Linking words

LINKING WORDS

These type of words are also known as connectors because their role is to connect two or more ideas. Using linking words can clarify your sentences, and make your speech or writing more fluid. Other advantages are also to emphasize on particular ideas, create contrasts, introduce or summarize your arguments and more. Take a look to the following examples:

giving additional information

And , not only/but, as well as, additionally/ in addition, furthermore, moreover - besides, apart from, also, along with, not only…but also.Ex: The new device enables temperatures to be monitored, besides it registers tectonic shift.

CONTRAST

But, however, nevertheless, yet, although, (even) though, in spite of/despite, whereas, on (the) one hand / on (the) other hand, unlike, in contrast (to), while, contrary to, differing from.Ex: The new system increases engine power, but reduces efficiency.

reason

Because, as, since, consequently, therefore, thus, hence, as a result, thereby, in fact, with this in mind, in order to, due to.Ex: Programmable electronic systems are more reliable since they can be used to handle radio-active material.

CLARIFICATION/illustration

For example, for instance, that is to say, in other words, such as, namely, including, in this case, proof of this, like, to demoonstrate/ to clarify.Ex: Injectors became popular in the 50s but are no longer widely used, except in applications such as steam locomotives.

LINKING WORDS

ORDER

First/ firstly , to start, second/ secondly, third/ thirdly, finally, at this time, following, previously, before, after, then, subsequently.Ex: First, the data is stored on hard disk, after the information is showed on the screen.

SUMMARY

In conclusion , to summarise, altogether, in short, to sum up, in summary, briefly, to concludeEx: To sum up, computers can process data extremely fast.

EMPHASIS

Undoubtedly, indeed, obviously, particularly / in particular, especially, clearly, importantly, absolutely, definitely, unquestionably, above all.Ex: A new technique, particularly applied on the camera, allows a better image projection.

GENERALISATION

As a rule , for the most part, in general/ generally, on the whole, overall, in most cases.Ex: In most cases, new applications have facilitated people's lives.

condition

If , in that case, in case, unless.Ex: If you heat copper to 400°C, it becomes viscous, in other words, it melts.

comparison

Similarly, equally, likewise, just as, just like, similar to, same as, compare / compare(d) to (with), in the same way, correspondingly.Ex: Computers perform complex tasks likewise human beings.