Jump Start Brazilian Portuguese Lesson 23 – Using Connectors and Transitions

In this edition of Jump Start Brazilian Portuguese, Professor Jason teaches about the use of numerous conjunctions and transitions used to connect ideas and sentences.

What are conjunctions and transitions?
Conjunctions and transitions are words and phrases that are used to create longer, more complex strings of speech or writing, such as compound or complex sentences and well-formed paragraphs. These words and phrases serve to connect clauses, sentences, or paragraphs and to signal how thy relate to each other. They range from simple, everyday conjunctions and transitions like and, but, however, and generally to less-frequent phrases like notwithstanding or on the contrary, that are usually reserved for formal, written texts.
Conjunctions are function words that are used to connect words, phrases, or clauses…
Two important types of conjunctions are coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are words that are used to join two independent clauses of equal importance—two complete sentences that COULD stand alone—to form compound sentences.
FANBOYS is a mnemonic device often taught to help learners remember the most common coordinating conjunctions in English: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Coordinating conjunctions are placed right between the two independent clauses they link, and most style guides recommend placing commas before them.

o I knew the answers, and so did Julie.

o We all studied for the test, but Paul failed it.

o You can pay to park here, or you can park around the corner.

o He doesn’t work here, nor does he live in the area.

o Their best player was injured, yet they won the game.

• Again, notice how in each of these examples, both clauses could stand as separate and equal sentences if the conjunction were removed.

• Many words used as coordinating conjunctions may also function as discourse markers called transitions… When functioning as transitions, they’ll appear after a full stop (period or semicolon).

o But things aren’t always as them seem.

o And there are many other reasons.

o Forest fires are common; yet, more people visit the park every year.

Subordinating conjunctions

• Subordinating conjunctions are words or short phrases that are used to connect dependent clauses to main or independent clauses to create complex sentences.

o [Independent clause] + [subordinating conjunction heading a DEPENDENT clause].

o She is going to listen to music + while she exercises.

o The event was delayed + because the band was late.
• A few of the most common subordinating conjunctions in English are:



o After

o Although

o As

o As long as

o Because

o Before

o Even though

o If

o Now that

o Once

o Since

o Though

o Unless

o Until

o When

o Where

o While


Subordinating conjunctions may be placed immediately AFTER an independent clause or at the BEGINNING of the complex sentence.

• When placed after the independent or main clause, no comma is needed.

o They did well on the exam because they studied so much.

o They went out for a walk although it was raining.

o The game will start after she sings the anthem.

o We won’t be able to attend the concert unless we buy tickets.

• When placed at the beginning, use a comma to separate the clauses.

o Because they studied so much, they did well on the exam.

o Although it was raining, they went out for a walk.

o After she sings the anthem, the teams will take the field.

o Unless we buy tickets, we won’t be able to attend the concert.

• Unlike coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions like these indicate HOW the clauses they introduce relate to the main clause. Since this additional meaning is crucial to the logic connecting both clauses, they can’t be omitted, and they are considered part of the dependent clause. Dependent clauses can’t stand on their own as complete sentences.

Transitions
Transitions are discourse makers used to signal relationships between the ideas of different sentences or paragraphs. They can be individual words or short phrases and, when used effectively, they help listeners and readers more clearly see how ideas are meant to me connected, making discourse more cohesive and coherent.

• Transitions can be single words or phrases.

• Many single-word transitions are conjunctive adverbs – look that up!

• They introduce a new independent clause, showing how it relates to the previous one…

• They follow a full stop, like a period or a semi-colon.

• They’re followed by commas.

o The robber escaped the police. However, he was apprehended later that day.

o James couldn’t start right away. First, he needed to quit his current job.

o I wasn’t surprised he was late; after all, he lived 60 miles away.

o Susan missed an important deadline. As a result, she was reassigned.

o There was a problem with engine; consequently, the flight was delayed.

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