Linking Words

Addition

Use these when adding a related idea:

• furthermore
• moreover
• in addition
• additionally

The proposal could reduce traffic. In addition, it could improve air quality.

Contrast

Use these when ideas differ:

• however
• nevertheless
• in contrast
• on the other hand
• although
• whereas

Social media can help people stay connected. However, excessive use can also become distracting.

Cause and effect

Use these to show consequences or reasons:

• therefore
• consequently
• as a result
• because
• since
• due to

The cost of housing has increased. As a result, many young adults remain at home for longer.

Examples

Use these when illustrating a point:

• for example
• for instance
• such as

Several everyday activities can be automated. For example, AI can organise information or generate basic summaries.

Conclusions and synthesis

Useful expressions include:

• overall
• therefore
• ultimately
• taken together

Overall, the evidence suggests that the policy would have both economic and social effects.

Choose according to meaning

These expressions are not interchangeable.

• However signals contrast.
• Therefore signals a conclusion or consequence.
• For example introduces an illustration.

Choose the connector because of the relationship between the ideas, not because it sounds academic.

Without clear connections

School lunches are expensive. Some students skip lunch. Schools want students to perform well. Free lunches could help families.

Improved

School lunches can place additional pressure on family budgets. As a result, some students may choose to skip lunch altogether. Since adequate nutrition can affect students’ concentration, this is also an educational issue. Therefore, providing free school lunches could benefit both families and students.

1. Decide how two ideas are related.
2. Choose a connector that expresses that relationship.
3. Check the punctuation around it.
4. Read the paragraph without the connector.
5. Remove unnecessary linking words if the relationship is already obvious.

Weak: “Firstly… Secondly… Thirdly…” in every paragraph.

Better: Use transitions only where they genuinely clarify the structure.

Wrong meaning: “The study was small. Therefore, its findings were interesting.”

Better: “The study was small. However, its findings were interesting.”

Why: The second statement contrasts with the limitation rather than being caused by it.

Overloaded: “Furthermore, moreover, the policy is also expensive.”

Better: “Moreover, the policy is expensive.”

Why: One clear connector is enough.

Choose the best connector:

Online courses offer greater flexibility. ________, they require students to manage their own time effectively.

• A. Therefore
• B. However
• C. For example
• D. Similarly

Answer: B, However. However introduces a limitation that contrasts with the advantage in the first sentence.

• Linking words show relationships between ideas.
• Different connectors have different functions.
• Do not use academic-sounding connectors randomly.
• Variety is useful, but clarity matters more.
• Good cohesion also comes from logical structure, not only linking words.