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Academic English, Cohesive Devices

a) linking words & phrases b) pronouns c) this / these + noun

a) Cohesion with linking words & phrases:

Exercise 1: Look at the18 linking words & phrases below. Organize them into the 5 categories

below. One answer is already given for each category.

that is however in spite of furthermore

in addition on the other hand consequently while

so despite such as as a result

whereas for instance not only…but also although

also in fact

1. Connecting similar ideas: similarly + (4)

2. Connecting different ideas: but + (7)

3. Clarifying an idea: in other words + (2)

4. Giving examples: for example + (2)

5. Giving an effect or conclusion: therefore + (3)

 
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Exercise 2: Read each sentence below. Underline the correct linking word or phrase.

1 Many companies want to know customers’ opinions of their product. (Consequently / For

instance), the companies conduct surveys.

2 When McDonalds restaurant started, many people said it would fail. (In addition /

However), everyone was shocked when it achieved great popularity.

3 The clothing store Zara has expanded into several new countries (such as / while) Brazil,

Indonesia and Zaire.

4 Many companies offer their employees professional development opportunities. (Although /

In other words), the companies give the employees money to take classes so the employees

can learn more about their current jobs.

5 Etihad Airlines has many flights each day to Europe. (Furthermore / As a result) it also has

many daily flights to Asia and North America.

b) Cohesion with Pronouns

Cohesion is created when a noun in the 1st sentence is replaced by a pronoun – a subject or object

pronoun -- in the 2nd sentence:

Subject pronouns Object pronouns

(use these after a verb or a preposition)

He / She / They / It him / her / it / them

Exercise: Read the 2 sentences below. Notice the underlined noun in the 1st sentence. In the 2nd

sentence, replace it with the correct subject or object pronoun.

Example:

The Khalifa Tower opened in 2010. __It___ is the tallest building in the world.

1. Mr. Amit Jain is the CEO of Emaar Properties. __________ became the CEO in 2016.

 
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2. Many years ago, merchants in the Gulf countries used boats to transport their goods. Today,

airplanes have become more important to _______________ to move their goods.

3. Ms. Alia Al Muhairi is a female pilot for Emirates Airlines. The Airlines employs

__________ to fly the Airbus 380.

4 Perfume is a popular commodity in the UAE. People frequently buy _____ for themselves or

others.

5 In 1971, the leader of Abu Dhabi was Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The leaders of

the other Gulf Emirates joined _____ that year to form the UAE.

6 Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary has many types of animals. _____ protects them from

hunters.

7. Ms. Nayla Al Khaja is a female Emirati filmmaker. _____ makes films about social

issues.

8. Etisalat, First Gulf Bank and Emaar Properties are well-known companies. _____ are

among the most profitable companies in the UAE.

c: Cohesion with: this / these + general noun

When you have 2 sentences, replace the subject in the 1st, with this / these + noun in the 2nd

sentence.

Example:

UAEU has 5000 students. This university is located in Al-Ain.

Exercise: Choose this or these + 1 of the 7 words below:

financial awards cities technology natural resources facilities method

Example Cairo and Damascus are famous for their antiquities. These cities are among the

oldest in the world.

 
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1 We depend on oil, coal and gas for the majority of our energy needs. However,

__________________ will one day run out.

2 Remote and rural areas may initially seem like nice places to live but they often lack

hospitals, shops and schools. Living without easy access to __________________

can make life very difficult indeed.

3 Governments sometimes try to encourage innovation by offering grants. This isn’t

always effective because __________________ are very hard to obtain.

4 Some teachers ask students to simply copy down texts from a whiteboard. But

__________________ does not help students to become independent or flexible in their

use of language.

5. Some countries like Japan and Germany have a decreasing population which means

there are not enough people to do all the jobs. This has lead to an increase in the use of

robots. __________________ has allowed both countries to continue to be very

productive despite the lack of manpower.

 
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