Discourse markers

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

What followed was a long lesson in organisational failure. A farm at Konni in 1905 was derailed immediately by famine. A second attempt at Argungu collapsed because Harbord's administrative duties left him no time to manage the birds.

Grammar Reference · Discourse markers

Contrast

Use nevertheless or however between two clauses to show an unexpected contrast. The plan was logical; however, it failed.

Concession

Use despite or in spite of before a noun phrase to concede a point. Despite the warning, the project continued.

Result

Use as a result or therefore to connect a cause to its consequence. The market collapsed; as a result, the birds had no value.

Common error

Despite of the effort... ✗ → Despite the effort... ✓ — no of after despite.

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Discourse markers

1.The feather market was booming; , administrators assumed it would last for decades.

2. the written warning from the Resident, Harbord was still given both roles.

3.Local keepers had managed ostriches for generations; , British officers assumed European methods were superior.

4.The farm at Konni was planned carefully; , a famine made it unworkable from the start.

5.The team was refused permission in French territory, they returned to Nigeria.

6.The birds had no immunity their environment had changed so rapidly after the long journey.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.The plan was logical. It failed at every stage.

2.There was a warning. The project continued anyway.

3.The market collapsed. The birds had no commercial value.

4.Harbord tried hard. He could not manage both jobs.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

Discourse markers01classplan.ai