Reference · module 31
Holding a text together
Everything this module explains, on one page.
however, therefore, moreover
Join two sentences the way writing does.
- however contrasts, therefore concludes, moreover adds, nevertheless concedes. Each stands at the front of a new sentence, not between two.
- They take a comma after them: However, the price is high. Joining two sentences with a comma alone is the commonest punctuation error in English.
- Each has a spoken twin: however is but, therefore is so, moreover is and. The short ones join; the long ones open a new sentence.
The mistake you are about to make
The price is high, however we bought it.
The price is high. However, we bought it.
However looks like a joining word and gets used as one. It opens a new sentence and takes a comma after it; but is what joins two halves.
despite and although
Concede a point in three different grammars.
- although takes a whole clause: Although it was raining, we went out. It needs a subject and a verb after it.
- despite and in spite of take a noun or an -ing: Despite the rain, we went out. Despite being tired, I finished. Never a clause.
- If you need a clause after despite, add the fact that: Despite the fact that it was raining. Four extra words, and it is correct.
The mistake you are about to make
Despite it was raining, we went out.
Although it was raining, we went out.
Despite and although translate the same way and take different things. Despite takes a noun or -ing; although takes a full clause.
actually, anyway, by the way
Manage a conversation with the small words.
- actually softens a correction: Actually, it's on Tuesday. Without it, correcting somebody sounds like catching them out.
- anyway returns to the point after a detour, and it also ends a conversation: Anyway, I should go. Two jobs, one word.
- by the way introduces something unrelated, and it warns the listener that it is unrelated. That warning is the whole point of it.
The mistake you are about to make
By the way, as I was saying …
Anyway, as I was saying …
By the way announces that what follows is unrelated. Returning to the thread is anyway, and swapping them sends the opposite signal.
Building a paragraph
Write a paragraph that holds together.
- An English paragraph opens with its claim and supports it after: Remote work has changed hiring. Companies now recruit across borders.
- this and that glue sentences together by pointing back: This has made competition harder. The reader knows exactly what this refers to.
- One idea per paragraph. A paragraph that changes subject halfway is two paragraphs that have not been separated yet.
The mistake you are about to make
In this paragraph I will write about remote work.
Remote work has changed hiring.
Announcing the topic feels like good structure and spends a sentence saying nothing. An English paragraph opens with the claim itself.