organizing text (2)
exceptions and alternatives except (for) Everyone chose a new book, except for Helen, who was still reading her old one. Except for Helen, who was still reading her old one, everyone chose a new book. Apart from can be used to mean the same as except for. Everyone chose a new book, apart from Helen, who was still reading her old one. It can also mean in addition to. Apart from the dent in the front bumper, the car had scratches all along one side.
Instead (of) means that one thing replaces another. I decided not to take the bus, but walked instead. I decided not to take the bus. Instead, I walked. Instead of taking the bus, I decided to walk. Alternatively is a more formal way of starting a sentence, meaning or. You could take the bus. Alternatively, you could walk.
sequences Writers often signal that they are going to make a list of points. There are a number of ways in which this can be done. There are several ways of looking at this matter First of all, secondly, thirdly etc; next; finally are often used to number points in a sequence. First of all, there is the issue of cost Secondly... Next,.. Finally,...
Words such as point, issue, problem, advantage can also be numbered. The first problem facing the government is. In an argument, there is often a conclusion, which can be introduced by in conclusion. In conclusion, we could say that.
summarizing To sum up can be used to introduce a summarizing comment at the end of an argument. To sum up, it seems clear that. And so forth, and so on and etc. are expressions used to say there are further points we do not mention. Growth is also influenced by weather, water supply, position, and so forth. Note that such phrases can imply that the writer has a lot more to say, but does not wish to go into detail.
making assertions Utterly and simply emphasize an adjective. Utterly tends to be used with negative adjectives. Simply can be used with positive or negative adjectives. This is simply wonderful/ It is simply / utterly wrong to argue this.
Utter and sheer are used with nouns to emphasize the size or amount. Utter tends to be used with negative nouns. Sheer can be used with positive or negative nouns. Quite honestly, I think this is utter nonsense! Tania's performance was sheer delight! It was sheer madness to buy so many shares!
Merely is stronger than only / just and is used in a similar way, to make what follows seem unimportant or smali. The Earth is merely a tiny unimportant speck in the Universe. Mere is used before nouns, with the same meaning as above. The Earth is a mere speck in the Universe. Literally is used to emphasize that what has been said is not an exaggeration but is really true. There are Iiterally thousands of people without homes
giving examples For example, examples include, to take an example all need punctuation before and after. Some birds regularly migrate over long distances. For example, swans fly several thousand kilometers. Swans, for example, fly... Examples include swans, which fly... To take an example, swans fly...
Such as introduces an example. Many birds, such as swans, migrate over long distances. As far as (subject) (be) concerned is a way of introducing a specific example. Some birds regularly migrate over long distances. As far as swans are concerned, this can involve crossing wide expanses of water. Namely introduces a more specific reference after a general one. Some groups of birds, namely swans, geese and ducks, tend to fly in a V-shaped formation.
making clear In other words is used to introduce a point we want to make clearer by repeating it in a different way. I think you should go out more with friends, or perhaps take a part-time job. In other words, make more of an effort to be sociable. to put it another way To put it another way, I think you should try to be more sociable. That is to say and i.e. are used to explain exactly what you mean: i.e. means that is A number of others are usually referred to as 'ballroom dances', i.e. / that is to say the waltz, foxtrot, quickstep, and so on.
introducing one side of an opinion In a way, in some ways, in some respects mean 'from one point of view' and introduce one side of an opinion. In a way, the film makes the bank-robbers seem really nice guys! In some respects, losing the job was a blessing in disguise.
describing types kind of, a sort of can describe a type of something. An okapi is a kind of small giraffe. Kind of and sort of are also used with adjectives or verbs informally to mean rather. This is kind of interesting. It sort of worries me.
Complete the text using one word in each gap As far as Britain is a. the first modern examples of town planning were the garden cities, b. as Letchworth and Welwyn Garden City, built in the early 1900s. A 'garden city' was a c. of idealized community, planned around large open spaces, public buildings, and d. forth. Letchworth, e. example, had no public house, f. a bar selling alcohol, and included for the first time the idea of a 'green belt', that is to g. an area of countryside surrounding the town. In some h., Letchworth was ahead of its time, as the building plan also avoided the cutting down of trees, and the town was i. a 'garden', as there were green spaces and trees everywhere. j. from the attractions of the site, there was also innovative design, as many of the houses were designed to be cheap, used modern building techniques such k. prefabrication, and had front and back gardens, I. luxury for many slum dwellers from London.
Answers a concerned b such c kind d so e for f i.e. g say h respects / ways i. literally j. Apart k. as I. sheer