TOEFL Words of Addition

TOEFL Words of Addition: Prepositions

Prepositions are grammatical words that typically show the relationship between nouns (or pronouns) and other elements in a sentence. They often indicate location, direction, time, or relationships in terms of place or manner. Now, let’s explore how the prepositions can be used to add to a previous idea:

1. In addition to:
   • Example: “The company expanded its product line. In addition to smartphones, they now offer tablets and laptops.”
   • In this sentence, “in addition to” introduces additional items (tablets and laptops) that supplement the existing idea (smartphones).
2. Alongside:
   • Example: “The new employee worked alongside the experienced team members, learning from their expertise.”
   • “Alongside” implies working together with others, complementing the previous idea of gaining knowledge from experienced team members.
3. Besides:
   • Example: “She enjoys hiking, besides skiing in the winter.”
   • “Besides” adds information about another activity (skiing) that she enjoys in addition to hiking.
4. Including:
   • Example: “The package includes a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, gym, and spa.”
   • “Including” lists specific items that are part of a larger group, elaborating on the amenities mentioned earlier.
5. With regard to:
   • Example: “With regard to the recent changes in the law, we need to review our company’s compliance policies.”
   • “With regard to” introduces a topic (recent law changes) that needs further consideration in relation to company policies.
6. As for:
   • Example: “We’ve covered the budget, and as for the schedule, it remains unchanged.”
   • “As for” shifts the focus to another aspect (the schedule) while keeping the original topic (the budget) in mind.

These prepositions help connect ideas smoothly and provide additional information or context, enhancing the overall clarity and coherence of the text.

 Transition Words

Transition words serve to connect ideas and add to the flow and coherence of a text. Let’s explore how these transition words can be used to add to a previous idea:

1. Moreover:
   • Example: “The company reported higher profits this quarter. Moreover, they successfully launched a new product line.”
   • “Moreover” emphasizes that another significant point (successful product launch) follows, strengthening the initial idea of increased profits.
2. Furthermore:
   • Example: “The research findings support the hypothesis. Furthermore, the study provides valuable insights for future investigations.”
   • “Furthermore” signals that additional information or evidence (valuable insights) is being presented to build upon the initial statement about research findings.
3. Additionally:
   • Example: “In addition to cost savings, the new energy-efficient appliances are environmentally friendly. Additionally, they offer improved performance.”
   • “Additionally” highlights a second advantage (improved performance) in addition to the previously mentioned benefit of cost savings and environmental friendliness.
4. Besides:
   • Example: “Besides her primary job as a teacher, she volunteers at the local animal shelter on weekends.”
   • “Besides” introduces an additional role (volunteering) that the person has in addition to their primary job as a teacher.
5. Likewise:
   • Example: “John enjoys playing the piano. Likewise, his sister is passionate about playing the violin.”
   • “Likewise” draws a parallel between John’s interest (piano) and his sister’s interest (violin), emphasizing their shared passion for music.

These transition words facilitate the logical progression of ideas, demonstrating relationships between different pieces of information and enhancing the reader’s or listener’s understanding of the text.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinators, or subordinating conjunctions, are used to introduce dependent clauses that provide additional information or context in relation to the main clause. Here’s how these subordinators can be used to add to a previous idea:

1. Although / Despite / In spite of:
   • Example: “Although it rained heavily, the outdoor event continued as planned.”
   • “Although,” “Despite,” and “In spite of” all introduce a contrast or unexpected situation (heavy rain) in relation to the previous idea (continuation of the outdoor event).
2. Even though:
   • Example: “Even though she was exhausted, she stayed up late to finish her assignment.”
   • “Even though” emphasizes that despite her exhaustion, she took the action of staying up late to complete her assignment.
3. While:
   • Example: “While I understand your concerns, I believe this decision is necessary.”
   • “While” introduces an opposing viewpoint or consideration (concerns) in conjunction with the main idea (the necessity of the decision).
4. Since:
   • Example: “Since the traffic was heavy, they arrived at the party late.”
   • “Since” explains the reason (heavy traffic) for the outcome (late arrival at the party), adding context to the previous idea.
5. Because / As:
   • Example: “Because it was her favorite movie, she watched it multiple times.”
   • “Because” and “As” both provide the reason (favorite movie) behind the action (watching it multiple times) mentioned earlier.

These subordinators help establish causal relationships, contrasts, and reasons between clauses, enhancing the overall coherence and depth of the text by providing context and additional information.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinators, also known as coordinating conjunctions, are used to connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance within a sentence. Here’s how these coordinators can be used to add to a previous idea:

1. And:
   • Example: “She loves to read books, and she also enjoys writing short stories.”
   • “And” is used to link two related activities, indicating that both reading books and writing short stories are of equal importance or relevance.
2. But:
   • Example: “The weather was beautiful, but they decided to stay indoors and work on their project.”
   • “But” introduces a contrast or an unexpected decision (choosing to stay indoors) in relation to the initial idea of beautiful weather.
3. Or:
   • Example: “You can choose either the red shirt or the blue one.”
   • “Or” presents options or choices related to the previous idea of selecting a shirt, indicating that both options are acceptable.
4. Nor:
   • Example: “Neither the raincoat nor the umbrella could keep him dry during the heavy downpour.”
   • “Nor” is used in negative sentences to indicate that neither of the mentioned items (raincoat or umbrella) was effective.
5. Yet:
   • Example: “She studied diligently, yet she didn’t perform well on the exam.”
   • “Yet” introduces an unexpected result (poor performance on the exam) in contrast to the initial idea of diligent studying.
6. So:
   • Example: “The store was closed, so they decided to go shopping at another mall.”
   • “So” indicates a consequence or a decision (going shopping at another mall) that follows the initial idea of the store being closed.
7. For:
   • Example: “She loves to travel, for it allows her to explore new cultures and meet interesting people.”
   • “For” is used to provide a reason (exploring new cultures and meeting interesting people) that supports or explains the previous statement about her love for travel.

Coordinating conjunctions help convey relationships between ideas, contrasting or connecting them to create coherent and well-structured sentences and paragraphs.

Quiz

Here’s a 10-question multiple-choice test to assess your understanding of prepositions, transition words, coordinators, and subordinators:

Question 1: The weather forecast predicts rain ___ the weekend, so you should bring an umbrella. A) on B) during C) at D) in

Question 2: She enjoys playing the guitar, ___ her brother prefers the piano. A) but B) when C) besides D) however

Question 3: We need to leave early, ___ we won’t be late for the meeting. A) and B) because C) so D) but

Question 4: He went to the store ___ to buying groceries. A) in addition to B) as for C) likewise D) despite

Question 5: ___ we had a reservation, there was a long wait for a table at the restaurant. A) Even though B) Furthermore C) Since D) Alongside

Question 6: Please pass the salt. ___, can you also give me the pepper? A) For B) And C) But D) So

Question 7: The museum is open ___ Mondays and Wednesdays. A) because B) nor C) yet D) on

Question 8: She is interested in art ___ she has never visited an art gallery. A) although B) likewise C) moreover D) but

Question 9: I want to buy a new car ___ my limited budget. A) in addition to B) in spite of C) or D) besides

Question 10: He missed the bus ___ he overslept. A) over B) while C) and D) but

Check Answers

Michael Buckhoff, mbuckhoff@aol.com

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