Linking Words

Linking Words

06/10/18

What are linking Words?

They are connectors that can take the form of words or phrases that link ideas, phrases, sentences and paragraphs together. They are used to combine two ideas, clauses or sentences presenting contrast, comparison, condition, supposition, purpose, etc. They enable us to establish clear connections between ideas. Most linking words can either connect clauses within a sentence, or start a sentence to form a connection with the previous statement.

Linking words can be used:

1. TO SHOW A RESULT

THEREFORE The storm left the neighborhood without electricity. Therefore, many had to depend on canned food for days. SO She accepted their offer, so she became CEO of the enterprise. BECAUSE Because Maria was feeling sick, she didn't go to the supermarket. BECAUSE OF Because of her sickness, Maria didn't go to the supermarket.

2. TO EXPRESS CONTRAST

HOWEVERI'd love to go to the beach with you. However, I've already made plans for tomorrow. NEVERTHELESS She was very tired. Nevertheless, she kept on working. ON THE OTHER HAND Living in NYC is amazing, with so much to offer. On the other hand, it is one of the most expensive cities to live in and extremely stressful at times. INSTEAD OF i will try to make friends instead of enemies. EVEN THOUGH / ALTHOUGH Even though he's a billionaire, he drives a Chevy Spark. DESPITE / IN SPITE OF Despite being a billionaire, he drives a Chevy Spark.

3. TO SHOW SEQUENCE

FIRST OF ALL First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for coming today. BESIDES Let's go the party because they're gonna have great music. Besides, they have happy hour prices all night long. FURTHERMORE I don't want to go there, furthermore, I have no time to do so. MOREOVER English is very useful to learn. Moreover, it's fun. ON TOP OF THAT I hate Sushi, it's smelly. On top of that, it's really expensive.

4. TO SHOW ORDER OF IMPORTANCE

ABOVE ALL I prefer meat to fish, but above all, I love pasta.

5. TO CLARIFY

IN OTHER WORDS She said the movie was a bit predictable. In other words, she didn't like it. THAT IS TO SAY I grew up in Argentina. That is to say, I am Argentinian.

6. TO GIVE EMPHASIS

AS A MATTER OF FACT I like eggs. As a matter of fact, I eat them every day INDEED He is, indeed, a man of his word.

1) Practice!

Complete the sentences using the following linking words:first / afterwards / because / as / since / moreover / besides / and / though / although / in spite of / despite / to / in order to / if / unless / otherwise

1. He decided to go, __________ I begged him not to. 2. __________ being rich and famous, he is not happy. 3. You can borrow my computer ________ you bring it back tomorrow. 4. _________ her reputation, she is not that good a writer. 5. I’m taking my umbrella _________ it’s raining. 6. To start with, I’ll have a shrimp cocktail ________ I’ll try the lobster. 7. The match took place ____________ the bad weather. 8. He worked very hard ____________ get promotion. 9. Don’t cross that street ____________ you really have to. 10. She bought a new laptop __________ please her daughter.

2) Practice!

Complete the sentences using the following linking words: first / then / until / afterwards / finally / because / as / since / moreover / besides / consequently / therefore / however / though / in spite of / to / in order to / if / unless / otherwise

1. Let them go __________ they’re going to be late. 2. _______ she was working, I didn’t interrupt her. 3. I opened the window ___________ it was too hot in the room. 4. I’ll wait here ___________ you come back. 5. ___________ he was fully qualified, they didn’t give him the job. 6. ________of all, I’d like to ask you some questions. 7. After months of looking, she ____________ found a job. 8. The whole report is badly written. ____________, it's inaccurate. 9. She won’t mind you being late – ________, it’s not your fault. 10. We couldn’t gather enough money and __________ had to stop the project. 11. I learned French easily. ___________, I didn’t like my teacher.

Writing Time!