Have you ever heard the term “conjunction“? If you have, then you must know some examples of conjunction, such as “and, or, though, then, if” and so on. In English, conjunction is one of the subjects discussed in the Logical Connector chapter.
Logical Connectors Definition
Logical Connector is a conjunction that connects a word in other words, a clause with another clause, a sentence with another sentence, or a paragraph with another paragraph.
In other words, logical connectors are conjunctions that connect two ideas that have a certain relationship, which are related to time (sequential), reason & purpose, condition, or adversative.
Types of Logical Connectors
There are several types of logical connectors you should know, which are:
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunctions are useful for starting adverb clauses.In addition, they are commonly used in compound sentences where the dependent clause or independent clause can exchange positions without any change in meaning. For example:
Before he came, we did not have a physical education teacher.
We did not have a physical education teacher before he came.
Prepositions
Prepositions are usually followed by a noun and noun phrase. We also use prepositions in compound sentences where the dependent clause or independent clause can exchange positions without any change in meaning, just same as subordinating conjunctions. For example:
The new student did not come to class due to his illness.
Transitions and Conjunctive Adverbs
Transitions and Conjunctive Adverbs combine two sentences separated by periods (.), or two clauses separated by commas (,).
We also use transitions and conjunctive adverbs in sentences that only have one sentence arrangement, but if the two clauses exchange their positions then the meaning will change.
The transition word can be in the form of an initial clause, final clause, or between subject and verb. For example:
He was sick. Nevertheless, he came to class.
Conjunctions
Conjunctions are often used in sentences that only have one sentence arrangement and if the two clauses exchange their positions then the meaning will change.
In academic writing, don’t use conjunction to start a sentence. Also, use a comma (,) before the conjunction.
Example:
She always did not do her homework, so she did not pass the class.
Logical Connectors Examples
Following are some logical connectors examples along with the classifications.
Subordinating Conjunctions
| Sequential | Reason & Purpose | Adversative | Condition |
| Until After Before When While Since Once Whenever As soon as As long as By the time | Because As Since As much as Now that As long as So that In order that | Even though Although Though In spite of the fact that Whereas Where | If Unless Even if Providing + that Provided + that In case Whether or not Only if |
Prepositions
| Sequential | Reason & Purpose | Adversative | Condition |
| During After Before Since Until Upon | Because of Due to In order to | Despite In spine of |
Transitions and Conjunctive Adverbs
| Sequential | Reason & Purpose | Adversative | Condition |
| Then Next After that Following that Before that Afterwards Meanwhile Beforehand | Therefore Consequently | However Otherwise Nonetheless Nevertheless On the other hand In contrast On the contrary |
Conjunctions
| Sequential | Reason & Purpose | Adversative | Condition |
| And then | So | But … anyway But … still Yet … still But | Or + else |
A Few Things to Note
Many conjunctions have the same meaning but different structures, such as the use of the words “despite” and “in spite of“. Please pay attention to our brief explanation below.
1. The word “despite” is followed by a noun. For example:
I went out despite the heavy rains.
2. The word “in spite of” is followed by the form –ing. For example:
I went to work in spite of feeling ill.
That was the definition of logical connectors along with the types and examples. Make sure to keep yourself updated with our English lessons and exercises to improve your skills. See you on the next lesson!