Section 4 / Lesson 4 - Sequencing ideas
Processes always have a start and an end, so in this class, we will look at the language that we can use to show this order.
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Most of this language can be used for 'change over time' questions, but it's also essential for describing a process. The order of process will always be one of the 'main features' of the information which you are asked to describe in the question.
Sequencing words
The simplest way to show the order of events is by using sequencing adverbs or prepositional phrases (both used the same way). Remember, we are trying to show a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures in our answers, so use them sparingly.
Below, there are five sentences that describe the stages of a frog's lifecycle:
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1. A tadpole, which has gills, hatches from an egg.
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This is the first step in the process. To show this we could use:
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Firstly, a tadpole, which has gills, hatches from an egg.
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Initially, a tadpole, which has gills, hatches from an egg.
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In the first stage, a tadpole, which has gills, hatches from an egg.
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2. Its tail grows larger.
3. Two back legs form just in front of its tail.
4. They develop lungs, which allow them to emerge from the water.
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These sentences are in the middle of the process. To show their order relative to each other, we could use:
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Secondly, its tail grows larger.
(thirdly, fourthly... However, do not count through all the steps like this as it is very repetitive)
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Afterward, two back legs form just in front of its tail.
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Later, they develop lungs, which allow them to emerge from the water.
(We could also use: subsequently or soon after, but you do not need to memorise a great number of these. Choose a few and practice using them in your answers)
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5. Their tail shrinks and they grow two front legs.
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This is the final step of the process so we can use:
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Finally, their tail shrinks and they grow two front legs.
Lastly, their tail shrinks and they grow two front legs.
In the end, their tail shrinks and they grow two front legs.
How to use present perfect to show sequencing
In the previous lessons, we looked at why we usually want to use the present simple tense for processes. However, the marking rubric, which I have a lesson about here, shows that we need to use a range of grammar in our answers. The structure below allows us to use the present perfect tense, and sequence our ideas in one.
After present perfect, present simple.
The green sentence is the first action in the process
The blue sentence is the second action in the sequence.
After the tadpole has hatched from the egg, its tail starts to grow longer.
After the froglet has emerged from the water, it grows front legs.
We can also use this structure with passive voice:
After lungs have been grown, the frog can emerge from the water.
Finally, we can add additional information using relative clauses:
After the tadpole, which has gills, has hatched from the egg, its tail starts to grow longer.
Before + ing
In a previous lesson on linking, which you can find here, we looked at using 'before' with a gerund (a verb + ...ing so it can be used as a noun). This should be used when two steps in a process have the same subject. In the example below, the froglet is the subject of both sentences.
The froglet develops lungs before emerging from the water.
Before emerging from the water, the froglet develops lungs.
Adding it all together
You should combine these techniques to make a natural-sounding but interesting paragraph.
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Firstly, a tadpole, which has gills, hatches from an egg. After this has happened, its tail starts to grow longer. Subsequently, two back legs form just in front of its tail. After lungs have fully developed in order to breath air, it can emerge from the water. Lastly, before becoming an adult frog, their tail shrinks and they grow two front legs.
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red = extra information