Mastering English Connectors and Social Terminology

English Grammar: Conjunctions, Transitions, and Prepositions

Conjunctions (Clause Connectors)

• Because, as, since: Introduce a cause.
  • Example: Because it was raining, I stayed at home.
• So: Introduces an effect.
  • Example: It was raining, so I stayed at home.

Transitions (Sentence Connectors)

• Therefore, consequently, as a result: Introduce an effect, connecting two complete sentences.
  • Example: It was raining; therefore, I stayed home.

Prepositions (Noun Phrase Connectors)

• Due to, because of, as a result of: Introduce a cause in the form of a noun phrase.
  • Example: I stayed at home due to the rain.
  • Example: Because of the rain, I stayed at home.

Expressing Result and Reason

Understanding how different connectors express cause (reason) or effect (result) is crucial for clear communication:

• "Consequently" is followed by a clause expressing effect (result).
• "Because" is followed by a clause expressing cause (reason).
• "For the reason that" is followed by a clause expressing cause (reason).
• "Therefore" is followed by a clause expressing effect (result).
• "As" is followed by a clause expressing cause (reason).
• "For this reason" is followed by a clause expressing effect (result).
• "Due to" is followed by a noun phrase expressing cause (reason).
• "As a result" is followed by a clause expressing effect (result).
• "Because of" is followed by a noun phrase expressing cause (reason).
• "Thus" is followed by a clause expressing effect (result).

Comma Usage with Connectors

When to Use a Comma

• A comma separates:
  • A because phrase in initial position.
    • Example: Because she had no other options, she married at thirteen.
    • Example: As her family was poor, they couldn't afford to care for her.
  • A connective adverb in initial position.
    • Example: She had no other options. Consequently, she married at age thirteen.
  • An addition that is unrelated or not cause-effect.
    • Example: She married at eighteen, because what else could she do?

When Not to Use a Comma

• No comma is used when the because phrase expresses a cause for the effect in the main clause, or when the because phrase follows the main clause.
  • When the because phrase follows the main clause:
    • Example: She married at thirteen because she had no other options.
    • Example: Her family couldn't afford to care for her as they were poor.

Common English Phrases

• Cada vez más difícil: harder and harder
• Cada vez más: more and more
• Cada vez más inteligente: more and more intelligent

Understanding Domestic and Gender Violence

Distinguishing Domestic and Gender Violence

Between domestic violence and gender violence:

The Cycle of Abuse Explained

1. Abuse: A single instance of abusive behavior.
2. Guilt: The perpetrator feels guilt, often not for the act itself, but for the potential consequences.
3. Excuses: The perpetrator rationalizes their behavior, blaming the victim or external factors.
4. Normal Behavior: A period of calm, often characterized by apologies, promises, and loving gestures, creating a false sense of security.
5. Fantasy: The perpetrator fantasizes about repeating the abuse.
6. Set-up: The perpetrator creates a situation or provokes the victim, setting the stage for another abusive incident.

Key Collocations for Abuse and Support

• To document an abuse
• To report an abuse, a rape, or a crime
• To encourage someone to seek or look for help
• To seek counseling, help, legal aid, or refuge in a shelter
• To have access to legal aid, counseling, or services
• To raise / to increase / to lack awareness: (e.g., public awareness, lack of awareness about a danger)
• To be aware of the danger
• To hold someone captive: To detain someone against their will.