Joining sentences (cont)
A
In a SPOKEN narrative, we usually explain the events of a story in fairly short sentences in the
order they happened, using
and
or
then
to join the sentences or clauses together. In a WRITTEN
account, longer, more complex sentences tend to be used. Look at these examples. There are
two written versions of each spoken narrative. Highlight the connecting words that are used.
Which of the two written versions do you prefer, and why?
1. “Well, you see, the train was late and we didn't arrive till midnight. Then we were much too
late for dinner at the hotel and we had to go to bed hungry. It was awful!”
- As our train was late we did not arrive until midnight and, because this was too late for
dinner at the hotel, we had to go to bed hungry.
- We had to go to bed hungry because our train had been delayed, and by the time we
reached our hotel at midnight meals were unfortunately no longer being served.
2. “Well, what happened was that we had a really nice lunch and we had a long chat about old
times. And then the bill came and we split it between us and then we went for a lovely walk
together beside the lake.”
- We enjoyed a long, nostalgic conversation while we were having a delicious lunch, follow-
ed by a very enjoyable walk beside the lake together after we had agreed to split the bill.
- During our lunch, which was delicious, we enjoyed reminiscing about old times and then,
after splitting the bill, we went for a delightful walk together beside the lake.
B
The events in these stories aren't in chronological order. Decide on the correct order of events for
each story. Retell each story, using
and
,
but
,
so
or
then
to make longer sentences. The first has
been done as an example.
1. They managed to swim to a nearby island. Their ship went down in a typhoon. They wanted to
attract the attention of passing ships. They lit a fire on the highest point of the island. They were
rescued. A passing cruise liner spotted the smoke.
Their ship went down in a typhoon but they managed to swim to a nearby island. They wanted to
attract the attention of passing ships, so they lit a fire on the highest point of the island. A passing
cruise liner spotted the smoke and they were rescued.
2. I arrived late for work. I couldn't get the car to start. It was a cold, damp morning. I had to push
the car down the hill. I managed to start the engine. I jumped into the car. The car gathered
speed.
3. Her interest in politics made her decide to stand for parliament. She won the by-election with a
large majority. She gave up politics for good. She lost at the next general election.
4. They got home very late. They spent a long time drinking coffee and talking. They went
dancing together. They went to a cafe together.
5. Our plane didn't take off. The airport was closed because of fog. Many flights were delayed.
Inconvenience was caused to hundreds of passengers. We had to spend the night in the
departure lounge.
6. The kidnappers were caught by the police. All ports and airports were being watched. The
kidnappers were trying to get out of the country. The hostages were released. The ransom money
was paid.
C
Rewrite these notes in complete sentences, using suitable connecting words. The first has been
done as an example.
1. ship went down - hurricane - nearly drowned
They were nearly drowned after their ship had gone down in a hurricane.
2. found driftwood - built bonfire - beach - caught fish - grilled - fire
3. gathered palm leaves - built rough shelter
4. sleepless night - insects - began lose heart
5. made mosquito nets - protect themselves - next night
6. found wild bananas, very glad - hillside - ate them - started look - drinking water
7. couldn't find fresh water - afraid not survive on island
8. hoped collect rainwater - but so little rain - in despair
9. build raft from remaining driftwood - set sail across ocean
