WRITING / Formal Linking Words
Formal Linking Words / Cohesive Devices
Linking words can also be referred to as connectors, conjunctions, and cohesive devices. This webpage includes a useful lesson on helping improve students’ knowledge of these linking words. It includes a lesson plan using a kinaesthetic matching activity and worksheet.
Lesson: Matching activity
Cut these up and students match
Linking Words Reference Sheet
Print off and give this to students as a helpful reference guide.
Linking Words Worksheet
Consolidation: practise choosing the correct linking word in each sentence.
More digital resources and lessons
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Linking words are lexical items (words and phrases) we use to connect ideas in writing and get a reader to our next sentence or paragraph.
Let’s face it: You can’t write an essay (or any other writing piece) without linking words.
Also known as connecting words or transition words, they serve to make your writing flow and help those reading your work follow the flow of your thoughts, ideas, and arguments.
This post is your guide to linking words and their role in writing. Not only will you learn the types of these words, examples, and reasons to use them, but you’ll also get a massive list of transition words and phrases as well as linking words PDF to download and use whenever necessary.
Table of Contents:
- What are Linking Words?
- Why Use Transition Words in Essays
- Linking Words Examples
- Types and List of Linking Words to Use in Essays:
- Addition/Agreement/Similarity
- Contrast/Contradiction/Limitation/Opposition
- Comparison/Concession/Condition
- Clarification
- Cause/Effect/Result
- Emphasis/Example
- Generalization
- Illustration
- Location/Place/Space
- Reason/Reference
- Time/Sequence
- Summary/Conclusion/Restatement
- The Ultimate List of Linking Words: Download
What are Linking Words?
Linking words are lexical items (words and phrases) we use to connect ideas in writing and get a reader to the next sentence or paragraph.
They aren’t about essay writing only:
Whether you write a fiction book, marketing content, academic works, autobiography, or poems, you’ll need to connect ideas. That’s what transition words do:
They link your thoughts and arguments into a chain to show how they relate to each other. Also known as transition words, these phrases often start a sentence or a paragraph. However, you’ll also use them in the middle of sentences to bring ideas together.
The most common places for linking words in essays are:
- the start of a paragraph
- the start of a sentence introducing a new idea or extending an argument
- the beginning of a concluding statement
Why Use Transition Words in Essays
Essay linking words is an integral part of academic writing. Put it simply, you can’t write a paper without using them; otherwise, your writing won’t make any sense for readers.
Transition words for essay serve to:
- connect ideas in writing
- create a flow of thoughts and arguments for readers to understand what you want to say
- guide readers from one idea to another, demonstrating how they relate to each other
- hook readers and encourage them to read the next sentence or paragraph
- add more information
- support or contrast a point
- show the result, conclude, demonstrate an effect of this or that point
Using essay maker and connecting words, each sentence and paragraph must pass readers on to the next one. These connecting words serve as an instrument to guide readers from one thought or point to the next.
Linking Words Examples
Linking words examples are many, and it’s clear why: every piece of writing contains tons of connecting and transition words. Let’s take an essay sample from Bid4Papers writers to see the example of linking words in academic writing:
This one was an essay introduction.
Now, why not take a step further and look for essay linking words in essay conclusions?
Types and List of Linking Words to Use in Essays
Below you’ll find the ultimate list of transition words for essays by categories. Choose the role you need a word to play (reason, contrast, emphasis, restatement, etc.) and consider the corresponding table of transitions.
If you need the whole transition words list in one place, jump to the next category of this post to find the downloadable linking words pdf.
And now, for connecting words categories:
Addition/Agreement/Similarity
These words serve to add info to what you’ve previously stated, demonstrate the commonality between arguments, and support your thoughts.
|
in the first place again moreover in like manner also of course in the same fashion/way identically correspondingly not to mention additionally just as… so too apart from this last |
not only … but also
to as well as in addition then likewise first, second, third uniquely similarly to say nothing of too along with further moreover |
as a matter of fact
and together with coupled with equally comparatively in the light of like furthermore as by the same token besides coupled with not to mention |
Contrast/Contradiction/Limitation/Opposition
Linking words for contrast is your instrument to show how things are different and provide counterarguments. They work best in persuasive and critical essays.
| however
nevertheless nonetheless in contrast/in comparison while whereas conversely differing from even so although this may be true otherwise albeit besides be that as it may |
still
although / even though though on the other hand on the contrary alternatively in opposition instead nor different from at the same time even though then again regardless |
but
yet despite / in spite of as opposed to contrarily contrary to rather though unlike of course …, but albeit above all in reality after all |
Comparison/Concession/Condition
These lexical items will help you if you need to provide conditions to your statements, show how things are different/similar, or accept a point with reservation.
| similarly
likewise also compare(d) to / with not only…but also alike equally in a similar manner in common still another although this may be true as on the condition that only if admittedly all the same even though however despite |
like
just as just like as with both by the same token in like manner in the same way because of even if given that since then unless although and still and yet nevertheless nonetheless |
similar to
same as compare correspondingly either equal most important resembles similarly granted that if in that case when whenever while be that as it may even if even so up to a point |
Clarification
These words will help you with personal or narrative essays: They are linking words in opinion writing that indicates you’re going to explore ideas in more detail.
Expository essays will win with these words too.
| I mean
in explanation in lay terms to clearly define to explain |
in other words
in simple terms simply put to put it clearly to put it in another way |
simply stated
that is to say to break it down to simplify to make plain |
Cause/Effect/Result
Cause and effect connecting words do what their name says exactly: demonstrating a cause of some point and providing the result of what has been done or started.
| if
in case granted (that) … then for the purpose of when so that in the hope that while due to in view of while lest hence |
provided that
as/so long as unless with this intention whenever so as to to the end that for fear that because of so as a result as a consequence (of) for this reason thereupon |
given that
on (the) condition (that) only/even if with this in mind since owing to inasmuch as in order to as seeing / being that therefore thus consequently forthwith then |
Emphasis/Example
These words are for putting forward your point more forcefully, providing examples.
| undoubtedly
indeed obviously for instance that is (i.e.) such as chiefly clearly definitely it should be noted naturally never to repeat on the negative side significantly on the positives side to enumerate another key point first thing to remember to emphasize to put it another way truly |
generally
admittedly in fact including namely specifically especially even importantly obviously of course particularly / in particular truly with this in mind point often overlooked frequently to explain by all means surely in this case to demonstrate for this reason |
particularly / in particular
especially for example to illustrate above all absolutely in detail in truth indeed positively surprisingly to clarify with attention without a doubt specifically most compelling evidence expressively that is to say with attention to certainly for one thing as an illustration to be sure |
Generalization
Perfect transition words for hypothesis essays, generalization lexical items serve to make a general statement you’ll then specify and prove in detail.
| as a rule
broadly speaking commonly mostly normally often |
for the most part
generally speaking in general/ generally predominately regularly typically |
in most cases mainly more often than not on the whole overall |
Illustration
These words and phrases are for you to provide examples in essays.
| as an example of
for example/ for instance for one thing like namely on this occasion |
illustrated by
in another case in the case of proof of this specifically such as |
in this case
in this situation including to demonstrate to clarify to simplify |
Location/Place/Space
Use these words to provide order and reference or clarify spatial relationships between your points or ideas.
| in the middle
here further on this side where wherever in the foreground near alongside down beneath adjacent to underneath around |
to the left/right
there beyond in the distance from around in the background above up beside opposite to under surrounding at the rear |
in front of
next nearby here and there over before in the center of below among behind between across on top/on bottom adjacent |
Reason/Reference
These transitional words will help you demonstrate relationships between ideas and provide reasons for what and why has started or occurred.
| because of
for the purpose of given that seeing that so that with this in mind as applied to as far as concerning the fact that |
granted that
in fact in order to with this intention with this purpose for considering in connection to in terms with regards to |
in view of
owing to provided that because since as regarding speaking about/of with respect to examples of these might be: |
Time/Sequence
Use these words in your essay when you need to indicate the time and order of what you say.
| at the present time
after henceforth at the same time until meanwhile in due time then first, second as long as forthwith in the meantime by the time in the first place next formerly instantly quickly |
from time to time
later whenever up to the present time till further until now before in time when straight away in a moment whenever all of a sudden now suddenly presently finally |
sooner or later
last eventually to begin with since during as soon as hence prior to once without delay about at this instant now that immediately shortly occasionally another |
Summary/Conclusion/Restatement
Restatement words will help you express an alternative to what you previously stated. They work for all essay types, including rhetorical precis and dialectic essays.
Use summary and conclusion transitional phrases to sum up your points and come up with the final paragraph of your writing.
| as can be seen
after all overall all things considered in conclusion by and large given these points in essence in any event for the most part altogether as noted therefore |
generally speaking
in fact ordinarily as shown above in short to sum up as has been noted to summarize in either case in the end as you can see to conclude |
in the final analysis
in summary usually in the long run in brief on the whole in a word on balance all in all in the final analysis finally given these points ultimately |
The Ultimate List of Connecting Words: Download
And now, for the most interesting and practical part:
Below you can find the linking words worksheet that gathers all the most commonly used transitional words in essays. Feel free to download this linking words PDF and refer to it every time you write an essay and experience writer’s block:
[Download PDF]
Do you need more guides and worksheets like this to assist you with academic writing? Please share your ideas in the comments, and our writers will be happy to help!
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Change words that depict likenesses:
Similarly
Similarly
Correspondingly
Similarly
Yet additionally
Correspondingly
Progress words that show circumstances and logical results:
Thusly
Thus
Consequently
This proposes that
That’s what it follows
Subsequently
Since
Since
Thusly
In like manner
Therefore
Change words that look into:
Then again
Anyway
However
On the other hand
Then again
All things considered
Running against the norm
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Progress words that show logical inconsistencies:
Regardless of/despite
All things considered
Regardless
In spite of the fact that
While (not while!)
All things being equal
Running against the norm
In fact
Change words that show accentuation:
To delineate
To explain
Further (not ‘besides’)
To start with, the second and third
For example
Also
Ordinarily
Particularly
To be specific
Furthermore
Progress words utilized for finishing up:
To sum up
It very well may be inferred that
At long last
All things considered
As should be visible
Eventually
Given the abovementioned
As depicted
In rundown
All in all
Generally
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Linking/transition words: Things you need to know…
All assignments are written in formal language. You need to ensure that you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding alongside your ability to answer the question/solve the problem.
Below are some ideas to help you to develop your structure and flow.
- Linking / transition words and phrases join ideas, sentences and paragraphs together. They should be used within sentences and to move from one idea to another (between sentences).
These words and phrases indicate the direction, order and flow of ideas. Significantly, they strengthen the quality and structure of your work.
- Redundant Words — less is more. Particularly when trying to reduce the word count, it is important to look for phrases which can be replaced with a single word.
Transitions link one main idea to another separated by a semi-colon or full-stop. When the transition word is at the beginning of the sentence, it should be followed by a comma:
Among other functions, they can signal cause and effect or sequencing (see examples in the table below).
| Additional comments or ideas | additionally; also; moreover; furthermore; again; further; then; besides; too; similarly; correspondingly; indeed; regarding. |
| Alternatives |
whereas; conversely; in comparison; by contrast; another view is…; alternatively; although; otherwise; instead.
|
| Analysing results |
therefore; accordingly; as a result of; the result is/results are; the consequence is; resulting from; consequently; it can be seen; evidence illustrates that; because of this; thus; hence; for this reason; owing to x; this suggests that; it follows that; otherwise; in that case; that implies; Author (year) suggests that;
|
| Cause / Reason | as a result of; because (mid-sentence only) |
| Compare | compared with; in the same way; likewise |
| Contrast | by contrast; although; compared with; conversely; despite; however, nevertheless; yet |
| Effect / Result | As a result; therefore; thus |
| Emphasising earlier statements |
however; nonetheless; furthermore; in the final analysis; despite x; notwithstanding x; in spite of x; while x may be true, nonetheless although; though; after all; at the same time; even if x is true; count
|
| Introducing examples | for example; for instance; namely; such as; as follows; as exemplified by; such as; including; especially; particularly; in particular; notably; mainly; |
| Re-phrasing | in other terms; rather; or; better; in view of this; in contrast |
| Sequencing | first (ly); second (ly); third (ly); another; additionally; finally moreover; also; subsequently; eventually; next; then |
| Summary or Conclusion | in conclusion; therefore; to conclude; on the whole; hence; thus to summarise; altogether; overall; …following the research of…after analysis |
Linking words: conjunctions
Linking words within a sentence are referred to as coordinating conjunctions. Do not worry about the term: think about the function.
| Conjunction | Function |
| for | connects a reason to a result |
| and | connects equal and similar ideas |
| nor | connects two negative ideas |
| but | connects equal but different ideas |
| or | connects two equal choices |
| yet | connects equal and contrasting ideas |
| so | connects a result to a reason |
Conciseness / redundant words
Microsoft Word now has an additional feature within the Editor — it is called conciseness or wordiness.
- If you cannot see the Editor menu a quick tip is to hold down the function (fn key at the bottom left of the keyboard) + F7 (top line of keys).
- From the Refinements section — select Conciseness — if there are any suggestions a number will appear in the box alongside this option
- A dotted line will appear under any groups of groups
- Either select the identified text by clicking with your right mouse button OR click on the down down next to the Conciseness menu.
- MS Word will display any alternative words which you can either select and they will be replaced in your text or reject if you want to keep the original phrases.
Examples: try to replace phrases with a single words which mean the same.
| Instead of … | Use … |
| employed the use of | used |
| basic fundamentals | fundamentals |
| alternative choices | alternatives |
| in as few words as possible | concisely |
| look into | investigate |
| put on | gained |
| turned down | rejected |
| got better | improved |
| hit and miss | erratic |
| in spite of | although |
Factsheets
Need to know more…
- Related pages
- External links
- Books
-
Academic writing
Illustrates the main features of academic writing so that you are aware of what it is and what it involves
-
Critical Thinking
Academic work involves thinking, not just accepting what you read or are told.
-
Terms and Definitions
Important words appear in your assignments and examinations. The aim of this factsheet is to help you to fully understand what they mean.
Additional resources to help you to improve your confidence and grades:-
- Writing Effectively demonstrates the importance of: clarity, structure, relevance, argument and precision.
- Writing Mechanics gives further examples and resources on areas including: sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Linking/Transition words — Scribbr https://www.scribbr.co.uk/syntax/transition-words-examples/ [Accessed 10 February 2023]
Staffordshire University (2015) Refzone. Referencing (Harvard style) explained with interactive quizzes to make sure that you get it.
There are many books concerning academic writing, look around Dewey number 808
-
Writing for Academic Success by Megan Poore; Gail CraswellISBN: 9780857029270
Publication Date: 2012-03-05
-
Writing Skills for Nursing and Midwifery Students by Dena Bain Taylor
ISBN: 9781446208342
Publication Date: 2012-12-06
-
Legal Writing by Lisa Webley
ISBN: 9781138840683
Publication Date: 2016-03-23
An essay is an important piece of writing when a student is seeking college admission. It needs to have a clear flow so that the readability is perfect. Rightly so, the sentences you construct need to flow and lead to each other seamlessly.
Linking or transition words come in handy to make your essay have comprehensible sentences. The words act as the ideal connectors and bridges that eliminate sentence isolation.
Factually, both writing and speaking need linking words that will help the audience form a clear relationship between ideas. Listeners and readers are able to comprehend responses when the right linking words are in place.
What are Linking Words in Essay Writing?
Linking words are the uniformity basis of an essay. When these words are in an essay, they showcase a connection between sentences. As usual, a typical essay consists of different sections and paragraphs.
If there are no transition words, the sentences will appear incoherent and messy. The use of linking words clearly show the relationship existing between all sections and paragraphs in an essay.
When writing your essay, make use of linking words as a bridge between the concepts you are writing and ideas in your essay. The readers will enjoy a cohesive piece of essay with texts that are flowing smoothly.
The assessment team has a lot of essays to read and you can make their work easy by using your linking words appropriately. If this is not the case, your professor will have to go through a lot of stress in trying to understand your essay.
Basically, if you want to impress your readers and consequently improve your scores, practice the best linking words skills.
Reasons for Using Linking Words in Essay Writing
Only proper usage of linking words will help you come up with a compelling essay. After toiling to conduct research for your essay, improper structure of sentences will make your efforts go to waste.
Good students endeavor and strive to create an appealing and expressive essay. A thorough use of the right linking words will make your presentation and persuasion of ideas flow perfectly.
Linking words are very crucial in any type of essay. If you do not want your texts to appear clucky, transition words ought to be in place.
Here are more reasons why you need linking words in your essay:
1. Flow of order and sequence
An essay needs flow of texts, ideas and thoughts otherwise it will lose its quality. Therefore, writers need to make huge efforts and use the right linking words that will bring a sequence of order in the essay.
Such words include next, then, firstly, secondly, afterwards, finally and afterwards. Other transition words to use include concurrently, at the same time, earlier, first of all, following this and for now.
A good sequence order in your essay is also enhanced when you use words such as lastly, in the end, in the beginning or once upon a time.
2. Showcasing comparison
There are essays that will require the writer to show comparison. Linking words play an important role in contrast and argumentative essays.
If you need to bring out comparison clearly, consider the use of words such as similarly, equally, comparable, in the same time and likewise.
Apart from same as, other words or phrases to use include just like, just as and comparably.
3. Contrasting
Transition words are the best when you want to bring out contrast in a sentence. In most of the cases, place then at the beginning or in the middle of your sentence to create the right contrast.
However, despite this, yet, whereas and alternatively are some of the words you can use.
4. Illustration of examples
There are places in your essay where you will have to give examples. Obviously, most essays will need illustration of evidence with the use of linking words.
Giving examples without these words will make your text to sound blunt.
Linking words such as for instance, in the case of, and for instance will make it easy to introduce your examples.
5. Including additions
You will also need to use linking words when putting additions in your essays. These words will ensure that you have added a txt with the correct meaning to your essay.
Furthermore, also, secondly, in addition and moreover are some of the linking words to use.
6. Introduction of cause and effects
Cause and effects in an essay can help the writer draw a sensible conclusion. In essence, it helps to bring about good connection of the essay when a conclusion is being added. Therefore, the relationship between cause and effect is better shown using the right linking words.
Owing to, thus, since, as a result of and because are some of the transition words you can use. Other words to use include stems from, leads to, results from, for this reason etc.
7. For conclusion purposes
Starting an impressive essay can only be better if the conclusion is attractive. It is good to bring about the conclusion using appropriate linking words that are not common.
You can conclude your essay using words such as finally, in conclusion, summarizing, in summary and briefly.
As a writer, you need to bear in mind that adjusting and positioning these words is a must if you are to impress your readers.
Dos of Using Linking Words
- Adjust and position your linking words properly otherwise the reader will not be impressed.
- Do mix up the linking words you use. Using one word several times can be very annoying to the reader. Since the transition phrases are many, mix them up in your essay to avoid repetition.
- Be accurate in using these words when connecting your ideas in an essay. Know the difference between these phrases to understand the meaning correctly.
- You can use these words when you want to accentuate a point. In other words, use them to stress something important in your writing.
30 Examples of Linking Words for Essay Writing
- On the flipside
- On the contrary
- By and large
- As a consequence of
- In conclusion
- Above all
- Following this
- At this point of time
- In the same way
- As an example
- In other words
- To put it differently
- Under the circumstances
- That is to say
- With this intention
- Subsequently
- All in all
- In brief
- In order to
- Primarily
- Of less importance
- What’s more
- Meanwhile
- Furthermore
- Alternatively
- In spite of
- To illustrate
- To demonstrate
- In the middle of
- For the avoidance of doubt
Wrapping Up on Linking words on Essay Writing
You can’t overlook the significance of linking words in essay writing. Transition words are important in bringing ideas together so that they appear as a whole in your essay.
All in all, an essay that flows well must incorporate the right transition words to link arguments and actions. The readers will be able to connect an event that took place because of a consequence of a different action.
Essays need to have a flow of ideas with each one building on the other. Yet still, organization of thoughts in essay writing is valuable and this is where linking words play a critical role.
To sum it up, the more your thoughts are in good organization, the smoother your essay will flow. When you use linking words appropriately, your piece will have a logical structure that is appealing to the reader.
When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.