Linking Words

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• English
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)
• Higher Education (non-degree)

Linking words and phrases are used to show relationships between ideas. They can be used to join 2 or more sentences or clauses (a clause is a group of words which contains a subject and a verb).

Linking words

Linking words/phrases can be used to

• add ideas together, 

• contrast them, 

• or show the reason for something. 

linking word to add ideas

Linking words to add ideas....

And

In addition (to his house in Italy, he has a villa in Spain) , 

As well as (he published historical novels, as well as a non-fiction novels.)

Also, Too

Furthermore

Moreover,  Apart from

In addition to

Besides

_____ Ron, everyone was present at the wedding.

A

Not only

B

Besides

C

Although

D

As

Besides

Apart from and besides are often used to mean as well as, or in addition to.

Example: "Apart from Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer."

"Besides Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer."

Linking words to contrast ideas

Contrast ideas

But , However 

Although / even though

Despite / despite the fact that

In spite of / in spite of the fact that

Nevertheless , Nonetheless 

While , Whereas, Unlike 

In theory… in practice…

He works hard, but he doesn't earn much.

He works hard. However, he doesn't earn much.

The company is doing well. Nevertheless, they aren't going to expand this year. (meaning: in spite of that)

Although it was cold, she went out in shorts.

Linking words to show reason

show reason

Due to / due to the fact that 

Owing to / owing to the fact that

Because

Because of

Since

As

_____the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff.

A

Because of

B

However

C

As

D

Since

e.g.

I have a lot to do. For example: feeding the cat, washing the car, etc...

There are two problems: namely, the expense and the time.

Giving examples:

- For example

- For instance

- Namely

e.g.

In short, you really have to use linking words to bring your English to another level.

Summarising: 

In short

In brief

In summary

To summarise

In a nutshell

To conclude

In conclusion

e.g.

The company are expanding. Therefore/ So/ Consequently/ As a result, they are taking on extra staff. 

Giving a result:

Therefore

So

Consequently

This means that

As a result

e.g.

Mark and Peter are my best friends. The former is studying in London and the latter in Italy.

****Sequencing ideas:

The former, … the latter

Firstly, secondly, finally

The first point is

Lastly

The following

To do some exercises