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Compiled by: Hieu Ren Ri

1. TRANSITION SIGNALS’ PUNCTUATION
1.1 TYPES
TYPES

Transition Conjunctive Coordinating Subordinating Others

Phrases Adverbs Conjunctions Conjunctions

To introduce in addition furthermore and another

an additional moreover both … and (+ noun)
idea besides not only … but an
also also additional
too neither … nor (+ noun)

To introduce on the other however but although in spite of

an opposite hand nevertheless yet though (+ noun)
idea or in contrast instead even though despite
contrast still whereas (+ noun)
nonetheless while
To introduce a otherwise or if
choice or either … or unless
alternative whether … or

To introduce a in fact that is

restatement indeed
or
explanation
To list in order first, second, the first,
USAGES third second,
next, last, third, etc.
finally the next,
last, final

To introduce for example an

an example for instance example
of (+
noun)
such as
(+ noun)
To introduce a clearly
conclusion or in brief
summary in conclusion
indeed
in short
in summary

To introduce a accordingly therefore so

result as a result consequently
as a hence
consequence thus

1.2. PUNCTUATION AND POSITION:

1.2.1. Transition Phrases and Conjunctive Adverb.

- Most words and phrases in the first two columns of the chart can appear at the beginning, in the
middle, or at the end of one independent clause and are usually separated by commas.
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Different oceans have varied levels of salinity. For example, the Baltic Sea in northern Europe
is only one-fourth as saline as the Red Sea in the Middle East.

The water coming from the rain help reduce the salt concentration in the sea. The runoff
created by melting snow, furthermore, adds a considerable amount of freshwater to dilute
the saline seawater.

The Mediterranean Sea is less saline than the Baltic Sea. The Mediterranean Sea is more saline
than the Red Sea, however.

EXCEPTIONS
1. The words and phrases in the last four groups in the chart (for listing ideas and time
sequences, for emphasizing, for giving reasons, and for conclusions) usually appear
only at the beginning of a sentence, not in the middle or at the end.
2. “Too” usually appears only at the end of a sentence, sometimes preceded by a comma.
3. The short time words “then”, “now”, and “soon” usually do not need commas.

- The words and phrases in the first two columns of the chart can also connect two independent clauses.
In this case, we use them with a semicolon and a comma.

In warm climate zones, water evaporates rapidly; therefore, the concentration of salt is
greater.

Both the Red Sea and the Mediterranean have narrow outlets to the ocean; however, the
Mediterranean's is narrower.

A few societies in the world are matriarchal; that is, the mother is head of the family.

Some English words have no exact equivalents in other languages; for example, there is no
German word for the adjective fair, as in fair play.

1.2.2. Coordinators

- When they connect two clauses, use a comma.

In a matriarchy, the mother is the head of the family, and all the children belong to her clan.

Children not only need love, but they also need discipline.

In warm climate zones, water evaporates rapidly, so the concentration of salt is greater.

- When coordinators connect two words or phrases, do NOT use a comma.

Would you rather take a written or an oral exam?

Children need not only love but also discipline.

1.2.3. Subordinators

- A subordinator (subordinating conjunction) is the first word in a dependent clause.

A dependent clause is always connected to an independent clause to make a sentence.
The general rule is this: Put a comma after a dependent clause but not in front of one.

Although the company's sales increased last year, its net profit declined.

The company's net profit declined last year although its sales increased.
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1.2.4. Others

- There are NO punctuation rules for this group, but it is important to notice what kinds of words follow
these signals.

An additional reason for the company's bankruptcy was the lack of competent management.
(Additional is an adjective, so it is followed by a noun.)

In addition to increased competition, the lack of competent management caused the

company's bankruptcy. (In addition to is a preposition, so it is followed by a noun or noun
phrase.)

Vocabulary differences between British and American English include words such as bonnet/
hood, petrol/gasoline, windscreen/windshield, and lorry/truck. (Such as is fol/owed by a noun
or noun phrase.)
1.3. EXERCISES
1.3.1.
Step 1 Circle all the transition signals in the following paragraphs.
Step 2 Punctuate the transition signals if necessary.
Genetic Engineering

Genetic research has produced both exciting and frightening possibilities. Scientists are now able
to create new forms of life in the laboratory because of the development of gene splicing. On the one
hand the ability to create life in the laboratory could greatly benefit humankind. One beneficial application
of gene splicing is in agriculture. For example researchers have engineered a more nutritious type of rice
that could help alleviate the serious problem of vitamin A deficiency. It is estimated that 124 million
children worldwide lack vitamin A, putting them at risk of permanent blindness and other health issues.
In addition genetic engineers have created larger fish, frost-resistant strawberries, and cows that produce
more milk. Indeed agriculture has already benefited from the promise of genetic engineering.
On the other hand not everyone is positive about gene-splicing technology. Some people feel that
it could have terrible consequences. In fact a type of corn engineered to kill a certain insect pest also
threatened to annihilatel desirable monarch butterflies. In another accident, a genetically engineered type
of corn that was approved only for animal consumption because it was toxic to humans accidentally
cross-pollinated with corn grown for humans. As a result many countries banned imports of genetically
modified corn for several years. Furthermore the ability to clone human beings is a possibility that
frightens many people. In 2004, two South Korean scientists reported that they had successfully cloned a
human embryo (Dreifus). The embryo did not develop into a baby however it is possible that one could
do so in the future, a possibility that not everyone is comfortable with.

1.3.2.
From the choices given in parentheses, choose the transition signal that best shows the
relationship between the sentences in each group. Write the signal in the space. Add
punctuation and change capital letters to small letters if necessary.
1. A recent article in Era magazine suggested ways to reduce inflation. The article suggested that the
president reduce the federal budget ………………………… it suggested that the government reduce federal,
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state, and local taxes. (however, in contrast, furthermore)

2. The same article said that the causes of inflation were easy to find ………………………… the cure for
inflation was not so easy to prescribe, (however, for example, therefore)

3. Era also suggested that rising wages were one of the primary causes of inflation ………………………… t h e
government should take action to control wages. (however, therefore, for example)

4. The fartheraway from Earth a person is, the less the gravitational force of Earth …………………… a man
weighs less when he is 50,000 miles from Earth than when he is only 5,000 miles away. (in conclusion,
therefore, however)

5. A tsunami is a tidal wave produced by an earthquake on the ocean floor. The waves are very long and
low in open water, but when they get close to land, they encounter friction because the water is shallow
…………………… the waves increase in height and can cause considerable damage when they finally reach
land. (on the other hand, as a result, for example)

1.3.3.
Fill in each blank: with an appropriate transition signal from the list provided. Use each signal
only once. Add punctuation if necessary.
for example in fact similarly also indeed
third second final and most convincing

Time
One stereotype about North Americans says that they are obsessed with time. It sometimes seems true
that for North Americans, time seems as valuable as money. (1) ____________ they even say, "Time is
money." (2) ____________ have you noticed how many verbs can be followed by both time and money?
(3) ____________ you can spend time, save time, lose time, find time, make time, waste time, and run
out of time. (4) ____________ you can spend, save, lose, find, make, waste, and run out of money. (5)
____________ North Americans seem to regard time as a "thing" that one can own. You can have time,
buy time, and take time. (One wonders how much it costs and where it is taken.) A (6) ____________
piece of evidence that North Americans are obsessed with time is their fanaticism about always being on
time. (7) ____________ people who are habitually late risk punishment ranging from frowning
disapproval to losing their jobs. The (8) ____________ proof is that these poor people sometimes take
courses in time management! That is really overdoing it, don't you agree?

1.3.4.
Improve the coherence of the following paragraph by adding transitions in the blank spaces.
Use the hints provided in parentheses to help you choose a transition.
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Move Over, DVD. Here Comes BD!
First, CDs brought digital sound into our homes. Then DVD technology brought digital sound and video
and revolutionized the movie industry. Soon there will be (1) ______________ (additional idea)
revolution: 8lu-ray discs (80s). A 8lu-ray disc will have several advantages. (2) ______________ (list in
order) it has an enormous data storage capacity. A single-sided OVO can hold 4.7 gigabytes of
information, about the size of an average 2-hour movie. A single- sided 80, (3) ______________
(contrast), can hold up to 27 gigabytes, enough for 13 hours of standard video. A (4) ______________
(list in order) advantage is that a BD can record, store, and play back high-definition video because of its
larger capacity. A double-layer BD can store about 50 gigabytes, enough for 4.5 hours of high-definition
video. The cost will be about the same. (5) ______________ (additional idea), a BD has a higher date
transfer rate- 36 megabits per second-than today's DVDs, which transfer at 10 megabits per second. (6)
______________ (result) a BD can record 25 gigabytes of data in just over an hour and a half. (7)
______________ (conclusion) because of their large storage capacity and comparable cost, BOs will
probably take over the market when they become widely available.

1.3.5. The following paragraph has too many transition signals. Which ones are helpful to the
reader? Which transition signals are an unnecessary distraction?
Step 1 Improve the paragraph by deleting some transition signals. You may want to
rewrite sentences, and you may have to change the capitalization and
punctuation.
Step 2 There are many possible ways to do this assignment. Discuss your changes with
a partner or in a group.
How to Grow an Avocado Tree
After you have enjoyed the delicious taste of an avocado, do not throw out the seed! You can grow a
beautiful houseplant or even your own tree by following these simple steps. First, wash the seed.
Second, dry it. Third, insert three toothpicks into its thickest part. Then fill a glass or empty jar with
water. After that, suspend the seed in the water with the pointed end up and the broad end down. The
water should cover about an inch of the seed. Next, put the glass in a warm place, but not in direct
sunlight. Add water when necessary to keep the bottom of the seed under water at all times. In two to
six weeks, you should see roots begin to grow. Furthermore, the seed will crack open, and then a stem
will emerge from the top. However, wait until the stem is 6 to 7 inches long. Then cut it back to about
3 inches. Now wait until the roots are thick and the stem has leafed out again. Then fill an 8- to 10-inch
diameter clay pot with enriched potting soil. Plant the seed, leaving the top half exposed. Then water it
well. After that, water frequently but lightly; also give the plant an occasional deep soaking. However,
do not overwater your little tree. Yellow leaves are a sign of too much water. Then place the potted plant
in a sunny window and watch it grow. The more sunlight, the better. Then, when the stem is 12 inches
high, cut it back to 6 inches to encourage the growth of side branches. In just a few more weeks, you
will have a beautiful indoor plant. In conclusion, enjoy your new plant, but do not expect it to bear fruit.
Avocados grown from seed occasionally flower and bear fruit; however, first you will have to plant it
outside and then wait anywhere from five to thirteen years.