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Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Published on May 29, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 23, 2023.

Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.

The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.

For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.

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When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words, other interesting articles.

Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.

Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.

Example text with and without transition words

The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.

If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently , France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However , Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.

Don’t overuse transition words

While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.

In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.

The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.

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There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.

Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.

Additive transition words

Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Addition	We found that the mixture was effective. , it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted.	indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both and , not only but also , , in fact
Introduction	Several researchers have previously explored this topic. , Smith (2014) examined the effects of …	such as, like, particularly, including, as an illustration, for example, for instance, in particular, to illustrate, especially, notably
Reference	The solution showed a high degree of absorption. , it is reasonable to conclude that …	considering , regarding , in regard to , as for , concerning , the fact that , on the subject of
Similarity	It was not possible to establish a correlation between these variables. , the connection between and remains unclear …	similarly, in the same way, by the same token, in like manner, equally, likewise
Clarification	The patient suffered several side effects, increased appetite, decreased libido, and disordered sleep.	that is (to say), namely, specifically, more precisely, in other words

Adversative transition words

Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Conflict	The novel does deal with the theme of family. , its central theme is more broadly political …	but, however, although, though, equally, by way of contrast, while, on the other hand, (and) yet, whereas, in contrast, (when) in fact, conversely, whereas
Concession	Jones (2011) argues that the novel reflects Russian politics of the time. this is correct, other aspects of the text must also be considered.	even so, nonetheless, nevertheless, even though, on the other hand, admittedly, despite , notwithstanding , (and) still, although, , regardless (of ), (and) yet, though, granted
Dismissal	It remains unclear which of these hypotheses is correct. , it can be inferred that …	regardless, either way, whatever the case, in any/either event, in any/either case, at any rate, all the same
Emphasis	The chemical is generally thought to have corrosive properties. , several studies have supported this hypothesis.	above all, indeed, more/most importantly
Replacement	The character of Godfrey is often viewed as selfish, self-absorbed.	(or) at least, (or) rather, instead, or (perhaps) even, if not

Causal transition words

Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Consequence	Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany.	therefore, because (of ), as a result (of ), for this reason, in view of , as, owing to x, due to (the fact that), since, consequently, in consequence, as a consequence, hence, thus, so (that), accordingly, so much (so) that, under the/such circumstances, if so
Condition	We qualified survey responses as positive the participant selected “agree” or “strongly agree.” , results were recorded as negative.	(even/only) if/when, on (the) condition that, in the case that, granted (that), provided/providing that, in case, in the event that, as/so long as, unless, given that, being that, inasmuch/insofar as, in that case, in (all) other cases, if so/not, otherwise
Purpose	We used accurate recording equipment our results would be as precise as possible.	to, in order to/that, for the purpose of, in the hope that, so that, to the end that, lest, with this in mind, so as to, so that, to ensure (that)

Sequential transition words

Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Enumeration	This has historically had several consequences: , the conflict is not given the weight of other conflicts in historical narratives. , its causes are inadequately understood. , …	first, second, third…
Initiation	, I want to consider the role played by women in this period.	in the first place, initially, first of all, to begin with, at first
Continuation	, I discuss the way in which the country’s various ethnic minorities were affected by the conflict.	subsequently, previously, eventually, next, before , afterwards, after , then
Conclusion	, I consider these two themes in combination.	to conclude (with), as a final point, eventually, at last, last but not least, finally, lastly
Resumption	my main argument, it is clear that …	to return/returning to , to resume, at any rate
Summation	Patel (2015) comes to a similar conclusion. , the four studies considered here suggest a consensus that the solution is effective.	as previously stated/mentioned, in summary, as I have argued, overall, as has been mentioned, to summarize, briefly, given these points, in view of , as has been noted, in conclusion, in sum, altogether, in short

Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.

Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.

Confused use of therefore

“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.

We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. Therefore , the average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”

We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. The average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

Starting a sentence with also , and , or so

While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.

Also , a second round of testing was carried out.

To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.

A second round of testing was also carried out.
Additionally , a second round of testing was carried out.

Transition words creating sentence fragments

Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions . This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.

The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.

Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. Although other researchers disagree.

We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”

Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed, although other researchers disagree.
Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. However , other researchers disagree.

And vs. as well as

Students often use the phrase “ as well as ” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.

Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf, as well as presenting my analysis of To the Lighthouse .

In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before “as well as” but not before “and.”

Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf and presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse .
Chapter 1 presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse , as well as discussing some background information on Woolf.

Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”

Both my results as well as my interpretations are presented below.
Both my results and my interpretations are presented below.

Use of and/or

The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.

First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.

Participants were asked whether they used the bus and/or the train.
Participants were asked whether they used the bus, the train, or both.

Archaic transition words

Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.

Poverty is best understood as a disease. Hereby , we not only see that it is hereditary, but acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.

Poverty is best understood as a disease. Understanding it as such , we not only see that it is hereditary, but also acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

Using a paraphrasing tool for clear writing

With the use of certain tools, you can make your writing clear. One of these tools is a paraphrasing tool . One thing the tool does is help your sentences make more sense. It has different modes where it checks how your text can be improved. For example, automatically adding transition words where needed.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or writing rules make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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200+ Linking Words – Full List, Examples

| Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

Worried that your essay lacks structure and coherence? Perhaps you should use linking words, transition words, or connectors to give it a boost.

Linking words join separate sentences to improve writing flow. You can also find them mid-sentence to connect clauses.

Read on as I show you the definition and types of linking words in English. I also list examples of linking words under every category, and I whipped up a helpful worksheet to test your skills.

What Are Linking Words?

Linking words, transition words, or connecting words in the English language help connect ideas and sentences when speaking or writing.

Linking words and phrases are connectors or transitional phrases. They are also part of formal language, so you’ll find them in academic writing, opinion writing, critical essays, dialectic essays , journalism, and business documents.

Some linking verbs link clauses within a sentence, such as although, in case, and whatever. That means you can find them in the middle of sentences from time to time. Others link two complete sentences, such as besides, as a result, and however.

List of Transition Words

Now that you know the meaning of transition words, let’s look at the usage of transition words in sentences and clauses. Don’t worry, I’ll break it all down for you!

Below, I’ve got a list of linking words and phrases to serve as alternative choices for connecting ideas in writing. Note that there are several types of transition words which we will discuss later.

Agreement/Addition/Similarity

Linking words may help the reader understand additional comments or ideas in a statement. They may also express agreement or similarities. These words are also called additive transition words, commonly found in expository essays and narrative essays.

In the first place
As a matter of fact
In like manner
In addition
Not only, but also
Coupled with
In the same way
In the same manner
First, second, third
Not to mention
In the light of
By the same token
Additionally
Correspondingly
Furthermore
Comparatively
At the same time
Together with
Identically

Here are some examples of additive linking words in a sentence.

The group found that a constructivist approach leads to higher test scores. Moreover, essay examinations show higher levels of learning.
The resort has tennis courts. Furthermore, it has an Olympic pool.

Negative Ideas

Some linking words come in pairs to join negative ideas.

Not, neither
Neither, nor

Here are sentence examples of linking words showing negative ideas.

I haven’t seen Lory, neither have I talked to her friend.
I neither drink nor smoke.

Opposition/Limitation/Contradiction

Whereas some linking words show an extra idea, these transition phrases and words express contrasting ideas in writing.

Although this may be true
In contrast
(and) still
Notwithstanding
Different from
Of course…, but
On the other hand
On the contrary
Be that as it may
Nonetheless
Even so/though
Nevertheless
In spite of

Here are some sentences with linking words of opposition.

The short story can be analyzed using a functionalist lens. However, its historical theme is better understood with a critical perspective.
As much as I want to go, I must take care of my sister.

Some linking words show relationships between ideas by accepting an idea with reservation instead of showing complete opposition. Here are some examples.

All the same
Regardless of this
Up to a point

Here are some sentence examples.

Many citizens opposed this unfair policy, which the president nevertheless enacted.
I like him even if we have different views in life.

Cause/Condition/Purpose

You may also use linking words in your writing piece to show conditions and purpose for a logical flow of ideas. Words like reason get the reader ready to understand why. These words are commonly found in hypothesis essays.

In the event that
Granted (that)
Provided that
On (the) condition (that)
For the purpose of
With this intention
With this in mind
In the hope that
Inasmuch as
To the end that
For fear that
In order to
Seeing/being that
The researchers used this method so that the results would be valid, reliable, and aligned with the objectives.
I will not be attending the seminar due to a high fever.

Examples/Support/Emphasis

You can also use transition words in your piece of writing that show examples or support of an idea.

In other words
To put it differently
For one thing
In particular
As an illustration
In this case
For example
For instance
For this reason
To put it another way
To demonstrate
That is to say
With attention to
By all means
To emphasize
To enumerate
Particularly
Significantly
Specifically
Surprisingly
Important to realize
Another key point
On the negative side
First thing to remember
Must be remembered
To point out
Point often overlooked
She visited several cities, namely Portland, Jacksonville, Charleston, and Hartford.
Transition words improve writing flow. For instance, we use further to add extra ideas related to the previous statement.

Effect/Consequence/Result

You might also spot transitional devices for essays that show consequences, results, and effects.

As a result
In that case
Under those circumstances
Accordingly
Consequently

Consider the examples below.

We watered the plant for seven days. In effect, it grew three inches taller.
Because she didn’t study for the test, Anna failed and had to retake it.

Conclusion/Summary/Restatement

These words and phrases show transitions between sentences to show conclusions. You’ll find these words in essay conclusions of different essay types.

In simple language
In explanation
In lay terms
In a nutshell
As can be seen
In simple terms
Generally speaking
All things considered
As shown above
In the final analysis
In the long run
In either case
Given these points
As has been noted
In any event
On the whole
By and large
For the most part
In conclusion
To summarize

Note that in lay terms and in explanation are formal alternative choices to “ in a nutshell.”

Here are some examples.

Matter is a material that occupies space and has mass. In simple language, it is any physical substance.
I don’t want to climb the corporate ladder. After all, money isn’t everything.

Time/Chronology/Sequence

Linking words’ other role in writing is to show sequence or chronology. Under the time category, these phrases add a meaning of time. You can find these words in an essay introduction when the writer explains how the paper is structured.

In due time
From time to time
At the present time
Sooner or later
Up to the present time
To begin with
Straightaway
In the meantime
In a moment
Without delay
All of a sudden
At this instant
First, second
By the time
Immediately
Occasionally
I watched the movie on television. Eventually, I fell asleep.
First, fill the pan with water. Then, bring it to a boil.

Space/Location/Place

The following transition words are famous adverbial expressions that limit or modify space. Some of these words and phrases are also transition words of time.

In the middle of
To the left/right
In front of
On this side
In the distance
In the foreground
In the background
In the center of
Adjacent to
Opposite to

Below are sentence examples using transition words of space.

My house is located behind the building.
To the left of the supermarket is a flower shop.

Common Mistakes With Transition Words

Transition words help you create a flow of arguments for readers to understand what you’re saying. But misused transition words and phrases will make your writing unclear. Avoid these mistakes to give your readers a better experience.

Starting a Sentence With So, And, and Also

Both so and and are coordinating conjunctions, which means they can start independent clauses that stand on their own. But it’s not recommended to use these words and also as sentence starters in formal writing. For example:

Incorrect: Also, there are unauthorized charges on my credit card account.
Correct: Furthermore, there are unauthorized charges on my credit card account.

Combination of Transition Words And/Or

When writing an essay, avoid English transition words and/or because it makes your paper look messy. Instead, consider whether you need both connectors or only one of them. If you need them both, try this alternative.

Incorrect: boat and/or plane.
Correct: boat, plane, or both.

Using As Well As as Alternative to And

As well as has a different meaning from the transition word and. And means you’re listing something of equal importance. Meanwhile, as well as is for additional, less essential information. Here’s an example.

Incorrect: In this paper, I discuss my movie analysis as well as provide recommendations for improvement.
Correct: In this paper, I discuss my movie analysis and provide recommendations for improvement.

Archaic Words

Your writing may not make any sense to readers if you overuse archaic transition words like therewith .

For example, hereby means as a result. We can replace it with more modern and explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement is connected to the previous statement.

Linking Words Summary

A linking word is a term that connects different ideas in your text, whether they are contrasting, supporting, or adding. They can improve your writing and help it flow better, I promise!

Regardless of the style of writing, every piece of writing contains linking words to show perfect transitions. I hope my guide on the definition and list of transitions helps you use these words and phrases correctly. Memorize each category, and don’t overuse them in essays.

Grammarist is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.

75 linking words for academic writing (+examples)

Linking words play an important role in academic writing: They connect different paragraphs, sections or ideas in a text. Therefore, they considerably improve the readability and argumentation of academic texts such as a thesis, dissertation, essay or journal publication. This list of 75 linking words includes examples of how they can be used in academic writing.

Linking words expressing order and sequence in academic writing

Example: First, I review the existing literature on cross-border collaboration. Second, I explain the methodology …

Example: The event increased public awareness of this issue. Afterwards, politicians debated it more openly.

Example: Before scientists discovered the role of neurons in information processing, they assumed that…

Linking words expressing additions in academic writing

Example: Additionally, the interviewee lamented a lack of attention to his work.

Example: Besides the public outreach component, we wrote a handbook to disseminate the research results in the academic community.

Example: The financial compensation was also appreciated by the study participants.

Linking words expressing cause and effect in academic writing

Example: As the number of studies increases, better conclusions can be drawn.

Example: The literature highlights the importance of age and physical fitness. Consequently, these factors will be investigated further.

Linking words expressing contrasts and comparisons in academic writing

Example: Many scholars have explored this issue. Yet, to date, no inclusive framework exists to explain…

Example: People often stated that they are aware of the rules whereas they behaved as if they did not.

Example: E qually important, however, is the role of personal beliefs in decision-making processes.

If you are looking to elevate your writing and editing skills, I highly recommend enrolling in the course “ Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization “, which is a 4 course series offered by the University of Michigan. This comprehensive program is conveniently available as an online course on Coursera, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Plus, upon successful completion, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a valuable certificate to showcase your newfound expertise!

Linking words expressing emphasis in academic writing

Example: Indeed, motivation turned out to be a defining factor of academic success.

Example: More importantly, the findings underscore the importance of conflict resolution.

Linking words expressing illustrations in academic writing

Example: Many interviewees were nervous. For example, when asked to describe the event, some of them started to stutter.

Linking words expressing summaries and conclusions in academic writing

Example: In conclusion, the reviewed literature highlights a clear research gap.

Example: In short, scholars call for more research on climate change mitigation.

Linking words expressing conditionality in academic writing

Example: As long as the conditions do not change, the results should remain stable.

Example: Even if more experiments are conducted, human behaviour remains hard to predict.

Linking words expressing generalisations in academic writing

Linking words expressing concessions in academic writing.

Example: Regardless of their genetic makeup, mice showcased the same symptoms.

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Linking Words & Connector Words: Ultimate List With Examples
Learn English
James Prior
No Comments
Updated February 23, 2024

Linking words and connector words are essential tools for effective communication and writing. They play a crucial role in connecting ideas, enhancing coherence, and guiding the flow of information. Whether you’re writing an essay, giving a presentation, or engaging in a conversation, using appropriate linking words can greatly improve the clarity and effectiveness of your message.

In this ultimate list of linking words, we have compiled a comprehensive collection of linking words along with examples to help you understand their usage and apply them in various contexts. From words that highlight contrast and similarity to those that indicate cause and effect or order of importance, this list covers a wide range of linking words to suit different purposes.

Ready to link your words? Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

What are linking words?

Linking words, also known as connector words or transition words, are words or phrases that connect ideas or parts of a text, providing coherence and smoothness to the overall flow of information. They serve as bridges between sentences, paragraphs, or even larger sections of a document, helping to establish relationships, indicate contrasts, add information, show cause and effect, provide examples, and more.

Here are some common categories of linking words with examples:

Linking words for addition

Addition: Words that show the addition of information or ideas.

These linking words and phrases can help you add information, reinforce ideas, or provide further examples in your writing or conversation. Use them appropriately to expand on your points and enhance the overall coherence and richness of your communication.

She is fluent in English, and additionally, she speaks French and Spanish.
The report highlights the benefits of renewable energy; furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of conservation.
The new system not only improves efficiency but moreover, it reduces costs.
In addition to his regular job, he volunteers at a local charity.
She not only excels in academics but also actively participates in extracurricular activities.
The team consists of experienced professionals as well as enthusiastic newcomers.
The company values teamwork; likewise, it fosters individual growth and development.
Besides working full-time, he manages to pursue his hobbies and spend time with famil
The website offers free shipping; what’s more, customers can enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee.
On top of their regular duties, employees are encouraged to take part in professional development opportunities.
Developing strong interpersonal skills is equally important as acquiring technical knowledge.
The event attracted a large audience, not to mention the media coverage it received.
Along with the new software update, customers will also receive enhanced customer support.
The company achieved its sales targets for the year; what is more, it surpassed them by 20%.
The team completed the project ahead of schedule; besides that, they received positive feedback from the client.
The company’s commitment to quality, coupled with its competitive pricing, sets it apart from its competitors.

Linking words for contrast

Contrast: Words that highlight differences or contrasting ideas.

These linking words and phrases can help you express contrasting ideas and show the differences between two or more concepts or situations. Remember to use them appropriately based on the context and your intended meaning.

She studied hard; however, she didn’t pass the exam.
John loves traveling; on the other hand, his sister prefers staying at home.
The weather was terrible; nevertheless, they decided to go for a walk.
He had a sprained ankle; nonetheless, he played in the soccer match.
Despite the rain, they went to the beach.
In spite of the traffic, they arrived on time.
Although it was late, they continued with their work.
Even though she was tired, she went to the gym.
I enjoy reading, while my brother prefers watching movies.
Sarah loves cooking, whereas her husband prefers eating out.
Unlike his friends, Mark is not a fan of horror movies.
She hates winter; conversely, I love it.
She expected him to be upset; on the contrary, he was happy.
They planned to go to the cinema, but instead, they stayed home and watched a movie.
The cat is small and playful, in contrast to the dog, which is big and lazy.
He enjoys sports; conversely, his sister prefers art.
On one hand, the book is interesting; on the other hand, it’s quite lengthy.
They could go by car, or alternatively, they could take the train.
The movie received mixed reviews; nevertheless, it became a box office hit.
She didn’t pass the test, but in any case, she learned a lot from studying.

Linking words for similarity

Similarity: Words that highlight similarities or shared ideas.

These linking words and phrases can help you express similarities between two or more ideas, situations, or individuals. Use them appropriately based on the context to highlight shared characteristics or experiences.

Sarah enjoys reading; likewise, her brother is an avid reader.
John and Emily both love hiking; similarly, they enjoy spending time in nature.
Just as Sarah likes swimming, in the same way, her best friend enjoys diving.
Jack has a passion for photography, similarly to his sister who is also an enthusiast.
Just like her mother, Jane has a talent for playing the piano.
The two artists approach their work in a similar vein, both using vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes.
Mark loves cooking, and by the same token, he also enjoys experimenting with new recipes.
As the workload increased, the stress levels of the employees correspondingly rose.
Both Sarah and Emily are equally skilled in playing the guitar.
The designer creates unique clothing pieces, and in a similar fashion, the jewelry maker crafts one-of-a-kind accessories.
Just as the sun rises in the morning, the moon appears in the evening.
The teacher explains complex concepts in a simple and understandable way, in the same manner as her colleague.
He enjoys hiking and camping, and his friends, likewise, too, share his enthusiasm for outdoor activities.
Just as a bird builds its nest with care and precision, in the same way, an architect plans and constructs a building.
The two books explore themes of love and loss, along similar lines, inviting readers to contemplate the human experience.
As with all great artists, Picasso’s work continues to inspire and influence generations.
Exercise is essential for physical health, and just as importantly, it is crucial for mental well-being.
Much like a puzzle, life consists of various pieces that fit together to form a bigger picture.

Linking words for cause and effect

Cause and Effect: Words that demonstrate cause and effect relationships.

These linking words and phrases can help you express the cause-and-effect relationship between events or actions. Use them appropriately based on the context to convey the reason and result of a particular situation or occurrence.

He failed the exam because he didn’t study.
They arrived early since they left home on time.
As a result of heavy rainfall, the streets were flooded.
The event was canceled due to bad weather conditions.
The store was closed, therefore, they had to find another place to shop.
He missed the train, consequently, he arrived late to the meeting.
Owing to a power outage, the concert was postponed.
She didn’t have enough sleep, thus, she felt tired throughout the day.
He couldn’t attend the party, for this reason, he sent his apologies.
The storm caused damage to the houses, resulting in the need for repairs.
The baby was hungry, so she started crying.
Lack of exercise and poor diet often leads to weight gain.
They missed the train because of heavy traffic.
The roads were icy, this is why there were many accidents.
They spent all their money, as a consequence, they couldn’t afford the trip.
He quit smoking, and since then, he feels healthier.
The company introduced a new product, and in turn, its sales increased.
She studied hard so that she could pass the exam.

Linking words for time and sequence

Time and sequence: Words that indicate time or sequence of events or actions.

These linking words and phrases can help you express the chronological order and sequence of events or actions. Use them appropriately to guide your audience through the progression of ideas or to outline the steps in a process or narrative.

Firstly, let’s discuss the main causes of climate change.
Secondly, we need to consider the potential solutions to the problem.
Next, we will move on to the implementation phase of the project.
We need to complete the research phase first. Then, we can start analyzing the data.
After that, we can proceed with the construction of the building.
The company experienced financial difficulties. Subsequently, they had to lay off several employees.
The team was working on the project. Meanwhile, the marketing department was preparing the promotional materials.
The two processes are happening simultaneously, ensuring efficient production.
The report will be ready in a week. In the meantime, please proceed with the other tasks.
During the meeting, we will discuss the budget and timeline.
While he was studying, his friends were playing video games.
Please wait here until your name is called.
We need to complete the paperwork before the deadline.
She attended the conference, and afterward, she shared her insights with the team.
Finally, we reached an agreement after a long negotiation process.
In the end, they decided to cancel the project due to budget constraints.
The presentation was engaging, and at the same time, informative.
Initially, he struggled with the new software, but with practice, he became proficient.
At first, the project seemed overwhelming, but with proper planning, it became manageable.

Linking words for order of importance

Order of Importance: Words that highlight the hierarchy or ranking of ideas based on their significance.

These linking words and phrases can help you establish the order of importance when presenting ideas or arguments. Use them to emphasize the significance of certain points, highlight key considerations, or guide the reader’s attention to the most critical aspects.

Most importantly, we need to prioritize the safety of our employees.
Above all, we must prioritize the needs of our customers.
The company’s success primarily depends on effective leadership and strategic planning.
First and foremost, we need to address the urgent issue of inflation.
The new policy chiefly focuses on reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
Notably, the project resulted in significant cost savings for the organization.
Above anything else, maintaining a high standard of quality is our top priority.
It is essential to note that effective communication is the foundation of strong relationships.
It is worth mentioning that the company’s ethical practices have earned it a positive reputation.

Linking words for exemplification

Example: Words that provide examples or illustrate a point.

These linking words and phrases can help you introduce examples and provide further clarification or evidence to support your statements. Use them to enhance your explanations and illustrate your points effectively.

Here’s a list of linking words and phrases that are commonly used to illustrate an example, along with examples:

There are many fruits you can choose from, for example, apples, oranges, and bananas.
Many countries have implemented environmental policies; for instance, Sweden has significantly reduced its carbon emissions.
I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and swimming.
The party was attended by several guests, including friends, family, and colleagues.
He has many hobbies, like painting, playing the guitar, and photography.
The company provides various employee benefits, as an illustration, health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
Let me give you an example to illustrate my point.
There are several endangered species in the area, namely the African elephant, the Bengal tiger, and the giant panda.
The city offers various attractions, in particular, museums, parks, and historical landmarks.
The project requires specific skills, specifically programming and data analysis.
By way of example, let’s consider the case of a successful startup that disrupted the market.
To give an example, let’s say you want to improve your fitness; you can try activities like jogging, swimming, or joining a gym.
The experiment was conducted to demonstrate the effects of temperature on plant growth.
As a case in point, many countries have implemented renewable energy initiatives to combat pollution.
I will use a specific scenario to exemplify how the new policy can be implemented effectively.
The job requires strong communication skills , in essence, the ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively.
The city has invested in renewable energy projects to reduce its carbon footprint. One example of this is the installation of solar panels on public buildings.
To be specific, the company offers three main product lines: electronics, appliances, and furniture.
The data collected serves as proof that the new marketing strategy is effective.
In a similar manner, many companies have embraced remote work as a response to the pandemic.

Linking words for focusing

These linking words and phrases can help you direct attention or emphasize a specific aspect of your discussion or argument. Use them appropriately to highlight the main points or focus areas, ensuring clarity and precision in your communication.

Here’s a list of linking words and phrases that are commonly used to express focusing or directing attention, along with examples:

Specifically, we need to address the issue of employee turnover in our department.
The marketing team has made significant progress, particularly in digital advertising.
In particular, we need to improve our customer service to enhance customer satisfaction.
Notably, the company achieved a record-breaking sales figure in the last quarter.
This task requires attention to detail, especially when dealing with sensitive data.
Specifically speaking, the new software update addresses the security vulnerabilities.
Above all, we must prioritize the safety of our employees.
The company’s success mainly relies on customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
The primary goal of our project is to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
Essentially, our focus should be on optimizing operational efficiency.
Individually, each team member plays a crucial role in achieving our objectives.
Precisely, we need to adhere to the project timeline to meet the deadline.
Specifically, with regards to customer feedback, we have received positive reviews.
The new product line has a sleek design, not to mention its advanced features.
It is worth noting that the market trends are shifting towards online shopping.
Above everything else, we need to prioritize the quality of our products.
In essence, our primary objective is to provide exceptional customer service.
To be more precise, we should focus on improving our supply chain management.
In specific terms, the sales team needs to focus on building client relationships.
More importantly, we need to address the concerns raised by our customers.

Linking words for conclusion

Conclusion: Words that summarize or conclude a text.

These linking words and phrases can help you signal the conclusion of your argument, presentation, or essay. Use them to summarize key points, restate your main argument, or provide a final thought or recommendation.

In conclusion, it is evident that deforestation poses a significant threat to our planet.
To sum up, the project was a great success, exceeding all expectations.
Ultimately, the decision lies in your hands.
All in all, it was a memorable vacation filled with adventure and relaxation.
Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication.
In summary, the findings of the study suggest a strong correlation between exercise and mental well-being.
To conclude, the evidence supports the hypothesis that regular exercise improves cardiovascular health.
The data collected consistently points to the same conclusion; therefore, we can confidently assert our findings.
In essence, the research demonstrates that social media has a profound impact on interpersonal relationships.
The campaign received widespread support, and as a result, donations increased significantly.
In a nutshell, the project aims to promote sustainability through renewable energy initiatives.
The experiments consistently yielded similar results; thus, we can draw a definitive conclusion.
The evidence strongly suggests a link between smoking and lung cancer; hence, it is crucial to raise awareness about the risks.
In light of these findings, it is necessary to reconsider the current educational policies.
The company faced financial challenges, and consequently, had to downsize its workforce.
In conclusion, it can be stated that effective communication is the key to successful teamwork.
Taking all factors into account, it is clear that globalization has both positive and negative consequences.
The lack of investment resulted in decreased productivity, as a consequence, the company experienced a decline in profits.
The study findings reveal a correlation between stress levels and sleep quality; thus, it can be inferred that managing stress positively affects sleep.
Given these points, it is evident that the project should be prioritized for its long-term benefits.

If you’d like more examples, check out this list of other ways to say in conclusion .

Conclusion: Ready to link your words?

These are just some examples of linking words, and there are numerous other linking words and phrases available for different purposes and contexts. Using them appropriately can greatly enhance the clarity and coherence of your writing or speech. So, if you want to become more fluent in English, it’s time to start thinking about linking words!

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Academic Skills
Reading, writing and referencing
Writing effectively

Connecting ideas

How to connect ideas at the sentence and paragraph level in academic writing.

What is cohesion?

Cohesion refers to the way we use vocabulary and grammatical structures to make connections between the ideas within a text. It provides flow and sequence to your work and helps make your paragraphs clear for the reader.

Cohesive devices are words and expressions that show relationships between parts of text and ideas, such as cause and effect, time, addition, or comparison and contrast.

Watch the video to learn how to make your ideas link together and your narrative flow.

How can I create cohesion?

Let’s look at types of cohesive devices.

Linking words

Academic writing usually deals with complex ideas. To enable the reader to follow your thoughts, they need to be clearly and smoothly linked. To join ideas and sentences, we use a number of connecting words and phrases. For example:

Additionally, and, also, apart from this, as well (as), in addition, moreover, further, furthermore.

If, in that case, provided that, unless.

Correspondingly, equally, for the same reason, in a similar manner, in comparison, in the same way, on the one hand, similarly.

Alternatively, although, but, conversely, despite, even so, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, on the contrary, contrary to, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, on the other hand, rather, still, though, yet, whereas, while.

Again, in fact, interestingly, indeed, it should be noted (that), more important(ly), most importantly, to repeat, (un)fortunately, unquestionably.

A further instance of this is..., an example of this is…, for example, for instance, such as, thus, as follows.

In other words, more simply, namely, simply put, to put it differently / another way, such as, that is.

A / the consequence of, because, due to, for, the effect of …, since, the result of …

Accordingly, as a result/consequence, consequently, for this reason, hence, so, therefore, thus.

Admittedly, although, clearly though, even though, however, indeed, obviously.

As a rule, for the most part, generally, in general, in most cases, normally, on the whole, usually.

First, second, third (etc), next, before, earlier, finally, following, given the above, later, meanwhile, subsequently, then, to conclude, while.

A note about presentation and style

Check a usage guide for exact rules for punctuation. Many introductory phrases have a comma after them. For example, 'therefore,' and 'in addition,'.

Referring backwards

To avoid repeating words and phrases many times, we use cohesive devices to make references to other parts of a text, such as:

Pronouns: it, he, she, his, her, they, their
Demonstratives: this, that, these, those
Articles: a, the
Adverbs: previously, subsequently

The Australian prime minister has called an early election. The date was selected to coincide with the start of the Olympic Games. This decision was based on the views of his ministerial advisors, who predicted that voter confidence in the government’s policies would be strong at this time . As previously mentioned , decisions on the timing of elections are based on predictions of voter confidence in the existing government.

In the example above:

The date - refers back to the election date
This decision - refers to the prime minister calling an early election
His - refers to the Australian prime minister
this time - refers to the start of the Olympic Games
As previously mentioned - refers to all of the earlier information about the selection of election dates

Looking forward

We often use words and phrases to highlight new information for the reader. This helps make a smooth transition from one point to another. Such phrases include: the following, as follows, below, next, subsequently .

The following dates have been proposed for the forthcoming election: September 8, September 15 and 3 October.

The next issue to be discussed is the influence of the media on voter confidence in the government.

Connecting paragraphs

Apart from using the linking words / phrases above, showing the link between paragraphs could involve writing ‘hand-holding’ sentences. These are sentences that link back to the ideas of the previous paragraph. For instance, when outlining the positive and negative issues about a topic you could use the following:

Example (from beginning of previous paragraph):

One of the main advantages of X is…

When you are ready to move your discussion to the negative issues, you could write one of the following as a paragraph opener:

Having considered the positive effects of X, negative issues may now need to be taken into account…
Despite the positive effects outlined above, negative issues also need to be considered...

It is always important to make paragraphs part of a coherent whole text; they must not remain isolated units.

Checking for paragraph links in your own work

When you are editing your next written assignment, ask yourself the following questions as you read through your work (Gillett, Hammond, & Martala, 2009):

Does the start of my paragraph give my reader enough information about what the paragraph will be about?
Does my paragraph add to or elaborate on a point made previously and, if so, have I made this explicit with an appropriate linking word / phrase?
Does my paragraph introduce a completely new point or a different viewpoint to before and, if so, have I explicitly shown this with a suitable connective?
Have I used similar connectives repeatedly? If yes, try to vary them using the above list.

Strategies to improve cohesion

Select a piece of writing, preferably from a textbook or journal article, from your area of study.
Choose a paragraph and underline or highlight all the different forms of cohesion used, such as using linking words, referring backwards, looking forwards or adding synonyms.
Which forms are the most common?
Choose a couple that you think are effective and practice using them in your own writing.
Try to use a variety of ways to show the relationship between your ideas.

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Linking Words (Transitional Expressions)

Table of contents, introduction, what are linking words.

These words and phrases serve as bridges between ideas, helping readers or listeners navigate through the text or speech more smoothly. They establish logical relationships between different parts of a sentence, paragraph, or discourse, making the overall communication more organized and comprehensible.

Why Are Linking Words Important?

A text without linking words lacks cohesion , thereby undermining the creation of a coherent overall meaning. Consider the following two texts: the first is equipped with linking words, and the second is without. Observe how the inclusion of linking words significantly contributes to the overall coherence of the text.

Examples Of Linking Words In English

Like other languages, English has a lot of cohesive devices or linking words that can be used to express and join ideas.

1. Expressing addition

2. expressing contrast, 3. expressing cause and effect, 4. expressing purpose, 5. illustrating or exemplifying, 6. time and sequencing, 7. re-phrasing, 8. introducing alternatives, 9. comparing, 10. ananalyzing, 11. summarizing.

Type of Linking Words	Examples	Example Sentence
1.	In addition, Additionally, As well (as), Moreover, What is more, Not only…but also…, Furthermore, Besides, Also, Too, And	If the project fails, this will have terrible consequences not only for our department but also for the whole organization.
	Although, Even though, In spite of, Despite, However, Yet, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, On the contrary, Whereas, On the one hand…but on the other hand…, Conversely, In contrast, But	Brain drain has terrible consequences on developing countries. Nevertheless, nothing has been done to solve the problem or at least reduce its negative effects.
	Consequently, As a consequence, As a result, Therefore, Because of this, For this reason, Because, Since, As, For, Due to, Owing to	She remained silent, for she was too depressed to talk.
	In order to, In order not to, So as to, So as not to, To, Not to, So that, In order that	She wakes up early in order to be on time to work.
	For example, For instance, Such as, Namely, To illustrate, In particular	Participating in regular physical exercise offers various advantages. For example, it promotes cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and enhances overall well-being.
	Meanwhile, Subsequently, Afterward, Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, Another, Additionally, Finally, Lastly, Ultimately, Subsequently, Eventually, Next, Then	Meanwhile, as the research continued, new data emerged, altering the initial hypothesis.
	In other terms, Alternatively, In simpler words, Put differently, To put it another way, In a different light	The concept may be challenging; in other terms, it requires a deeper level of understanding.
	Or better, Instead of, Alternatively, Rather (than), Or else, In lieu of, On the flip side, Otherwise	You can choose the standard shipping option, which takes 5-7 business days, or better, opt for expedited shipping for delivery within 2-3 business days.
	Similarly, Likewise, In the same way, Just as, Like, Similarly (to), In comparison, By comparison, Compared to, In a similar fashion, In a similar vein	The new software interface enhances the user experience. Similarly, the updated mobile app provides a more intuitive design.
	Accordingly, The result is, Results are, The consequence is, It can be seen, Evidence illustrates that, Because of this, Thus, Hence, For this reason, Owing to, This suggests that, It follows that, In that case, That implies	The team optimized the workflow; accordingly, improving overall efficiency.
	In conclusion, To conclude, To sum up, In a nutshell, In brief, In short, All in all, Everything considered, Overall, To summarize	The research findings highlight the importance of sustainable practices in business. In conclusion, companies must prioritize eco-friendly initiatives for long-term success.

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40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine and engineering .

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Linking Words, Connecting Words: Full List and Useful Examples

Linking words (connecting words) are something we need to know in any style of writing, because it helps the reader to follow the flow of what you are saying. Whether it’s an argument in an essay , or an epic scene in a fantasy novel, your reader needs to be able to follow what you are saying. So, what are linking words, why should you bother learning them, and what does it look like in practice? Well, this guide will answer all of those questions!

Linking Words

What are linking words.

Linking words are words that connect ideas together in a piece of writing . It shows that two things are related in some way, or that the point you are making has supporting information. The difference between linking words and simple paragraph starters that we looked at previously, is that linking words can be found at the start of paragraphs, but also in the middle of sentences to connect two ideas together too.

Why Should I Learn Linking Words/Connecting Words?

The answer to this one is fairly straightforward. If you don’t know a variety of linking words to connect ideas together in a piece of writing, then you’re writing won’t make sense. In the very best case here, your reader will become confused and fail to follow the message you are trying to get across in your writing, because the bits of text that should ordinarily fit together, just won’t without the linking words there to connect them.

So, you know what they are and why you need to know them – but what are some examples of linking words? We couldn’t possibly include them all because there are literally hundreds, but hopefully by highlighting some examples and showing their importance in a sentence, you’ll be able to understand the job they do more clearly and focus on learning some other ones for yourself.

Examples of Linking Words

Linking words to add more information.

These words simply add additional information to your sentence or paragraph to show that two ideas are similar. Here are some examples:

It started to rain and I got soaked – ‘and’ is the linking word that connects the two ideas of the individual being in the rain and getting soaked.
It can’t be the dog’s fault nor the cat’s – ‘nor’ connects the idea that neither the cat or dog was at fault.
We could go shopping first then get a bite to eat – ‘then’ shows that both ideas are connected, it also adds some sequence to the sentence by showing the order of things.

Linking Words to Contrast a Point

Sometimes you need to link two ideas together that are actually opposites in terms of what you are trying to say. Here are some words that will help you do that:

Annie could have gone for a run but she decided she was too tired – ‘but’ connects two ideas that are related, but they oppose one another. She could have gone for a run, but she didn’t.
It’s my turn to make dinner tonight although a takeout might be easier – ‘although’ provides an opposite argument again, so it links the ideas in a contrasting way.
Carrots seemed to be the bunnies preferred food. On the other hand , lettuce was chosen second most frequently and the difference was marginal – ‘on the other hand’ shows clearly to the reader that a different point of view is coming.

Linking Words to Support a Point

If you’re trying to prove something or say something happened as a result of something else, then you will need words like the following:

I failed my test because I didn’t study – ‘because’ gets the reader ready to learn why somebody failed their test.
I could have done something differently, in fact we all could have – ‘in fact’ shows that the two ideas are linked together and support one another.
Jack had been sad since his girlfriend broke up with him – ‘since’ is being used here to explain why Jack was sad, so it links the ideas again.

There are many more examples and reasons for using linking words, but if you do some more research into the different linking words that there are, you’ll be able to see how you might use them to connect two ideas together in some way. Remember, they don’t always need to support one another. Sometimes ideas are connected because they oppose one another too.

Learn more with an ultimate guide to transition words and phrases in the English language.

Complete List of Linking Words & Connecting Words

Linking words – result.

Function: To provide the result of what has been stated or has occurred

Accordingly
As a consequence (of)
As a result
Consequently
For this reason

Connecting Words – Emphasis

Function: To put forward a point or idea more forcefully

Importantly
It should be noted
Particularly / in particular
Surprisingly
To emphasize
Undoubtedly
Unquestionably
With attention
Without a doubt

Linking Words – Addition

Function: To add to what has been previously stated

Additionally/an additional
Apart from this
As well as that
Coupled with
Furthermore
In addition
In addition to this
In the same fashion
Not only…but also
Not to mention
Together with

Linking Words – Reason

Function: To provide reasons for what has been stated or has occurred

For the purpose of
Granted that
In order to
Provided that
Seeing that
With this in mind
With this intention
With this purpose

Connecting Words – Illustration

Function: To provide examples

As an example of
For example/ For instance
For one thing
Illustrated by
In another case
In the case of
In this case
In this situation
On this occasion
Proof of this
Specifically
To demonstrate
To demonstrate/ To clarify
To simplify

Linking Words – Contrast

Function: To show how things are different

Alternatively
As opposed to
Contrary to
Despite/in spite of
Differing from
In contrast (to)
In opposition
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
Notwithstanding
On the other hand

Linking Words – Comparison

Function: To show how things are similar

By the same token
Compare / compare(d) to (with)
Correspondingly
In a similar manner
In like manner
In the same way
In the spitting image of
Just as…so too
Most important
Still another

Connecting Words – Order

1. Function: To indicate the order of what is being said

First/ firstly
Second/ secondly
Third/ thirdly
At this time
Subsequently

2. Function: To mark the end of an ascending order

Lastly and most importantly
Last but not least

3. Definition: To mark the beginning of a descending order

First and foremost…

Connecting Words – Summary

Function: To sum up what has been previously stated

All things considered
As demonstrated above
As shown above
As you can see
By and large
Generally speaking
Given these points
In any event
In conclusion
In the final analysis
On the whole
To conclude
To summarise

Linking Words – Condition

Function: To provide a condition to what has been stated

Although this may be true
In that case
In the event that
On the condition that

Connecting Words – Concession

Function: Connecting words and phrases to accept a point or idea with reservation

All the same
Although/Even though
Be that as it may
Even though
In spite of
Regardless of this
Up to a point

Connecting Words – Generalisation

Function: To make a general statement

Broadly speaking
For the most part
In general/ Generally
In most cases
More often than not
Predominately

Connecting Words – Restatement

Function: To express an alternative to what has been previously stated

Alternatively stated
Expressed simply
In a nutshell
In other words
In simple language
In simple terms
In summation
Otherwise stated
Put differently
Put in another way
Said differently
That is to say
To put it differently

Connecting Words – Reference

Function: To a relationship between continuing ideas presented in your essay.

As applied to
Considering
In connection to
Pertaining to
Some examples of these might be:
Speaking about/of
The fact that
With regards to
With respect to

Connecting Words – Clarification

Function: To indicate that you will be exploring your ideas in more detail.

In explanation
In lay terms
Simply stated
To break it down
To clearly define
To make plain
To put it clearly
To put it in another way

Connecting Words – Space/ Location

Function: To clarify spatial relationships/ provide spatial order and reference.

At the rear
Surrounding
To the left

Linking Words & Connecting Words Chart

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Linking Words And Phrases In English (List With Examples)

In this study guide, you will learn how to use linking words in English. You will discover the meaning of common linking words and learn how to use them in a sentence. Examples are provided to show you the sentence position and use of common linking words in English. Check out the exercises at the end to test your understanding!

What are linking words?

Meanings & uses
List with examples

What you will learn:

Discourse markers (‘linkers’) are words or phrases that we use to make links between words in a sentence. These discourse markers are used in both spoken and written English.

Here we will focus on discourse markers in writing and formal spoken English – commonly known as ‘linking words’. Linkers are a way of making connections between ideas and sentences.

Formal and informal linkers

Informal linking words are used in spoken English. You can link your ideas with words and phrases like: I mean , honestly , after all , besides and in any case . It is useful to learn which linking words are most appropriate in formal and informal situations. In an email, you might choose linking words such as so , but , and because . These should already be familiar.

In an essay, you are more likely to choose formal linkers, such as therefore , however , consequently, on the contrary and moreover . There are some linking words that are so formal that you may choose not to use them at all in your writing. Examples include: thus , hence and nonetheless .

Linking words and sentence position

Many linking words are used at the beginning of a sentence, while others can be used in the middle or at the end. Words and phrases connected with sequencing and structure appear at the start of a sentence. Examples include: first , secondly , finally and in conclusion . Adverbs, which express the writer’s opinion, also occur at the start of a sentence, for example evidently and obviously .

Linking words can be used between clauses, in the middle of the sentence. Examples include: words that contrast ideas ( however , although), show consequence ( therefore, as a result), and phrases that add more information ( moreover, furthermore) . A few linking words can be placed at the end of the sentence. Look at the following example: Learning a second language is motivating. It can be very difficult, however .

Punctuation

The use of punctuation with some linking words and phrases is important. Some grammar books provide you with specific rules about punctuation and clauses in a sentence. The most important reason for using punctuation in a sentence is so the reader can understand your intended meaning.

Punctuation, particularly commas , should help the reader to identify clauses in your writing and lead to a clearer understanding of the text. Look at these two example sentences – which is easier to understand?

A: To conclude the cars of the future are likely to be more environmentally friendly however this change may take many years to implement and moreover will require the support of the general public.

B: To conclude, the cars of the future are likely to be more environmentally friendly, however, this change may take many years to implement and, moreover, will require the support of the general public.

Linking words are very important in written texts. Without them, your writing may be disconnected and difficult to read. In English examinations, students are often graded on their ability to write cohesive sentences. Therefore, learning how to use linking words correctly is an important skill in learning English as a second language. The examples below will help you to understand the meaning of linking words in written texts and to improve your own linking skills!

Linking words: meanings and uses

Conjunctions are a familiar group of linking words, which join two clauses in a sentence, such as but , because or however. In fact, linking words have many different functions in a sentence and range from single words to phrases of up to four words. The categories below show the most common types of linking words.

Sequencing First, secondly, subsequently, finally

Words like first , second and finally appear at the start of a sentence. They help the reader to navigate their way through the text. They are used in essays but also in instructions, for example recipes.

Adding information In addition, also, furthermore, what is more

These linking words are used to give additional information or to strengthen our argument.

Comparison Similarly, equally, likewise

We use these linking words to add further examples or to make connections between ideas.

Giving examples For example, for instance, e.g., such as

Use these linking words to give examples.

Consequence Consequently, therefore, as a result, hence

These linking words can be used to describe how one idea logically follows another.

Generalisation On the whole, generally, in general

These linking words are usually positioned at the start of a sentence. They are used before a general statement.

Summing up To sum up, in summary, to summarise, to conclude, in conclusion

These types of phrases are commonly used to start the final section of an essay. They are also used in formal spoken English, for example a speech or the TV news, to signal to the listener that the speech is coming to an end.

Contrasting However, on the other hand, conversely, in contrast, rather, while, whereas

These linking words are used to introduce an idea or argument that contrasts with what has been said before. In an essay, they are useful for introducing, for example, the disadvantages in an advantages and disadvantages essay. The use of rather in this context is very formal.

Stating fact In fact, as a matter of fact, actually

These types of linking words can be used to signal to the reader that the writer’s meaning is different to what the reader expects.

Concession Although, despite, in spite of, even though

These linking words are used to show that we acknowledge another person’s opinion, even if we may not agree with it.

A-Z List of common linking words with examples

The list below includes all the commonly used linking words in written English. Example sentences are also provided to help you understand them in context.

Additionally Additionally , students should complete at least 3 hours of homework per week.

As a result In recent years, few students have studied languages at school. As a result , the number of people taking language courses at degree level has decreased.

But It is important to adjust your mirrors, but do not do this while driving your car.

Consequently John did not study hard for his exams. Consequently , his grades was disappointing.

Conversely People who have no savings often have trouble when applying for bank loans. Conversely , those who already have savings find it much easier to get credit.

Equally Studying languages face-to-face has a positive impact on learning. Equally , online learning can allow students to progress quickly.

Firstly, secondly, etc. Firstly , we’d like to say a warm welcome to all our new undergrads. Secondly , we’d like to remind you that students should attend all lectures on time for the duration of the semester.

For example You should wear suitable clothing for this trip. For example , a waterproof coat and a warm hat.

For instance You can substitute some ingredients in this recipe. For instance , honey can be used instead of sugar.

Furthermore In my opinion, the government should provide adequate guidance on physical exercise. Furthermore , I believe it has a duty to advise the public on health and diet.

Generally (speaking) Generally , working from home is less stressful and more productive than working in a noisy office.

Hence Mark had inherited a lot of money from his grandmother; hence the large house.

However Sports facilities, such as gyms and swimming pools, help people to keep fit. However , people also need motivation to help them improve their health.

In addition As a community, we should do more to improve our wellbeing. In addition , the government should start a new advertising campaign to promote health and fitness nationwide.

In conclusion In conclusion , the advantages of tourism outweigh the disadvantages.

In contrast Working from home can save time and money. In contrast , commuting long distances to work every day can be time-consuming and expensive.

In fact We didn’t enjoy the film. In fact , it was pretty terrible!

In general In general , working from home is more convenient than travelling to the office.

In particular Young children are influenced by the people around them, in particular their parents.

In spite of this Tony was not offered a place at his chosen university. In spite of this , he achieved a first class degree and went on to have a successful career.

Likewise Squirrels feed on hard grains and nuts, using their sharp front cutting teeth to break up their food. Likewise , rats are able to gnaw through hard materials.

Moreover Children from less affluent households were reported to read less. Moreover , children who did not have books in the house were found to be much more likely to have a low reading age.

Nevertheless You should try to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and reduce your fat intake. Nevertheless , any changes you can make to your diet will have a positive effect.

Nonetheless The disadvantages of living in a city include noise and pollution. Nonetheless , the majority of people still choose to live in urban areas.

On the contrary On the contrary , many students chose universities that showed a good standard of teaching rather than a high ranking.

On the other hand Tourism can have a positive effect on the wealth of a country. On the other hand , it can also have a negative impact on the environment.

On the whole On the whole , most students prefer informal tutorial groups to large group lectures.

Rather Rob wasn’t successful in the interview, rather he was given some advice on improving his application.

So I really love Spanish culture, so I’m looking forward to my trip to Madrid next month.

Such as Stringed instruments, such as the violin and the cello, are among the most difficult to learn.

Therefore Sue broke her leg. Therefore , she was unable to attend work for a month.

Thus The availability of high-sugar and high-fat foods has had an impact on people’s health; thus , the rate of obesity is increasing.

To conclude To conclude , a child’s home background has a dramatic effect on their educational achievement.

Positive excited multi-ethnic students in casual clothing lying on floor in campus library and laughing while watching curious video on laptop

To summarise To summarise , consumer habits are changing: there has been a marked increase in the amount of clothing and technology sold online during the pandemic.

To sum up To sum up , learning a new skill, like a language, can be challenging, but it is also rewarding.

Similarly Similarly , increasing the price of fuel and raising parking charges may discourage people from driving into city centres.

Still Digital technology has made working from home easier. Still , many people prefer the social contact of going to their workplace.

What is more Too much screen time may affect children’s activity levels. What is more , extended time spent using electronic devices may have a negative impact on their eyesight.

Whereas Boys tend to develop physical skills, such as jumping, at a young age, whereas girls tend to develop fine motor skills.

While While men still make up the largest proportion of students on science courses, the number of women is steadily increasing.

Yet The penalties for breaking the law are high, yet some people continue to commit crimes.

Linking words: exercises

Which of these groups of linking words show consequence? a. however, although, but b. therefore, so, as a result c. for example, such as d. to conclude, in summary, to sum up
Which of these groups of linking words are used to contrast ideas? a. however, although, but b. therefore, so, as a result c. for example, such as d. to conclude, in summary, to sum up
Which linking word does not belong in this group? a. on the whole b. in general c. as a result d. generally
Which statement is correct? a. Linking words can be positioned at the start, middle or end of a sentence. b. Linking words can be positioned at the start or end of a sentence. c. There are no rules about where linking words can be positioned in a sentence. d. Linking words can be positioned at the middle or end of a sentence.
Which word is spelled incorrectly ? a. nonethemless b. consequently c. similarly d. likewise
Which word has a similar meaning to ‘sum up’? a. in conclusion b. in addition c. in contrast
I eat lots of vegetables, _______________ carrots, broccoli and peppers. a. such as b. similarly c. therefore
Jason’s income has decreased in recent months, ________ he needs to be careful with money. a. although b. therefore c. however
The weather here reaches around -10ºC in winter, ________ the summer is quite warm. a. whereas b. so c. in addition
_____________ measure the dry ingredients and put them in a bowl. a. in spite of this b. first c. hence
You can use a paper dictionary to check vocabulary. _________, you can use an electronic dictionary. a. in any case b. subsequently c. equally d. for instance
Eating healthy food can have an impact on your weight and your health. ____________, you should try to limit your consumption of fatty food. a. rather b. in particular c. despite this d. while
There are many ways to read a book electronically. _________, many people still choose to buy paperback books. a. to sum up b. yet c. for example d. what is more
Many people like the convenience of working solo from home. _____________, working with other people can be more motivating. a. for instance b. therefore c. nonetheless d. conversely
Which word does not fit in this group of linking words? a . on the other hand b. nevertheless c. however d. finally
Which word does not fit in this group of linking words? a. as a matter of fact b. in fact c. whereas d. actually
Which linking words are used to add information? a. similarly, equally, likewise b. to conclude, in conclusion, in summary c. on the other hand, whereas, however d. in addition, furthermore, what is more
Which linking words are used to make comparisons? a. similarly, equally, likewise b. to conclude, in conclusion, in summary c. on the other hand, whereas, however d. in addition, furthermore, what is more
Which linking words are used for summing up? a. similarly, equally, likewise b. to conclude, in conclusion, in summary c. on the other hand, whereas, however d. in addition, furthermore, what is more
Which linking words are used to contrast ideas? a. similarly, equally, likewise b. to conclude, in conclusion, in summary c. on the other hand, whereas, however d. in addition, furthermore, what is more

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nonetheless

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Linking words

Linking words show the relationships between ideas. Linking words serve different functions, such as to compare ideas or to give examples, and can go at the start or in the middle of a sentence. Check a dictionary like the Cambridge Dictionary to see examples of how to use a particular linking word.

The following table shows some common linking words and example sentences:

Function	Linking words	Example
(to add an idea)	also furthermore moreover additionally	Exam performance is influenced by personal factors, such as anxiety and confidence.
(to show that one thing is a result of another)	so therefore as a result consequently accordingly because	The defendant was intoxicated and not fully aware of his actions.
(to show differences)	in contrast however whereas while conversely	In 2016, the proportion of Australian citizens born overseas was approximately 29%. , this proportion varied between states, with just 13% of Tasmanian residents born overseas, compared with 31% in Victoria (ABS, 2021).
(to show similarities)	similarly likewise in the same way	In the global response to COVID-19, WHO has repeatedly urged that countries must work together as one global family to address the impacts of the pandemic. , the global health threat of climate change requires global collaboration, increased finance, and the equitable sharing of solutions (World Health Organization, 2021).
	is defined as that is	A migrant a “person who was born overseas whose usual residence is Australia” (ABS, 2018).
	for example for instance such as including	Adolescents spend hours per day browsing social media applications, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.
(to indicate the order of events, or to separate ideas)	firstly secondly thirdly first then	There are several issues arising from this case. the company failed to provide a working environment that was safe and free of risks to health.
	in conclusion in summary to conclude overall	females reported higher levels of pain post-surgery than men.

See the Word and PDF documents below for a downloadable version of the common linking words.

Linking words [Word - 94KB]
Linking words [PDF - 110KB]

Further resources

Manchester Academic Phrasebank A bank of useful phrases for academic writing

Pathfinder link

Still have questions? Do you want to talk to an expert? Peer Learning Advisors or Academic Skills and Language Advisors are available.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2018). Migrant. In Glossary . https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/3415.0Glossary12017?OpenDocument Used under CC BY 4.0 license

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Migration, Australia . https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/migration-australia/latest-release Used under CC BY 4.0 license

World Health Organization. (2021). 2021 Global conference on health and climate change . https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/11/06/default-calendar/2021-global-conference-on-health-and-climate-change Used under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO license

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Academic writing
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Critical thinking
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Paraphrasing
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Terms and definitions
Action Words: What is description, application, analysis and evaluation

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. P articularly when trying to reduce the word count, it is important to look for phrases which can be replaced with a single word.

Linking/Transition Words

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 ( )
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.



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 Edito r - 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

Need to know more...

Related pages
External links
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]

There are many books concerning academic writing, look around Dewey number 808

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Useful Linking Words and Phrases to Use in Your Essays

By: Author Sophia

Posted on Last updated: October 26, 2023

Sharing is caring!

Linking words and phrases are used to show relationships between ideas. They can be used to join two or more sentences or clauses.

We can use linking words to give a result , add information , summarize , give illustrations , emphasize a point , sequence information , compare or to contrast idea .

Useful Linking Words and Phrases

In this article, you will learn about the most common linking words and phrases:

Giving a Result

Usage : To provide the result of what has been stated or has occurred

Linking W ords :

As a result
As a consequence
Consequently
For this reason
His wife left him. As a result , he became very depressed.
She has lived in France, and as a consequence she speaks French fluently.
We do not have enough money. T herefore we cannot afford to buy the new car.
We do not own the building. Thus , it would be impossible for us to make any major changes to it.
There has been a great deal of rain and consequently the reservoirs are full.
The customer was displeased with her meal, hence the chef prepared a replacement.
For this reason , they are not a good choice for exterior use.
Due to a broken wing, this bird can’t fly.

Adding Information

Usage : To add to what has been previously stated

Linking Words:

Additionally / an additional
Furthermore
As well as that
In addition
In addition to this
Apart from this
Additionally , the bus service will run on Sundays, every two hours.
He said he had not discussed the matter with her. Furthermore , he had not even contacted her.
We are unable to repair this watch. Also , this is the fourth time this has happened.
I love wearing earrings. I design and make them too .
We went to the park today. As well as that , we did some shopping.
Along with parties and parliaments, elections have lost their charm.
I can’t afford to go to the concert. Besides , I don’t really like classical music.
You haven’t paid the rent yet. In addition , you owe me money.
The report is badly presented. Moreover , it contains inaccuracies.
John’s grades are terrible because he has been so lazy these days. In addition to this , his relationship to his parents got worse.
Apart from this paragraph, the report contains a number of sensible initiatives.

Summarizing

Usage : To sump up what has been previously stated

Linking words :

In conclusion
To summarize
To conclude
In conclusion , walking is a cheap, safe, enjoyable and readily available form of exercise.
To summarize , this is a clever approach to a common problem.
The food was good and we loved the music. Altogether it was a great evening.
His novels belong to a great but vanished age. They are, in short , old-fashioned.
To sum up , there are three main ways of tackling the problem…
In summary , this was a disappointing performance.
Briefly , our team is now one of the best in the world.
To conclude , I want to wish you all a very happy holiday season.

Giving Examples

Usage : To provide examples

Linking words:

For example/ For instance
In this case
Proof of this
There are many interesting places to visit in the city, for example / for instance , the botanical garden or the art museum.
I prefer to wear casual clothes, such as jeans and a sweatshirt.
Including Christmas Day and Boxing Day, I’ve got a week off work.
We need to concentrate on our target audience, namely women aged between 20 and 30.
I think I would have made a difference in this case .
This building are a living proof of this existence, so we must preserve it.
I also make other jewellery like rings and bracelets.

Emphasizing a Point

Usage : To put forward a point or idea more forcefully

Undoubtedly
Particularly / in particular
Importantly
Without a doubt
It should be noted
Unquestionably
Undoubtedly , the story itself is one of the main attractions.
I don’t mind at all. Indeed , I would be delighted to help.
Obviously , we don’t want to spend too much money.
I love silver earrings, in particular ones from Mexico
The car is quite small, especially if you have children.
Clearly , this will cost a lot more than we realized.
More importantly , can he be trusted?
He’s an absolutely brilliant cook.
I definitely remember sending the letter.
We still believe we can win this series without a doubt .
I’m neve r surprised at what I do.
It should be noted that if you have something to note, then note it
Unquestionably , teaching has been a paramount part of his career.
Above all , this forest is designed for wear and tear.
This is positively the worst thing that I can even imagine.

Sequencing Ideas

Usage : To indicate the order of what is being said

First/ firstly (Second/ secondly, Third/ thirdly, Finally)
At this time
Subsequently
Lastly and most importantly
Last but not least
First and foremost
Firstly , I prefer the train because I can see the landscape.
At this time , the young man leapt into the air and flew off towards sunset.
They arrived on Monday evening and we got there the following day.
I had visited them three days previously .
Your name is before mine on the list.
Subsequently , new guidelines were issued to all employees.
Above all , keep in touch.
Lastly, and most importantly , you should be optimistic.
Last but not least , I find I seriously cannot relate to women.
We will continue to focus on our players first and foremost .

Comparing Ideas

Usage: To show how things are similar

Compare / compare(d) to(with)
By the same token
In the same way
Correspondingly
Similarly , the basketball and hockey games draw nearly full attendance.
Equally , not all customers are honest.
Her second marriage was likewise unhappy.
She’s just as smart as her sister.
Working with housecats is just like working with lions or tigers.
Some people say I have a running style similar to him.
Having a power is not the same as using the power.
He gets the ball off quickly compared to two years ago.
Teenagers should be more respectful; by the same token , parents should be more understanding.
Alex enjoys telling jokes; in the same way/similarly/likewise ,his son adores funny stories.
Correspondingly , the roles each of them played were soon different.

Contrasting Ideas

Usage : To show how things are different

Nevertheless
On the other hand
Nonetheless
Despite / in spite of
In contrast (to)
Alternatively
Differing from
Contrary to
Unlike most systems, this one is very easy to install.
There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law. Nevertheless , it is important that we try.
Laptops are convenient; O n the other hand , they can be expensive.
The problems are not serious. Nonetheless , we shall need to tackle them soon.
Despite/ In spite of the rain, I went for a walk.
In contrast to the diligent bee, the butterfly flies hither and yon with no apparent purpose.
The agency will make travel arrangements for you. Alternatively , you can organize your own transport.
Northern European countries had a great summer. On the contrary/conversely , Southern Europe had poor weather.
Even so , many old friends were shocked at the announcement.
Differing from his white colleagues, he preferred instructing his scholars to the ambition of acquiring personal renown.
The situation in Ireland is quite contrary to this principle.

Linking Words for Essays | Images

Below is a handy list of words that are both useful and appropriate to academic language:

Other linking words to give an example or an illustration:

In this case,
In another case
Take the case of
To illustrate
As an
Illustration
To take another example
That is
As shown by
As illustrated by
As expressed by

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50 linking words to use in academic writing

It’s very common for students to use long words they don’t understand very well in their essays and theses because they have a certain idea of what academic writing should be. Many students believe that academic writing is wordy and convoluted, and uses a lot of jargon. This leads many students to fall into a trap of imagining that the longer the word, the more impressive and intelligent their writing will seem.

We often see long sentences and multisyllabic words where shorter sentences and simpler words would do. Some students even use Microsoft Word’s thesaurus function to replace a common word with a more complicated word. This is a risky move, because unless you’re very careful, the new word may not carry quite the same meaning as the original, even if it’s similar.

The result can range from funny to confusing, which defeats the purpose of academic writing: to be as clear and concise as possible, using just the right words to convey your argument. Using uncommon words, instead of making your paper seem smarter, generally detracts from your ideas.

To avoid this, using linking or transition words that signpost your arguments can help to clarify your views and show the reader what to expect from certain paragraphs or sentences. These words give structure to the whole, helping you to organise your ideas and assist the reader in understanding them.

We have prepared some flashcards containing linking words you can use in academic writing.

CLICK HERE to download these FREE flashcards

Below is a handy list of words that are both useful and appropriate to academic language.

Describing similarities

Correspondingly

Not only… but also

In the same way

Showing cause and effect

Consequently

As a result

Hence (never ‘hence why’)

Since (try to avoid ‘as’ when showing cause and effect)

Accordingly

This suggests that

It follows that

For this reason

Comparing and contrasting

Alternatively

On the other hand

On the contrary

Showing limitation or contradiction

Despite/in spite of

While (not whilst!)

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

50 linking words to use in academic writing

Emphasis, addition or examples

To illustrate

Further (not ‘furthermore’)

First, second and third (not firstly, secondly and thirdly)

For instance

In addition

To summarise

It can be concluded that

As can be seen

Given the above

As described

The best way to get better at writing academic language is to read academic writing. You’ll pick up all sorts of useful tips from published papers in your area of study.

Updated 31 January 2023 Ellen McRae, PhD, AE (IPEd), MNZSTI Senior Managing Editor

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Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Published on 20 October 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on 15 March 2023.

The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.

For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.

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When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words.

Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.

Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.

Example text with and without transition words

If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.

Don’t overuse transition words

In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.

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There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.

Additive transition words

Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Addition	We found that the mixture was effective. , it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted.	indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both and , not only but also , , in fact
Introduction	Several researchers have previously explored this topic. , Smith (2014) examined the effects of …	such as, like, particularly, including, as an illustration, for example, for instance, in particular, to illustrate, especially, notably
Reference	The solution showed a high degree of absorption. , it is reasonable to conclude that …	considering , regarding , in regard to , as for , concerning , the fact that , on the subject of
Similarity	It was not possible to establish a correlation between these variables. , the connection between and remains unclear …	similarly, in the same way, by the same token, in like manner, equally, likewise
Clarification	The patient suffered several side effects, increased appetite, decreased libido, and disordered sleep.	that is (to say), namely, specifically, more precisely, in other words

Adversative transition words

Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Conflict	The novel does deal with the theme of family. , its central theme is more broadly political …	but, however, although, though, equally, by way of contrast, while, on the other hand, (and) yet, whereas, in contrast, (when) in fact, conversely, whereas
Concession	Jones (2011) argues that the novel reflects Russian politics of the time. this is correct, other aspects of the text must also be considered.	even so, nonetheless, nevertheless, even though, on the other hand, admittedly, despite , notwithstanding , (and) still, although, , regardless (of ), (and) yet, though, granted
Dismissal	It remains unclear which of these hypotheses is correct. , it can be inferred that …	regardless, either way, whatever the case, in any/either event, in any/either case, at any rate, all the same
Emphasis	The chemical is generally thought to have corrosive properties. , several studies have supported this hypothesis.	above all, indeed, more/most importantly
Replacement	The character of Godfrey is often viewed as selfish, self-absorbed.	(or) at least, (or) rather, instead, or (perhaps) even, if not

Causal transition words

Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Consequence	Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany.	therefore, because (of ), as a result (of ), for this reason, in view of , as, owing to x, due to (the fact that), since, consequently, in consequence, as a consequence, hence, thus, so (that), accordingly, so much (so) that, under the/such circumstances, if so
Condition	We qualified survey responses as positive the participant selected “agree” or “strongly agree.” , results were recorded as negative.	(even/only) if/when, on (the) condition that, in the case that, granted (that), provided/providing that, in case, in the event that, as/so long as, unless, given that, being that, inasmuch/insofar as, in that case, in (all) other cases, if so/not, otherwise
Purpose	We used accurate recording equipment our results would be as precise as possible.	to, in order to/that, for the purpose of, in the hope that, so that, to the end that, lest, with this in mind, so as to, so that, to ensure (that)

Sequential transition words

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Enumeration	This has historically had several consequences: , the conflict is not given the weight of other conflicts in historical narratives. , its causes are inadequately understood. , …	first, second, third…
Initiation	, I want to consider the role played by women in this period.	in the first place, initially, first of all, to begin with, at first
Continuation	, I discuss the way in which the country’s various ethnic minorities were affected by the conflict.	subsequently, previously, eventually, next, before , afterwards, after , then
Conclusion	, I consider these two themes in combination.	to conclude (with), as a final point, eventually, at last, last but not least, finally, lastly
Resumption	my main argument, it is clear that …	to return/returning to , to resume, at any rate
Summation	Patel (2015) comes to a similar conclusion. , the four studies considered here suggest a consensus that the solution is effective.	as previously stated/mentioned, in summary, as I have argued, overall, as has been mentioned, to summarise, briefly, given these points, in view of , as has been noted, in conclusion, in sum, altogether, in short

Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.

Confused use of therefore

We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. Therefore , the average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. The average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

Starting a sentence with also , and , or so

While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.

Also , a second round of testing was carried out.

To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.

A second round of testing was also carried out.
Additionally , a second round of testing was carried out.

Transition words creating sentence fragments

The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.

Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. Although other researchers disagree.

Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed, although other researchers disagree.
Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. However , other researchers disagree.

And vs. as well as

Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf, as well as presenting my analysis of To the Lighthouse .

Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf and presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse .
Chapter 1 presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse , as well as discussing some background information on Woolf.

Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”

Both my results as well as my interpretations are presented below.
Both my results and my interpretations are presented below.

Use of and/or

The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.

Participants were asked whether they used the bus and/or the train.
Participants were asked whether they used the bus, the train, or both.

Archaic transition words

Poverty is best understood as a disease. Hereby , we not only see that it is hereditary, but acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.

Poverty is best understood as a disease. Understanding it as such , we not only see that it is hereditary, but also acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

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17 academic words and phrases to use in your essay

(Last updated: 20 October 2022)

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For the vast majority of students, essay writing doesn't always come easily. Writing at academic level is an acquired skill that can literally take years to master – indeed, many students find they only start to feel really confident writing essays just as their undergraduate course comes to an end!

If this is you, and you've come here looking for words and phrases to use in your essay, you're in the right place. We’ve pulled together a list of essential academic words you can use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essays .

Whilst your ideas and arguments should always be your own, borrowing some of the words and phrases listed below is a great way to articulate your ideas more effectively, and ensure that you keep your reader’s attention from start to finish.

It goes without saying (but we'll say it anyway) that there's a certain formality that comes with academic writing. Casual and conversational phrases have no place. Obviously, there are no LOLs, LMFAOs, and OMGs. But formal academic writing can be much more subtle than this, and as we've mentioned above, requires great skill.

So, to get you started on polishing your own essay writing ability, try using the words in this list as an inspirational starting point.

Words to use in your introduction

The trickiest part of academic writing often comes right at the start, with your introduction. Of course, once you’ve done your plan and have your arguments laid out, you need to actually put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and begin your essay.

You need to consider that your reader doesn’t have a clue about your topic or arguments, so your first sentence must summarise these. Explain what your essay is going to talk about as though you were explaining it to a five year old – without losing the formality of your academic writing, of course! To do this, use any of the below words or phrases to help keep you on track.

1. Firstly, secondly, thirdly

Even though it sounds obvious, your argument will be clearer if you deliver the ideas in the right order. These words can help you to offer clarity and structure to the way you expose your ideas. This is an extremely effective method of presenting the facts clearly. Don’t be too rigid and feel you have to number each point, but using this system can be a good way to get an argument off the ground, and link arguments together.

2. In view of; in light of; considering

These essay phrases are useful to begin your essay. They help you pose your argument based on what other authors have said or a general concern about your research. They can also both be used when a piece of evidence sheds new light on an argument. Here’s an example: The result of the American invasion has severely impaired American interests in the Middle East, exponentially increasing popular hostility to the United States throughout the region, a factor which has proved to be a powerful recruitment tool for extremist terrorist groups (Isakhan, 2015). Considering [or In light of / In view of] the perceived resulting threat to American interests, it could be argued that the Bush administration failed to fully consider the impact of their actions before pushing forward with the war.

3. According to X; X stated that; referring to the views of X

Introducing the views of an author who has a comprehensive knowledge of your particular area of study is a crucial part of essay writing. Including a quote that fits naturally into your work can be a bit of a struggle, but these academic phrases provide a great way in.

Even though it’s fine to reference a quote in your introduction, we don’t recommend you start your essay with a direct quote. Use your own words to sum up the views you’re mentioning, for example:

As Einstein often reiterated, experiments can prove theories, but experiments don’t give birth to theories.

Rather than:

“A theory can be proved by experiment, but no path leads from experiment to the birth of a theory.” {Albert Einstein, 1954, Einstein: A Biography}.

See the difference?

And be sure to reference correctly too, when using quotes or paraphrasing someone else's words.

Adding information and flow

The flow of your essay is extremely important. You don’t want your reader to be confused by the rhythm of your writing and get distracted away from your argument, do you? No! So, we recommend using some of the following ‘flow’ words, which are guaranteed to help you articulate your ideas and arguments in a chronological and structured order.

4. Moreover; furthermore; in addition; what’s more

These types of academic phrases are perfect for expanding or adding to a point you’ve already made without interrupting the flow altogether. “Moreover”, “furthermore” and “in addition” are also great linking phrases to begin a new paragraph.

Here are some examples: The dissociation of tau protein from microtubules destabilises the latter resulting in changes to cell structure, and neuronal transport. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction leads to further oxidative stress causing increased levels of nitrous oxide, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidases.

On the data of this trial, no treatment recommendations should be made. The patients are suspected, but not confirmed, to suffer from pneumonia. Furthermore, five days is too short a follow up time to confirm clinical cure.

5. In order to; to that end; to this end

These are helpful academic phrases to introduce an explanation or state your aim. Oftentimes your essay will have to prove how you intend to achieve your goals. By using these sentences you can easily expand on points that will add clarity to the reader.

For example: My research entailed hours of listening and recording the sound of whales in order to understand how they communicate.

Dutch tech companies offer support in the ﬁght against the virus. To this end, an online meeting took place on Wednesday...

Even though we recommend the use of these phrases, DO NOT use them too often. You may think you sound like a real academic but it can be a sign of overwriting!

6. In other words; to put it another way; that is; to put it more simply

Complement complex ideas with simple descriptions by using these sentences. These are excellent academic phrases to improve the continuity of your essay writing. They should be used to explain a point you’ve already made in a slightly different way. Don’t use them to repeat yourself, but rather to elaborate on a certain point that needs further explanation. Or, to succinctly round up what just came before.

For example: A null hypothesis is a statement that there is no relationship between phenomena. In other words, there is no treatment effect.

Nothing could come to be in this pre-world time, “because no part of such a time possesses, as compared with any other, a distinguishing condition of existence rather than non-existence.” That is, nothing exists in this pre-world time, and so there can be nothing that causes the world to come into existence.

7. Similarly; likewise; another key fact to remember; as well as; an equally significant aspect of

These essay words are a good choice to add a piece of information that agrees with an argument or fact you just mentioned. In academic writing, it is very relevant to include points of view that concur with your opinion. This will help you to situate your research within a research context.

Also , academic words and phrases like the above are also especially useful so as not to repeat the word ‘also’ too many times. (We did that on purpose to prove our point!) Your reader will be put off by the repetitive use of simple conjunctions. The quality of your essay will drastically improve just by using academic phrases and words such as ‘similarly’, ‘as well as’, etc. Here, let us show you what we mean:

In 1996, then-transport minister Steve Norris enthused about quadrupling cycling trips by 2012. Similarly, former prime minister David Cameron promised a “cycling revolution” in 2013…

Or Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) aims to bridge the gap of access to electricity across the continent (...). Another key fact to remember is that it must expand cost-efficient access to electricity to nearly 1 billion people.

The wording “not only… but also” is a useful way to elaborate on a similarity in your arguments but in a more striking way.

Comparing and contrasting information

Academic essays often include opposite opinions or information in order to prove a point. It is important to show all the aspects that are relevant to your research. Include facts and researchers’ views that disagree with a point of your essay to show your knowledge of your particular field of study. Below are a few words and ways of introducing alternative arguments.

8. Conversely; however; alternatively; on the contrary; on the other hand; whereas

Finding a seamless method to present an alternative perspective or theory can be hard work, but these terms and phrases can help you introduce the other side of the argument. Let's look at some examples:

89% of respondents living in joint families reported feeling financially secure. Conversely, only 64% of those who lived in nuclear families said they felt financially secure.

The first protagonist has a social role to fill in being a father to those around him, whereas the second protagonist relies on the security and knowledge offered to him by Chaplin.

“On the other hand” can also be used to make comparisons when worded together with “on the one hand.”

9. By contrast; in comparison; then again; that said; yet

These essay phrases show contrast, compare facts, and present uncertainty regarding a point in your research. “That said” and “yet” in particular will demonstrate your expertise on a topic by showing the conditions or limitations of your research area. For example:

All the tests were positive. That said, we must also consider the fact that some of them had inconclusive results.

10. Despite this; provided that; nonetheless

Use these phrases and essay words to demonstrate a positive aspect of your subject-matter regardless of lack of evidence, logic, coherence, or criticism. Again, this kind of information adds clarity and expertise to your academic writing.

A good example is:

Despite the criticism received by X, the popularity of X remains undiminished.

11. Importantly; significantly; notably; another key point

Another way to add contrast is by highlighting the relevance of a fact or opinion in the context of your research. These academic words help to introduce a sentence or paragraph that contains a very meaningful point in your essay.

Giving examples

A good piece of academic writing will always include examples. Illustrating your essay with examples will make your arguments stronger. Most of the time, examples are a way to clarify an explanation; they usually offer an image that the reader can recognise. The most common way to introduce an illustration is “for example.” However, in order not to repeat yourself here are a few other options.

12. For instance; to give an illustration of; to exemplify; to demonstrate; as evidence; to elucidate

The academic essays that are receiving top marks are the ones that back up every single point made. These academic phrases are a useful way to introduce an example. If you have a lot of examples, avoid repeating the same phrase to facilitate the readability of your essay.

Here’s an example:

‘High involvement shopping’, an experiential process described by Wu et al. (2015, p. 299) relies upon the development of an identity-based alliance between the customer and the brand. Celebrity status at Prada, for example, has created an alliance between the brand and a new generation of millennial customers.

Concluding your essay

Concluding words for essays are necessary to wrap up your argument. Your conclusion must include a brief summary of the ideas that you just exposed without being redundant. The way these ideas are expressed should lead to the final statement and core point you have arrived at in your present research.

13. In conclusion; to conclude; to summarise; in sum; in the final analysis; on close analysis

These are phrases for essays that will introduce your concluding paragraph. You can use them at the beginning of a sentence. They will show the reader that your essay is coming to an end:

On close analysis and appraisal, we see that the study by Cortis lacks essential features of the highest quality quantitative research.

14. Persuasive; compelling

Essay words like these ones can help you emphasize the most relevant arguments of your paper. Both are used in the same way: “the most persuasive/compelling argument is…”.

15. Therefore; this suggests that; it can be seen that; the consequence is

When you’re explaining the significance of the results of a piece of research, these phrases provide the perfect lead up to your explanation.

16. Above all; chiefly; especially; most significantly; it should be noted

Your summary should include the most relevant information or research factor that guided you to your conclusion. Contrary to words such as “persuasive” or “compelling”, these essay words are helpful to draw attention to an important point. For example:

The feasibility and effectiveness of my research has been proven chiefly in the last round of laboratory tests.

Film noir is, and will continue to be, highly debatable, controversial, and unmarketable – but above all, for audience members past, present and to come, extremely enjoyable as a form of screen media entertainment.

17. All things considered

This essay phrase is meant to articulate how you give reasons to your conclusions. It means that after you considered all the aspects related to your study, you have arrived to the conclusion you are demonstrating.

After mastering the use of these academic words and phrases, we guarantee you will see an immediate change in the quality of your essays. The structure will be easier to follow, and the reader’s experience will improve. You’ll also feel more confident articulating your ideas and using facts and examples. So jot them all down, and watch your essays go from ‘good’ to ‘great’!

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Common linking words

All sentences in a paragraph need to relate to the main idea in the topic sentence. The reader should be able to see how each sentence flows from the previous one and how each is connected to the topic sentence. Linking words and phrases weave sentences together to create a cohesive paragraph.

Linking words and phrases

First, firstly, second, third, thirdly	next, last finally
in addition, moreover	furthermore
also	In conclusion, to summarise
The first...	The/a second
One...	Another...
An additional...

In addition	Furthermore
Also	and
as well as

For	because
since	as
because of	to cause

So	as a result
as a consequence	therefore
thus	consequently
hence	to result from
due to	as a result/consequence
of	to result in
to affect

Undoubtedly	Indeed
Obviously	Generally
Admittedly	In theory/fact
Particularly	Especially
Clearly

Similarly	Likewise
Also	Too
as	just as
and	like
just like	similar to
be similar to/ the same as	be alike
not only...but also	to compare to/with

However	Nevertheless
Nonetheless	Still
Although, Even though, though	but
yet	Despite, In spite of
In contrast, In comparison	While, whereas
On the other hand	On the contrary
But

For example	For instance
That is	Such as
Including	Namely

Paragraph structure
Paragraphs activity
Topic sentences
Why use linking words?

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Linking Words for Essay Writing: Useful Paragraph Phrases

Importance of Linking Words in Essay Writing

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.

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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.

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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
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
In order to
Of less importance
What’s more
Furthermore
Alternatively
In spite of
To illustrate
To demonstrate
In the middle of
For the avoidance of doubt

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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.

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Useful Linking Words for Writing Essays in English

Posted on Last updated: July 20, 2019

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Linking Words ! This page provides a list of useful linking words for writing essays in English for ESL learners.

Table of Contents

Linking Words

Linking words or transition words are words phrases used to connect one idea to the next. Learn linking words list in English.

In addition
Furthermore
Not only … but also
Besides this
In the same way
On the other hand
In spite of
On the contrary
Nonetheless
Even though
In contrast
Alternatively
In the first stage
To begin with
Another reason
Another advantage
At this point
Following this
A further reason
In the final stage
The final reason

CONSEQUENCE

As a result
Consequently
It follows that
In that case
Undoubtedly
The reason why
In other words
In order to
Provided that
Depending on
In conclusion
To conclude
To recapitulate

Linking Words & Phrases | Infographic

Golani .Chandrakant

Monday 6th of November 2023

Increase of vocabulary, Increase of knowledge

Pombé Guirki Dimitri

Sunday 5th of November 2023

Alright thank you so much! I'm so glad added those in my knowledges

Thursday 20th of January 2022

i dont know what to say but waaaaasssssuuuuupppp

Thursday 22nd of April 2021

thx this is awesome it helps me a lot

Anna Kołodko

Wednesday 24th of February 2021

Thank you for sharing - now I have a full picture what is linking word at all, how many linking words there are and how it is used. :)

IMAGES

Linking Words for Writing Essay
Useful Linking Words for Writing Essay in English
Useful Linking Words for Writing Essays in English
Useful Linking Words and Phrases to Use in Your Essays
Useful Linking Words for Writing Essays in English
Linking Words For Writing English Essay

COMMENTS

50 linking words to use in academic writing
50 linking words to use in academic writing. academic writing. linkers. essay writing. thesis. ESL. English. It's very common for students to use long words they don't understand very well in their essays and theses because they have a certain idea of what academic writing should be.
Transition Words & Phrases
Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. ... Transition sentences are used to start a new paragraph or section in an essay. They help the reader understand connections between ideas. 558. How to Write Topic Sentences | 4 Steps ...
200+ Linking Words
Worried that your essay lacks structure and coherence? Perhaps you should use linking words, transition words, or connectors to give it a boost. Linking words join separate sentences to improve writing flow. You can also find them mid-sentence to connect clauses. Read on as I show you the definition and types of linking words in English.
75 linking words for academic writing (+examples)
Linking words play an important role in academic writing: They connect different paragraphs, sections or ideas in a text. Therefore, they considerably improve the readability and argumentation of academic texts such as a thesis, dissertation, essay or journal publication. This list of 75 linking words includes examples of how they can be used in academic
All About Linking Words, With Examples
How to use linking words. Linking words generally come before a new idea as a way to introduce it. This includes new clauses, new sentences, and new paragraphs, as well as standalone words and phrases. When a linking word or phrase begins a sentence, clarity is usually helped if you place a comma after it. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ...
Linking Words & Connector Words: Ultimate List With Examples
Linking words for conclusion. Conclusion: Words that summarize or conclude a text. These linking words and phrases can help you signal the conclusion of your argument, presentation, or essay. Use them to summarize key points, restate your main argument, or provide a final thought or recommendation. Examples: In conclusion:
Connecting ideas
To join ideas and sentences, we use a number of connecting words and phrases. For example: Addition To add an idea. Additionally, and, also, apart from this, as well (as), in addition, moreover, further, furthermore. Condition to provide a condition. If, in that case, provided that, unless. For comparison To show how things are similar.
Mastering Linking Words: A Comprehensive Guide With Examples For
In Paragraph 1, the use of linking words like "Moreover," "despite," "Additionally," "However," and "Nevertheless" helps create a smooth and connected narrative, indicating additions, contrasts, and causal relationships between different ideas. The paragraph feels more cohesive and organized. In contrast, Paragraph 2 lacks ...
40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays
4. That is to say. Usage: "That is" and "that is to say" can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: "Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.". 5. To that end. Usage: Use "to that end" or "to this end" in a similar way to "in order to" or "so".
Linking Words, Connecting Words: Full List and Useful Examples
Linking Words to Add more Information. These words simply add additional information to your sentence or paragraph to show that two ideas are similar. Here are some examples: It started to rain and I got soaked - 'and' is the linking word that connects the two ideas of the individual being in the rain and getting soaked.
Linking Words And Phrases In English (List With Examples)
Words and phrases connected with sequencing and structure appear at the start of a sentence. Examples include: first, secondly, finally and in conclusion. Adverbs, which express the writer's opinion, also occur at the start of a sentence, for example evidently and obviously. Linking words can be used between clauses, in the middle of the ...
Linking words
Linking words show the relationships between ideas. Linking words serve different functions, such as to compare ideas or to give examples, and can go at the start or in the middle of a sentence. Check a dictionary like the Cambridge Dictionary to see examples of how to use a particular linking word. The following table shows some common linking ...
Linking/transition words
Linking/Transition Words. 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.
PDF Linking words and phrases
They show the relationships between the ideas and are the glue that holds your assignment together. The table below provides an overview of commonly-used linking words. List/sequence words: orders the information in a sequence. Efect/results: something brought by a cause. Emphasis: special importance or significance. first. so. undoubtedly.
Useful Linking Words and Phrases to Use in Your Essays
Useful Linking Words and Phrases to Use in Your Essays. Sharing is caring! Linking words and phrases are used to show relationships between ideas. They can be used to join two or more sentences or clauses. We can use linking words to give a result, add information, summarize, give illustrations, emphasize a point, sequence information, compare ...
50 linking words to use in academic writing
We have prepared some flashcards containing linking words you can use in academic writing. CLICK HERE to download these FREE flashcards. Below is a handy list of words that are both useful and appropriate to academic language. Describing similarities. Likewise. Correspondingly. Equally. Not only… but also.
Transition Words & Phrases
While transition words are essential to clear writing, it's possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive. The first experiment yielded a positive result. However, the second experiment yielded a negative result.
17 academic words and phrases to use in your essay
4. Moreover; furthermore; in addition; what's more. These types of academic phrases are perfect for expanding or adding to a point you've already made without interrupting the flow altogether. "Moreover", "furthermore" and "in addition" are also great linking phrases to begin a new paragraph. Here are some examples:
92 Essay Transition Words to Know, With Examples
Abruptly switching topics in essays can be jarring; however, transition words can smooth the change for the convenience of the reader.Moreover, you can use essay transition words to start a paragraph, sentence, or clause more naturally.Additionally, essay transition words can connect new information to the previous statement so you don't have to say everything at once.
Common linking words
All sentences in a paragraph need to relate to the main idea in the topic sentence. The reader should be able to see how each sentence flows from the previous one and how each is connected to the topic sentence. Linking words and phrases weave sentences together to create a cohesive paragraphs.
Linking Words for Essays: How to Link Those Paragraphs and Sentences
Words and Phrases for Opposing, Limiting, and Contradicting. When using these words or phrases, you should be connecting paragraphs that show evidence that is contrary to the prior material or pointing out alternatives. This will show your readers that the essay has shifted to a different line of reasoning.
Linking Words for Essay Writing: Useful Paragraph Phrases
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.
Useful Linking Words for Writing Essays in English
Linking Words ! This page provides a list of useful linking words for writing essays in English for ESL learners. Linking Words Linking words or transition words are words phrases used to connect one idea