and 

      but

  because

      e.g.

      i.e.

     if

sequence labels

fact/opinion

definition/
classification


changing the topic

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SIGN POSTS        

This site gives you words and phrases to make your writing clear. We call them sign posts because they help the reader to understand your text better.

They have different functions in the text. For example, there are several words for the function of 'and', 'because', 'but' etc.

All the examples we give you are used in context to show how the grammatical structures change. Also, all of them are suitable to use in formal academic writing.

Look at the functions below and choose what you need.

When you want to...

...add information or give alternatives go to
the 'and' page.
...show contrast or contradictions or makes a concession go to
the "but" page.
...link cause and effect or give reasons go to
the "because" page.
...give examples go to
the "e.g." page.
...explain or restatego to
the "i.e." page
...express conditions go to
the "if" page.
...mark events in timego to
the "sequence labels" page.
...cite sources or mark opinion go to
the "fact/opinion" page.
...explain composition or link parts to whole go to the
definition/classification" page.
...identify sections go to
the "changing the topic" page.

Adapted, expanded and designed for the web from original materials by Fiona French, by Esther Daborn and Barry Greenwood.
Web page construction Barry Greenwood.

University of Glasgow English as a Foreign Language Unit, April 2000.