What are Linking Words?
Linking or connecting words, as the name suggested, are those words that use to make connections between two sentences. When you want to make a connection with ideas without losing their meaning, you need to use the correct linking words accordingly. To get an understanding of these words, you must refer to the linking words list. Some commonly used linking words are the conjunctions ‘but,’ ‘and,’ ‘if,’ and ‘or.’ Though, adverbs also play an important role when it comes to linking thoughts and making smooth transitions among them.
Well, conjunctions and adverbs both make the reader understand what the writer or speaker wants to convey. Thus, it is important to understand the role of linking words in making writing communication more effective and understandable.
In this write-up, you will find different lists of linking words according to different conditions and occasions. Furthermore, you will get examples to interpret their difference and use. Before jumping into the list, firstly, let us have a quick overview of why is it necessary to use linking words.
Benefits of Using Linking Words
The following are some major benefits of using linking words.
- Makes a text easy to read and comprehend for readers.
- Contributes significantly to the structure of the entire text.
- Maintains a content flow that is logical.
- Creates an appropriate connection between the concepts.
- Connects all of the ideas in a piece of writing, making it more cohesive.
List of Commonly Used Linking Words and Phrases
To understand the use of linking words or connectors, you need to know which word should be used in what situation. Different situations uncover different linking words and help the readers to understand the real context of the saying. Here, let’s discover some examples of linking words according to different conditions.
Linking words for Agreement/Addition/Similarity
While writing your essay, you may have to present agreements and additional information. For that, you can use some words from the below list to make your writing effective and more powerful.
- in the first place
- again
- moreover
- not only … but also
- to
- as well as
- as a matter of fact
- and
- together with
- in like manner
- also
- of course
- in addition
- then
- likewise
- coupled with
- equally
- comparatively
- in the same fashion/way
- identically
- correspondingly
- first, second, third
- uniquely
- similarly
- in the light of
- like
- furthermore
- not to mention
- as
- additionally
- to say nothing of
- too
- equally important
- by the same token
Common Linking Words for Examples/Support/Emphasis
To show examples, support, and present emphasis on some important facts, linking words would be different. Follow the below list to get a clear understanding of these connecting words.
- in other words
- notably
- in fact
- to put it differently
- including
- in general
- for one thing
- like
- in particular
- as an illustration
- to be sure
- in detail
- in this case
- namely
- to demonstrate
- for this reason
- chiefly
- to emphasize
- to put it another way
- truly
- to repeat
- that is to say
- indeed
- to clarify
- with attention to
- certainly
- to explain
- by all means
- surely
- to enumerate
- important to realize
- markedly
- such as
- another key point
- especially
- for example
- the first thing to remember
- specifically
- for instance
- most compelling evidence
- expressively
- to point out
- must be remembered
- surprisingly
- with this in mind
- point often overlooked
- frequently
- on the negative side
- significantly
- on the positives side
Linking words for Effect/Result/Consequences
When you need to describe the effect, result, and consequences of something, you must use words carefully. Make your selection very clear and precise by following the mentioned list.
- as a result
- for
- consequently
- under those circumstances
- thus
- therefore
- in that case
- because the
- thereupon
- for this reason
- then
- forthwith
- henceforth
- hence
- accordingly
Linking words for Opposition/Limitation/Contradiction
Showing opposition or contradiction in your statements, some words are very common such as “but,” “instead of,” and “or.” For more connecting words, you have to refer to the below list:
- but
- although
- in contrast
- (and) still
- Instead of
- different from
- unlike
- whereas
- of course …, but
- or
- despite
- on the other hand
- (and) yet
- conversely
- on the contrary
- while
- otherwise
- at the same time
- albeit
- however
- in spite of
- besides
- rather
- even so/though
- as much as
- nevertheless
- be that as it may
- even though
- nonetheless
- then again
- regardless
- above all
- notwithstanding
- in reality
- after all
Linking words for Cause/Condition/Purpose
When it comes to describing causes, conditions, or purpose, your connecting word would be different. To add more words to your dictionary, check out the following list of connecting words.
- in the event that
- if
- in case
- granted (that)
- … then
- provided that
- as / so long as
- unless
- given that
- on (the) condition (that)
- only / even if
- for the purpose of
- when
- so that
- with this intention
- whenever
- so as to
- with this in mind
- since
- owing to
- in the hope that
- while
- due to
- to the end that
- for fear that
- because of
- in order to
- as
- seeing/being that
- since
- in view of
List of Linking words for Time/Chronology/Sequence
Choose proper connecting words when you have to describe time or sequence. A different list of words is used when you need to describe the time in your essay or other writings.
- at the present time
- after
- henceforth
- from time to time
- later
- whenever
- sooner or later
- last
- eventually
- at the same time
- until
- meanwhile
- up to the present time
- till
- further
- to begin with
- since
- during
- in due time
- then
- first, second
- until now
- before
- in time
- as soon as
- hence
- prior to
- as long as
- forthwith
- in the meantime
- when
- straightaway
- in a moment
- once
- without delay
- about
- by the time
- in the first place
- next
- whenever
- all of a sudden now
- at this instant
- now that
- immediately
- formerly
- instantly
- quickly
- suddenly
- presently
- finally
- shortly
- occasionally
Linking words for Space/Location/Place
Referring to the location is quite common in speech and writing. If you are describing any location or space, you have to use totally different liking words. For those words, consider the following list:
- in the middle
- here
- further
- to the left/right
- there
- beyond
- in front of
- next
- nearby
- where
- wherever
- in the distance
- from
- around
- here and there
- over
- before
- in the foreground
- near
- alongside
- in the background
- above
- amid
- in the center of
- below
- among
- down
- beneath
- adjacent to
- up
- beside
- opposite to
- under
- behind
- between
- across
List of linking words for Correlative
When it comes to showing a correlation between two thoughts, you must know which word comes first. For correct grammar or to share the right message, you have to know the combination of linking words. To get more insights on these connecting words, consider the following list:
- as . . . as
- either . . . or
- what with . . . and
- just as . . . so
- neither . . . nor
- whether . . . or
- both . . . and
- not only . . . but also
- hardly . . . when
- if . . . then
- no sooner . . . than
- scarcely . . . when
- not . . . but
- rather . . . than
Examples:
For a better understanding of linking words, consider some examples, and know how to use them in sentences.
- Rahul is both smart and
- John is as tall as
- I am not only participating in the dance show but also trying to win the show.
For understanding the use of linking words, some more examples are explained below. There seems to be the same but different in use.
Despite & in spite of
These linking words show the connection between contrasting ideas. Both words are followed by nouns or gerunds. They are not followed by clauses, subject + verb.
- Despite losing a competition, Rohn is still happy with the effort.
- In spite of the lost match, Rohn was happy.
When you use clause after use of these words, you must add the phrase “the fact that.”
- In spite of the fact that Rohn lost the match, he was still happy.
- Despite the fact that Rohn lost the match, he was still happy.
Nonetheless, Nevertheless, Notwithstanding & Whereas
While using nevertheless and nonetheless, writers have to use a pause (a comma) after mentioning them. By doing this, the reader can understand that the writer is returning to his point after acknowledging the arguments against it
- My company wasn’t won the best year award. Nevertheless, we made a big profit.
- David lost a lot of money on the investment. Nonetheless, he never leaves hope.
Notwithstanding can be used as a preposition, an adjective, and a conjunction. It conveys the same meaning as “despite” or “anyway.” Writers can use it before or even after a clause.
- A preposition – Notwithstanding a brilliant attempt, he failed the exams
- Conjunction – It was the same material, notwithstanding the texture appeared different.
- An adverb –We were invited notwithstanding.
The connecting word whereas is a conjunction that reflects the sound of ‘as compared to’ or ‘on the contrary.’
John and David both are brothers. John likes to watch movies whereas David loves games.
Positioning Linking Words in a Sentence
Being a writer, you must know how to position linking words in different sentences or write-ups. Whether you are writing essays or assignments, you need to use connecting words in somewhere your writing. It makes the reader understand what message you want to convey.
At the beginning
It’s never wrong to use linking words at the start of sentences. The use of these kinds of words at the beginning of the sentences will refer to the previous sentence. For examples:
- I have lots of bikes. Although, I also like the sedan for smooth travel.
- Students can use assignment help for timely submission. Furthermore, they can connect with experts via assignment writing help.
- I don’t have sufficient time to write my papers. As a result, I miss the due dates.
In the middle
Connecting words seem to be used in the middle of sentences to hold the right meaning. Go through the examples to understand the use of connecting words in the middle of sentences.
- This is the second time that this has happened and, therefore, we can’t accept further furniture from your company.
- You can take assignment help as it is the best option to finish your work without any issues.
- We can’t repair the watch you have returned since it is not genuine.
At the end
Sometimes, you can make use of connecting words at the end of the sentences. To emphasize certain points or make your speech effective, writers use linking words at the end.
- It may be tough to recall all the grammatical rules. It is important, however.
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Linking words Exercise
The following questions and answers help to analyze what you will get after reading the complete write-ups:
1. He wore a coat ___ he might not catch a cold.
- In order that
- On condition that
- So as to
- Provided that
2. I’ll take some money with me just ___ I see something I want to buy.
- Although
- In case
- Until
- As soon as
3. I set the alarm for 5:30 in the morning ___ I wouldn’t miss the flight.
- So that
- In case
- As soon as
- While
4. Promise me that you will phone me ___ you get to the airport.
- Before
- As soon as
- Unless
- In spite of
5. We waited at platform ___ the train had disappeared into the distance.
- Until
- Because
- In case
- While
6. The restaurant has a good reputation. ___, the food was terrible.
- But
- Although
- Despite
- However
7. She went for a long walk, ___ being cold.
- Even if
- Despite
- In case
- While
8. It was raining. ___, we still went to the park.
- However
- But
- So that
- While
9. Pay your fees in time lest you ___ be fined.
- Would
- Should
- Could
- Might
10. It has been raining continuously ___ last week.
- Since
- For
- From
- Ago
