Logical connectors / discourse markers

Practice materials for learners and teachers · Ted Power

Logical Connectors / Discourse Markers - Interactive Practice

Practice with logical cohesive devices in spoken or written English

Complete each text with an appropriate logical connector or discourse marker.

Important: punctuation is part of the answer. Enter commas where they are required.

Click Show hint if you need help. The hint gives you the category, but not the answer.

Connector categories

Number / Category Possible connectors
1. ADDITION moreover | furthermore | and | also | too | as well | equally
2. ANTITHESIS however | nevertheless | on the other hand | but | whereas
3. COMPARISON compared with | in comparison with | similarly | in the same way
4. REASON / CAUSE as | since | because | due to | owing to | because of | out of
5. RESULT / SUMMARY as a result | consequently | so | therefore | then | in conclusion | in all | in brief | in short | in summary
6. PURPOSE so that | in order that | in order to | to | for | for the sake of
7. EXAMPLE for example | for instance | namely | that is to say | what I mean is
8. ORDER OF EVENTS first(ly) | second(ly) | finally | first | next | then | after that | lastly
9. TIME SEQUENCE at first | after a while | in the end | finally
10. RE-EXPRESSION in other words | that is to say | alternatively | rather
11. DEDUCTION this means that | in that case it follows that | then | otherwise
12. SIDETRACKING incidentally | by the way | to turn to | come to mention it

Practice Text 1

Brighton is a nice town Hove is attractive.

Hint:
First gap: 2. ANTITHESIS
Second gap: 1. ADDITION
Possible answers:
but ... also / equally

Practice Text 2

The tourist population of London is very large that of Brighton. Brighton attracts thousands of English Language students.

Hint:
First gap: 3. COMPARISON
Second gap: 2. ANTITHESIS
Possible answers:
compared with / in comparison with
however, / nevertheless, / on the other hand,

Practice Text 3

There are many things to do in Brighton. there is the sea. Palace Pier offers some of the best views of the Sea Front. there is the Royal Pavilion. This is one of the most popular palaces in the world. there are the shops. The old Lanes and the new Churchill Square shopping centre offer good value for money.

Hint:
All three gaps: 8. ORDER OF EVENTS
Possible answers:
First, / Firstly,
Second, / Secondly, / Next, / Then,
Finally, / Lastly,

Practice Text 4

When you arrive in Britain, it can be difficult to make yourself understood.

Hint: 9. TIME SEQUENCE
Possible answer:
at first

Practice Text 5

Do not spend all your time in Brighton reading grammar books. you will not learn to communicate with real British people. few British people speak perfect, grammatical English. the grammar of English changes as people's speaking habits change. how many English speakers still use the old-fashioned word "whom"?

Hint:
First gap: 11. DEDUCTION
Second gap: 12. SIDETRACKING
Third gap: 1. ADDITION
Fourth gap: 7. EXAMPLE
Possible answers:
otherwise,
incidentally, / by the way,
also, / moreover, / furthermore, / equally,
for example, / for instance,

Practice Text 6

get out and about. Don't sit at home and read books you could read in your own country.

Hint: 5. RESULT / SUMMARY
Possible answers:
in short, / in brief, / in summary, / in conclusion, / in all,
as a result, / consequently, / therefore, / so,

Practice Text 7

Tourist Information Centres advertise a wide range of events and entertainments. you can look in The Argus or the free Brighton weekly paper.

Hint: 10. RE-EXPRESSION
Possible answer:
alternatively,

Practice Text 8

People from the south of England can sometimes seem cold. they do not attempt to get to know you as soon as you enter a pub. many overseas visitors are a little disappointed. people seem unfriendly shyness. they are afraid to be the first person to start a conversation.

Hint:
First gap: 10. RE-EXPRESSION
Second gap: 5. RESULT / SUMMARY
Third gap: 1. ADDITION
Fourth gap: 4. REASON / CAUSE
Fifth gap: 10. RE-EXPRESSION
Possible answers:
in other words, / that is to say,
as a result, / consequently, / therefore, / so,
moreover, / furthermore, / also, / equally,
because of / due to / owing to / out of
in other words, / that is to say,