Summary of Writing Professional Documents in English

Writing Professional Documents in English: A Student Guide

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Introduction

This study material explains common English connectors (linking words) and basic modal verbs used for advice and possibility. It is aimed at learners studying on their own and focuses on clear rules, examples, and practice exercises.

Connectors (Linking Words)

Connectors join ideas, sentences, or clauses. They help show contrast, result, addition, examples, and more.

Definition: Connectors are words or phrases that link ideas in a sentence or between sentences to show relationships such as contrast, cause, result, or addition.

Common connectors and their uses

  • Contrast (unexpected or opposite ideas): although, however, but

    • Example (although): Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
    • Example (however between sentences): It was raining. However, we still went outside.
    • Example (but inside a sentence): I like English but I don’t enjoy doing grammar exercises.

  • Result / consequence: therefore, so

    • Example (therefore, formal): It was late; therefore, we took a taxi.
    • Example (so, informal): It was raining, so we stayed at home.

  • Addition: in addition, and

    • Example (in addition, formal): The hotel was cheap. In addition, it was very clean.
    • Example (and): She speaks two languages: Spanish and English.

  • Giving examples: for example, such as

    • Example (for example): I like fruit, for example, apples and oranges.
    • Example (such as): I eat a lot of fruit, such as bananas and grapes.

Definition: A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. Connectors often join clauses to show how ideas relate.

Punctuation and placement tips

  • Use a comma after introductory connectors when they begin a sentence: However, Unfortunately, In addition, For example,
  • Use a semicolon before therefore when joining two independent clauses: We arrived late; therefore, we missed the beginning of the film.
  • Use commas around short examples: I like fruit, such as apples and oranges.
💡 Věděli jste?Fun fact: Connectors make writing clearer and help readers follow the writer’s logic, so using them correctly improves both writing and speaking.

Practice: Using Connectors

Fill the blanks with: and, but, because, so, although, however, therefore, in addition, for example, such as.

  1. I like English ______ I don’t enjoy doing grammar exercises.
  2. It was raining, ______ we stayed at home.
  3. I stayed at home ______ I was very tired.
  4. The restaurant is cheap. ______, the food is excellent.
  5. I like sports, ______ football and basketball.
  6. I eat healthy food, ______ I don’t like fast food.
  7. The exam was difficult. ______, I managed to pass it.
  8. We arrived late; ______ we missed the beginning of the film.
  9. She speaks two languages: Spanish ______ English.
  10. The city is very beautiful. ______, the people are friendly.

Answer Key

  1. but → I like English but I don’t enjoy doing grammar exercises.
  2. so → It was raining, so we stayed at home.
  3. because → I stayed at home because I was very tired.
  4. in addition → The restaurant is cheap. In addition, the food is excellent.
  5. such as → I like sports, such as football and basketball.
  6. but → I eat healthy food, but I don’t like fast food.
  7. however → The exam was difficult. However, I managed to pass it.
  8. therefore → We arrived late; therefore, we missed the beginning of the film.
  9. and → She speaks two languages: Spanish and English.
  10. for example → The city is very beautiful. For example, the people are friendly.

Modal Verbs for Recommendation and Possibility

Definition: Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs (should, might, may, could) that modify the main verb to express ability, possibility, permission, or advice.

Modal verb meanings at B1 level

ModalMain useMeaningExample
shouldAdvice / obligationRecommendation or what is right to doYou should see a doctor if you feel sick.
mightPossibilitySomething is possible but uncertain (less certain)She
Zaregistruj se pro celé shrnutí
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English Connectors & Modals

Klíčová slova: Professional Writing: English & Workplace Communication, Professional Writing: English & Grammar, Business Communication, Library, English Grammar

Klíčové pojmy: Connectors link ideas and show relationships like contrast, cause, result, addition, and examples., Although and however show contrast; use although within a clause and however between sentences., Therefore and so show results; use a semicolon before therefore when joining independent clauses., In addition and and add information; such as and for example introduce examples., Modal verbs include should (advice), might/may (possibility), could (possibility, past ability, suggestion)., Modals do not change form for different subjects and are followed by the base verb., Choose may for slightly more formal possibility or permission; might for less certain possibility., Use commas after introductory connectors and commas around short examples., Practice exercises help reinforce correct connector and modal selection., When two modal answers are possible, match choice to speaker certainty and formality.

## Introduction This study material explains common English connectors (linking words) and basic modal verbs used for advice and possibility. It is aimed at learners studying on their own and focuses on clear rules, examples, and practice exercises. ## Connectors (Linking Words) Connectors join ideas, sentences, or clauses. They help show contrast, result, addition, examples, and more. > Definition: Connectors are words or phrases that link ideas in a sentence or between sentences to show relationships such as contrast, cause, result, or addition. ### Common connectors and their uses - **Contrast (unexpected or opposite ideas):** although, however, but - Example (although): Although it was raining, we went for a walk. - Example (however between sentences): It was raining. However, we still went outside. - Example (but inside a sentence): I like English but I don’t enjoy doing grammar exercises. - **Result / consequence:** therefore, so - Example (therefore, formal): It was late; therefore, we took a taxi. - Example (so, informal): It was raining, so we stayed at home. - **Addition:** in addition, and - Example (in addition, formal): The hotel was cheap. In addition, it was very clean. - Example (and): She speaks two languages: Spanish and English. - **Giving examples:** for example, such as - Example (for example): I like fruit, for example, apples and oranges. - Example (such as): I eat a lot of fruit, such as bananas and grapes. > Definition: A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. Connectors often join clauses to show how ideas relate. ### Punctuation and placement tips - Use a comma after introductory connectors when they begin a sentence: However, Unfortunately, In addition, For example, - Use a semicolon before therefore when joining two independent clauses: We arrived late; therefore, we missed the beginning of the film. - Use commas around short examples: I like fruit, such as apples and oranges. Fun fact: Connectors make writing clearer and help readers follow the writer’s logic, so using them correctly improves both writing and speaking. ### Practice: Using Connectors Fill the blanks with: and, but, because, so, although, however, therefore, in addition, for example, such as. 1. I like English ______ I don’t enjoy doing grammar exercises. 2. It was raining, ______ we stayed at home. 3. I stayed at home ______ I was very tired. 4. The restaurant is cheap. ______, the food is excellent. 5. I like sports, ______ football and basketball. 6. I eat healthy food, ______ I don’t like fast food. 7. The exam was difficult. ______, I managed to pass it. 8. We arrived late; ______ we missed the beginning of the film. 9. She speaks two languages: Spanish ______ English. 10. The city is very beautiful. ______, the people are friendly. Answer Key 1. but → I like English but I don’t enjoy doing grammar exercises. 2. so → It was raining, so we stayed at home. 3. because → I stayed at home because I was very tired. 4. in addition → The restaurant is cheap. In addition, the food is excellent. 5. such as → I like sports, such as football and basketball. 6. but → I eat healthy food, but I don’t like fast food. 7. however → The exam was difficult. However, I managed to pass it. 8. therefore → We arrived late; therefore, we missed the beginning of the film. 9. and → She speaks two languages: Spanish and English. 10. for example → The city is very beautiful. For example, the people are friendly. ## Modal Verbs for Recommendation and Possibility > Definition: Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs (should, might, may, could) that modify the main verb to express ability, possibility, permission, or advice. ### Modal verb meanings at B1 level | Modal | Main use | Meaning | Example | |---|---:|---|---| | should | Advice / obligation | Recommendation or what is right to do | You should see a doctor if you feel sick. | | might | Possibility | Something is possible but uncertain (less certain) | She