Linking Words — Contrast, Addition, Cause, Result & More
B2 — writing, speaking, reading
Kenji: My essays feel choppy — short sentence, short sentence, short sentence.
Sofía: You need linkers. Although and however are your best friends for contrast.
Kenji: And when I want to add another point?
Sofía: Moreover, furthermore, in addition. Pick one and stick with it in the same paragraph.
Common mistake: “The trip was expensive, however, we decided to go.” — Correct: “The trip was expensive. However, we decided to go.”
Linking words connect ideas and show the relationship between them — contrast, addition, cause, result or example — and each one has its own punctuation rules.
Linkers by function
Function
Linkers
Example
Contrast
although, even though, however, nevertheless
Although it rained, we went out.
Addition
moreover, furthermore, in addition
She's talented; moreover, she works hard.
Example
for example, for instance, such as
Many jobs, such as design, need creativity.
Cause
because of, due to
The delay was due to the weather.
Result
therefore, as a result, consequently
It rained; as a result, we stayed home.
Conclusion
in conclusion, to sum up
In conclusion, the plan worked.
contrast although / even though — in spite of the fact that
contrast however / nevertheless — in spite of that / on the other hand
addition moreover / furthermore — in addition to what has been said
example for example / such as — to mention a specific instance
cause because of / due to — as a direct result of
result therefore / as a result — for that reason / consequently
summary in conclusion / to sum up — to briefly state the main points
Although Ben lost his phone again, he stayed calm.
Sofía finished the project; moreover, she did it early.
There are many phrasal verbs, such as 'get up' and 'look up'.
The flight was delayed due to bad weather.
Sofía didn't finish on time; however, the client didn't mind.
Kenji doesn't understand everything; nevertheless, he keeps trying.
The trip wasn't cancelled, even though it rained all day.
Why did you leave, even though the party had just started?
Didn't they still go out, despite the rain?
Can you give an example, such as a specific situation?
Was the meeting cancelled because of the storm? Yes, it was.
Did they finish, in spite of the delay? Yes, they did.
Is there a clear result, therefore? Yes, there is.
Practice
___ Ben lost his phone again, he stayed calm. (Although, Therefore, For example)
Sofía finished the project; ___, she did it early. (moreover, however, because)
The flight was delayed ___ bad weather. (due to, although, therefore)
'However' usually starts a new sentence or clause, not the middle of one without punctuation.
'Such as' introduces an example.
'Therefore' shows contrast.
Kenji doesn't understand everything; ___, he keeps trying.
There are many phrasal verbs, ___ 'get up' and 'look up'.
It rained all day; ___, they cancelled the trip.
Unscramble: although, it, rained, we, went, out
Unscramble: the, delay, was, due, to, the, weather
Find the mistake: The trip was expensive, however, we decided to go.
It rained. We went out anyway. — Combine using 'although'.
She's talented. She also works hard. — Combine using 'moreover'.
It rained. We stayed home. — Combine using 'as a result'.
Because of the storm, the flight was cancelled. — Write a sentence using 'in spite of' instead (the flight was NOT cancelled).
Give one example of a linker of contrast.
Listening
Kenji: My essays feel choppy — short sentence, short sentence, short sentence.
Sofía: You need linkers. 'Although' and 'however' are your best friends for contrast.
Kenji: And when I want to add another point?
Sofía: 'Moreover', 'furthermore', 'in addition'. Pick one and stick with it in the same paragraph.
Kenji: What about giving an example?
Sofía: 'For example' or 'such as'. Simple as that.
Reading
Sofía has read enough of Kenji's essays to know his one weakness: linkers. His ideas are always good, but they arrive one after another with no connection, like a list instead of an argument. 'Although your grammar is strong,' she told him once, 'your paragraphs don't flow.' She made him a short list: although and however for contrast, moreover and in addition for adding a point, for example and such as when he needs proof, and therefore or as a result when one idea causes another. Kenji printed it and taped it above his desk. Weeks later, his essays still aren't perfect — however, they finally sound like arguments instead of lists.
Sofía says Kenji's ideas are usually weak.
Sofía gave Kenji a short list of linkers.
Kenji ignored the list completely.
His essays now sound like arguments instead of lists.