实用英语写作技巧 第三十四单元转换词语Transitional Words and Phrases

实用英语写作技巧第三十四单元转换词语Transitional Words and Phrases

34．1 Introduction

In the writing of English compositions，we have to use transitional words or phrases in order to make logical connections between individual sentences and paragraphs as well as enhance the overall coherence of an essay．Otnerwise，the paragraph or the essaywill be loosely connected．To see the difference，let's compare the following two versions of a paragraph：

（1）

Speaking and writing are different in many ways．Speech depends on sounds．Writing uses written symbols．Speech developed about 500，000 years ago．Written language is a comparatively recent development．It was invented only about six thousand years ago．Speech is usually Informal．The word choice in writing is often relatively formal．Pronunciation and accent are ignored in writing．A standard diction and spelling system prevails in the writtenlanguage of most countries．Speech relies on gesture，loudness，and the rise and fall of the voice．Writing lacks gesture，loudness，and the rise and fall of the voice．Careful speakers and writers are aware of the difference．

（2）

Speaking and writing are different in many ways．Speech depends on sounds；writing，on the other hand，uses written symbols．Speech was developed about 500，000 years ago，butwritten language is a comparatively recent development，invented only about six thousand years ago．Speech is usually informal，while the word choice of writing，by contrast，is often relatively formal．Although pronunciation and accent are ignored in writing，a standard diction and spelling system prevails in the written language of most countries．Speech relies on gesture，loudness，and the rise and fall of the voice，but writing lacks these features．Careful speakers and writers are aware of the differences．

34．2 Analysis of the above two versions

In paragraph（1），almost all connections are missing．Therefore，it is rather difficult for us to tell in how many ways speaking and writing are different．In paragraph（2），however，by using the six comparsion and contrast transitions，“on the other hand”，“but”，“while”，“by contrast”and“although”，we can easily identify that speaking and writing are different in six aspects．

34．3常用的转换词语类型（Types of Commonly Used Transitional Words or Phrases）1）Listing列举

first，second，third

firstly，secondly，thirdly

first，furthermore，finally

in the first place，in the second place，finally

last but not least

first and most important

to begin with，next，then，finally

the former…the latter the first step，the second step，the

next step

2）Illustrating（giving examples）说明（举例）

for example（f．e．）including

for instance（i．d．）mainly

namely such as

3）Emphasizing强调

obviously certainly

undoubtedly especially

surely above all

indeed most important of all

in fact most importantly

very likely

4）Paralleling并列

or that is，that's to say not only…but（also）

and in other words both…and as well as

neither…nor either…or

5）Adding补充

also（too）gain furthermore

further moreover what is more

then in addition besides

as well（as）

6）Comparison and Contrast比较与对照

comparatives：the same…as；be similar to；and…．，too；

（比较连接词）and…so…；not…and…not…，either；not

…neither…；both…and…；neither…nor…；

Just as…，so…；resemble；have…in common；

There are similarities between…and…

in the same way；equally important；

similarly

Contrastives：be…adj．/adv．+ er…than；more…than…；

（对照连接词）less…than…；not so…as；Unlike…/

Contrary to…/As opposed to…；Although/

Whereas/While；contrast with/differ from/

be different from；however/on the other

hand/in contrast

7）Time时间

now in the past until

soon recently after a while

later nowadays not long after

then while in the mean time

before since meanwhile

8）Space Order空间