LINKING WORDS

+ ?

WHAT ARE LINKING WORDS?

The more expressive among us dont just speak or write single sentences but join various ideas together. This is called discourse. Linking words (or discourse markers) are used to connect ideas together to help people understand our ideas and to make what we say sound more interesting.

CONTRASTING
They are usually followed by a comma and introduce a sentence which contrasts with the previous one.

Examples

HOWEVER NEVERTHELESS ON THE OTHER HAND DESPITE / IN SPITE OF + noun Despite the fact In spite of the fact ALTHOUGH

The machine is old. However / Nevertheless, it should work for a few more years.

In spite of/Despite its age, the machine should work for a few more years. Although/In spite of the fact that the machine is old, it should work for a few more years.

ADDING
The following expressions introduce further information which extends an argument.
BESIDES (introduces a stronger argument) MOREOVER FURTHERMORE WHAT IS MORE

Examples

She is attractive. Besides/ Moreover/Furthermore/ Whats more she is very intelligent.

IN ADDITION
NOT ONLY
(inverted verb)

Not only is she attractive, (but) she is very intelligent too.

Not only is she attractive, (but) she is also very intelligent .

CAUSE & RESULT

Cause
DUE TO + noun

Examples

OWING TO + noun BECAUSE OF + noun BECAUSE + verb

The football match was cancelled because of/ owing to / due to the rain. The football match was cancelled because it was raining.

AS + verb SINCE + verb

As/ Since it was raining, the football match was cancelled.

Consequence
SO

Examples It was raining. Therefore/ As a result/ This is why/ For this reason the football match was cancelled.

THEREFORE
AS A RESULT THIS IS WHY CONSEQUENTLY FOR THIS REASON

I think therefore I am

PURPOSE
Examples

SO AS TO + infinitive structure IN ORDER TO + infinitive structure SO THAT + verb structure

He bought a bicycle in order to/ so as to get more exercise. He bought a bicycle so that he would get more exercise.

EXAMPLES
A new sentence with an example is introduced by either: Examples

FOR EXMPLE

FOR INSTANCE

The pen-knife has different uses, such as removing stones from horses hooves.

SUCH AS

CLARIFYING
A number of expressions are used, especially in speech, to clarify what we have said.
I MEAN ( informal, spoken) IN OTHER WORDS THIS IS TO SAY (formal)

Examples

A kangaroo is a marsupial. In other words / This is to say it is underdeveloped at birth and is carried around in a pouch for several weeks.

FOCUSING
We often want to focus a conversation on something we think is important.
Examples In terms of/ In relation to/ Regarding its effect on employee morale, you don`t need to worry. As far as its effect on employee morale is concerned , you dont need to worry. Regarding your request for a pay rise, I think we can talk about it later.

IN TERMS OF
IN RELATION TO REGARDING AS FAR AS IS CONCERNED

SUMMARISING
There are a number of different ways of introducing a conclusion.
TO SUM UP

Examples

ALL IN ALL
IN BRIEF IN SHORT IN CONCLUSION ON THE WHOLE

To sum up/ All in all/ In short , the process has been beneficial for the company.