Time Sequencers and Connectors

• We use time sequencers to show the order of actions. We use connectors to link ideas like cause, effect, and contrast in our sentences.
• Connector
• Function
• Example
• First / Then
• To show order of events
• First, I started the app. Then, I saw the error.
• When / While
• To link actions in time
• While the system administrator was working, the server went down.
• Because / So
• To show cause and result
• The database went down, so the system failed.
• Although
• To show contrast
• Although we searched the logs, we did not find the bug.
• Remember
• Use 'first' and 'then' to show step-by-step actions in a process.
• Use 'while' with the past continuous for longer actions that were happening at the same time.
• Use 'because' to explain the reason, and 'so' to explain the result.
• Use 'although' to connect two contrasting ideas in one sentence.
• Examples
• Although the system administrator was tired, he investigated the bug.
• First, Sean opened the console. Then, he looked at the stack trace.
• We got a new server because the database was slow.
• Common mistakes
• Although the bug was difficult, but Allison solved it.
• Although the bug was difficult, Allison solved it.
• First of all I checked the code, then I ran it.
• First of all, I checked the code. Then, I ran it.

Complete the sentences

• I did not find the clue (reason) ____ I did not look at the stack trace.
• First, Allison debugged the code. (sequence) ____ , she wrote a test.
• We did not find a solution, (result) ____ we decided to use a workaround.
• (contrast) ____ the database went down, the system administrator fixed it quickly.
• Sean found the root cause (during) ____ he was reading the logs.
• The programmers were happy (at that moment) ____ they solved the mystery.

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