---
title: "Cohesion within paragraphs"
description: "Use cohesive devices within a paragraph — including pronouns, adverbials (then, after that, firstly), and synonyms — to link sentences and build a coherent flow of ideas"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/cohesion-within-paragraphs-mt_4-vfMgmCVB
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/cohesion-within-paragraphs-mt_4-vfMgmCVB.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Cohesion within paragraphs

Use cohesive devices within a paragraph — including pronouns, adverbials (then, after that, firstly), and synonyms — to link sentences and build a coherent flow of ideas

Subject: English · Area: Grammar & Punctuation · Ages 9 to 11
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/cohesion-within-paragraphs-mt_4-vfMgmCVB

## Ready when they can

- Replace repeated nouns with pronouns or synonyms to maintain cohesion without ambiguity, e.g. 'The explorer found a cave. She examined it carefully'
- Use adverbials of sequence (firstly, then, next, finally) and cause (therefore, as a result, consequently) to connect ideas within a paragraph
- Identify where cohesion breaks down in a paragraph and insert appropriate linking devices to improve the flow

## Lesson: Making sentences flow together

A good paragraph doesn't feel like a list of separate facts. Each sentence connects to the one before it. You can build that connection with pronouns, with connecting words called adverbials, and with synonyms instead of repeating the same noun again and again.

**Example.** Read this: 'Maya opened the old box. Maya found a photograph inside the box. Maya smiled.' Every sentence starts with 'Maya'. Now read this: 'Maya opened the old box. Inside, she found a photograph. The girl smiled.' The pronoun 'she' and the synonym 'the girl' link the sentences without repeating the name.

*(drawing: Sequence words like these act as signposts, showing your reader the order that ideas happen in.)*

**Tip.** Some adverbials show cause instead of order: therefore, as a result, consequently. 'It rained all night. As a result, the football match was cancelled.' The second sentence explains what happened because of the first.

**Recap.** Link your sentences with pronouns, synonyms, and adverbials instead of repeating the same noun or starting every sentence the same way.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Pronouns for clarity](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/pronouns-for-clarity-mt_9yFAtUkoYr)
- [Organising Writing into Paragraphs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/organising-writing-into-paragraphs-mt_AvJMWQbDsr)
- [Expressing Time, Place and Cause](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/expressing-time-place-and-cause-mt_uorNrPTh6U)

## Opens up

- [Linking paragraphs with adverbials](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/linking-paragraphs-with-adverbials-mt_uvILgZq9HN)