Clarifying connectives
Unlike coordinators, which have fixed positions at the clause boundary, cohesive connectives, such as instead or actually, are more moveable. They can be used to reinforce the additive, contrastive or replacive meanings of the coordinators.
He doesn’t like bacon and also, he’s better without it. (additive)
I have no intention of going, nor in fact did I ever promise to. (replacive)
It’s an extremely simple device, but actually, it’s very effective. (upgrading)
Additive connectives include also, furthermore, in addition, besides.
Upgrading connectives include in fact, as a matter of fact, actually, indeed. Actually can indicate surprise; it signals that what follows may be contrary to expectations. These features make it especially useful with the adversative conjunction but, since contrast and surprise are compatible. Yet shares these features of surprise and contrast, and can be used as an alternative to but with surprisal and concessive meanings:
A four-year-old child was buried for three days under rubble, yet survived.
He didn’t stay even an hour, but instead returned to London on the next train. (replacive).
She promised to keep in touch, but in fact, she never wrote or phoned us. (upgrading)
