Linking Words in English with Examples

Learning English grammar can be a fun and rewarding experience, and one important way to improve your writing and speaking is by mastering linking words. These words help connect ideas, making your sentences flow better and sound more natural. If you want to improve your English and make your conversations or writing more clear and smooth, it’s crucial to understand how to use linking words.

Linking words are small words or phrases that help connect different parts of a sentence or ideas together. They guide the reader or listener from one point to the next in a logical way. For example, words like “but,” “and,” “because,” or “however” can link thoughts or actions.

In this guide, we’ll explore what linking words are, why they are so important in communication, and how you can use them to make your English sound more natural and organized. Let’s get started!

What are linking words?

Linking words, also called transition words or connectors, are words or phrases that help join different ideas in a sentence. They make your writing or speech clearer and easier to understand by connecting your thoughts smoothly. You can think of linking words as the glue that keeps your sentences together and helps guide the reader or listener from one idea to the next without confusion.

For example, in the following sentences:

I love tea. However, I don’t like coffee.
I studied hard because I wanted to pass the exam.

In these examples, the words “however” and “because” are linking words. They show how the ideas are related: “however” shows a contrast between loving tea and not liking coffee, while “because” explains the reason for studying hard.

Using linking words helps your writing or speaking flow better and allows others to follow your thoughts more easily. They show relationships between ideas like cause and effect, contrast, or addition, making communication clearer and more organized.

Why Are Linking Words Important for You?

Imagine you’re telling a story or explaining something without using linking words. It would sound very simple and jumpy, like this:

“I woke up. I went to the kitchen. I made breakfast. I ate it.”

Now, if you add some linking words, the same story becomes smoother and more connected:

“I woke up, then I went to the kitchen. After that, I made breakfast, and finally, I ate it.”

By using linking words, your story flows better, and it’s easier for people to follow along. Linking words also help your audience understand how one idea connects to the next. They show the order of events or how things relate to each other, making your message clearer and more interesting to listen to or read.

How to Use Linking Words?

Before using linking words, it’s important to understand their meanings and how to use them correctly. Here’s a simple guide on how to do it effectively:

Choosing the Right Linking Word

Pick the right linking word based on what you want to express:

Use “Additionally” to add more information.
Use “For example” to give an example or show something clearly.

Placement of Linking Words and Punctuation

Linking words can be placed at the beginning or middle of a sentence to make your writing flow smoothly.

At the beginning of a sentence: Put a comma after the linking word.
Example: However, I decided to give it a try.
In the middle of a sentence: Use commas around the linking word to set it apart.
Example: In this case, however, the outcome was unexpected.

Using Linking Words with Coordination

Linking words can also help join parts of a sentence together:

Coordinating Conjunctions connect two equal parts of a sentence. When you use them, place a comma before the conjunction. The common ones are FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.
Example: I like apples, but he prefers oranges.
Subordinating Conjunctions introduce a dependent clause (a part of the sentence that can’t stand alone).
- Comma rule: When the dependent clause comes first, put a comma after it.
  Example: Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
- No comma: When the dependent clause comes after the main part of the sentence, don’t use a comma.
  Example: We went for a walk although it was raining.

By understanding these basic rules for using linking words, you can make your writing more organized and easier to follow. Linking words help connect ideas, making your communication clear and smooth.

Lists of All Types of Linking Words

Linking words connect ideas and improve sentence flow. Below is a complete list of each type of linking word to enhance your writing!

Addition Words

Here is a comprehensive list of words that connect ideas and add information.

Addition
Additionally
Along with
Also
Another
And then
Apart from this
As well as
As well as that
Besides
Coupled with
Finally
First
Further
Furthermore
In addition
Then
In addition to this
Moreover
In the same fashion
Not only…but also
Not to mention
Similarly
Together with
What’s more
Plus

Contrast Words

Here is a comprehensive list of words that show differences between ideas.

Alternatively
By contrast
In spite of
Although
As opposed to
Contrarily
Contrary to
Conversely
Despite
Differing from
Even so
However
In contrast to
In opposition
Instead
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
Whereas
While
Yet
Nor
Notwithstanding
On the other hand
Rather
Though
Unlike
Up against

Cause and Effect Words

Here is a comprehensive list of words that explain why something happens and its result.

Because
Since
Therefore
As a result
Consequently
Thus
Hence
Due to
Owing to
For this reason
On account of
Resulting from
Under the circumstances
In consequence of
As a consequence
The outcome is that
The effect of this
This has led to
Such that
Such is the case
Accordingly
Eventually

Comparison Words

Here is a comprehensive list of words that show similarities or differences.

In comparison
In the same way
Correspondingly
Just as
Likewise
Similarly
Compared to/with
As well as
Equally
Along with
In a similar fashion
By contrast
Conversely
On the contrary
Same as
Unlike
Instead of
While
Nevertheless
In spite of
Yet
Nonetheless
At the same time
In contrast to
On the other hand

Words of Time Sequence in English

Here is a comprehensive list of words that show the order of events or steps.

First
First of all
Initially
At first
In the beginning
To start with
Next
Then
Subsequently
Later
Following that
Meanwhile
Simultaneously
Concurrently
At the same time
In the meantime
While
During
Throughout
After
Before
Prior to
Afterwards
Eventually
Finally

Example Linking Words

Here is a comprehensive list of words that provide examples or clarify ideas.

For example
For instance
Such as
Like
Including
To illustrate
In particular
Specifically
Namely
As an illustration
To demonstrate
As shown by
In the case of
One example is
As evidence
In other words
As a case in point
To put it differently
As revealed by
A good example of this is
In a similar manner
This can be seen when
As a specific instance
To exemplify
As a sample
In one instance
As proof
Let’s consider
As an example of
To clarify

Conclusion/Summary Words in English

Here is a comprehensive list of words that wrap up ideas and provide a final statement.

All things considered
As demonstrated above
In brief
As shown above
So
As you can see
By and large
Given these points
In a word
Briefly
In any event
As noted
In conclusion
Generally speaking
In short
To end
In the end
In the final analysis
On the whole
Overall
Therefore
To conclude
In summary
To sum up
In essence
To summarize

Emphasis Linking Words

Here is a comprehensive list of words that highlight key points or stress information.

Ultimately
Clearly
Clearly, then
Importantly
Most importantly
Notably
Significantly
Indeed
In fact
Undoubtedly
Without a doubt
Absolutely
Positively
Unquestionably
In particular
Especially
Primarily
Chiefly
Above all
It’s worth noting
It should be emphasized that
It’s important to highlight
A key point to remember
Of course
Naturally
To stress
Also
To highlight
It’s important to note
Even
To draw attention to
It cannot be overstated
To repeat
Truly

Clarification Linking Words

Here is a comprehensive list of words that make ideas clearer or explain them differently.

I mean
In explanation
To be clear
In other words
Let me explain
To put it clearly
Simply stated
That is to say
To break it down
More precisely
To clearly define
Allow me to clarify
To put it in another way
Simply put
To simplify

Linking Words for Expressing Purpose/Reason

Here is a comprehensive list of words that explain why something is done.

Because of
Therefore
For the purpose of
Given that
Granted that
In view of
Owing to
With this purpose
Provided that
Seeing that
With this in mind
In fact
In order to
As a result
With this intention
So that
With the aim of

Sequence Linking Words

Here is a comprehensive list of words that show the logical order of events.

First/Firstly
Second/Secondly
Third/Thirdly
Afterward
Finally
Initially
Following
Previously
Before
Subsequently
To start with

Condition Linking Words

Here is a comprehensive list of words that show conditions for something to happen.

If
Unless
Although this may be true
As
Because of
Even if
In that case
On the condition that
Only if
Since
Then
When
Whenever
While
Except if

Linking Words of Choice in English

Here is a comprehensive list of words that present options or alternatives.

Option 1 or Option 2
Either… or…
Whether… or…
Preferably… or…
In either case…
Or
Alternatively
While… In comparison…
Rather
Select between… or…
Choose either… or…

Linking Words for Restatement in English

Here is a comprehensive list of words that repeat or rephrase an idea for clarity.

I mean
Expressed simply
In a nutshell
Otherwise stated
Put in another way
In other words
That is to say
To put it differently
In simple terms
What I mean by this is
To rephrase
In short

Linking Words for Generalizing Information

Here is a comprehensive list of words that make broad statements for generalization.

In general
Generally speaking
On the whole
Overall
Broadly
By and large
In most cases
In the majority of instances
As a rule
For the most part
In a general sense
Without exception
Universally
Across the board
Without distinction
In a broader context
Typically
Commonly
Without specific regard to
In a global perspective
Without pinpointing

Linking words are very useful in English. They help make your sentences clearer and connect your ideas more smoothly. Using them can make your speaking and writing much more interesting and easy to understand. Instead of sounding simple and disjointed, linking words help your English flow more naturally, making your thoughts and messages easier to follow. By mastering linking words, you can improve the way you communicate, whether you’re writing or speaking.