Question 1
The team trained hard all season. Therefore, their victory came as no surprise.
💡 'Therefore' links the two ideas by showing that the second is a logical result of the first.
Year 7 — Grammar & Language
Cohesion
Use cohesive devices within a paragraph, use cohesive devices between paragraphs, and avoid unnecessary repetition.
Understand
Cohesion means how well the different parts of a text connect and flow together, so a reader can follow ideas smoothly rather than experiencing a series of disconnected sentences. Cohesive devices include connectives (however, therefore, furthermore), pronouns referring back to something already mentioned, and synonyms used to avoid repeating the same word. Strong cohesion works both WITHIN a paragraph (linking sentences) and BETWEEN paragraphs (linking ideas across the whole text).
“The new policy faced fierce criticism. However, its supporters argued that the long-term benefits would outweigh any short-term difficulties. This argument, though contested, gained increasing traction over time.”
'However' connects two contrasting ideas (criticism vs. support), and 'This argument' refers back to the previous sentence without repeating it entirely — both are cohesive devices that make the paragraph read smoothly as connected reasoning, rather than three unrelated statements.
Spot it
Identify the cohesive device used in each example.
Question 2
Maria finished the report early. She then submitted it before the deadline.
💡 'She' refers back to 'Maria' without repeating her name, creating smooth cohesion.
Question 3
The storm was ferocious. This violent weather event caused significant damage.
💡 Using 'this violent weather event' instead of simply repeating 'the storm' avoids unnecessary repetition while maintaining cohesion.
Think about it
Why might a paragraph with no connectives at all — just a series of separate statements — feel disjointed to a reader, even if every individual sentence is grammatically correct?
Try it
Identify the missing cohesive device that would best link these ideas.
The evidence for the theory was strong. ___, several scientists remained unconvinced.
Question 1
Which connective best fits the gap, given the contrast in ideas?
💡 The second sentence contrasts with the first ('strong evidence' but people remained 'unconvinced') — look for a contrast connective.
Practise
Choose the most appropriate cohesive device for each gap.
Question 1
"It rained heavily all day. ___, the outdoor event was cancelled." Best connective?
Question 2
"Many students dislike homework. ___, it can genuinely improve understanding." Best connective?
Question 3
"The company invested heavily in research. ___, its products consistently improved." Best connective?
Question 4
In one word, what do we call the overall quality of how well ideas in a text connect and flow together?
💡 It's the topic of this lesson.
Question 5
Why use a pronoun ('she', 'it', 'this') instead of repeating a noun?
Question 6
"For example" is used to introduce...
Apply
Read the passage, then answer the questions below.
Recycling rates have improved significantly in recent years. This progress, however, has not been evenly distributed across all regions. Some areas have embraced new initiatives enthusiastically; others, meanwhile, have struggled with funding and infrastructure. Addressing this imbalance, therefore, should be a key priority moving forward.
Question 1
What does "this progress" refer back to in the second sentence?
💡 Pronoun-like references typically point back to something already mentioned.
Question 2
What relationship does "therefore" signal in the final sentence?
Question 3
Quote the connective used to contrast 'some areas' with other areas in the third sentence.
💡 It appears between 'others' and the rest of that clause.
Challenge
Explain in two or three sentences how the cohesive devices in this passage ("this progress", "however", "meanwhile", "therefore") work together to build a logically connected argument, rather than a list of separate, unrelated facts.
Review
A quick mastery check — 3 questions.
Question 1
Cohesion refers to...
Question 2
"However" is typically used to signal...
Question 3
Why might a paragraph with no connectives feel disjointed?
Want to practise clause order and connectives across sentences? Try the sentence builder →