ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at different ways of linking two or more clauses together to form longer sentences by adding connective endings to the verb in the first clause. It summarizes the verbal connectives into eight groups according to their primary function: causal, contrastive, additional/sequential, optional, conditional, causative, intentive and comparison. It should however be noted that many verbal connectives have other usages that go beyond their primary function; thus, these categories should be applied only as a basic guide. Causal connectives mark a cause and a result. The cause is expressed in the first clause; the result is expressed in the second. The expression conveys natural consequence rather than something the individual speaker is trying to claim based on his/her own opinion. Contrastive connectives mark a contrast between two different or contradictory states or events. Intentive connectives express an intention in the first clause that is made possible by performing the action stated in the second clause of the sentence.
