Kevin Pelton (ESPN) on Jazz
- Thread starter latin jazz
- Start date
Sentence connectors are conjunctions, they link two sentences together in some way that gives more meaning to the sentences as a unit than either possesses on its own.
therefore, consequently, thus, then, so -- the second is a result of the first
however, nevertheless -- the second is in some fashion opposed to the first
in fact, moreover, in addition -- the second in some way supports or reinforces the first
meanwhile -- the second is generally simultaneous with the first
By contrast, there is no such definition for "alas", it only changes the meaning of one sentence/clause. Much like "hooray", "dang", etc., it expresses an emotional response to the sentence it affects. That's an interjection.
If you really want to claim it's a sentence connector, offer an example of two sentences connected by "alas", and how it speaks tot he relationship of these sentences with each other.
Did you really think I would not go back to it and link the page?
https://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alas
alas
Use Alas in a sentence
a·las [uh-las, uh-lahs]
interjection
(used as an exclamation to express sorrow, grief, pity, concern, or apprehension of evil.)
Who were you trying to kid? Is this just trolling, and you don't care that what you are saying is completely false?
What connection does "alas" form in that sentence, which is not present in "There were none left". For that matter, how does the meaning of the sentence differ from "alas, there were none left". An adverb changes emphasis by it's position, and connectives need to reflect their position in the sentence, "alas" is immune to these effects.
Excerpting this part for self-serving reasons. Just wanted to highlight that this isn't a concept pulled entirely from thin air.
Read on.....
My quote is from the link you provided..... maybe you stopped reading before other definitions were provided.... Hit the link button..... scroll down..... Got it yet?
My quote is from the link you provided..... maybe you stopped reading before other definitions were provided.... Hit the link button..... scroll down..... Got it yet?
That example was snipped from your source (Dictionary.com), which may be a hint that your argument might be week. Email the English PhDs at the dictionary, I'm sure they will either defer to your wisdom and make appropriate corrections, or, if not, have a good laugh.
candrew
Well-Known Member
The concept was correct - the application was incorrect.
Alas, I feel the points of disagreement to be rather minute, and perhaps even secondary to what is proving to be the larger, unintended debate: "Who has the most condescending style of discourse?"
OK, it's further down under "World English Dictionary". Interesting. I apologize for saying you presented that information falsely. I was wrong there.
The main definition entry only identifies it as an interjection. I don't know what the "World English Dictionary" entry is based on, other than it comes from the "Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition", which I have never heard of before.
Again, if you really want to compare authority:
sentence connector (aka conjunction) or interjection: Collins
adverb: Cambridge
interjection/exclamation (only): American Heritage, MacMillan, Merriam-Webster, Oxford
However, by all means, email the English PhDs at the American Heritage, MacMillan, Merriam-Webster, and Oxford dictionary committees, I'm sure they will either defer to your wisdom and make appropriate corrections, or, if not, have a good laugh.
I'm still waiting to hear an argument from anyone that "alas" is being used to connect the two clauses in the sentence offered. I accept that you don't feel up to offering that argument.
I do, of course, by reputation if for no other reason.