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IBPS PO Sentence Connectors / Starters

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This page covers IBPS PO Sentence Connectors / Starters with complete concept notes, 1 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.

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Concept Notes

Sentence Connectors / Starters— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic

Core Concept

Sentence connectors are transition words that bridge ideas. They appear at the beginning of sentences to show how the new sentence relates to the previous one. Examples include 'however', 'therefore', 'moreover', 'meanwhile'

Key Rules

Different connectors serve different purposes. Addition connectors (furthermore, additionally, moreover) add similar ideas. Contrast connectors (however, nevertheless, on the contrary) show opposite ideas. Cause-effect connectors (therefore, consequently, as a result) show outcomes.

Time connectors (meanwhile, subsequently, eventually) show sequence.

Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

SSC CGL typically asks you to choose the right connector to complete a sentence. Questions often provide a sentence with a blank at the beginning, followed by four connector options. Another pattern involves identifying incorrect connector usage in given sentences. Some questions ask you to arrange sentences using appropriate connectors.

ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question

1: Use the 'meaning method'. Read the sentence without the connector first. Identify if the second part agrees with, opposes, or results from the first part.

Agreement needs addition connectors, opposition needs contrast connectors, and outcomes need cause-effect connectors. Shortcut Trick 2: Remember the 'comma rule'. Connectors like 'however', 'therefore', 'moreover' always take a comma after them when starting sentences. This helps eliminate wrong options quickly.

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on

1

Step 1

Identify the relationship. First sentence says sunshine was predicted. Second sentence says it rained. This shows contrast.

2

Step 2

Eliminate addition connectors. 'Moreover' and 'Furthermore' add similar ideas, so eliminate A and D.

3

Step 3

Check cause-effect. 'Therefore' shows result, but rain doesn't result from a sunny forecast. Eliminate B.

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Step 4

Select contrast connector. 'However' shows opposition between prediction and reality. Answer: C) However.

Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these

Students often confuse 'however' with 'but'. Both show contrast, but 'however' is more formal and always needs a comma after it when starting sentences. Another mistake is using 'therefore' for any connection, but it only works for cause-effect relationships. Another frequent error involves time connectors. 'Meanwhile' shows simultaneous actions, while 'subsequently' shows actions happening later.

Students mix these up and choose wrong options in sequence-based questions.

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Key Points to Remember

Sentence connectors link ideas and show relationships between sentences
Addition connectors: furthermore, moreover, additionally, besides
Contrast connectors: however, nevertheless, on the contrary, nonetheless
Cause-effect connectors: therefore, consequently, thus, as a result
Time sequence connectors: meanwhile, subsequently, eventually, afterwards
Most sentence-starting connectors require a comma immediately after them
Identify the relationship first, then choose the appropriate connector type
However shows contrast while therefore shows cause-effect relationship

Exam-Specific Tips

However, therefore, moreover always require comma when starting sentences
Meanwhile indicates simultaneous actions while subsequently shows sequence
On the contrary is stronger contrast than however or nevertheless
As a result and consequently are interchangeable in most contexts
Furthermore is more formal than additionally or besides
Thus and therefore both show cause-effect but thus is more concise
Nonetheless and nevertheless have identical meanings and usage
Eventually suggests final outcome while subsequently shows next step

Practice MCQs

Sentence Connectors / Starters — Practice Questions

1graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis

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Practice 1medium

Choose the most appropriate sentence connector to fill in the blank: The government launched several welfare schemes for the rural poor; _______, the implementation at the ground level remained alarmingly poor. (A) therefore (B) moreover (C) nevertheless (D) likewise

60-Second Revision — Sentence Connectors / Starters

Remember: Identify relationship first - agreement, opposition, or cause-effect
Formula: Contrast needs however/nevertheless, cause-effect needs therefore/consequently
Trap: However vs but - however is formal and needs comma after it
Quick check: Addition connectors cannot show contrast or cause-effect
Time rule: Meanwhile = same time, subsequently = later time
Comma rule: Sentence-starting connectors always need comma after them
Practice tip: Read sentence without connector to identify relationship type

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