Linking Words and Phrases in English – Full List (PDF)
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Are you an English learner looking to improve your language skills? Or maybe you’re an IELTS student aiming for a top band score?
Linking words and phrases are the glue that holds a piece of writing together. They make your sentences flow seamlessly and guide the reader through your ideas. So it is very important that you use them in your essays and reports.
In IELTS, effective use of linking words can significantly improve your Task Achievement and Coherence and Cohesion scores.
Linking Words and Phrases List
Linking Words – Result | Linking Words – Emphasis |
---|---|
Accordingly | Above all |
As a consequence (of) | Absolutely |
As a result | Chiefly |
Consequently | Clearly |
Due to | Definitely |
For this reason | Especially |
Forthwith | Even |
Hence | Importantly |
Then | In detail |
Therefore | In truth |
Thereupon | Indeed |
Thus | It should be noted |
Linking Words for Addition and Reason
Addition | Reason |
---|---|
Additionally/an additional | Because of |
Along with | For the purpose of |
Also | Given that |
And | Granted that |
Apart from this | In fact |
As well as | In order to |
As well as that | In view of |
Besides | Owing to |
Coupled with | Provided that |
Finally | Seeing that |
First | So that |
Further | With this in mind |
Furthermore | With this intention |
In addition | With this purpose |
In addition to this | |
In the same fashion | |
Last | |
Moreover | |
Not only…but also | |
Not to mention | |
Second | |
Similarly | |
Third | |
Together with | |
Too |
Linking Words for Illustration and Contrast
Illustration | Contrast |
---|---|
As an example of | Alternatively |
For example/ For instance | As opposed to |
For one thing | Contrarily |
Illustrated by | Contrary to |
In another case | Conversely |
In the case of | Despite/in spite of |
In this case | Differing from |
In this situation | Even so |
Including | However |
Like | In contrast (to) |
Namely | In opposition |
On this occasion | Instead |
Proof of this | Nevertheless |
Specifically | Nonetheless |
Such as | Nor |
To clarify | Notwithstanding |
To demonstrate | On the other hand |
To simplify | Rathe |
Linking Words for Comparison and Order
Comparison | Order |
---|---|
Alike | First/ firstly |
As with | Second/ secondly |
Both | Third/ thirdly |
By the same token | Finally |
Compare / compare(d) to (with) | At this time |
Correspondingly | Following |
Either | Previously |
Equal | Before |
Equally | Subsequently |
In a similar manner | |
In common | |
In like manner | |
In the same way | |
In the spitting image of | |
Just as | |
Just as…so too | |
Just like | |
Likewise | |
Most important | |
Resembles | |
Same as | |
Similar to | |
Similarly | |
Still another |
Linking Words for Summary and Condition
Summary | Condition |
---|---|
All things considered | Although this may be true |
Altogether | As |
As demonstrated above | Because of |
As noted | Even if |
As shown above | Given that |
As you can see | Granted that |
Briefly | If |
By and large | In that case |
Generally speaking | In the event that |
Given these points | Lest |
In a word | On the condition that |
In any event | Only if |
In brief | Since |
In conclusion | Then |
In essence | Unless |
In short | When |
In summary | Whenever |
In the end | While |
In the final analysis |
Linking Words for Concession and Generalisation
Concession | Generalisation |
---|---|
Admittedly | As a rule |
Albeit | Broadly speaking |
All the same | Commonly |
Although | For the most part |
Although/Even though | Generally speaking |
And still | In general/ Generally |
And yet | In most cases |
Be that as it may | Mainly |
Even if | More often than not |
Even so | Mostly |
Even though | Normally |
However | Often |
In spite of | On the whole |
Nevertheless | Overall |
Nonetheless | Predominately |
Regardless of this | Regularly |
Up to a point | Typically |
Linking Words for Restatement and Reference
Restatement | Reference |
---|---|
Alternatively | As applied to |
Alternatively stated | As far as |
Expressed simply | Concerning |
In a nutshell | Considering |
In other words | In connection to |
In short | In terms |
In simple language | Pertaining to |
In simple terms | Regarding |
In summation | Some examples of these might be: |
Namely | Speaking about/of |
Otherwise stated | The fact that |
Put differently | With regards to |
Put in another way | With respect to |
Reiterated | |
Said differently | |
Simplified | |
Simply put | |
That is to say | |
To put it differently |
Linking Words for Clarification & Space/ Location
Clarification | Space/ Location |
---|---|
I mean | Across |
In explanation | Adjacent |
In lay terms | Around |
In other words | At the rear |
In simple terms | Below |
Simply put | Beneath |
Simply stated | Near |
That is to say | Nearby |
To break it down | Next to |
To clearly define | On bottom |
To explain | On top |
To make plain | Opposite |
To put it clearly | Over |
To put it in another way | Surrounding |
To simplify | To the left |
Linking Words and Phrases List and Examples
Linking Words and Phrases | Examples |
---|---|
Addition | – Moreover, the research findings indicated a significant improvement in patient outcomes. |
– In addition, we need to consider the economic implications of this policy. | |
– Furthermore, the company plans to expand its market presence in the Asia-Pacific region. | |
Contrast | – However, despite the challenges, we remain committed to our mission. |
– On the other hand, some argue that social media has detrimental effects on mental health. | |
– In contrast, the previous year’s sales figures were considerably higher. | |
Result/Consequence | – As a result, the company faced severe financial losses and had to lay off employees. |
– Consequently, traffic congestion in the city increased due to the road construction. | |
– Therefore, we recommend a change in the current pricing strategy to boost sales. | |
Time | – Firstly, we will discuss the historical context of the topic. |
– Subsequently, we can examine the implications of these changes on the environment. | |
– Next, let’s explore the practical applications of this scientific discovery. | |
Illustration/Example | – For instance, consider the case of a student who excelled academically while working part-time. |
– In particular, this is evident in the case of the endangered species we’re trying to protect. | |
– Namely, the core issues revolve around environmental sustainability and social equity. | |
Comparison | – Likewise, this concept applies to the digital marketing landscape. |
– Similarly, the two theories have commonalities, but they also have key differences. | |
– In the same way, our results mirror those of previous studies in the field. | |
Emphasis | – Indeed, this is a critical issue that requires immediate attention. |
– Certainly, we must address this problem to prevent further environmental degradation. | |
– Above all, we should prioritize the safety and well-being of our employees. |