Writing Skills

Word order:
-Word order is very important in English. The usual order ir: Subject + Verb + Object + Additions
-If a sentence has both a direct and an indirect object, there are often two possibilities:
I gave you the box./I gave the box to you.
-Many time expressions can come at the beginning or the end of the sentence.
-Never separate the verb from its object(s): We don't have today any homework.
-Adverbs of manner can come in several positions, but not between the verb and the object.
-Adverbs of frequency come before the main verb. Some can come at the beginning and/or the end of a sentence as well.

Subject-Verb agreement:
-The verb is singular or plural, depending on the subject.
-Singular nouns that refer to groups can have either singular or plural verbs.
-Amounts and quantities usually have singular verbs.
-Words like anyone, everybody,nobody have singular verbs.
-Most uncountable nouns have got singular verbs.
-Some uncountable nouns have got plural verbs.

Use of adjectives:
-Adjectives come before nouns and after certain verbs.
-The adjective form for singular and plural nouns is the same.
-Adjectives foloww a specific order: opinion + size or age + colour + origin + material.

Connectors:
-Connectors are linking words which join ideas and show how those ideas are related to one another.
-They also help us to organise our writing and make it easy for the reader to follow.

- To add points on the same topic: and, in addition, furthermore, moreover, what's more, besides, also, too, as well as, ...
- To express a contrast: but, however, nevertheless, yet, still, although, even if, even though, in spite of, despite, ...
- To describe a cause or reason: because (of), since, due to, as, as a result of, one, another reason for...is..., ...
- To describe a result: so, therefore, consequently, thus, as a result, as a consequence, for this reason, that is why, ...
- To show purpose: in order to, so as to, so that, to, ...
- To describe similarity: similary, likewise, in the same way, ....
- To express personal opinions: in my opinion, I (strongly) believe (that), I think, feel (that), in my view, it seems to me (that), personally, as I see it, ...
- To introduce facts: in fact, as a matter of fact, actually, the truth is (that), ...
- To make general statements: in general, generally, as a rule, on the whole, ...
- To list points: to begin/start with, in the first place, first of all, for one thing, firstly, secondly, thirdly, finally, lastly, ...
- To give examples: for example, for instance, such as, like, particulary, in particular, especially, (more) specifically, ...
- To introduce opposing points: on the one hand, on the other hand, in contrast, contrary to, it can also be argued that, but there are people who say/think (that), ...
- To show sequence: first, at first, in the beginning, before, next, then, soon, meanwhile, later, after that, afterwards, at last, eventually, finally, in the end, during, when, ...
- To show time: when, while, before, after, until, as soon as, by the time, ...
- To conclude: in conclusion, to sum up, in short, all in all, ...