Contrastive Conjunction and Modal Perfect

Types of conjunction

Different types of conjunctions link information in different ways. It is important to know which conjunctions establish which types of links.

There are five main types of conjunction in English.

1. Conjunctions of addition and replacement

Additive conjunctions simply add more information to what is already there. Examples of additive conjunctions include:

and, also, in addition, not only … but also, moreover, further, besides.

Example:

The study used a small sample only and was strongly criticized for this reason. Furthermore, the initial premise of the research was considered questionable in the light of previous evidence.

Conjunctions of replacement replace one piece of information with another. That is, they offer an alternative. Conjunctions of replacement include the words:

or, or else, alternatively.

Example :

The results could be interpreted to mean that high levels of protein are beneficial to diet generally. Alternatively, they could also mean that high protein levels are only beneficial to severely overweight males.

2. Conjunctions of comparison, contrast and concession

Comparative conjunctions are used to link two ideas that are considered to be similar. Comparative conjunctions include the terms:

in the same way, likewise, just as, both … and.

Example :

Reading aloud to young children stimulates their interest in books. Similarly, visiting libraries or book fairs has been shown to increase children’s readiness to engage with print.

Contrastive conjunctions link two ideas that are considered to be different. Examples of contrastive conjunctions include:

but, however, in contrast, on the contrary, instead, nevertheless, yet, still, even so, neither … nor.

Example :

This evidence points clearly to a fall in the number of unemployed. On the other hand, anecdotal evidence from reputable charities suggests that the number of people seeking financial support has increased.

Concessive conjunctions are a subgroup of contrastive conjunctions. They are used to contrast one idea with another where one piece of information appears to be surprising or unexpected in view of the other idea. Examples of concessive conjunctions include:

though, although, despite, in spite of, notwithstanding, whereas, while.

Example :

Even though money has been poured into literacy programs, literacy levels among 12-15 year olds do not appear to be improving.

Pattren   

Modal + have + past participle

Could + have + Verb-3 

Would + have + Verb-3 

Might + have + Verb-3

Should + have + Verb-3

Must + have + Verb-3

The following are some modal perfect including their meanings and examples

Modal Perfect	Meaning	Example
Could have	We had the ability to do something in the past, but we didn’t do it.	The report is considered nonfactual. Renny could have interviewed some people before writing it.
Would have	We wanted to do something, but we didn’t do it in the end.	I would have finished is last nigh. Now I am still doing my work.
Might have	It is possible that something happened in the past, but we aren’t sure.	We did not see Andra at the meeting. He might have forgotten it.
Should have	It was the right thing to do, but we didn’t do it.	Alex had negative thoughts about you. You should have him the truth.
	We expected something to happen, but it didn’t.	Lina is disappoited. Her father should have bought her a bicycle.
Must have	We are almost sure something happened in the past.	My younger sister is verry happy. She must have got the doll she longed for some time.

(Modal Perfect)