaves at that time.

11. Members of the same African family were sent to different areas to work as slaves. (Therefore/As a result), families were torn apart. 12. Slavery officially ended in 1865. (However/Consequently), many African American families continued to suffer. 13. African Americans had been the largest minority for many years. (In fact/However), this changed in 2003 when the Hispanic population became the largest minority. 14. DACA introduced basic rights for Dreamers and allowed them to accomplish ordinary goals like getting a driver’s license. (Moreover/Furthermore), it allowed them to look toward the future with greater confidence. 15. The U.S. attracts more immigrants than any other country. (In fact/For example), one in five of the world’s immigrants lives in the U.S.

EXERCISE 17 Complete each statement. Answers will vary.

1. The U.S. is a rich country. However, it has many poor people. Many jobs do not pay enough money for people to support their families.

2. It is important for me to learn English. Therefore,

3. It is important for me to learn English. However,

4. Living in another country is difficult. Immigrants may have to adjust to a new language. In addition,

5. Some children speak one language at home and another at school. As a result,

6. To learn a new language, you must master the grammar. Furthermore,

7. I don’t speak English perfectly. However,

8. English is not the only language of the U.S. In fact,

9. Life is hard for recent immigrants. First,

. Then,

10. Children learn to speak English quickly. As a result,