Topic outline

  • General

  • Link Words

    Relating one idea to another is an essential function of language. This can be achieved through the use of linking words, which are conjunctions and adverbs that serve to connect thoughts. For instance, they can indicate that:

    - the information adds to what has already been mentioned (and...),

    - the information contrasts with the previous statement (but...),

    - the information serves as a reason, a result, or an example (because, for instance...).

  • Compound nouns and Adjectives

    In this unit we look at compound nouns and adjectives. These are groups of two or more nouns or adjective which are combined to express a complex single idea. Compounds are widely used in scientific and technological English as they allow new concepts with multiple meanings to be expressed in a concise way. There are a large number of frequently used formulaic compounds: "Greenhouse effect", "Geneva Peace Conference", "gamma ray detector" but there is no definitive list as combinations are always being "invented" to express new concepts.

  • Unit 3 Purpose and Process

    This unit deals with two closely linked concepts: purpose and process. Purpose

    is concerned with the question of why or for what reason something is done

    or exists, while the process describes how it is done.

    The process is frequently associated with the passive form.

  • Topic 4