Linking words

First watch this video about linking words.

Linking words and phrases

Sequence Result Emphasis
  • First / firstly, second / secondly, third / thirdly etc
  • Next, last, finally
  • In addition, moreover
  • Further / furthermore
  • Another
  • Also
  • In conclusion
  • To summarise
  • So
  • As a result
  • As a consequence (of)
  • Therefore
  • Thus
  • Consequently
  • Hence
  • Due to
  • Undoubtedly
  • Indeed
  • Obviously
  • Generally
  • Admittedly
  • In fact
  • Particularly / in particular
  • Especially
  • Clearly
  • Importantly
Addition Reason Example
  • And
  • In addition / additionally / an additional
  • Furthermore
  • Also
  • Too
  • As well as
  • For
  • Because
  • Since
  • As
  • Because of
  • For example
  • For instance
  • That is (ie)
  • Such as
  • Including
  • Namely
Contrast Comparison
  • However
  • Nevertheless
  • Nonetheless
  • Still
  • Although / even though
  • Though
  • But
  • Yet
  • Despite / in spite of
  • In contrast (to) / in comparison
  • While
  • Whereas
  • On the other hand
  • On the contrary
  • Similarly
  • Likewise
  • Also
  • Like
  • Just as
  • Just like
  • Similar to
  • Same as
  • Compare
  • compare(d) to / with
  • Not only…but also

Linking words – Informal & Formal

Use the formal linking words when writing essays.

Informal Formal
Anyways Nevertheless
Plus/Also Moreover/ Furthermore
But However
So Therefore/Thus
Also In addition, Additionally
I think In my opinion,
In the end, Finally
To sum up In conclusion,
In a nutshell/Basically To summarize,

Fill in the correct linking words!

Explanations and exercises

Otherwise – used after an order or suggestion to show what the result will be if you do not follow that order or suggestion. Informal: or else.
Example: I’d better write it down, otherwise I’ll forget it.

Whereas – compared with the fact that.
Informal: but
Example: She actually enjoys confrontation, whereas I prefer a quiet life.

However – despite this.
Informal: but.
Example: This is one possible solution to the problem. However, there are others.

Despite – not prevented by
Example: The overall situation is good, despite a few minor problems.

In fact – actually.
Example: He was in fact near death by the time they reached him.

 Therefore – for that reason
Informal: so
Example: The defendant was depressed and therefore not fully responsible for her own actions.


Although – despite the fact that.
Example: She walked home by herself, although she knew that it was dangerous.


Furthermore – in addition.
Example: The house is beautiful. Furthermore, it’s in a great location.

Consequently – as a result.
Informal: so
Example: I spent most of my money in the first week and consequently had very little to eat by the end of the holiday.

Moreover – (used to add information) also.
Example: The whole report is badly written. Moreover, it’s inaccurate.

 Instead – in place of someone or something else.
Example: There’s no coffee – would you like a cup of tea instead?

Nevertheless – despite what has just been said or referred to.
Example: I knew a lot about the subject already, but her talk was interesting nevertheless.

Hence – that is the reason or explanation for:
Example: His mother was Italian, hence his name – Luca.

Unless – except if.
Example: You can’t get a job unless you have experience (= you can only get a job if you have experience).

Do the following exercises and then continue to do exercise 1-5 here: https://www.grammarbank.com/conjunctions-quiz.html

You can also go to:

https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/4_writingskills/writing_tuts/linking_LL/linking3.html

Comparison

Likewise/similarly/at the same time/compared to X/in much the same way

Example

Labour has become the established party of government in much the same way the Tories were when they lost power 10 years ago.

 

Contrasting

However/unlike X/nevertheless/in contrast/instead/on the other hand

Example

However, the overwhelmingly positive official verdict of the economic and fiscal impact of the largest wave of migration to Britain in recent years is bound to prove highly controversial.

 

Cause-effect transitions

Therefore/thus/as a result/because/due to X/furthermore/in addition/besides that

Example

Furthermore, the wealth tied up in housing provides a huge potential source of capital to fund the environmental upgrading of our energy inefficient property sector.

Counter argument transitions

Of course/certainly/after all/on one hand/however/conversely/on the other hand/even though/nevertheless

Example

This satirical assault on the smoking lobby is lightweight in comparison with Michael Mann’s The Insider, but nevertheless makes for a sly comedy with lots of good gags.