Linking Words

When it comes to writing or speaking, linking words are important to ensure your ideas flow together nicely. Think of them like little guideposts that help your reader or listener follow along with your thoughts. They aid in understanding how different parts relate to each other. Linking words can help you show connections between ideas, like adding something to your words, contrasting it with something else, or explaining why something happened. They’re beneficial for making sure your communication is clear.

TABLE OF CONTENT

• Addition
• Contrast/Concession
• Purpose
• Similarity
• Cause/Reason
• Effect/Result
• Giving Examples
• List ideas in order of time
• Summarizing/Concluding
• Download Linking Words PDF

Addition Linking Words

Addition linking words are words or phrases that are used to join ideas that are related to the same topic. They help to add information in one clause to the information in the next clause.

1. ….. and …..
2. ….. In addition, ……
3. ………. Moreover, ……..
4. ………. Besides,……
5. …..; furthermore, ………
6. … too
7. ... Also, …
8. Not only …….  but also
9. ….; What’s more ……..

Examples:

1. She enjoys reading and painting in her free time.
2. I finished my assignment on time. In addition, I revised it thoroughly.
3. The team won the championship. Moreover, they set a new record for points scored.
4. The new software enhances security. Besides, it’s user-friendly.
5. The conference will cover various topics. Furthermore, renowned speakers will be presenting.
6. She’s an accomplished pianist. Her brother plays the guitar, too.
7. He excels in mathematics. Also, he’s a skilled chess player.
8. Not only did he complete the marathon, but also he raised funds for charity.
9. The trip was affordable; what’s more, it included guided tours.

Contrast/Concession

Concession/contrast linking words are words or phrases that are used to connect opposing ideas. They help to communicate more complex ideas and improve the flow and clarity of writing.

1.  ………; however, ………
2. ….., but 
3. …..; otherwise, …….
4. ……. Apart from that, ….. 
5. ……….; nevertheless, ……..
6. …………; nonetheless, ……… 
7. ………..; still, ……
8. ………; yet, ……. 
9. On the one hand, … on the other hand; … 
10. Although / though /even though … 
11.  Despite/in spite of ….., …….
12. No matter how ……, ……. 

Examples:

1. The weather was perfect for a picnic; however, we forgot to bring the food.
2. I really want to go to the party, but I have to finish my homework.
3. He needed to wake up early; otherwise, he would miss the train to the conference.
4. He’s generally a reserved person. Apart from that, he becomes quite talkative when discussing his favorite books.
5. She was nervous about the presentation; nevertheless, she delivered it confidently and received applause.
6. The traffic was terrible; nonetheless, we arrived at the airport on time.
7. She had a lot of responsibilities at work; still, she managed to find time for her hobbies.
8. I know I should exercise more; yet, I always find an excuse not to.
9. On the one hand, studying abroad can be a great opportunity; on the other hand, it can be expensive.
10. Although it was raining, we decided to go for a hike anyway.
11. Despite the bad reviews, we decided to try the new restaurant in town.
12. No matter how much I practice, I can never seem to get this song right.

Purpose

Purpose linking words are words or phrases that are used to show the purpose or goal of an action. They are used to introduce a sentence that expresses the purpose or intention of a previous action. They help to clarify the reason or motivation behind an action, 

1. ….. to …..
2. ….. in order to/so as to …..
3. ….. so that …..
4. ….. for the purpose of …..
5. ….. with the goal of …..
6. ….. in order that …..
7. ….. with the intention of …..
8. ….. to achieve …..
9. ….. for …..
10. ….. with a view to …..
11. ….. in pursuit of …..
12. ….. lest …..
13. …. for fear that …..

Examples:

1. I went to the gym to work out.
2. He studied hard in order to/so as to pass the exam.
3. She saved money so that she could buy a new laptop.
4. The workshop was organized for the purpose of enhancing teamwork.
5. The company launched a campaign with the goal of increasing sales.
6. The class was rescheduled in order that more students could attend.
7. She signed up for the art class with the intention of improving her painting skills.
8. He practiced daily to achieve excellence in playing the violin.
9. She exercised regularly for her overall well-being.
10. They invested in renewable energy projects with a view to reducing carbon emissions.
11. She explored different career options in pursuit of finding her true passion.
12. He double-checked the document lest any errors remain unnoticed.
13. She carried an extra umbrella for fear that it might rain during the outdoor event.

Similarity

Similarity linking words can be used to show that two or more things are alike in some way. For example, the sentence “The two dogs looked similar. They both had brown fur and floppy ears” uses the similarity linking word “similar” to show that the two dogs have the same physical characteristics.

1. ……; similarly, …..
2. ……; likewise, …….
3. …. in the same way …….
4. Just as …..
5. …….. compared to …….
6. ……. similarly to ……

Examples:

1. She enjoys painting, and similarly, her brother is passionate about creative arts.
2. He has a talent for languages; likewise, his sister is fluent in several languages.
3. The new software operates in the same way as the previous version.
4. Just as the first chapter sets the tone for a novel, the introduction establishes the theme of an essay.
5. His dedication to fitness is compared to his commitment to a healthy diet.
6. The company values teamwork, and similarly to its competitors, it promotes a collaborative work environment.

Cause/Reason

Cause/Reason linking words are words or phrases that connect the cause of something to its effect or result. These words help to explain why something happened and can make the text more coherent and easier to understand.

1. …. because …
   • Because …., …..
2. ….. since ….
   • Since ……, ……..
3. As …., …..
   • …… as …..
4. ….. due to …..
   • Due to …., …
5. …. owing to …
   • Owing to …., …..
6. …. thanks to …
   • Thanks to …., …..
7. …. on account of …..
   • On account of ….., ….
8. … as a result of …
   • As a result of …, ….
9. ….. because of …..
   • Because of ….., …..
10. ….. For this reason, …..

Examples:

1. He stayed home because he was feeling unwell.
2. She couldn’t attend the meeting since she had a prior commitment.
3. As the deadline approached, they worked diligently to finish the project.
4. The event was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
5. The delay in delivery was owing to a transportation issue.
6. Thanks to her efforts, the event was a great success.
7. The concert was postponed on account of bad weather.
8. The company’s profits increased as a result of strategic marketing.
9. He was late because of heavy traffic.
10. She loved nature. For this reason, she chose to pursue a degree in environmental science.

Effect/Result

Effect/Result linking words are words or phrases that connect the effect or result of something to its cause. These words help to explain what happened as a consequence of a particular action or event.

1. …., so ….
2. ….; as a consequence, ….
3. ……; as a result, ….
4. …..; consequently, …..
5. …… ; hence, ……
6. …….. Therefore, …….
7. ….. Thus, …….

Examples:

1. She practiced diligently, so she was well-prepared for the performance.
2. The team neglected proper planning; as a consequence, the project faced delays.
3. He studied consistently; as a result, he achieved a high score on the exam.
4. The company’s profits declined; consequently, they had to implement cost-cutting measures.
5. The storm caused power outages; hence, we had to rely on backup generators.
6. He didn’t meet the eligibility criteria. Therefore, his application was rejected.
7. She managed her time efficiently. Thus, she completed all her assignments on time.

Giving Examples

Giving examples linking words are used to introduce examples that support or illustrate a point.

1. …….; for example, ….
2. … for instance, ….
3. … such as/Like/Including, …
4. … one example is, ….
5. … as an example, ….

Examples:

1. Many countries have implemented various measures to reduce carbon emissions; for example, some have invested in renewable energy sources and introduced stricter vehicle emission standards.”
2. She has a variety of interests, for instance, photography and cooking.
3. She excels in various subjects, such as mathematics and literature.
4. Cats are known for their agility and independence, like lions and tigers.
5. The conference will cover a range of topics, including sustainability and innovation.
6. When discussing the benefits of mindfulness meditation, one example is its proven effectiveness in reducing stress and anxiety.
7. He managed to finish the project ahead of schedule, as an example of his exceptional time management skills.

List Ideas in Order of Time

These words can be used to show the order in which events happen or the steps in a process. For example, the sentence “First, I woke up. Then, I got dressed. Next, I ate breakfast. Finally, I went to school” uses the time order linking words “first,” “then,” “next,” and “finally” to show the order in which the events of the day happened.

1. Firstly, …..
2. First of all, …..
3. To begin with, …..
4. Initially, …..
5. At the outset, …..
6. At first, …..
7. In the beginning, …..
8. Second(ly), …..
9. Next, …..
10. Then, …..
11. Afterward(s), …..
12. Subsequently, …..
13. Following that, …..
14. Later on, …..
15. Eventually, …..
16. Lastly, …..
17. In conclusion, …..
18. To sum up, …..

Examples:

1. Firstly, we need to gather all the necessary materials for the project.
2. First of all, let’s address the main challenges that our team is facing.
3. To begin with, I’d like to introduce the key concepts of this topic.
4. Initially, the company focused on local markets before expanding internationally.
5. At the outset, it’s important to establish a clear goal for our project.
6. At first, the idea seemed complex, but with time it became clearer.
7. In the beginning, we had limited resources, but we were determined to succeed.
8. Secondly, we should outline the main strategies to achieve our objectives.
9. Next, let’s move on to discussing the potential solutions to the problem.
10. Then, we can start implementing the new procedures.
11. Afterward, we’ll analyze the outcomes of our efforts.
12. Subsequently, we’ll present our findings to the board.
13. Following that, we can adjust our strategies based on the feedback received.
14. Later on, we might consider expanding our product line.
15. Eventually, our hard work paid off, and we achieved our goals.
16. Lastly, I’d like to emphasize the importance of teamwork in this process.
17. In conclusion, the project was a success due to careful planning and execution.
18. To sum up, we’ve gone through each step of the process, from planning to implementation.

Summarizing/Concluding

These words can be used to signal to the reader that the main points of the argument or writing have been presented and that the writer is now summarizing or concluding.

1. In conclusion, …..
2. To sum up, …..
3. Overall, …..
4. In summary, ….
5. To conclude, ….
6. Finally, …
7. All in all, ….
8. In a nutshell, ….
9. …. in the end.
   • In the end, ……

Examples:

1. In conclusion, the speaker emphasized the importance of cultural diversity in shaping societies.
2. To sum up, the novel explores themes of love, identity, and personal growth.
3. Overall, the conference provided valuable insights into the field of teaching English as a foreign language.
4. In summary, the documentary highlights the challenges faced by wildlife conservation efforts.
5. To conclude, the research findings suggest a link between sports and cardiovascular health.
6. The workshop covered topics ranging from effective communication to leadership skills. Finally, participants engaged in group discussions.
7. The trip offered opportunities for adventure, learning, and bonding with fellow travelers. All in all, it was a fulfilling experience.
8. The training program covered various aspects of time management, conflict resolution, and teamwork. In a nutshell, it aimed to enhance professional skills.
9. The team encountered obstacles along the way, but their persistence led to a successful outcome in the end.
   • In the end, The team encountered obstacles along the way, but their persistence led to a successful outcome.

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