-Placed in the middle of a sentence
-Used in writing and conversations
Giving illustrations or examples helps us prove our point and convince other people to believe us. These words help people understand what you’re trying to say and can help them see why you believe what you believe.
English Connectors for Cause and Effect | Usage | Context | Example Sentences |
---|---|---|---|
| -Used in everyday conversations and in writing -Most popular ways to give examples | Formal and informal | , she was able to solve a difficult math problem in half the time that everyone else did. , I spent four hours trying to learn how to use the . |
| -Used in everyday conversations and in writing -Can be used to give examples and list things | Formal and informal | teaching, journalism, advertising and so on. pizza, pasta and ravioli. |
-Similar to "for example" -Often used in writing | Usually formal | , he killed six women before being tracked down by the police. |
While discussing an issue or idea, you may want to focus on a particular point or example. To make the listener understand the importance of that specific idea, you can use the following connectors.
English Connectors for Emphasis | Usage | Context | Example Sentences |
---|---|---|---|
-Used quite often -Used at the beginning, middle or even the end of sentences -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , I think learning English was one of the best decisions I've ever made. , it's more common than you think. | |
-Used in writing and conversations -Used to indicate a fact supporting an opinion stated beforehand | Formal and informal | , there are 57 million speakers! , I don't miss meat at all! | |
-Similar to "as a matter of fact" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , I don't think it'll work this time either. , I make them every day. | |
-As the phrase suggests, it's used to highlight or emphasize a point that's more important than the others already stated -Often used in writing -May be used in everyday conversations as well | Usually formal | , without sunlight, there would be no life on this planet. , you have to be clear about what you want to say. | |
-Used to highlight a point or several points -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | since she's upset right now. rock and roll! | |
-Used to emphasize that a point (or several points) is important -Usually appears in writing | Usually formal | the invention of the light bulb. for his book "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." | |
-Only used in writing -Used to say that something is worth noting (compared to others) | Formal | is his work on child psychology. to the field of biology. |
Sometimes, we need to draw attention to certain similarities to make a point or explain something. This is especially important in writing!
To make better comparisons, use the following English connectors.
English Connectors for Comparison | Usage | Context | Example Sentences |
---|---|---|---|
-Used to say that the next point is similar to the previous one -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , dogs love chasing after balls. , squirrels use holes in trees to protect their babies. | |
| -Can be interchangeable with "similarly" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , my brother loves playing sports. , animals need a variety of foods, too. |
| -Used to add to a point made previously -Usually appear in writing -Used at the beginning of new paragraphs to ensure they're connected to the overall topic -Used as (that is, these words make new sentences and paragraphs flow with others) | Usually formal | , it explores racism in America in the 20th century. , it's great for remembering everything you've learned! |
-Can be used instead of "and" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | an excellent dancer. math. | |
-Used to give examples -Used to show how two things are alike -Used in writing and conversations | Mostly informal | his cousin. we're strangers. | |
-Similar to "also" and "similarly" -Used in writing | Usually formal | , her best friend also favors tea. studied English. |
Sometimes, we need to express different or contradicting ideas side-by-side. Doing this helps the listener or reader focus on important differences and makes them aware of the many sides of a topic.
English Connectors for Contrast | Usage | Context | Example Sentences |
---|---|---|---|
-Similar to "while" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | Maria is good at speaking. Chinese doesn't. | |
| -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | Rose was a hard-working student, she failed the entrance exam. you're young, you're very mature. |
-Similar to "but" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , you still need to exercise. , they can be expensive. | |
-Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , my friend prefers rainy seasons. , eating chocolate every day is bad for your health. | |
-Similar to "even though" or "although" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | the rain, we went for a walk and enjoyed the fresh air. their different personalities. | |
-More common way to say "in spite of" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | being warned, she still went into the scary woods. being tired. | |
-Mostly used in writing | Usually formal | , I think he's quite innocent and deserves a chance to explain himself. , I believe in aliens. |
These connectors are useful when you’re giving step-by-step instructions or listing points.
English Connectors for Sequence | Usage | Context | Example Sentences |
---|---|---|---|
-Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , you need to mix the flour, baking soda and cocoa powder together. , you need to carefully add the milk. , there's no evidence to support it. , the logic used isn't strong enough. | |
-Similar to "firstly... secondly..." -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , it only takes a few minutes a day. , anyone can do it. , I check my emails. , I reply to important messages. | |
-Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , it's delicious. Also, it cools me down on hot days. , it expands your communication skills. In the second place, it opens up new opportunities. | |
-Used to state the last point of a topic -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , the effects of the chemicals must be taken into consideration. , I organize my desk before leaving the office. | |
-When used in writing, it's an excellent way to begin the last or the second to the last paragraph -When used in speech, you can use it to give the final instructions or end a conversation | Formal and informal | , mix all the ingredients well. , after editing the document, I proofread for any errors. |
Finally , how do you let your reader know that you’ve reached the end? (See what I did there?)
There are certain connectors that we usually use during conclusions or when we’ve reached the end of what we wanted to say. When writing or stating conclusions, you usually repeat the most important points.
English Connectors for Conclusion | Usage | Context | Example Sentences |
---|---|---|---|
Used in formal writing as a way to begin the last or "concluding" paragraph in an essay or report | Formal | , we can't ignore the role modern science plays in our everyday lives. , it's crucial for everyone to be on the same page moving forward. | |
Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , you need to directly confront Kevin about the matter we've just discussed. , the story revolves around a young detective solving a mysterious case. | |
Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , I think Kayla should go to the party. , bilingualism enhances cognitive abilities and opens up cultural opportunities. | |
Used in conversations (though may also be used in writing) | Mostly informal | , organizing a surprise birthday party for Josh was certainly worth it. , I'd say the science fair was a success. |
Here are some quick tips that’ll help you learn English connectors more efficiently.
Make Your Own Sentences
To explain the meanings and uses of different connectors, I’ve provided example sentences for each. However, you’ll remember them much better if you come up with your own examples.
You can start by using connectors in your diary entries, notebooks, essays and the like. Soon, you’ll find yourself using these connectors in everyday speech as well!
Write a Short Story or Essay
To see the huge difference English connectors can make, try writing a paragraph without any connectors and then rewrite it using some of the connectors above. You’ll quickly realize that your sentences will flow better, sound more logical and become easier to understand.
Learn English with Authentic Content
You probably want to speak English like a native (or at least try to). So why not learn from natives? Try watching a speech in English to get a good idea of how these fit together. Look for the ones with transcripts that you can write notes in, maybe even circling all of the connecting terms as you see them.
You could also try a virtual immersion program. FluentU , for example, has a wide variety of videos on all kinds of topics.
Do Online Exercises
Finally, to check whether you’ve understood how to use connectors correctly, you can try online exercises from websites that cover English grammar .
For example, the ones on English Daily and English Grammar are pretty short and can be completed in a few minutes.
There’s also ToLearnEnglish , which provides a brief list of common connectors before you solve the exercise, making it a great resource for review.
Now that you know the most commonly-used English connectors, you can use them in sentences and paragraphs with great confidence. Try your hand at some of the exercises I’ve suggested for practice.
So what are you waiting for?
Get out there and start incorporating these useful English connectors into your everyday life!
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Linking words play an important role in academic writing: They connect different paragraphs, sections or ideas in a text. Therefore, they considerably improve the readability and argumentation of academic texts such as a thesis, dissertation, essay or journal publication. This list of 75 linking words includes examples of how they can be used in academic writing.
Example: First, I review the existing literature on cross-border collaboration. Second, I explain the methodology …
Example: The event increased public awareness of this issue. Afterwards, politicians debated it more openly.
Example: Before scientists discovered the role of neurons in information processing, they assumed that…
Example: Additionally, the interviewee lamented a lack of attention to his work.
Example: The financial compensation was also appreciated by the study participants.
Example: As the number of studies increases, better conclusions can be drawn.
Example: The literature highlights the importance of age and physical fitness. Consequently, these factors will be investigated further.
Example: Many scholars have explored this issue. Yet, to date, no inclusive framework exists to explain…
Example: People often stated that they are aware of the rules whereas they behaved as if they did not.
Example: E qually important, however, is the role of personal beliefs in decision-making processes.
If you are looking to elevate your writing and editing skills, I highly recommend enrolling in the course “ Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization “, which is a 4 course series offered by the University of Michigan. This comprehensive program is conveniently available as an online course on Coursera, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Plus, upon successful completion, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a valuable certificate to showcase your newfound expertise!
Example: Indeed, motivation turned out to be a defining factor of academic success.
Example: More importantly, the findings underscore the importance of conflict resolution.
Example: Many interviewees were nervous. For example, when asked to describe the event, some of them started to stutter.
Example: In conclusion, the reviewed literature highlights a clear research gap.
Example: In short, scholars call for more research on climate change mitigation.
Example: As long as the conditions do not change, the results should remain stable.
Example: Even if more experiments are conducted, human behaviour remains hard to predict.
Linking words expressing concessions in academic writing.
Example: Regardless of their genetic makeup, mice showcased the same symptoms.
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Published on May 29, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 23, 2023.
Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.
The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.
For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.
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When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words, other interesting articles.
Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.
Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.
The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.
If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.
Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently , France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However , Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.
While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.
In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.
The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.
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There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.
Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.
Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.
Function | Example sentence | Transition words and phrases |
---|---|---|
Addition | We found that the mixture was effective. , it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted. | indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both and , not only but also , , in fact |
Introduction | Several researchers have previously explored this topic. , Smith (2014) examined the effects of … | such as, like, particularly, including, as an illustration, for example, for instance, in particular, to illustrate, especially, notably |
Reference | The solution showed a high degree of absorption. , it is reasonable to conclude that … | considering , regarding , in regard to , as for , concerning , the fact that , on the subject of |
Similarity | It was not possible to establish a correlation between these variables. , the connection between and remains unclear … | similarly, in the same way, by the same token, in like manner, equally, likewise |
Clarification | The patient suffered several side effects, increased appetite, decreased libido, and disordered sleep. | that is (to say), namely, specifically, more precisely, in other words |
Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.
Function | Example sentence | Transition words and phrases |
---|---|---|
Conflict | The novel does deal with the theme of family. , its central theme is more broadly political … | but, however, although, though, equally, by way of contrast, while, on the other hand, (and) yet, whereas, in contrast, (when) in fact, conversely, whereas |
Concession | Jones (2011) argues that the novel reflects Russian politics of the time. this is correct, other aspects of the text must also be considered. | even so, nonetheless, nevertheless, even though, on the other hand, admittedly, despite , notwithstanding , (and) still, although, , regardless (of ), (and) yet, though, granted |
Dismissal | It remains unclear which of these hypotheses is correct. , it can be inferred that … | regardless, either way, whatever the case, in any/either event, in any/either case, at any rate, all the same |
Emphasis | The chemical is generally thought to have corrosive properties. , several studies have supported this hypothesis. | above all, indeed, more/most importantly |
Replacement | The character of Godfrey is often viewed as selfish, self-absorbed. | (or) at least, (or) rather, instead, or (perhaps) even, if not |
Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.
Function | Example sentence | Transition words and phrases |
---|---|---|
Consequence | Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. | therefore, because (of ), as a result (of ), for this reason, in view of , as, owing to x, due to (the fact that), since, consequently, in consequence, as a consequence, hence, thus, so (that), accordingly, so much (so) that, under the/such circumstances, if so |
Condition | We qualified survey responses as positive the participant selected “agree” or “strongly agree.” , results were recorded as negative. | (even/only) if/when, on (the) condition that, in the case that, granted (that), provided/providing that, in case, in the event that, as/so long as, unless, given that, being that, inasmuch/insofar as, in that case, in (all) other cases, if so/not, otherwise |
Purpose | We used accurate recording equipment our results would be as precise as possible. | to, in order to/that, for the purpose of, in the hope that, so that, to the end that, lest, with this in mind, so as to, so that, to ensure (that) |
Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.
Function | Example sentence | Transition words and phrases |
---|---|---|
Enumeration | This has historically had several consequences: , the conflict is not given the weight of other conflicts in historical narratives. , its causes are inadequately understood. , … | first, second, third… |
Initiation | , I want to consider the role played by women in this period. | in the first place, initially, first of all, to begin with, at first |
Continuation | , I discuss the way in which the country’s various ethnic minorities were affected by the conflict. | subsequently, previously, eventually, next, before , afterwards, after , then |
Conclusion | , I consider these two themes in combination. | to conclude (with), as a final point, eventually, at last, last but not least, finally, lastly |
Resumption | my main argument, it is clear that … | to return/returning to , to resume, at any rate |
Summation | Patel (2015) comes to a similar conclusion. , the four studies considered here suggest a consensus that the solution is effective. | as previously stated/mentioned, in summary, as I have argued, overall, as has been mentioned, to summarize, briefly, given these points, in view of , as has been noted, in conclusion, in sum, altogether, in short |
Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.
Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.
“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.
The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”
While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.
To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.
Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions . This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.
The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.
We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”
Students often use the phrase “ as well as ” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.
In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before “as well as” but not before “and.”
Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”
The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.
First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.
Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.
These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.
With the use of certain tools, you can make your writing clear. One of these tools is a paraphrasing tool . One thing the tool does is help your sentences make more sense. It has different modes where it checks how your text can be improved. For example, automatically adding transition words where needed.
If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or writing rules make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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Caulfield, J. (2023, August 23). Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-writing/transition-words/
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Introduction, what are linking words, why are linking words important, examples of linking words in english, 1. expressing addition, 2. expressing contrast, 3. expressing cause and effect, 4. expressing purpose, 5. illustrating or exemplifying, 6. time and sequencing, 7. re-phrasing, 8. introducing alternatives, 9. comparing, 10. ananalyzing, 11. summarizing.
Type of Linking Words | Examples | Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
1. | In addition, Additionally, As well (as), Moreover, What is more, Not only…but also…, Furthermore, Besides, Also, Too, And | If the project fails, this will have terrible consequences not only for our department but also for the whole organization. |
Although, Even though, In spite of, Despite, However, Yet, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, On the contrary, Whereas, On the one hand…but on the other hand…, Conversely, In contrast, But | Brain drain has terrible consequences on developing countries. Nevertheless, nothing has been done to solve the problem or at least reduce its negative effects. | |
Consequently, As a consequence, As a result, Therefore, Because of this, For this reason, Because, Since, As, For, Due to, Owing to | She remained silent, for she was too depressed to talk. | |
In order to, In order not to, So as to, So as not to, To, Not to, So that, In order that | She wakes up early in order to be on time to work. | |
For example, For instance, Such as, Namely, To illustrate, In particular | Participating in regular physical exercise offers various advantages. For example, it promotes cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and enhances overall well-being. | |
Meanwhile, Subsequently, Afterward, Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, Another, Additionally, Finally, Lastly, Ultimately, Subsequently, Eventually, Next, Then | Meanwhile, as the research continued, new data emerged, altering the initial hypothesis. | |
In other terms, Alternatively, In simpler words, Put differently, To put it another way, In a different light | The concept may be challenging; in other terms, it requires a deeper level of understanding. | |
Or better, Instead of, Alternatively, Rather (than), Or else, In lieu of, On the flip side, Otherwise | You can choose the standard shipping option, which takes 5-7 business days, or better, opt for expedited shipping for delivery within 2-3 business days. | |
Similarly, Likewise, In the same way, Just as, Like, Similarly (to), In comparison, By comparison, Compared to, In a similar fashion, In a similar vein | The new software interface enhances the user experience. Similarly, the updated mobile app provides a more intuitive design. | |
Accordingly, The result is, Results are, The consequence is, It can be seen, Evidence illustrates that, Because of this, Thus, Hence, For this reason, Owing to, This suggests that, It follows that, In that case, That implies | The team optimized the workflow; accordingly, improving overall efficiency. | |
In conclusion, To conclude, To sum up, In a nutshell, In brief, In short, All in all, Everything considered, Overall, To summarize | The research findings highlight the importance of sustainable practices in business. In conclusion, companies must prioritize eco-friendly initiatives for long-term success. |
Linking words (connecting words) are something we need to know in any style of writing, because it helps the reader to follow the flow of what you are saying. Whether it’s an argument in an essay , or an epic scene in a fantasy novel, your reader needs to be able to follow what you are saying. So, what are linking words, why should you bother learning them, and what does it look like in practice? Well, this guide will answer all of those questions!
What are linking words.
Linking words are words that connect ideas together in a piece of writing . It shows that two things are related in some way, or that the point you are making has supporting information. The difference between linking words and simple paragraph starters that we looked at previously, is that linking words can be found at the start of paragraphs, but also in the middle of sentences to connect two ideas together too.
The answer to this one is fairly straightforward. If you don’t know a variety of linking words to connect ideas together in a piece of writing, then you’re writing won’t make sense. In the very best case here, your reader will become confused and fail to follow the message you are trying to get across in your writing, because the bits of text that should ordinarily fit together, just won’t without the linking words there to connect them.
So, you know what they are and why you need to know them – but what are some examples of linking words? We couldn’t possibly include them all because there are literally hundreds, but hopefully by highlighting some examples and showing their importance in a sentence, you’ll be able to understand the job they do more clearly and focus on learning some other ones for yourself.
Linking words to add more information.
These words simply add additional information to your sentence or paragraph to show that two ideas are similar. Here are some examples:
Sometimes you need to link two ideas together that are actually opposites in terms of what you are trying to say. Here are some words that will help you do that:
If you’re trying to prove something or say something happened as a result of something else, then you will need words like the following:
There are many more examples and reasons for using linking words, but if you do some more research into the different linking words that there are, you’ll be able to see how you might use them to connect two ideas together in some way. Remember, they don’t always need to support one another. Sometimes ideas are connected because they oppose one another too.
Learn more with an ultimate guide to transition words and phrases in the English language.
Linking words – result.
Function: To provide the result of what has been stated or has occurred
Function: To put forward a point or idea more forcefully
Function: To add to what has been previously stated
Function: To provide reasons for what has been stated or has occurred
Function: To provide examples
Function: To show how things are different
Function: To show how things are similar
1. Function: To indicate the order of what is being said
2. Function: To mark the end of an ascending order
3. Definition: To mark the beginning of a descending order
Function: To sum up what has been previously stated
Function: To provide a condition to what has been stated
Function: Connecting words and phrases to accept a point or idea with reservation
Function: To make a general statement
Function: To express an alternative to what has been previously stated
Function: To a relationship between continuing ideas presented in your essay.
Function: To indicate that you will be exploring your ideas in more detail.
Function: To clarify spatial relationships/ provide spatial order and reference.
Learn transition words video with American English pronunciation.
Linking words and connector words are essential tools for effective communication and writing. They play a crucial role in connecting ideas, enhancing coherence, and guiding the flow of information. Whether you’re writing an essay, giving a presentation, or engaging in a conversation, using appropriate linking words can greatly improve the clarity and effectiveness of your message.
In this ultimate list of linking words, we have compiled a comprehensive collection of linking words along with examples to help you understand their usage and apply them in various contexts. From words that highlight contrast and similarity to those that indicate cause and effect or order of importance, this list covers a wide range of linking words to suit different purposes.
Ready to link your words? Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Linking words, also known as connector words or transition words, are words or phrases that connect ideas or parts of a text, providing coherence and smoothness to the overall flow of information. They serve as bridges between sentences, paragraphs, or even larger sections of a document, helping to establish relationships, indicate contrasts, add information, show cause and effect, provide examples, and more.
Here are some common categories of linking words with examples:
Addition: Words that show the addition of information or ideas.
These linking words and phrases can help you add information, reinforce ideas, or provide further examples in your writing or conversation. Use them appropriately to expand on your points and enhance the overall coherence and richness of your communication.
Contrast: Words that highlight differences or contrasting ideas.
These linking words and phrases can help you express contrasting ideas and show the differences between two or more concepts or situations. Remember to use them appropriately based on the context and your intended meaning.
Similarity: Words that highlight similarities or shared ideas.
These linking words and phrases can help you express similarities between two or more ideas, situations, or individuals. Use them appropriately based on the context to highlight shared characteristics or experiences.
Cause and Effect: Words that demonstrate cause and effect relationships.
These linking words and phrases can help you express the cause-and-effect relationship between events or actions. Use them appropriately based on the context to convey the reason and result of a particular situation or occurrence.
Time and sequence: Words that indicate time or sequence of events or actions.
These linking words and phrases can help you express the chronological order and sequence of events or actions. Use them appropriately to guide your audience through the progression of ideas or to outline the steps in a process or narrative.
Order of Importance: Words that highlight the hierarchy or ranking of ideas based on their significance.
These linking words and phrases can help you establish the order of importance when presenting ideas or arguments. Use them to emphasize the significance of certain points, highlight key considerations, or guide the reader’s attention to the most critical aspects.
Example: Words that provide examples or illustrate a point.
These linking words and phrases can help you introduce examples and provide further clarification or evidence to support your statements. Use them to enhance your explanations and illustrate your points effectively.
Here’s a list of linking words and phrases that are commonly used to illustrate an example, along with examples:
These linking words and phrases can help you direct attention or emphasize a specific aspect of your discussion or argument. Use them appropriately to highlight the main points or focus areas, ensuring clarity and precision in your communication.
Here’s a list of linking words and phrases that are commonly used to express focusing or directing attention, along with examples:
Conclusion: Words that summarize or conclude a text.
These linking words and phrases can help you signal the conclusion of your argument, presentation, or essay. Use them to summarize key points, restate your main argument, or provide a final thought or recommendation.
If you’d like more examples, check out this list of other ways to say in conclusion .
These are just some examples of linking words, and there are numerous other linking words and phrases available for different purposes and contexts. Using them appropriately can greatly enhance the clarity and coherence of your writing or speech. So, if you want to become more fluent in English, it’s time to start thinking about linking words!
All assignments are written in formal language. You need to ensure that you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding alongside your ability to answer the question/solve the problem.
Below are some ideas to help you to develop your structure and flow.
These words and phrases indicate the direction, order and flow of ideas. Significantly, they strengthen the quality and structure of your work.
Transitions link one main idea to another separated by a semi-colon or full-stop. When the transition word is at the beginning of the sentence, it should be followed by a comma:
Among other functions, they can signal cause and effect or sequencing (see examples in the table below).
Additional comments or ideas | additionally; also; moreover; furthermore; again; further; then; besides; too; similarly; correspondingly; indeed; regarding. |
Alternatives | whereas; conversely; in comparison; by contrast; another view is…; alternatively; although; otherwise; instead. |
Analysing results | therefore; accordingly; as a result of; the result is/results are; the consequence is; resulting from; consequently; it can be seen; evidence illustrates that; because of this; thus; hence; for this reason; owing to x; this suggests that; it follows that; otherwise; in that case; that implies; Author (year) suggests that; |
Cause / Reason | as a result of; because ( ) |
Compare | compared with; in the same way; likewise |
Contrast | by contrast; although; compared with; conversely; despite; however, nevertheless; yet |
Effect / Result | As a result; therefore; thus |
Emphasising earlier statements | however; nonetheless; furthermore; in the final analysis; despite x; notwithstanding x; in spite of x; while x may be true, nonetheless although; though; after all; at the same time; even if x is true; count |
Introducing examples | for example; for instance; namely; such as; as follows; as exemplified by; such as; including; especially; particularly; in particular; notably; mainly; |
Re-phrasing | in other terms; rather; or; better; in view of this; in contrast |
Sequencing | first (ly); second (ly); third (ly); another; additionally; finally moreover; also; subsequently; eventually; next; then |
Summary or Conclusion | in conclusion; therefore; to conclude; on the whole; hence; thus to summarise; altogether; overall; …following the research of…after analysis |
Linking words within a sentence are referred to as coordinating conjunctions. Do not worry about the term: think about the function.
for | connects a reason to a result |
and | connects equal and similar ideas |
nor | connects two negative ideas |
but | connects equal but different ideas |
or | connects two equal choices |
yet | connects equal and contrasting ideas |
so | connects a result to a reason |
Microsoft Word now has an additional feature within the Edito r - it is called conciseness or wordiness.
Examples: try to replace phrases with a single words which mean the same.
Instead of ... | Use ... |
employed the use of | used |
basic fundamentals | fundamentals |
alternative choices | alternatives |
in as few words as possible | concisely |
look into | investigate |
put on | gained |
turned down | rejected |
got better | improved |
hit and miss | erratic |
in spite of | although |
Additional resources to help you to improve your confidence and grades:-
Linking/Transition words - Scribbr https://www.scribbr.co.uk/syntax/transition-words-examples/ [Accessed 10 February 2023]
There are many books concerning academic writing, look around Dewey number 808
How to connect ideas at the sentence and paragraph level in academic writing.
Cohesion refers to the way we use vocabulary and grammatical structures to make connections between the ideas within a text. It provides flow and sequence to your work and helps make your paragraphs clear for the reader.
Cohesive devices are words and expressions that show relationships between parts of text and ideas, such as cause and effect, time, addition, or comparison and contrast.
Watch the video to learn how to make your ideas link together and your narrative flow.
Let’s look at types of cohesive devices.
Academic writing usually deals with complex ideas. To enable the reader to follow your thoughts, they need to be clearly and smoothly linked. To join ideas and sentences, we use a number of connecting words and phrases. For example:
Additionally, and, also, apart from this, as well (as), in addition, moreover, further, furthermore.
If, in that case, provided that, unless.
Correspondingly, equally, for the same reason, in a similar manner, in comparison, in the same way, on the one hand, similarly.
Alternatively, although, but, conversely, despite, even so, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, on the contrary, contrary to, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, on the other hand, rather, still, though, yet, whereas, while.
Again, in fact, interestingly, indeed, it should be noted (that), more important(ly), most importantly, to repeat, (un)fortunately, unquestionably.
A further instance of this is..., an example of this is…, for example, for instance, such as, thus, as follows.
In other words, more simply, namely, simply put, to put it differently / another way, such as, that is.
A / the consequence of, because, due to, for, the effect of …, since, the result of …
Accordingly, as a result/consequence, consequently, for this reason, hence, so, therefore, thus.
Admittedly, although, clearly though, even though, however, indeed, obviously.
As a rule, for the most part, generally, in general, in most cases, normally, on the whole, usually.
First, second, third (etc), next, before, earlier, finally, following, given the above, later, meanwhile, subsequently, then, to conclude, while.
Check a usage guide for exact rules for punctuation. Many introductory phrases have a comma after them. For example, 'therefore,' and 'in addition,'.
To avoid repeating words and phrases many times, we use cohesive devices to make references to other parts of a text, such as:
The Australian prime minister has called an early election. The date was selected to coincide with the start of the Olympic Games. This decision was based on the views of his ministerial advisors, who predicted that voter confidence in the government’s policies would be strong at this time . As previously mentioned , decisions on the timing of elections are based on predictions of voter confidence in the existing government.
In the example above:
We often use words and phrases to highlight new information for the reader. This helps make a smooth transition from one point to another. Such phrases include: the following, as follows, below, next, subsequently .
The following dates have been proposed for the forthcoming election: September 8, September 15 and 3 October.
The next issue to be discussed is the influence of the media on voter confidence in the government.
Apart from using the linking words / phrases above, showing the link between paragraphs could involve writing ‘hand-holding’ sentences. These are sentences that link back to the ideas of the previous paragraph. For instance, when outlining the positive and negative issues about a topic you could use the following:
When you are ready to move your discussion to the negative issues, you could write one of the following as a paragraph opener:
It is always important to make paragraphs part of a coherent whole text; they must not remain isolated units.
When you are editing your next written assignment, ask yourself the following questions as you read through your work (Gillett, Hammond, & Martala, 2009):
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By: Author Sophia
Posted on Last updated: October 26, 2023
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Linking words and phrases are used to show relationships between ideas. They can be used to join two or more sentences or clauses.
We can use linking words to give a result , add information , summarize , give illustrations , emphasize a point , sequence information , compare or to contrast idea .
In this article, you will learn about the most common linking words and phrases:
Usage : To provide the result of what has been stated or has occurred
Linking W ords :
Usage : To add to what has been previously stated
Linking Words:
Usage : To sump up what has been previously stated
Linking words :
Usage : To provide examples
Linking words:
Usage : To put forward a point or idea more forcefully
Usage : To indicate the order of what is being said
Usage: To show how things are similar
Usage : To show how things are different
Below is a handy list of words that are both useful and appropriate to academic language:
Other linking words to give an example or an illustration:
Sunday 26th of November 2023
Must say extremely helpful . Stranded as I was nd I found this .theeeee best 10 /10
Momovi Burain
Thursday 10th of November 2022
Very very educational
Sunday 16th of October 2022
what the dog doing
Tuesday 23rd of August 2022
good website with good information
Friday 21st of January 2022
dijah said it is goooooooooooooooooood
Formal Linking Words / Cohesive Devices
Linking words can also be referred to as connectors, conjunctions, and cohesive devices. This webpage includes a useful lesson on helping improve students’ knowledge of these linking words. It includes a lesson plan using a kinaesthetic matching activity and worksheet.
Lesson: matching activity.
Cut these up and students match
Print off and give this to students as a helpful reference guide.
online resources
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Connecting words and phrases in the English language is one area you will need to master, as you are learning the language. The English language is difficult, but hopefully, this short article will help you understand how to use linking words and phrases correctly.
Words and phrases need to be connected for a variety of reasons. For example, you may want to make a comparison, contrast, show purpose or demonstrate condition. Most of the connectives, words that form the connection, are used to join two clauses together or start a new sentence expanding on the previous statement.
Linking Clauses Within A Sentence
The words included here are used when you want to join two parts of the sentence together.
Although/even though
In spite of/despite
Above are different word choices you may use when you are linking two parts (or clauses) of a sentence. This list is by no means extensive and you may find other connectives that fit your subject better. These are just a few examples to show you some different connectives and how they can be used within a sentence.
Linking Two Separate Sentences
The linking words and phrases included here are used when you want to link two complete sentences together. Remember, if a connective word starts the sentence it should be followed by a comma. The words in this section will be grouped, as they can often be used in place of one another.
As a result/Consequently/Furthermore
Besides/Furthermore/In addition/More over
However/Nevertheless/Nonetheless
In the same way/ Likewise/ Similarly
The above words can be used if you are linking two separate sentences together. As stated before, the list is not exhaustive. However, this should give you a good idea of the connectives out there and the way to use them to join two sentences.
The English language is tricky to learn and connecting words (or connectives) are part of that. Hopefully, there are enough examples of linking words and phrases included here to get you started. You may even be able to add more to the list yourself.
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In this useful lesson, we’re going to explore some magic keys that help link your ideas together in English: essay connectors! Think of these connectors as bridges that help your thoughts flow smoothly from one to the next, making your stories and explanations easier to follow.
Whether you’re just starting your English learning journey or looking to polish your skills, these connectors will be your best friends in writing and speaking more clearly. So, get ready to add some sparkle to your English with these handy tools!
Connectors are words or phrases that join two or more sentences together. They can be used to create smooth, logical sentences. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common connectors in English and give you some examples of how to use them.
They are also called linking words or linking phrases.
Connector words and phrases help to create a smooth, logical flow of ideas in your essay. They make your writing easier to read and understand.
It is always a good idea to start your essay with a strong sentence. One way to do this is to use a result connector. A result connector shows the outcome or consequence of something. Here are some examples:
Contrast connectors show the difference between two things. Here are some examples:
Time connectors express when something happens or how long it lasts. Here are some examples:
Condition connectors are words or phrases that show a condition or requirement. Here are some examples:
Unless you study hard, you’ll never pass the test.
If it starts to rain, we’ll have to go inside.
Addition connectors express addition or increase. Here are some examples:
furthermore, moreover, and in addition.
Cause and effect connectors express the relationship between two things. They show how one thing caused another thing to happen. Here are some examples:
Location connectors express where something takes place. Here are some examples:
Purpose connectors express the reason why something is done. They show the purpose of an action or event. Here are some examples:
Comparison connectors compare two things. They show how they are similar or different. Here are some examples:
Conditional connectors express a hypothetical situation. They show what would happen if something were to happen. Here are some examples:
As you can see, there are many different types of essay connectors in English. These connectors help you create clear and logical sentences. By using them correctly, you can make your writing sound more professional and academic.
Using connectors in essays requires a few steps:
Here’s an example:
Result: I didn’t get a good grade on my test.
Contrast: However, I got a good score on the practice test.
The result of not studying was that I got a bad grade on my test. However, the contrast is that I did well on the practice test.
Make sure your sentences are properly connected with a connector to create a logical argument. By using connectors, you can make your writing clear and concise.
Now that you know all about essay connectors, try using them in your own writing. Practice makes perfect, so keep practicing until using connectors becomes second nature to you. Soon, you’ll be writing essays that are clear, concise, and well-organized.
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Learning english, linking words, how difficult was this activity.
Practise your writing by choosing the correct linking words to complete the different sentences.
Connectives.
There are words in the English language that act like glue to help you stick your sentences together and show the relationships between the ideas that you want to express. These words are called 'connectives' (or 'linking words'). Connectives help your essay 'flow' and read more coherently. More specifically, connectives help you:
Are you in the process of proof-reading your essay? See if you can add a few of these words, especially at the beginnings of sentences.
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Connectives fall into three grammatical categories: conjunctions, prepositions, and adverbs. Conjunctions: are a type of connective BUT they're not the same. Conjunctions join words, phrases, clauses and sentences together to form longer complex sentences. For example: and, but, for, or, yet.
Worried that your essay lacks structure and coherence? Perhaps you should use linking words, transition words, or connectors to give it a boost. Linking words join separate sentences to improve writing flow. You can also find them mid-sentence to connect clauses. Read on as I show you the definition and types of linking words in English.
Connectives connect and relate sentences and paragraphs. They assist in the logical flow of ideas as they signal the relationship between sentences and paragraphs. In prose, the material is supported and conditioned not only by the ordering of the material (its position) but by connectives which signal order, relationship and movement.
English connectors are little words and phrases that help you connect sentences, paragraphs and ideas. Used both in spoken and written English, they help make your English sound more logical and structured. You can think of connectors as like the thread that holds a necklace's beads (i.e. sentences, paragraphs and ideas) together.
Linking words play an important role in academic writing: They connect different paragraphs, sections or ideas in a text. Therefore, they considerably improve the readability and argumentation of academic texts such as a thesis, dissertation, essay or journal publication. This list of 75 linking words includes examples of how they can be used in academic
Linking words generally come before a new idea as a way to introduce it. This includes new clauses, new sentences, and new paragraphs, as well as standalone words and phrases. When a linking word or phrase begins a sentence, clarity is usually helped if you place a comma after it. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches contain a lot of healthy ...
Example sentence. Transition words and phrases. Addition. We found that the mixture was effective. Moreover, it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted. indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both x and y, not only x but also y, besides x, in fact. Introduction.
Linking words, also referred to as transition words, connectives, or cohesive devices, play a crucial role in enhancing the structure and coherence of written and spoken English. These words and phrases serve as bridges between ideas, helping readers or listeners navigate through the text or speech more smoothly.
Linking Words to Add more Information. These words simply add additional information to your sentence or paragraph to show that two ideas are similar. Here are some examples: It started to rain and I got soaked - 'and' is the linking word that connects the two ideas of the individual being in the rain and getting soaked.
These linking words and phrases can help you express similarities between two or more ideas, situations, or individuals. Use them appropriately based on the context to highlight shared characteristics or experiences. Examples: Likewise: Sarah enjoys reading; likewise, her brother is an avid reader.
Linking/Transition Words. Transitions link one main idea to another separated by a semi-colon or full-stop. When the transition word is at the beginning of the sentence, it should be followed by a comma: Among other functions, they can signal cause and effect or sequencing (see examples in the table below). Additional comments or ideas.
Connecting words are words or phrases that are used to connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs together. They help to create a smooth flow of information and make the text more coherent. Connecting words can be used to show contrast, cause and effect, addition, and many other relationships between ideas.
50 linking words to use in academic writing. academic writing. linkers. essay writing. thesis. ESL. English. It's very common for students to use long words they don't understand very well in their essays and theses because they have a certain idea of what academic writing should be.
To join ideas and sentences, we use a number of connecting words and phrases. For example: Addition To add an idea. Additionally, and, also, apart from this, as well (as), in addition, moreover, further, furthermore. Condition to provide a condition. If, in that case, provided that, unless. For comparison To show how things are similar.
Sharing is caring! Linking words and phrases are used to show relationships between ideas. They can be used to join two or more sentences or clauses. We can use linking words to give a result, add information, summarize, give illustrations, emphasize a point, sequence information, compare or to contrast idea.
Linking: Cohesion & Coherence Worksheet. This worksheet helps to consolidate what is 'cohesion' with a focus on pronouns, word forms and summary nouns. It also includes a coherence sheet on key connections and two practice activities. Example Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Webpage Link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP.
A complete List English Linking & Connecting Words Keywords: Linking words, Connectin Words, Conjunctions, Transitions Created Date: 3/6/2014 4:33:01 PM ...
Transitions and Connectives Words or phrases used to create logical links between sentences, paragraphs, and sections of a paper. These may help create sentence variety in essays, short answer questions, and more. To introduce: To add or continue: To indicate order or importance: To conclude: To compare/contrast: To show cause/effect:
Danny forgot to water the plants. As a result, the leaves started to wilt. As a result of your eating habits, you have put on weight. As a result of rash driving, the numbers of accidents are on the rise. Danny didn't study hard.
The above words can be used if you are linking two separate sentences together. As stated before, the list is not exhaustive. However, this should give you a good idea of the connectives out there and the way to use them to join two sentences. In Summary. The English language is tricky to learn and connecting words (or connectives) are part of ...
Using connectors in essays requires a few steps: Choose the connector that best suits your needs. Connect the two sentences with the connector. Make sure the sentences are logically connected. Here's an example: Result: I didn't get a good grade on my test. Contrast: However, I got a good score on the practice test.
A comic book. This reading and writing activity looks at how linking words are used in a text. Read the article about comic books and choose a word to complete the sentence. B1-B2. 5-10 minutes. Independent.
There are words in the English language that act like glue to help you stick your sentences together and show the relationships between the ideas that you want to express. These words are called 'connectives' (or 'linking words'). Connectives help your essay 'flow' and read more coherently. More specifically, connectives help you: