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). Sentences can be joined using conjunctions which introduce clauses such as time, reason, purpose, condition and contrast.
You can print off this page to keep as a reference of useful linking words and phrases.
You'll find below a list of words and phrases that can be used. The list is not exhaustive, and BE CAREFUL: although grouped together, none is totally synonymous. Their position in the sentence can also vary; this is where your reading and dictionary come in.
| ADDITION | CONTRAST | COMPARISON | RESULT | CONCESSION | TIME | EXAMPLE | ENUMERATION | SUMMARY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| again | after all | correspondingly | accordingly | after all | after a short time | as follows | first | in brief |
| also | although true | equally | consequently | although true | after a while | for example | second | in conclusion |
| and | but | in a like manner | hense | and yet | afterward | for instance | third | in a nutshell |
| and then | despite (+ noun) | in the same way | then | at the same time | at last | incidentally | finally | in short |
| besides | for all that | likewise | therefore | granted | at length | indeed | then | on the whole |
| equally important | however | similarly | thus | naturally | hereupon (formal) | in fact | last | overall |
| further | in contrast | also | as a result | of course | lately | in other words | next | therefore |
| furthermore | in spite of (+ noun) | like | thereby (+ ing) | even though | presently | in particular | among | to conclude |
| in addition | nevertheless | just as | so | still | recently | namely | other | to summarize |
| likewise | notwithstanding | just like | because of this/that | perhaps | shortly | particularly | firstly | tu sum up |
| moreover | on the contrary | in that case | however | since then | specifically | secondly | ||
| too | on the other hand | under these circumstances | nevertheless | temporarily | that is | thirdly | ||
| still | then | |||||||
| yet | thereafter (formal) | |||||||
| instead |
These words help a written piece to flow more smoothly. Let's take a look at an example. You will be able to see how they work. The first example is lacking a transition word, and the second example has one.
Amanda spent a long day working at the school and cooking dinner for her family. She decided to have a large cup of coffee.
Amanda spent a long day working at the school and then cooking dinner for her family. Therefore, she decided to have a large cup of coffee.