essay writing linking words and phrases

Transitional Words and Phrases

One of your primary goals as a writer is to present ideas in a clear and understandable way. To help readers move through your complex ideas, you want to be intentional about how you structure your paper as a whole as well as how you form the individual paragraphs that comprise it. In order to think through the challenges of presenting your ideas articulately, logically, and in ways that seem natural to your readers, check out some of these resources: Developing a Thesis Statement , Paragraphing , and Developing Strategic Transitions: Writing that Establishes Relationships and Connections Between Ideas.

While clear writing is mostly achieved through the deliberate sequencing of your ideas across your entire paper, you can guide readers through the connections you’re making by using transitional words in individual sentences. Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between your ideas and can help your reader understand your paper’s logic.

In what follows, we’ve included a list of frequently used transitional words and phrases that can help you establish how your various ideas relate to each other. We’ve divided these words and phrases into categories based on the common kinds of relationships writers establish between ideas.

Two recommendations: Use these transitions strategically by making sure that the word or phrase you’re choosing matches the logic of the relationship you’re emphasizing or the connection you’re making. All of these words and phrases have different meanings, nuances, and connotations, so before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely, and be sure that it’s the right match for your paper’s logic. Use these transitional words and phrases sparingly because if you use too many of them, your readers might feel like you are overexplaining connections that are already clear.

Categories of Transition Words and Phrases

Causation Chronology Combinations Contrast Example

Importance Location Similarity Clarification Concession

Conclusion Intensification Purpose Summary

Transitions to help establish some of the most common kinds of relationships

Causation– Connecting instigator(s) to consequence(s).

accordingly as a result and so because

consequently for that reason hence on account of

since therefore thus

Chronology– Connecting what issues in regard to when they occur.

after afterwards always at length during earlier following immediately in the meantime

later never next now once simultaneously so far sometimes

soon subsequently then this time until now when whenever while

Combinations Lists– Connecting numerous events. Part/Whole– Connecting numerous elements that make up something bigger.

additionally again also and, or, not as a result besides even more

finally first, firstly further furthermore in addition in the first place in the second place

last, lastly moreover next second, secondly, etc. too

Contrast– Connecting two things by focusing on their differences.

after all although and yet at the same time but

despite however in contrast nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding

on the contrary on the other hand otherwise though yet

Example– Connecting a general idea to a particular instance of this idea.

as an illustration e.g., (from a Latin abbreviation for “for example”)

for example for instance specifically that is

to demonstrate to illustrate

Importance– Connecting what is critical to what is more inconsequential.

chiefly critically

foundationally most importantly

of less importance primarily

Location– Connecting elements according to where they are placed in relationship to each other.

above adjacent to below beyond

centrally here nearby neighboring on

opposite to peripherally there wherever

Similarity– Connecting to things by suggesting that they are in some way alike.

by the same token in like manner

in similar fashion here in the same way

likewise wherever

Other kinds of transitional words and phrases Clarification

i.e., (from a Latin abbreviation for “that is”) in other words

that is that is to say to clarify to explain

to put it another way to rephrase it

granted it is true

naturally of course

finally lastly

in conclusion in the end

to conclude

Intensification

in fact indeed no

of course surely to repeat

undoubtedly without doubt yes

for this purpose in order that

so that to that end

to this end

in brief in sum

in summary in short

to sum up to summarize

Improving Your Writing Style

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Clear, Concise Sentences

Use the active voice

Put the action in the verb

Tidy up wordy phrases

Reduce wordy verbs

Reduce prepositional phrases

Reduce expletive constructions

Avoid using vague nouns

Avoid unneccessarily inflated words

Avoid noun strings

Connecting Ideas Through Transitions

Using Transitional Words and Phrases

• Academic writing
• Commonly confused words
• Critical thinking
• PEEL Paragraphs
• Linking/transition words
• Paraphrasing
• Proofreading
• Terms and definitions
• Action Words: What is description, application, analysis and evaluation

Linking/transition words: Things you need to know...

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.

• Linking / transition words and phrases join ideas, sentences and paragraphs together. They should be used within sentences and to move from one idea to another (between sentences).   

These words and phrases indicate the direction, order and flow of ideas. Significantly, they strengthen the quality and structure of your work.

• Redundant Words - less is more.  P articularly when trying to reduce the word count, it is important to look for phrases which can be replaced with a single word.

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).

Linking words: conjunctions

Linking words within a sentence  are referred to as coordinating conjunctions.  Do not worry about the term: think about the function.

Conciseness / redundant words

Microsoft Word now has an additional feature within the Edito r - it is called conciseness or wordiness.  

• If you cannot see the Editor menu a quick tip is to hold down the function (fn key at the bottom left of the keyboard) + F7 (top line of keys).
• From the Refinements section - select Conciseness - if there are any suggestions a number will appear in the box alongside this option
• A dotted line will appear under any groups of groups
• Either select the identified text by clicking with your right mouse button OR click on the down down next to the Conciseness menu.
• MS Word will display any alternative words which you can either select and they will be replaced in your text or reject if you want to keep the original phrases.

Examples:  try to replace phrases with a single words which mean the same.

Need to know more...

• Related pages
• External links
• Academic writing Illustrates the main features of academic writing so that you are aware of what it is and what it involves
• Critical Thinking Academic work involves thinking, not just accepting what you read or are told.
• Terms and Definitions Important words appear in your assignments and examinations. The aim of this factsheet is to help you to fully understand what they mean.

Additional resources to help you to improve your confidence and grades:-

• Writing Effectively  demonstrates the importance of: clarity, structure, relevance, argument and precision.
• Writing Mechanics  gives further examples and resources on areas including: sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

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

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75 linking words for academic writing (+examples)

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.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase using the links below at no additional cost to you . I only recommend products or services that I truly believe can benefit my audience. As always, my opinions are my own.

Linking words expressing order and sequence in academic writing

Linking words expressing additions in academic writing, linking words expressing cause and effect in academic writing, linking words expressing contrasts and comparisons in academic writing, linking words expressing emphasis in academic writing, linking words expressing illustrations in academic writing, linking words expressing summaries and conclusions in academic writing, linking words expressing conditionality in academic writing, linking words expressing generalisations in academic writing, linking words expressing concessions in academic writing.

1. First(ly), second(ly), third(ly)

Example: First, I review the existing literature on cross-border collaboration. Second, I explain the methodology …

Example: The thesis starts with a literature review. Next, I describe the case study design.

Example: Finally, recommendations for future research are presented.

4. Subsequently

Example: Study participants underwent several experiments and were subsequently examined.

5. Afterwards

Example: The event increased public awareness of this issue. Afterwards, politicians debated it more openly.

6. Eventually

Example: Eventually, this led to the creation of a social movement.

Example: Before scientists discovered the role of neurons in information processing, they assumed that…

8. Previously

Example: Previously, scholars believed that nurture was the most important factor in a child’s development.

Example: Scholars examine the causes and effects of poverty.

10. Furthermore

Example: Furthermore, the data illustrates the number of chemicals that can be found in drinking water.

11. Additionally

Example: Additionally, the interviewee lamented a lack of attention to his work.

12. As well as

Example: Scholars utilise qualitative as well as quantitative methods to study this phenomenon.

13. Besides

Example: Besides the public outreach component, we wrote a handbook to disseminate the research results in the academic community.

Example: The financial compensation was also appreciated by the study participants.

15. Moreover

Example: Moreover, interviewees were asked to describe their own experiences.

You may also like: How to paraphrase a quote: 4 simple strategies

16. Because

Example: This theory was ultimately rejected because it was built on a flawed dataset.

Example: The outcomes improved since different parties joined forces.

Example: As the number of studies increases, better conclusions can be drawn.

Example: Scientists realised that the data analysis had flaws. So they decided not to run the same data analysis again.

20. Therefore

Example: Many researchers have conducted this experiment with similar results. Therefore, this theory can be debunked.

21. Consequently

Example: The literature highlights the importance of age and physical fitness. Consequently, these factors will be investigated further.

Example: Due to a low response rate, the study’s validity is low.

23. Nevertheless

Example: One academic study found the opposite results. Nevertheless, it can be argued that…

Example: Many scholars have explored this issue. Yet, to date, no inclusive framework exists to explain…

25. Although

Example: Although a confidentiality agreement was provided, study participants were hesitant to disclose private information.

26. In spite of

Example: In spite of the different study contexts, all experiments pointed to similar results.

27. Whereas

Example: People often stated that they are aware of the rules whereas they behaved as if they did not.

Example: While older studies often emphasise structural effects, newer ones tend to highlight the role of agency.

29. In contrast

Example: In contrast to previous findings, my analysis shows that…

30. Similarly

Example: One study found that the majority of residents in disadvantaged areas do not have access to sufficient resources. Similarly, my research revealed that most residents live too far away from the services and resources they would need to climb the social ladder.

31. Equally

Example: E qually important, however, is the role of personal beliefs in decision-making processes.

32. Likewise

Example: The interviewee considered this issue important and expected his colleagues to do likewise.

33. On the other hand

Example: On the one hand, research in this field advanced considerably in the last 20 years. On the other hand, a lot remains unclear.

Example: Unlike social scientists, physical scientists often conduct laboratory examinations.

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!

35. Particularly

Example: Particularly relevant for this study is the molecular orbital theory.

36. Especially

Example: Especially younger interviewees expressed dissatisfaction with the status quo.

37. Above all

Example: Above all, this method can generate better insights into the physical processes at hand.

Example: Indeed, motivation turned out to be a defining factor of academic success.

38. Clearly

Example: Clearly, these scholars were not aware of recent advances in medical sciences.

39. Definitely

Example: This was definitely the most important event of the year.

40. Importantly

Example: More importantly, the findings underscore the importance of conflict resolution.

41. Undoubtedly

Example: Undoubtedly, all stakeholders had good intentions.

42. Obviously

Example: Obviously it is too early to draw final conclusions.

43. Of course

Example: Of course, this study should be replicated in a different context.

44. Surprisingly

Example: Surprisingly, all results were unambiguous.

45. Such as

Example: Scientists have explored different parts of the problem, such as CO2 emissions and hydrological processes.

46. For example

Example: Many interviewees were nervous. For example, when asked to describe the event, some of them started to stutter.

47. For instance

Example: Scholars have criticised this approach for different reasons. For instance, they argued that qualitative methods are insufficient to draw generalisable conclusions.

48. In this case

Example: Difficulties arise when no study participants can be found. In this case, alternative methods should be considered.

50. To conclude

Example: To conclude, the empirical analysis supports previous research findings.

51. In conclusion

Example: In conclusion, the reviewed literature highlights a clear research gap.

52. To sum up

Example: To sum up, a mixed methods approach is a better choice than a purely quantitative one.

53. In summary

Example: In summary, it is my opinion that conditions should be improved.

54. In short

Example: In short, scholars call for more research on climate change mitigation.

55. Altogether

Example: Altogether, these examples support the main argument.

Example: Energy supply became a growing problem. Thus, new policies were implemented.

Example: The first dataset was incomplete. Hence, a new dataset had to be developed.

Example: Unless stated otherwise, I refer to the concept as…

59. As long as

Example: As long as the conditions do not change, the results should remain stable.

Example: If scientists study this phenomenon in the future, they should pay attention to structural drivers.

61. Provided that

Example: Provided that nothing changes, the effects on society will be negative.

Example: Should the distribution change, it is fair to expect…

63. Even if

Example: Even if more experiments are conducted, human behaviour remains hard to predict.

Example: Often, this issue was flagged by interviewees themselves.

65. Commonly

Example: Commonly, this criterion is used for categorising plants.

66. Overall

Example: Overall the data confirmed the hypothesis.

67. Typically

Example: Typically emotions run high in such situations.

68. Generally

Example: Generally speaking, scholars address this issue from two angles.

Example: Mainly researchers in the global North discuss this phenomenon.

Example: Mostly, these results cannot be replicated outside of the lab.

71. Even if

Example: This is hard to prove. Even if the study sample is large enough.

72. Regardless of

Example: Regardless of their genetic makeup, mice showcased the same symptoms.

Example: Albeit experiencing setbacks, successful students do not get discouraged.

74. Admittedly

Example: Admittedly, the validity of this study should be increased.

75. Nonetheless

Example: Nonetheless, this study can be seen as a valuable contribution to the international literature.

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Linking Words And Phrases In English (List With Examples)

In this study guide, you will learn how to use linking words in English. You will discover the meaning of common linking words and learn how to use them in a sentence. Examples are provided to show you the sentence position and use of common linking words in English. Check out the exercises at the end to test your understanding!

What are linking words?

• Meanings & uses
• List with examples

What you will learn:

Discourse markers (‘linkers’) are words or phrases that we use to make links between words in a sentence. These discourse markers are used in both spoken and written English.

Here we will focus on discourse markers in writing and formal spoken English – commonly known as ‘linking words’. Linkers are a way of making connections between ideas and sentences.

Formal and informal linkers

Informal linking words are used in spoken English. You can link your ideas with words and phrases like: I mean , honestly , after all , besides and in any case . It is useful to learn which linking words are most appropriate in formal and informal situations. In an email, you might choose linking words such as so , but , and because . These should already be familiar.

In an essay, you are more likely to choose formal linkers, such as therefore , however , consequently, on the contrary and moreover . There are some linking words that are so formal that you may choose not to use them at all in your writing. Examples include: thus , hence and nonetheless .

Linking words and sentence position

Many linking words are used at the beginning of a sentence, while others can be used in the middle or at the end. Words and phrases connected with sequencing and structure appear at the start of a sentence. Examples include: first , secondly , finally and in conclusion . Adverbs, which express the writer’s opinion, also occur at the start of a sentence, for example evidently and obviously .

Linking words can be used between clauses, in the middle of the sentence. Examples include: words that contrast ideas ( however , although), show consequence ( therefore, as a result), and phrases that add more information ( moreover, furthermore) . A few linking words can be placed at the end of the sentence. Look at the following example: Learning a second language is motivating. It can be very difficult, however .

Punctuation

The use of punctuation with some linking words and phrases is important. Some grammar books provide you with specific rules about punctuation and clauses in a sentence. The most important reason for using punctuation in a sentence is so the reader can understand your intended meaning.

Punctuation, particularly commas , should help the reader to identify clauses in your writing and lead to a clearer understanding of the text. Look at these two example sentences – which is easier to understand?

A: To conclude the cars of the future are likely to be more environmentally friendly however this change may take many years to implement and moreover will require the support of the general public.

B: To conclude, the cars of the future are likely to be more environmentally friendly, however, this change may take many years to implement and, moreover, will require the support of the general public.

Linking words are very important in written texts. Without them, your writing may be disconnected and difficult to read. In English examinations, students are often graded on their ability to write cohesive sentences. Therefore, learning how to use linking words correctly is an important skill in learning English as a second language. The examples below will help you to understand the meaning of linking words in written texts and to improve your own linking skills!  

Linking words: meanings and uses

Conjunctions are a familiar group of linking words, which join two clauses in a sentence, such as but , because or however.  In fact, linking words have many different functions in a sentence and range from single words to phrases of up to four words. The categories below show the most common types of linking words.

Sequencing First, secondly, subsequently, finally

Words like first , second and finally appear at the start of a sentence. They help the reader to navigate their way through the text. They are used in essays but also in instructions, for example recipes.

Adding information In addition, also, furthermore, what is more

These linking words are used to give additional information or to strengthen our argument.

Comparison Similarly, equally, likewise

We use these linking words to add further examples or to make connections between ideas.

Giving examples For example, for instance, e.g., such as

Use these linking words to give examples.

Consequence Consequently, therefore, as a result, hence

These linking words can be used to describe how one idea logically follows another.

Generalisation On the whole, generally, in general

These linking words are usually positioned at the start of a sentence. They are used before a general statement.

Summing up To sum up, in summary, to summarise, to conclude, in conclusion

These types of phrases are commonly used to start the final section of an essay. They are also used in formal spoken English, for example a speech or the TV news, to signal to the listener that the speech is coming to an end.

Contrasting However, on the other hand, conversely, in contrast, rather, while, whereas

These linking words are used to introduce an idea or argument that contrasts with what has been said before. In an essay, they are useful for introducing, for example, the disadvantages in an advantages and disadvantages essay. The use of rather in this context is very formal.

Stating fact In fact, as a matter of fact, actually

These types of linking words can be used to signal to the reader that the writer’s meaning is different to what the reader expects.

Concession Although, despite, in spite of, even though

These linking words are used to show that we acknowledge another person’s opinion, even if we may not agree with it.  

A-Z List of common linking words with examples

The list below includes all the commonly used linking words in written English. Example sentences are also provided to help you understand them in context.  

Additionally Additionally , students should complete at least 3 hours of homework per week.  

As a result In recent years, few students have studied languages at school. As a result , the number of people taking language courses at degree level has decreased.  

But It is important to adjust your mirrors, but do not do this while driving your car.

Consequently John did not study hard for his exams. Consequently , his grades was disappointing.

Conversely People who have no savings often have trouble when applying for bank loans. Conversely , those who already have savings find it much easier to get credit.

Equally Studying languages face-to-face has a positive impact on learning. Equally , online learning can allow students to progress quickly.

Firstly, secondly, etc. Firstly , we’d like to say a warm welcome to all our new undergrads. Secondly , we’d like to remind you that students should attend all lectures on time for the duration of the semester.

For example You should wear suitable clothing for this trip. For example , a waterproof coat and a warm hat.  

For instance You can substitute some ingredients in this recipe. For instance , honey can be used instead of sugar.

Furthermore In my opinion, the government should provide adequate guidance on physical exercise. Furthermore , I believe it has a duty to advise the public on health and diet.

Generally (speaking) Generally , working from home is less stressful and more productive than working in a noisy office.

Hence Mark had inherited a lot of money from his grandmother; hence the large house.  

However Sports facilities, such as gyms and swimming pools, help people to keep fit. However , people also need motivation to help them improve their health.

In addition As a community, we should do more to improve our wellbeing. In addition , the government should start a new advertising campaign to promote health and fitness nationwide.

In conclusion In conclusion , the advantages of tourism outweigh the disadvantages.

In contrast Working from home can save time and money. In contrast , commuting long distances to work every day can be time-consuming and expensive.  

In fact We didn’t enjoy the film. In fact , it was pretty terrible!

In general In general , working from home is more convenient than travelling to the office.

In particular Young children are influenced by the people around them, in particular their parents.  

In spite of this Tony was not offered a place at his chosen university. In spite of this , he achieved a first class degree and went on to have a successful career.

Likewise Squirrels feed on hard grains and nuts, using their sharp front cutting teeth to break up their food. Likewise , rats are able to gnaw through hard materials.

Moreover Children from less affluent households were reported to read less. Moreover , children who did not have books in the house were found to be much more likely to have a low reading age.

Nevertheless You should try to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and reduce your fat intake. Nevertheless , any changes you can make to your diet will have a positive effect.  

Nonetheless The disadvantages of living in a city include noise and pollution. Nonetheless , the majority of people still choose to live in urban areas.

On the contrary On the contrary , many students chose universities that showed a good standard of teaching rather than a high ranking.

On the other hand Tourism can have a positive effect on the wealth of a country. On the other hand , it can also have a negative impact on the environment.

On the whole On the whole , most students prefer informal tutorial groups to large group lectures.  

Rather Rob wasn’t successful in the interview, rather he was given some advice on improving his application.

So I really love Spanish culture, so I’m looking forward to my trip to Madrid next month.

Such as Stringed instruments, such as the violin and the cello, are among the most difficult to learn.

Therefore Sue broke her leg. Therefore , she was unable to attend work for a month.

Thus The availability of high-sugar and high-fat foods has had an impact on people’s health; thus , the rate of obesity is increasing.

To conclude To conclude , a child’s home background has a dramatic effect on their educational achievement.

To summarise To summarise , consumer habits are changing: there has been a marked increase in the amount of clothing and technology sold online during the pandemic.

To sum up To sum up , learning a new skill, like a language, can be challenging, but it is also rewarding.

Similarly Similarly , increasing the price of fuel and raising parking charges may discourage people from driving into city centres.

Still Digital technology has made working from home easier. Still , many people prefer the social contact of going to their workplace.

What is more Too much screen time may affect children’s activity levels. What is more , extended time spent using electronic devices may have a negative impact on their eyesight.

Whereas Boys tend to develop physical skills, such as jumping, at a young age, whereas girls tend to develop fine motor skills.

While While men still make up the largest proportion of students on science courses, the number of women is steadily increasing.

Yet The penalties for breaking the law are high, yet some people continue to commit crimes.  

Linking words: exercises

• Which of these groups of linking words show consequence? a. however, although, but b. therefore, so, as a result c. for example, such as d. to conclude, in summary, to sum up
• Which of these groups of linking words are used to contrast ideas? a. however, although, but b. therefore, so, as a result c. for example, such as d. to conclude, in summary, to sum up
• Which linking word does not belong in this group? a. on the whole b. in general c. as a result d. generally
• Which statement is correct? a. Linking words can be positioned at the start, middle or end of a sentence. b. Linking words can be positioned at the start or end of a sentence. c. There are no rules about where linking words can be positioned in a sentence. d. Linking words can be positioned at the middle or end of a sentence.
• Which word is spelled incorrectly ? a. nonethemless b. consequently c. similarly d. likewise
• Which word has a similar meaning to ‘sum up’? a. in conclusion          b. in addition          c. in contrast
• I eat lots of vegetables, _______________ carrots, broccoli and peppers. a. such as b. similarly          c. therefore
• Jason’s income has decreased in recent months, ________ he needs to be careful with money. a. although b. therefore          c. however
• The weather here reaches around -10ºC in winter, ________ the summer is quite warm. a. whereas    b. so c. in addition
• _____________ measure the dry ingredients and put them in a bowl. a. in spite of this      b. first          c. hence
• You can use a paper dictionary to check vocabulary. _________, you can use an electronic dictionary. a. in any case b. subsequently c. equally d. for instance
• Eating healthy food can have an impact on your weight and your health. ____________, you should try to limit your consumption of fatty food. a. rather b. in particular c. despite this d. while
• There are many ways to read a book electronically. _________, many people still choose to buy paperback books. a. to sum up          b. yet      c. for example        d. what is more
• Many people like the convenience of working solo from home. _____________, working with other people can be more motivating. a. for instance      b. therefore        c. nonetheless        d. conversely
• Which word does not fit in this group of linking words? a . on the other hand b. nevertheless c. however      d. finally
• Which word does not fit in this group of linking words? a. as a matter of fact b. in fact    c. whereas    d. actually  
• Which linking words are used to add information? a. similarly, equally, likewise b. to conclude, in conclusion, in summary c. on the other hand, whereas, however d. in addition, furthermore, what is more
• Which linking words are used to make comparisons? a. similarly, equally, likewise b. to conclude, in conclusion, in summary c. on the other hand, whereas, however d. in addition, furthermore, what is more
• Which linking words are used for summing up? a. similarly, equally, likewise b. to conclude, in conclusion, in summary c. on the other hand, whereas, however d. in addition, furthermore, what is more
• Which linking words are used to contrast ideas? a. similarly, equally, likewise b. to conclude, in conclusion, in summary c. on the other hand, whereas, however d. in addition, furthermore, what is more

————————————————————————————————————–

• nonetheless

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Useful Linking Words and Phrases to Use in Your Essays

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 .

Useful Linking Words and Phrases

In this article, you will learn about the most common linking words and phrases:

Giving a Result

Usage : To provide the result of what has been stated or has occurred

Linking W ords :

• As a result
• As a consequence
• Consequently
• For this reason
• His wife left him.  As a result , he became very depressed.
• She has lived in France, and  as a consequence  she speaks French fluently.
• We do not have enough money.  T herefore  we cannot afford to buy the new car.
• We do not own the building.  Thus , it would be impossible for us to make any major changes to it.
• There has been a great deal of rain and  consequently  the reservoirs are full.
• The customer was displeased with her meal,  hence  the chef prepared a replacement.
• For this reason , they are not a good choice for exterior use.
• Due to  a broken wing, this bird can’t fly.

Adding Information

Usage : To add to what has been previously stated

Linking Words:

• Additionally / an additional
• Furthermore
• As well as that
• In addition
• In addition to this
• Apart from this
• Additionally , the bus service will run on Sundays, every two hours.
• He said he had not discussed the matter with her.  Furthermore , he had not even contacted her.
• We are unable to repair this watch.  Also , this is the fourth time this has happened.
• I love wearing earrings. I design and make them  too .
• We went to the park today.  As well as that , we did some shopping.
• Along with  parties and parliaments, elections have lost their charm.
• I can’t afford to go to the concert.  Besides , I don’t really like classical music.
• You haven’t paid the rent yet.   In addition , you owe me money.
• The report is badly presented.  Moreover , it contains inaccuracies.
• John’s grades are terrible because he has been so lazy these days.  In addition to this , his relationship to his parents got worse.
• Apart from this  paragraph, the report contains a number of sensible initiatives.

Summarizing

Usage : To sump up what has been previously stated

Linking words :

• In conclusion
• To summarize
• To conclude
• In conclusion , walking is a cheap, safe, enjoyable and readily available form of exercise.
• To summarize , this is a clever approach to a common problem.
• The food was good and we loved the music.  Altogether  it was a great evening.
• His novels belong to a great but vanished age. They are,  in short , old-fashioned.
• To sum up , there are three main ways of tackling the problem…
• In summary , this was a disappointing performance.
• Briefly , our team is now one of the best in the world.
• To conclude , I want to wish you all a very happy holiday season.

Giving Examples

Usage : To provide examples

Linking words:

• For example/ For instance
• In this case
• Proof of this
• There are many interesting places to visit in the city,  for example / for instance , the botanical garden or the art museum.
• I prefer to wear casual clothes,  such as  jeans and a sweatshirt.
• Including  Christmas Day and Boxing Day, I’ve got a week off work.
• We need to concentrate on our target audience,  namely  women aged between 20 and 30.
• I think I would have made a difference  in this case .
• This building are a living  proof of this  existence, so we must preserve it.
• I also make other jewellery  like  rings and bracelets.

Emphasizing a Point

Usage : To put forward a point or idea more forcefully

• Undoubtedly
• Particularly / in particular
• Importantly
• Without a doubt
• It should be noted
• Unquestionably
• Undoubtedly , the story itself is one of the main attractions.
• I don’t mind at all.  Indeed , I would be delighted to help.
• Obviously , we don’t want to spend too much money.
• I love silver earrings,  in particular  ones from Mexico
• The car is quite small,  especially  if you have children.
• Clearly , this will cost a lot more than we realized.
• More importantly , can he be trusted?
• He’s an  absolutely  brilliant cook.
• I  definitely  remember sending the letter.
• We still believe we can win this series  without a doubt .
• I’m  neve r  surprised at what I do.
• It should be noted  that   if you have something to note, then note it
• Unquestionably , teaching has been a paramount part of his career.
• Above all , this forest is designed for wear and tear.
• This is  positively  the worst thing that I can even imagine.

Sequencing Ideas

Usage : To indicate the order of what is being said

• First/ firstly (Second/ secondly, Third/ thirdly, Finally)
• At this time
• Subsequently
• Lastly and most importantly
• Last but not least
• First and foremost
• Firstly , I prefer the train because I can see the landscape.
• At this time , the young man leapt into the air and flew off towards sunset.
• They arrived on Monday evening and we got there the  following  day.
• I had visited them three days  previously .
• Your name is  before  mine on the list.
• Subsequently , new guidelines were issued to all employees.
• Above all , keep in touch.
• Lastly, and most importantly , you should be optimistic.
• Last but not least , I find I seriously cannot relate to women.
• We will continue to focus on our players  first and foremost .

Comparing Ideas

Usage:  To show how things are similar

• Compare / compare(d) to(with)
• By the same token
• In the same way
• Correspondingly
• Similarly , the basketball and hockey games draw nearly full attendance.
• Equally , not all customers are honest.
• Her second marriage was  likewise  unhappy.
• She’s  just as  smart as her sister.
• Working with housecats is  just like  working with lions or tigers.
• Some people say I have a running style  similar to  him.
• Having a power is not  the same as  using the power.
• He gets the ball off quickly  compared to  two years ago.
• Teenagers should be more respectful;  by the same token , parents should be more understanding.
• Alex enjoys telling jokes;  in the same way/similarly/likewise ,his son adores funny stories.
• Correspondingly , the roles each of them played were soon different.

Contrasting Ideas

Usage : To show how things are different

• Nevertheless
• On the other hand
• Nonetheless
• Despite / in spite of
• In contrast (to)
• Alternatively
• Differing from
• Contrary to
• Unlike  most systems, this one is very easy to install.
• There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law.  Nevertheless , it is important that we try.
• Laptops are convenient;  O n the other hand , they can be expensive.
• The problems are not serious.  Nonetheless , we shall need to tackle them soon.
• Despite/ In spite of  the rain, I went for a walk.
• In contrast to  the diligent bee, the butterfly flies hither and yon with no apparent purpose.
• The agency will make travel arrangements for you.  Alternatively , you can organize your own transport.
• Northern European countries had a great summer.  On the contrary/conversely , Southern Europe had poor weather.
• Even so , many old friends were shocked at the announcement.
• Differing from  his white colleagues, he preferred instructing his scholars to the ambition of acquiring personal renown.
• The situation in Ireland is quite  contrary to  this principle.

Linking Words for Essays | Images

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:

• In  this  case,
• In  another  case
• Take  the  case  of
• To  illustrate
• As  an
• Illustration
• To  take  another  example
• That  is
• As  shown  by
• As  illustrated  by
• As expressed by

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NCI LIBRARY

Academic writing skills guide: signposting, transitions & linking words/phrases.

• Key Features of Academic Writing
• The Writing Process
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• Writing Drafts
• Structuring Your Assignment
• How to Deal With Writer's Block
• Using Paragraphs
• Conclusions
• Introductions
• Revising & Editing
• Proofreading
• Grammar & Punctuation
• Reporting Verbs
• Signposting, Transitions & Linking Words/Phrases
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Linking Words for Essay Writing: Useful Paragraph Phrases

Importance of Linking Words in Essay Writing

An essay is an important piece of writing when a student is seeking college admission. It needs to have a clear flow so that the readability is perfect. Rightly so, the sentences you construct need to flow and lead to each other seamlessly.

Linking or transition words come in handy to make your essay have comprehensible sentences.  The words act as the ideal connectors and bridges that eliminate sentence isolation.

Factually, both writing and speaking need linking words that will help the audience form a clear relationship between ideas. Listeners and readers are able to comprehend responses when the right linking words are in place.

What are Linking Words in Essay Writing?

Linking words are the uniformity basis of an essay. When these words are in an essay, they showcase a connection between sentences. As usual, a typical essay consists of different sections and paragraphs.

If there are no transition words, the sentences will appear incoherent and messy. The use of linking words clearly show the relationship existing between all sections and paragraphs in an essay.

When writing your essay, make use of linking words as a bridge between the concepts you are writing and ideas in your essay. The readers will enjoy a cohesive piece of essay with texts that are flowing smoothly.

The assessment team has a lot of essays to read and you can make their work easy by using your linking words appropriately. If this is not the case, your professor will have to go through a lot of stress in trying to understand your essay.

Basically, if you want to impress your readers and consequently improve your scores, practice the best linking words skills.

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Reasons for Using Linking Words in Essay Writing

Only proper usage of linking words will help you come up with a compelling essay. After toiling to conduct research for your essay, improper structure of sentences will make your efforts go to waste. 

Good students endeavor and strive to create an appealing and expressive essay. A thorough use of the right linking words will make your presentation and persuasion of ideas flow perfectly.

Linking words are very crucial in any type of essay . If you do not want your texts to appear clucky, transition words ought to be in place.

 Here are more reasons why you need linking words in your essay:

1. Flow of Order and Sequence

An essay needs flow of texts, ideas and thoughts otherwise it will lose its quality. Therefore, writers need to make huge efforts and use the right linking words that will bring a sequence of order in the essay.

Such words include next, then, firstly, secondly, afterwards, finally and afterwards. Other transition words to use include concurrently, at the same time, earlier, first of all, following this and for now.

A good sequence order in your essay is also enhanced when you use words such as lastly, in the end, in the beginning or once upon a time.

2. Showcasing Comparison        

There are essays that will require the writer to show comparison. Linking words play an important role in contrast and argumentative essays .

If you need to bring out comparison clearly, consider the use of words such as similarly, equally, comparable, in the same time and likewise.

 Apart from same as, other words or phrases to use include just like, just as and comparably.

3. Contrasting

Transition words are the best when you want to bring out contrast in a sentence. In most of the cases, place then at the beginning or in the middle of your sentence to create the right contrast.

However, despite this, yet, whereas and alternatively are some of the words you can use.

4. Illustration of Examples

There are places in your essay where you will have to give examples. Obviously, most essays will need illustration of evidence with the use of linking words.

Giving examples without these words will make your text to sound blunt.

Linking words such as for instance, in the case of, and for instance will make it easy to introduce your examples.

5. Including Additions

You will also need to use linking words when putting additions in your essays. These words will ensure that you have added a txt with the correct meaning to your essay.

Furthermore, also, secondly, in addition and moreover are some of the linking words to use.

6. Introduction of Cause and Effects

Cause and effects in an essay can help the writer draw a sensible conclusion. In essence, it helps to bring about good connection of the essay when a conclusion is being added. Therefore, the relationship between cause and effect is better shown using the right linking words.

Owing to, thus, since, as a result of and because are some of the transition words you can use. Other words to use include stems from, leads to, results from, for this reason etc.

7. For Conclusion Purposes

Starting an impressive essay can only be better if the conclusion is attractive. It is good to bring about the conclusion using appropriate linking words that are not common.

You can conclude your essay using words such as finally, in conclusion, summarizing, in summary and briefly. 

As a writer, you need to bear in mind that adjusting and positioning these words is a must if you are to impress your readers.

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Dos of Using Linking Words

• Adjust and position your linking words properly otherwise the reader will not be impressed.
• Do mix up the linking words you use.  Using one word several times can be very annoying to the reader. Since the transition phrases are many, mix them up in your essay to avoid repetition.
• Be accurate in using these words when connecting your ideas in an essay. Know the difference between these phrases to understand the meaning correctly.
• You can use these words when you want to accentuate a point. In other words, use them to stress something important in your writing.

30 Examples of Linking Words for Essay Writing

• On the flipside
• On the contrary
• By and large   
• As a consequence of
• In conclusion
• Following this
• At this point of time
• In the same way
• As an example
• In other words
• To put it differently
• Under the circumstances
• That is to say
• With this intention
• Subsequently
• In order to
• Of less importance
• What’s more
• Furthermore
• Alternatively
• In spite of
• To illustrate
• To demonstrate
• In the middle of
• For the avoidance of doubt

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Wrapping Up on Linking words on Essay Writing

You can’t overlook the significance of linking words in essay writing. Transition words are important in bringing ideas together so that they appear as a whole in your essay.

All in all, an essay that flows well must incorporate the right transition words to link arguments and actions. The readers will be able to connect an event that took place because of a consequence of a different action.

Essays need to have a flow of ideas with each one building on the other. Yet still, organization of thoughts in essay writing is valuable and this is where linking words play a critical role.

To sum it up, the more your thoughts are in good organization, the smoother your essay will flow. When you use linking words appropriately, your piece will have a logical structure that is appealing to the reader.

When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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Free English Lessons

Ielts writing linking words and phrases – video.

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In this lesson, you can learn how to use linking words and phrases in the IELTS writing exam.

Linking words and phrases are important for your ielts writing, especially for the ielts writing task 2 essay . using linking words well can make a big difference to your coherence and cohesion score, which is 25% of your writing score., even if you’re not preparing for an ielts exam and just want to improve your english writing generally, this lesson could help you, quiz: ielts writing linking words and phrases.

Test your understanding of the lesson with this quiz!

There are 20 questions. Press ‘Finish Quiz’ at the end to see your score.

You can then choose ‘View Questions’ to review all the answers, or ‘Restart Quiz’ to try again.

Quiz Summary

0 of 20 Questions completed

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Click ‘view questions’ to see the correct answers and explanations for each question.

1 . Question

Write one word in the space.

to rising salary expectations, it is becoming increasingly expensive for companies to recruit qualified staff.

The word has three letters.

2 . Question

Governments should make it easier for people of working age to save for retirement, so people can live independently in old age.

The word has four letters.

3 . Question

Write four words in the space.

, modern communications technology makes it easier to get in touch with people, even if they live in another country. On the other hand, needing to respond to messages and emails at all times of day is bad for people’s work-life balance.

The words have two, three, three and four letters.

4 . Question

Write three words in the space.

Young professionals are moving to urban centres in increasing numbers, in fact that the cost of living is rising faster than average salaries, and competition for high-paying jobs is fierce.

The words have five, two and three letters.

5 . Question

Unfortunately, we were unable to catch our flight _________ the rail delays, which made it impossible to get to the airport on time.

• in spite of

The linking word indicates a reason.

6 . Question

Dieting has been shown in multiple studies to be an ineffective way of losing weight. ________, people who try to lose weight by dieting often end up gaining the weight back, plus some extra.

• In addition to

The linking word introduces an additional related idea.

7 . Question

Companies should allow employees to set their own working schedules, ________ workers can have more control over their work-life balance, and also work in accordance with their natural rhythms, which vary from one individual to another.

• in order to
• in addition

The linking words indicate a reason.

8 . Question

Investing in public transport infrastructure, such as subway systems or trams, is an effective way of reducing traffic congestion in large cities, ________ it is undeniably expensive.

• nevertheless
• on the other hand

There is a clause (subject + verb) after the gap, so you need to choose the conjunction.

9 . Question

Which of these linking words/phrases can be used to show addition?

• furthermore

Choose two answers.

10 . Question

Which of these linking words/phrases can be used to show contrast?

• consequently

Choose three answers.

11 . Question

Which of these linking words/phrases are conjunctions?

• in spite of the fact that

There’s only one correct answer this time. A conjunction is a word that goes before a clause (subject + verb); two of the incorrect answers are adverbs and two are prepositions.

12 . Question

Which of these linking words/phrases are adverbs?

Four answers are adverbs, so there’s only one that you do not need to choose – it’s a preposition.

13 . Question

Move the sentence parts to make a complete sentence.

• has advanced greatly in
• recent decades,
• Although medical technology
• increased very little.
• life expectancy in many
• parts of the world has

View Answers:

14 . Question

• In addition
• a diet high in sugar,
• and lethargy in the short term, too.
• to the long-term dangers of
• sweet food can cause mood swings
• eating large quantities of

15 . Question

• prefer to live alone.
• more one- and two-room apartments
• accommodate young professionals,
• Many cities are building

16 . Question

• not to have children at all; 
• demand for school places 
• Many couples are having fewer
• is falling in many areas.
• as a result, 
• children or even choosing 

17 . Question

True or false: if you use more linking words and phrases in your IELTS writing exam, you will get a higher score.

18 . Question

True or false: if you use a linking word/phrase to join two ideas, then those ideas are automatically connected to each other.

19 . Question

True or false: linking words/phrases can be different parts of speech, meaning that you need to use them in different structures.

20 . Question

True or false: it’s better for your IELTS writing score to use a small number of linking words/phrases well.

Let’s start with a question. You’re thinking about ‘linking words’. Many students ask about ‘linking words’; they ask things like, “What linking words should I use in my IELTS essay?” But what are ‘linking words’, and why are they important?

1. What Do Linking Words Do?

What are linking words? How would you answer this question? First, ‘linking words’ includes both words and phrases. There are single words, like ‘however’, and phrases, like ‘as a result.’ Secondly, linking words can be conjunctions, like ‘and’ or ‘because’, which you use in the middle of a sentence. Linking words can also be adverbs, like ‘consequently’ or ‘on the other hand’, which you generally use at the start of a new sentence.

Next, what do linking words do? Why do you need to use them? This is an important question, but it has a simple answer: linking words make your writing clearer for your reader. That’s it. There’s no other reason to use linking words. Remember this, because many of the problems which IELTS students have with linking words relate to this point. Don’t use linking words because you want to sound academic, or because you want to impress the examiner, or because you think using linking words is necessary to get higher scores. It is necessary to use linking words to get higher scores, but you need to use them in the right way. You use linking words to make the structure of your ideas clearer. What does this mean? Let’s look at an example together. Read this sentence:

• Overreliance on private cars not only leads to more congestion, but also causes severe air pollution in many large cities.

Next, imagine that the next sentence starts with ‘also,’ ‘on the other hand,’ or ‘consequently’. What do these tell you? What do you know if you see that the first word of the next sentence is ‘also’? What’s the difference between using ‘also’ or ‘on the other hand’? These linking words show you the direction of the next sentence. If the next sentence starts with ‘also’, you know that it will add another, similar point. If it starts with ‘on the other hand’, you know that the writer will make a contrasting point. If it starts with ‘consequently’, you know that the writer will describe a result of this situation. This is why you use linking words, and this is why they can be powerful if used correctly. In this example, you can know the general idea of the next sentence before you read it. This makes your writing easier to follow.

Next, let’s look at the details of using linking words well in your IELTS writing tasks.

2. Linking Words by Function

Learning about linking words and phrases for your IELTS writing exam can be overwhelming. There are so many words and phrases: ‘in addition’, ‘although’, ‘except for’, ‘due to’… There are tens of things you could study. However, we’ve got good news for you! You don’t need to learn big lists of words. So, what should you do? The best way is to think about linking words in terms of function. You also need to understand the grammar of the linking words you study, which you’ll learn about in the next section. But first, what do we mean by ‘function’? Many different linking words do the same job. For example, ‘however’, ‘on the other hand’, ‘nevertheless’ and ‘although’ all show a contrast between two related—but different—things. This doesn’t mean they’re exactly the same, but they are similar.

So, what else can linking words do? Linking words can connect similar ideas together. Let’s call this ‘addition’. A very simple example is ‘and’. You can also use ‘furthermore’, ‘in addition’, ‘also’, or ‘moreover’. Linking words can show the reason or purpose of something, like ‘because’, ‘due to’, ‘in order to’, or ‘so that’. You can use linking words to connect a cause and effect, like ‘therefore’, ‘so’, ‘consequently’ or ‘as a result’. There are others, but this is a good starting point. Remember these four functions: contrast, addition, reason or purpose, and cause-effect. Let’s practise! Look at four sentences. Each has a linking word or phrase highlighted in bold. Can you say what function the linking word or phrase has in each sentence?

• In my personal experience, people certainly spend less time reading books than in the past. I think this is due to the variety of digital entertainment options that people have nowadays.
• Eating a high-sugar diet has been linked to several serious diseases, most prominently diabetes. Moreover, it causes tooth decay and dental problems.
• Although advertising is ubiquitous in the modern world, it is also largely ineffective.
• Many schools now spend most of their teaching time preparing children to pass exams. As a result, many young people lack the practical skills which employers are seeking.

Ready? Let’s look at the answers. In the first sentence, ‘due to’ expresses a reason. In the second sentence, ‘moreover’ expresses addition. You’re making one point, then using ‘moreover’ to add a second point on the same topic. In the third sentence, ‘although’ shows a contrast. In the fourth sentence, ‘as a result’ connects a cause and its effect. So, what should you do here? Here’s the most important point: you don’t need to know every linking word and phrase to get a high score in your IELTS writing exam. You need maybe two or three linking words for each function. That means you need two to three linking words to express addition, two to three linking words to express contrast, and so on.

There’s one thing you should know: linking words can have other functions which we haven’t covered here. That’s because we don’t want this lesson to be hours long. Examples include: showing similarity, showing a sequence of events in time, or expressing conditions. However, the basic idea is the same. Don’t try to learn big lists of linking words. Instead, focus on functions. For each function, learn two to three linking words and phrases. This is simpler and easier for you. You should do this now: write down a list of functions, and write down two to three linking words for each. You can use the functions and linking words from this section, or you can add your own. Pause the video and do it now!

Ready? Let’s see what else you need to know to use linking words and phrases well in your IELTS writing exam.

3. Linking Word Grammar

To use a linking word or phrase well in your writing, you need to know two things. One: you need to know the function, which you learned about in the last section. Two: you need to know the grammar of the linking word or phrase. Let’s look at this now!

Linking words and phrases can be divided into three categories. First, some linking words are conjunctions. Most are subordinating conjunctions, meaning that they need to be used in a sentence with at least two clauses. For example, ‘because’ and ‘although’ are both subordinating conjunctions. After these words, you add a clause. Then, you need another, independent clause to complete the sentence. For example:

• I need to ask for some time off work because I am planning to attend a training course.
• Although social media can help people to connect with each other, it also has several significant disadvantages.

Secondly, some linking words are prepositions . This means you need to use a noun after the linking word. ‘Due to’, ‘despite’ and ‘because of’ are all prepositions. For example:

• Despite the well-known health benefits of regular exercise, many people still lead mostly sedentary lifestyles.
• Young professionals are increasingly moving to smaller cities because of the high cost of living in large urban centres.

Finally, many linking words are adverbs, like ‘on the other hand’ or ‘therefore’. These are generally used at the beginning of a sentence. When you use adverbs like this, you need to put a comma afterwards. For example:

• Freedom of the press is more important than individuals’ rights to privacy. Therefore, newspapers should be able to publish stories about the private lives of celebrities if they choose to.
• Of course, elderly people should be paid a pension which reflects the money they paid into the social security system during their working lives. On the other hand, the pension system needs to be sustainable over the long term.

This is most of what you need to know about linking word grammar. Is your linking word or phrase a conjunction, a preposition, or an adverb? We have a task for you! At the end of part two, you wrote down linking words that you wanted to learn. Now, use an online dictionary like Cambridge or Longman , and find out if the words you wrote down are conjunctions, prepositions, or adverbs. Find links to some useful dictionaries on the Oxford Online English Resources page .

Done? There are still a couple of things you need to think about. One problem is that similar-looking words can be different parts of speech. For example, ‘because’ is a conjunction, but ‘because of’ is a preposition. ‘In spite of’ is a preposition, but ‘in spite of the fact that’ is a conjunction. So, don’t assume that linking words are used in the same way just because they look similar. Another problem is that some linking words can be more than one part of speech. For example, ‘so’ can be an adverb or a conjunction. What should you do with this information? Let’s look in more detail!

4. Using Linking Words in Your IELTS Writing

At this point, you hopefully have short lists of linking words, divided by function. You should also know which part of speech each linking word is. Let’s think: why are you doing things in this way? How will this help you in your IELTS writing exam? Here’s what you need to remember: it’s much more effective to know a small number of linking words or phrases and know how to use them really well. Many IELTS students take the opposite path. They learn lots and lots of linking words, but they don’t know how to use them correctly. This won’t help your IELTS writing score. It’s much more important to focus on accuracy.

So, what should you do next? Your next task is to find out exactly how your linking words are used. Linking words with the same function aren’t always the same. Many linking words have a very specific meaning. For example, ‘furthermore’ and ‘besides’ are both used to add information to a topic, but they aren’t the same. Do you know why not? ‘Furthermore’ is used to add a point which is more important than your first idea. For example:

• Using plastic products generates litter which harms the environment. Furthermore, plastic can take hundreds of years to degrade.

In this case, you’re saying that the second point, after ‘furthermore’ is more important than the first point. ‘Besides’ is used to add a point which is often less important than your main idea. For example:

• Smoking has been proven to cause many serious illnesses. Besides, it is an expensive habit.

In this case, you’re saying that the second point, after ‘besides’, is not more important than the first point. You’re adding an extra point which is not essential to your argument. We’re not doing this because you need to learn about ‘furthermore’ and ‘besides’. The point is that every linking word is used in a slightly different way. To improve your IELTS writing score, you need to understand exactly how to use linking words. How can you do this? Here are a few suggestions. First, use online dictionaries to find example sentences. The Cambridge dictionary has many examples for each word.

Next, try to understand what makes this linking word different from other, similar linking words. Is it more formal, or more conversational? Is it only used in very specific situations?

Finally, check your ideas. If you can ask a teacher, then do that. If not, use online resources such as Quora or the Wordreference forums. By the way, you can find links to all the resources mentioned in this lesson below the video. This is a big topic, and there’s a lot of information in this video; however, you haven’t even seen the most important thing about linking words yet…

5. Linking Words and Logic

Here’s the most important idea about linking words: you can’t connect ideas with linking words. What? That doesn’t make sense, you say. What do linking words do if they don’t connect ideas? Linking words don’t connect ideas; they highlight a connection which is already there. They make the connection—which already exists—clearer to your reader. This is important because it’s one of the biggest problems IELTS students have with linking words. IELTS candidates know they need to use linking words, so they do. But, very often, their linking words don’t fit the logic of their ideas. This is a common feature of band six writing.

Here’s an example, which is from a real practice essay written by one of our students:

• On the other hand, one of the major counter argument is that we are living in a consumer society, where trade war is very common between manufacturing companies and countries. For instance, if a vast amount of information is delivered from the mobile giant Apple, then it could lose not only its leadership but also its huge business in this modern sophisticated world.

We see this problem all the time. There’s a linking phrase—‘for instance’—which should be used to introduce an example of the preceding point. But, in this case, the points before and after the linking word are not obviously connected at all. The point after ‘for instance’ is certainly not an example of a trade war between manufacturing companies or countries. Remember: this is very common, and it’s also a common reason why students can’t get scores above six or six point five. If you do this in your writing, your coherence and cohesion score will be limited to six maximum. We’ll say it again: you can’t create a connection by using a linking word or phrase. The connection is already there, in the logic of your ideas. You use the linking word to highlight the connection which already exists.

So, to use linking words well, you need to have a clear understanding of your essay structure and how your ideas are organised. This mostly depends on planning before you start writing your answer. If your ideas aren’t well-organised in your mind, then using linking words won’t help you. Like you heard, this is a big topic, so let’s review what you should do.

• Divide linking words according to the idea they express. Start by learning two to three linking words or phrases for each function.
• Understand the grammar of each linking word; find out what part of speech it is, and how to use it in a sentence.
• Go into more detail. Many words have a similar meaning, but very few words have exactly the same meaning. Most words have unique features which you need to know about if you want to use the word well.
• Practise planning and make sure your ideas are well-organised before you start writing. Effective linking depends on logic and structure, not on the words and phrases you use.

Good luck if you have an IELTS exam coming up soon, and thanks for watching!

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Academic Phrasebank

• GENERAL LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS
• Being cautious
• Being critical
• Classifying and listing
• Compare and contrast
• Defining terms
• Describing trends
• Describing quantities
• Explaining causality
• Giving examples
• Signalling transition
• Writing about the past

The Academic Phrasebank is a general resource for academic writers. It aims to provide you with examples of some of the phraseological ‘nuts and bolts’ of writing organised according to the main sections of a research paper or dissertation (see the top menu ). Other phrases are listed under the more general communicative functions of academic writing (see the menu on the left). The resource should be particularly useful for writers who need to report their research work. The phrases, and the headings under which they are listed, can be used simply to assist you in thinking about the content and organisation of your own writing, or the phrases can be incorporated into your writing where this is appropriate. In most cases, a certain amount of creativity and adaptation will be necessary when a phrase is used. The items in the Academic Phrasebank are mostly content neutral and generic in nature; in using them, therefore, you are not stealing other people’s ideas and this does not constitute plagiarism. For some of the entries, specific content words have been included for illustrative purposes, and these should be substituted when the phrases are used. The resource was designed primarily for academic and scientific writers who are non-native speakers of English. However, native speaker writers may still find much of the material helpful. In fact, recent data suggest that the majority of users are native speakers of English. More about  Academic Phrasebank .

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Breakout English

Linking words – How to improve your writing

Linking words, also known as linkers, cohesive devices, connectors and transition words, are a vital part of writing. Often when we teach English, we feed vocabulary and phrases to students which, if we’re not careful, can start sounding forced. For me, linking words are the exception to that. I find that a solid lesson with these special words can almost certainly help improve a students writing regardless of the level. It’s not just because it appears in writing marking scales for every official exam there is, it’s because they actually work. Without linking words, texts can feel dull and disconnected. That’s definitely not the image we want to give when trying to prove our level of English.

What are linking words?

There are linking words and phrases for different purposes. You can find exhaustive lists of linking words examples all over the web, but the important thing is using them to good effect.

If your writing was like the human body, the content words would be the flesh and the paragraph structure would be the skeleton. Linkers are like the joints of your writing. They help to connect the different parts together and interact with each other. An essay with good cohesive devices will flow and be easy to read. In fact, it’s practically impossible to write without them. You can do a fun writing activity with a consequences game in another post .

Linking words at different levels

Let’s use Cambridge writing scales as a guide for what we should be using at different levels. At B1 Preliminary (PET) candidates are expected to use basic linking words. Basic linking words are essentially and , so , but and because . At B2 First (FCE) level, a variety of linking words should be used. While by C1 Advanced (CAE), candidates are using cohesive devices to generally good effect.

Although the terminology shifts between levels, the concept is the same. An exam candidate’s writing should be connected together in a way that makes it flow from one section to another using words that help to achieve said outcome. Notice that it’s not until C2 Proficiency (CPE) level that candidates should be able to use cohesive devices with flexibility.

For more information about how Cambridge writing is marked, check out the different scales here .

If you’re looking to improve your writing for the Cambridge Advanced exam, consider our book Cambridge Advanced Writing Plus .

Linking words examples

There are so many transition words you can use in your writing, but having a ridiculously long list isn’t the best option in this case (and I’m normally a big fan of lists). When I teach writing, I tend to focus on a selection of common and useful linking words. These can be associated with their purpose. Words similar to and are used to add additional information. Words similar to but are used to contrast ideas. Words similar to so provide result and those similar to because develop reason.

This list is not exhaustive, but it’s enough for 90% of learners who are using linking words in English. These are good cohesive devices for an essay, a formal letter or a report. They can be used in a wide range of styles and contexts. Keep in mind that linking words and phrases are also a strong indication of formality in a text, but they aren’t the only factor.

The other essential factor to consider with linkers is how to use them in a sentence. Different ones need different grammatical structures surrounding them. This is what the activity below focusses on in detail.

The materials

There is little doubt that any exam preparation course will include a lesson on producing cohesive writing. These materials associate complex linkers with simple comparison words before putting them to use. We’ll consider both the meaning and the use of linking words and phrases. The topic focuses on money and wealth, which can pop up anywhere from B1 level onwards. Use them to improve writing skills, especially in formal writings like essays, reports and proposals.

EXAM PART : Writing

EXAM SKILLS : Using cohesive devices to improve organisation

TOPIC: Money

TIME: 60 minutes

PREPARATION: One copy of the worksheet per student

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument . Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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Useful Linking Words for Writing Essays in English

Posted on Last updated: July 20, 2019

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Linking Words ! This page provides a list of useful linking words for writing essays in English for ESL learners.

Table of Contents

Linking Words

Linking words or transition words are words phrases used to connect one idea to the next. Learn linking words list in English.

• In addition
• Furthermore
• Not only … but also
• Besides this
• In the same way
• On the other hand
• In spite of
• On the contrary
• Nonetheless
• Even though
• In contrast
• Alternatively
• In the first stage
• To begin with
• Another reason
• Another advantage
• At this point
• Following this
• A further reason
• In the final stage
• The final reason

CONSEQUENCE

• As a result
• Consequently
• It follows that
• In that case
• Undoubtedly
• The reason why
• In other words
• In order to
• Provided that
• Depending on
• In conclusion
• To conclude
• To recapitulate

Linking Words & Phrases | Infographic

Golani .Chandrakant

Monday 6th of November 2023

Increase of vocabulary, Increase of knowledge

Pombé Guirki Dimitri

Sunday 5th of November 2023

Alright thank you so much! I'm so glad added those in my knowledges

Thursday 20th of January 2022

i dont know what to say but waaaaasssssuuuuupppp

Thursday 22nd of April 2021

thx this is awesome it helps me a lot

Anna Kołodko

Wednesday 24th of February 2021

Thank you for sharing - now I have a full picture what is linking word at all, how many linking words there are and how it is used. :)