Words of transition, words of connection, logical connectors, transition devices, cohesive devices, linking words/devices, discourse markers ou connective adjuncts, são algumas das muitas expressões usadas para identificar este aspecto de grande relevância no estudo, não só do inglês, como de todas as línguas. São conjunções, advérbios, preposições, locuções, etc., que servem para estabelecer uma conexão lógica entre frases e elementos da idéia. Em português essas palavras são chamadas de articuladores ou palavras conectivas. O uso correto destas palavras confere solidez ao argumento e consequentemente elegância ao texto.
Vejam nas imagens abaixo uma representação da diferença entre um texto com idéias bem articuladas e um texto desconexo.
Writing clinics ou writing labs são departamentos nas universidades norte-americanas aos quais os estudantes podem recorrer para obter auxílio e orientação sobre como redigir corretamente seus trabalhos de pesquisa. Normalmente o primeiro e o mais frequentemente ponto abordado nessas clínicas de redação é o uso correto das palavras conectivas. Words of transition são de fundamental importância, uma vez que a beleza do inglês moderno está na clareza e na integridade lógica.
As listas abaixo constituem-se numa ajuda decisiva para quem compõe textos em inglês ou em português, independente do nível de capacidade do redator.
De qualquer modo (forma), … / Seja como for, … / Em todo caso, …
Anyway, … / At any rate, … / In any case, …
Afinal …
After all …
Finalmente, … / Por fim, …
Finally, … / At last, …
Levando tudo isso em consideração, … / Em resumo, …
All things considered, … / Finally, … / In summary, …
Abaixo segue uma lista mais abrangente de palavras e locuções conectivas só do inglês, agrupadas por tipo de ligação que estabelecem. Esta lista facilita a localização rápida do conectivo que se procura, sendo útil especialmente para alunos avançados que possuem boa familiaridade com o inglês escrito:
INTRODUCTION AND REFERENCE
on the other hand regarding speaking of to begin with to start with with regard to
as referred to (at) first by the way changing the subject concerning
considering first of all in reference to in the first place initially
AGREEMENT
in accordance with in agreement in conformity
according to as per
COMPARISON
in comparison (with) in the same way similarly
comparing likewise
CONTRAST
considering that conversely despite even so even though for all that for (my, his, ...) part given that however
in contrast in (the) face of in (the) light of in spite of (that) meanwhile nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding on the other hand
still then again though unlike whereas while yet
after (all) alternatively although as opposed to at the same time but by contrast by the same token
EMPHASIS
even more in any event indeed in particular least of all let alone mainly more important(ly)
most important(ly) most of all naturally particularly positively primarily principally specifically
the basic cause the chief factor the key point unquestionably valuable to note without a doubt
above all a key feature a major concern definitely especially (not) especially significant
ADDITION
both ... and either ... or equally important further furthermore in addition (to) indeed jointly
last but not least likewise moreover neither ... nor next not only ... but also not to mention not to speak of
on top of that or plus similarly together with what's more
again also and (then) as well as at the same time besides
ADDING A REMARK
incidentally in fact on the contrary
as a matter of fact
EXPLANATION OF CAUSE
in view of now that on account of since that is because
as as a result of because (of)
due to for in order that
RESULT
for this reason for which reason hence in short so much (so) that so that
such ... that that is why then thereby therefore thus
accordingly as a consequence as a result consequently
CONCLUSION
so therefore
for this reason
PURPOSE
in return for so as to so that to
to the purpose of to this end with this in mind with this purpose
in an effort to in order that in order to
TIME RELATIONSHIP
nowadays presently shortly (after) simultaneously since so far soon temporarily
then thereafter throughout thereupon until up until now while yet at the same time
after a while afterward(s) as time goes by at last at present at this point currently
from now on immediately in the meantime lately later meanwhile now
ORDERING
second secondly third following next
then later after that last finally
first firstly first of all in the first place
CIRCUMSTANCES
in my opinion in terms of in the midst of on the part of
as a last resort as a rule from the standpoint of
ADDRESSING INFORMATION
for your information to whom it may concern
ESTABLISHING A LIMIT
as far as I'm concerned as far as I understand as well as I know for the time being so far
as far as I can remember as far as I can tell as far as I know
CONDITION
if not in case of in case (that) in the event of
in the event (that) on condition that only if or (else)
otherwise provided (that) providing (that) whether or not
as long as even if if
DISMISSAL
anyway at any rate
in any case whatever the case may be
EXCEPTION / EXCLUSION
apart from (that) aside from except for
not ... yet other than that unless
EXAMPLE
including in particular in this case in this manner
namely such as take the case of that is
the following example to illustrate
for example for instance in another case
SUBSTITUTION / PREFERENCE
in place of instead of
rather (than) in exchange for
REITERATION / REFORMULATION
as I have said I mean in other words more simply
or rather that is to put it another way
INTERMEDIATING
in doing so this way through (which)
by by means of
CONCESSION
at the same time granted that I admit
it may appear that naturally of course
after all although it is true that although this may be true
EVIDENCE
indeed it's no wonder naturally needless to say
obviously of course without question without a doubt
as you (anyone) can see certainly evidently
CONCLUSION / SUMMARY
in short in summary last(ly) on the whole overall
therefore to conclude to summarize to sum up
after all all in all all things considered as we have seen
