Connective Adjuncts
These tell us how the speaker or writer understands the semantic connection between two utterances, or parts of an utterance, while indicating the semantic relationship holding between them: The hotel was rather noisy. On the other hand, it wasn’t expensive (contrast). They are not therefore elements of structure, but connectors of structure:
Between groups: Lord Shaftesbury was a persuasive speaker and
furthermore a great pioneer of social reform.
Between clauses: The students are on strike; nevertheless, the examinations
will not be cancelled.
Between sentences: He has been undergoing treatment for asthma since he
was a boy. Consequently, he never went in for sports.
Between paragraphs: In addition to all this . . .
First of all . . .
In conclusion . . .
That is to say, such connectors occur at some boundary established at a significant point in the organization of the text. They have a textual function.
Semantically, many different types of connection can be expressed. Here, we shall briefly exemplify four main types:
additive: besides, in the same way, what’s more, moreover, plus (AmE), as well, also
contrast: instead, on the contrary, on the other hand, nevertheless, rather, yet
causal: for, because, so, therefore, then, in that case, consequently, thus
temporal: first, then, next, after that, finally, at once
