Devices for expressing logico-semantic relations: An overview


Adding information

The internet is providing greater access to information that was previously difficult to find. In
addition / Furthermore / Moreover / Besides / What is more / Next, it is making communication
easier.

In addition to / Besides doing an exam, applicants also had to do an interview.

                                            CONTRASTING

The time available for discussion was very limited. However / Nevertheless / Yet, it was still
possible to produce some interesting arguments.

On the one hand, mobile phones are very useful and can save lives. On the other hand, people seem
to use them for the most pointless and unnecessary calls.

(On the one hand, on the other hand are used to contrast two different ways of looking at an
issue.)


We often use on the other hand on its own in the second part of a contrast, without on the one
hand:

It is a chaotic and disorganised country, but on the other hand it is a very friendly and beautiful
place. (Both things are true about the country.)

We can use on the contrary to emphasize that something is the opposite of something which has been
mentioned. We often use it to state that an original statement was not true, and we often use it
after a negative statement. On the contrary is much more common in writing than in informal
speaking:

He didn’t seem offended by her criticisms; on the contrary, he seemed to enjoy them.

He didn’t seem offended by her criticisms. On the contrary, he seemed to enjoy them.

(It was not true that he was offended by the remarks – he enjoyed them.)

Holistic medicine treats the whole person. In contrast, conventional medicine treats specific
symptoms and parts of the body.

(In contrast expresses a marked opposition between two ideas.)

He works slowly and precisely(,) whereas I tend to rush things and make mistakes.



We can use in comparison and, less commonly, by comparison to contrast two clauses or sentences.
They indicate how people and things are different when we compare them side by side:

London is England’s largest city. Its second city, Birmingham, in comparison, is rather small by
global standards.

Cynthia was very nervous. Martha was quite calm in comparison.


We can use in comparison with X, Y is … to make a contrast:

In comparison with his older brother, who never stops talking, he’s quite shy.


We use in contrast and, less commonly, by contrast to link two clauses. In contrast and by contrast
stress the difference between two people or things more strongly than in comparison and by
comparison:

Holistic medicine treats the whole person. Conventional medicine, in contrast, treats specific
symptoms and parts of the body.

Holistic medicine treats the whole person. In contrast, conventional medicine treats specific
symptoms and parts of the body.


We can use in contrast to or, less commonly, in contrast with to contrast two noun phrases:

In contrast to most of the city’s museums, the art museum is modern, bright and has a friendly
atmosphere.


COMPARING

I was brought up to be polite. Similarly, I have tried to teach my own children good manners.She
was brought up to be polite. Similarly, she has tried to teach her own children good manners.

Both students with special needs and non-special needs students can benefit from inclusion.

                                    INDICATING CAUSE and RESULT

Because / Since / As he passed his examination, he had some good news to tell his parents.

He passed his examinations. Therefore / As a result / Consequently, he had some good news to tell
his parents.

My suitcase had become damaged on the journey home, so that the lid would not stay closed.

                                                                                     (Adapted from:
       http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/comparing-and-contrasting/contrasts)



WRITING: Using language of contrast

https://www.leonardcheshire.org/sites/default/files/special-or-mainstream-school-signposts.png

Produce four sentences written in a formal style about education of students with sensory
(visual/hearing) impairments in the mainstream and in special schools. In each sentence, use one of
the expressions introduced above.

Alternatively, you may come up with a topic linked to the discipline you study.



(On the one hand)/On the other hand:
1_________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________


On the contrary:

2__________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________


In comparison, … // In comparison with…:

3__________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________


In contrast, … // In contrast to…:

4__________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________