COMMANDMENT 10: THOU SHALT USE THE LOGICAL CONNECTOR WORD.
“Connector words” are and, but, however, also, etc. These words link up clauses
to show their direction and logic. If you misuse a connector word, the logic of
the sentence will seem a little off.
A tip for connector words: Look through the options in the answer choices and label them as either positive (+) or negative (-), positivemeaning they support the original idea and negative meaning they oppose the original idea. Then read the next clause of the sentence to
see what its relationship to the original clause is.
—Samantha
Example 1:
Some sentences may initially seem grammatically correct, and do
not say what the writer wants them to say.Which of the following best replaces the underlined portion above?
A) NO CHANGE
B) correct, and do not say that which
C) correct, but do not say what
D) correct, with the exception thatThe correct answer is C. One would expect that if the sentences seemed
grammatically correct, they would say what the author wanted them to say. But
they don’t. The connector word but indicates that the part of the sentence after
the comma contradicts what you would expect after reading the first part of the
sentence.
Example 2:
Students compare the SAT to a bed of nails, as does a charging
rhinoceros.Which of the following best replaces the underlined portion above?
A) NO CHANGE
B) just as a charging rhinoceros.
C) as is a charging rhinoceros.
D) or to a charging rhinoceros.The correct answer is D. The original sentence literally says that the
rhinoceros, along with students, compares the SAT to a bed of nails. Unless the