Linking Words and ExpressionsUsing transitional words and phrases or linking words helps you to make yourself understood more easily, make shorter sentences and improve the connections and transitions between thoughts. It also helps if you can structure your ideas into a clear beginning, middle and end.

1. Positions in the text

Some linking words should only be used within a sentence.

and but so because then until such as

Other linking words should only be used between sentences.

Furthermore, Moreover, However, Nevertheless, Therefore,

Some linking words can be used to conclude your point.In conclusion In that case providing that unless as long as

Let me sum up That covers what I wanted to say Feel free to ask any questions

I’d be glad to answer any questions Thanks for listening As I said earlier

2. Grammar of linking words

Linking devices are neither nouns, nor verbs.

• Some linking words must be followed by a clause(Subject + Verb + Object)

For example:

while why because although so whereas when

• Other linking words should be followed by a noun phrase(Linking word + (the) + Noun/Pronoun or gerund)

For example:

because of despite during in spite of

By Viv Quarry

3. Uses of linking words & expressions

also again as well as besides

furthermore

in addition

likewise

moreoversimilarly

Addition Restatement

extremely

terribly

completely

utterly

in essencein other words thatis to sayin shortin briefto put it differently

Consequence

subsequentlyAccordingly

As a result

therefore

For this reason

consequently

hence

otherwise so then

Generalizing

as a rule as usual

for the most part

generally

generally speaking

ordinarilyusually

Exception

extremely

terribly

completely

utterly

side frombesidesexceptexceptingexcluding, otherthan, outside of,save

Exemplifying

chieflyespeciallyfor instance

in particular

namely

including

specifically such as

Contrast

extremely

terribly

completely

utterly

by the sametoken, conversely,instead, likewise,on one hand, onthe other hand,on the contrary,rather, similarly,yet, but, however,still, nevertheless,in contrast

Illustration

for example for instancefor one thing

as an illustration

illustrated with

as an example

in the case

Similarity

extremely

terribly

completely

utterly

ComparativelyCorrespondinglyIdenticallyLikewiseSimilarTogether with

Emphasis

above allchiefly

with attention to

especially

particularly

singularly

Sequence

At first to begin at the same time/ simultaneously

For now

The next step

in conclusionIn turn

next/then/after

With this in mind

In the meantime

MeanwhileSummarising

extremely

terribly

completely

utterly

after all, all in all,all thingsconsidered,briefly, by andlarge, in any case,in any event, inbrief, inconclusion, on thewhole, in short, insummary, in thefinal analysis, inthe long run, onbalance, to sumup, to summarize,finally

Diversionincidently

by the way

Direction

extremely

terribly

completely

utterly

here, there, overthere, beyond,nearly, opposite,under, above, tothe left, to theright, in thedistance