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ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > Connectors in speach    

Connectors in speach



anuska8
Spain

Connectors in speach
 
Hi dear colegues!
I have a simple doubt. Is it so important to use connectos in speech?
I think it can be "pretentious"...
Then, I �d like to know the more useful connectors in real speaking English.
(For example: 
According to my oppinion...
On the other hand...
Nowadays...)

Thanks in advance!
Have a good weekend!

Hugs.

Anuska. 

18 Jan 2014      





MoodyMoody
United States

Connectors are used more in writing than speaking; that is true. Part of that is because in conversation, utterances are shorter and there �s less need to link ideas. In longer speeches, connectors are even more important than in writing. In written works, if you miss a connection, you can go back and pick it up. You can �t do that in a speech unless you record it.
 
By the way, "on the other hand" and "nowadays" are fine, but English speakers usually say and write "in my opinion" or "according to [other source such as a newspaper or expert]."
 
Examples: "In my opinion, teachers should be paid more."
"According to Arne Duncan, �To encourage more top-caliber students to choose teaching, teachers should be paid a lot more, with starting salaries more in the range of $60,000 and potential earnings of as much as $150,000. �"

18 Jan 2014     



minimal70
Morocco

Hi anuska
I hold an M.A. in Psycholinguistics and am language specialist. I don �t think it is so important to use connectors in speech. But it wouldn �t be inconvenient to neglect them. In order to coordinate your speech streams, you need, from time to time, to resort to linking words to make your speech coherent and clear. The most frequently used ones are but, however, although, for example, such as, like. In addition to, according to.....
Hope useful and good luck

18 Jan 2014     



ueslteacher
Ukraine

May I add that �s why, though, as
It �s worth asking though he �ll probably say no.
She �s probably into you. That �s why she smiles when you walk by.
Do as I say!Wink

18 Jan 2014     



MoodyMoody
United States

I beg to differ, minimal70. The most frequent connector is "and." "And" is so common that we don �t even think about it.

18 Jan 2014     



ELOJOLIE274
France

i would add to the list SO
"so, what did you decide?" "so what?"

18 Jan 2014     



cunliffe
United Kingdom

I think they are very important. In fact, the assessment scheme we use lists lots of connectives and which the ss are expected to use at each level. I have a great big display of the first level ones: and, but, because and so

18 Jan 2014