In linguistics, cohesion refers to the way in which a text is connected and held together through the use of language. It refers to the ways in which various parts of a text are linked to one another to create a cohesive and coherent whole. Cohesion is an important aspect of written and spoken language, as it helps to make a text or conversation more understandable and easier to follow.
There are various types of cohesive ties that are used in language to create cohesion. These include:
- Reference:This type of cohesion involves the use of words or phrases that refer back to something previously mentioned in the text or conversation. For example, "The cat chased the mouse. It caught it in its paws."
- Substitution: This type of cohesion involves replacing a word or phrase with something else in order to avoid repetition. For example, "I don't like coffee, but my sister does. She drinks it every morning."
- Ellipsis: This type of cohesion involves leaving out words or phrases that have already been mentioned in the text or conversation. For example, "Mary went to the store, and John to the library."
- Conjunction:This type of cohesion involves the use of conjunctions to link sentences or clauses together. For example, "I went to the store, and I bought some groceries."
- Lexical cohesion:This type of cohesion involves the use of words that are related in meaning to create links between different parts of the text. For example, "The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was a deep shade of blue."
- Grammatical cohesion:This type of cohesion involves the use of grammatical structures to link different parts of the text. For example, "Although it was raining, I decided to go for a walk."
Overall, cohesive ties are essential in creating a text that is clear and easy to follow. By using various types of cohesive ties, writers and speakers can create a text or conversation that is more understandable and engaging for their audience.