Why Are Linking Words Important?
Compare these two paragraphs:
Without linking words:
"I studied hard. I did not pass the exam. I was disappointed. I decided to try again."
With linking words:
"Although I studied hard, I did not pass the exam. As a result, I was disappointed. However, I decided to try again."
The second paragraph flows much better. Linking words show the relationship between ideas -- they tell the reader whether you are adding information, showing a contrast, giving a reason, or showing a result.
Categories of Linking Words
1. Adding Information
Use these when you want to add more information to your point.
| Linking Word | Example |
|---|---|
| and | She speaks English and French. |
| also | He also plays the guitar. |
| in addition | The hotel has a pool. In addition, there is a gym. |
| moreover | The restaurant is cheap. Moreover, the food is delicious. |
| furthermore | He is a great teacher. Furthermore, he is very patient. |
| as well as | She studies math as well as science. |
| besides | I don't want to go out. Besides, it's raining. |
2. Showing Contrast
Use these when the second idea is different from or opposite to the first.
| Linking Word | Example |
|---|---|
| but | I like coffee, but I don't like tea. |
| however | The movie was long. However, it was very interesting. |
| although / even though | Although it was raining, we went for a walk. |
| despite / in spite of | Despite the rain, we went for a walk. |
| on the other hand | Living in the city is exciting. On the other hand, it can be stressful. |
| nevertheless | The task was difficult. Nevertheless, she completed it on time. |
| while / whereas | She likes summer, while her brother prefers winter. |
3. Showing Cause and Reason
Use these to explain why something happens.
| Linking Word | Example |
|---|---|
| because | I stayed home because I was sick. |
| since | Since it was late, we decided to take a taxi. |
| as | As the weather was bad, the event was cancelled. |
| because of | We cancelled the picnic because of the rain. |
| due to | The delay was due to heavy traffic. |
4. Showing Result
Use these to show what happened as a consequence.
| Linking Word | Example |
|---|---|
| so | I was tired, so I went to bed early. |
| therefore | He didn't study. Therefore, he failed the test. |
| as a result | She practiced every day. As a result, her English improved quickly. |
| consequently | The company lost money. Consequently, they had to reduce staff. |
| that's why | I love languages. That's why I became a teacher. |
5. Showing Purpose
Use these to explain the aim or goal of an action.
| Linking Word | Example |
|---|---|
| to / in order to | She went to the library to study. |
| so that | He spoke slowly so that everyone could understand. |
| in order to | I saved money in order to buy a new laptop. |
| so as to | She left early so as to avoid traffic. |
6. Giving Examples
Use these when you want to illustrate your point.
| Linking Word | Example |
|---|---|
| for example | Many countries celebrate spring. For example, Japan has cherry blossom festivals. |
| for instance | She has many hobbies. For instance, she enjoys painting and hiking. |
| such as | Fruits such as apples and oranges are good for you. |
| like | Outdoor sports like football and tennis are popular. |
7. Sequencing and Ordering
Use these to organize your ideas in a logical order.
| Linking Word | Example |
|---|---|
| first / firstly | First, preheat the oven to 180°C. |
| then / next | Then, mix the flour and sugar. |
| after that | After that, add the eggs. |
| finally | Finally, bake for 30 minutes. |
| meanwhile | Prepare the sauce. Meanwhile, boil the pasta. |
8. Summarizing and Concluding
Use these to wrap up your ideas.
| Linking Word | Example |
|---|---|
| in conclusion | In conclusion, learning English takes time but is very rewarding. |
| to sum up | To sum up, the project was a success. |
| overall | Overall, it was a great experience. |
| in short | In short, we need to work harder. |
| all in all | All in all, it was a productive meeting. |
Grammar Rules for Linking Words
Sentence Position
Beginning of a sentence (followed by a comma):
- However, the weather improved in the afternoon.
- In addition, we visited the museum.
- Therefore, I decided to stay home.
Middle of a sentence (connecting two clauses):
- She was tired, but she kept working.
- I like sushi, although I don't eat it often.
- He went jogging despite the cold weather.
Important Grammar Points
"Although" vs. "Despite"
- Although + subject + verb: Although it rained, we had fun.
- Despite + noun / -ing: Despite the rain / Despite raining, we had fun.
"Because" vs. "Because of"
- Because + subject + verb: I stayed home because I was sick.
- Because of + noun: I stayed home because of my illness.
"So" vs. "So that"
- So = result: It was cold, so I wore a jacket.
- So that = purpose: I wore a jacket so that I wouldn't be cold.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose the Right Linking Word
- She studied hard, _____ she passed the exam. (so / although)
- _____ the bad weather, the concert was cancelled. (Because / Due to)
- He is very smart. _____, he is also very kind. (However / Moreover)
- _____ I was tired, I finished the project. (Although / Because)
- She takes the bus _____ she doesn't have a car. (because / despite)
Answers: 1. so, 2. Due to, 3. Moreover, 4. Although, 5. because
Exercise 2: Connect the Sentences
Rewrite each pair of sentences as one sentence using the linking word in brackets.
- The restaurant is expensive. The food is amazing. (however)
- He woke up late. He missed the bus. (as a result)
- It was raining. We went to the beach. (despite)
- I want to improve my English. I practice every day. (in order to)
- She is a good singer. She plays the piano well. (in addition)
Example answers:
- The restaurant is expensive. However, the food is amazing.
- He woke up late. As a result, he missed the bus.
- Despite the rain, we went to the beach.
- In order to improve my English, I practice every day.
- She is a good singer. In addition, she plays the piano well.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using "but" and "however" the same way
- Wrong: She was tired, however she kept working.
- Correct: She was tired. However, she kept working. (new sentence or semicolon)
- Correct: She was tired, but she kept working. (comma + but)
Mistake 2: "Despite" with a clause
- Wrong: Despite it was cold, we went out.
- Correct: Despite the cold, we went out.
- Correct: Although it was cold, we went out.
Mistake 3: Starting every sentence with "And" or "But" In formal writing, avoid starting sentences with "and" or "but." Use "In addition" or "However" instead.
Mistake 4: Using "so" and "because" in the same sentence
- Wrong: Because I was tired, so I went to bed.
- Correct: Because I was tired, I went to bed.
- Correct: I was tired, so I went to bed.
Tips for Improvement
- Read English articles and highlight the linking words you find. Notice how they are used.
- When writing, plan your ideas first, then add linking words to connect them.
- Practice speaking with linking words. When telling a story, use "first," "then," "after that," and "finally."
- Don't overuse linking words. Not every sentence needs one. Too many can make your writing feel heavy and unnatural.
- Learn them in pairs: because/because of, although/despite, so/therefore.