Linking Words, Connecting Words: Full List and Useful Examples
Linking words (connecting words) are something we need to know in any style of writing, because it helps the reader to follow the flow of what you are saying. Whether it’s an argument in an essay , or an epic scene in a fantasy novel, your reader needs to be able to follow what you are saying. So, what are linking words, why should you bother learning them, and what does it look like in practice? Well, this guide will answer all of those questions!
Linking Words
What Are Linking Words?
Linking words are words that connect ideas together in a piece of writing . It shows that two things are related in some way, or that the point you are making has supporting information. The difference between linking words and simple paragraph starters that we looked at previously, is that linking words can be found at the start of paragraphs, but also in the middle of sentences to connect two ideas together too.
Why Should I Learn Linking Words/Connecting Words?
The answer to this one is fairly straightforward. If you don’t know a variety of linking words to connect ideas together in a piece of writing, then you’re writing won’t make sense. In the very best case here, your reader will become confused and fail to follow the message you are trying to get across in your writing, because the bits of text that should ordinarily fit together, just won’t without the linking words there to connect them.
So, you know what they are and why you need to know them – but what are some examples of linking words? We couldn’t possibly include them all because there are literally hundreds, but hopefully by highlighting some examples and showing their importance in a sentence, you’ll be able to understand the job they do more clearly and focus on learning some other ones for yourself.
Examples of Linking Words
Linking words to add more information.
These words simply add additional information to your sentence or paragraph to show that two ideas are similar. Here are some examples:
- It started to rain and I got soaked – ‘and’ is the linking word that connects the two ideas of the individual being in the rain and getting soaked.
- It can’t be the dog’s fault nor the cat’s – ‘nor’ connects the idea that neither the cat or dog was at fault.
- We could go shopping first then get a bite to eat – ‘then’ shows that both ideas are connected, it also adds some sequence to the sentence by showing the order of things.
Linking Words to Contrast a Point
Sometimes you need to link two ideas together that are actually opposites in terms of what you are trying to say. Here are some words that will help you do that:
- Annie could have gone for a run but she decided she was too tired – ‘but’ connects two ideas that are related, but they oppose one another. She could have gone for a run, but she didn’t.
- It’s my turn to make dinner tonight although a takeout might be easier – ‘although’ provides an opposite argument again, so it links the ideas in a contrasting way.
- Carrots seemed to be the bunnies preferred food. On the other hand , lettuce was chosen second most frequently and the difference was marginal – ‘on the other hand’ shows clearly to the reader that a different point of view is coming.
Linking Words to Support a Point
If you’re trying to prove something or say something happened as a result of something else, then you will need words like the following:
- I failed my test because I didn’t study – ‘because’ gets the reader ready to learn why somebody failed their test.
- I could have done something differently, in fact we all could have – ‘in fact’ shows that the two ideas are linked together and support one another.
- Jack had been sad since his girlfriend broke up with him – ‘since’ is being used here to explain why Jack was sad, so it links the ideas again.
There are many more examples and reasons for using linking words, but if you do some more research into the different linking words that there are, you’ll be able to see how you might use them to connect two ideas together in some way. Remember, they don’t always need to support one another. Sometimes ideas are connected because they oppose one another too.
Learn more with an ultimate guide to transition words and phrases in the English language.
Complete List of Linking Words & Connecting Words
Linking words – result.
Function: To provide the result of what has been stated or has occurred
- Accordingly
- As a consequence (of)
- As a result
- Consequently
- For this reason
Connecting Words – Emphasis
Function: To put forward a point or idea more forcefully
- Importantly
- It should be noted
- Particularly / in particular
- Surprisingly
- To emphasize
- Undoubtedly
- Unquestionably
- With attention
- Without a doubt
Linking Words – Addition
Function: To add to what has been previously stated
- Additionally/an additional
- Apart from this
- As well as that
- Coupled with
- Furthermore
- In addition
- In addition to this
- In the same fashion
- Not only…but also
- Not to mention
- Together with
Linking Words – Reason
Function: To provide reasons for what has been stated or has occurred
- For the purpose of
- Granted that
- In order to
- Provided that
- Seeing that
- With this in mind
- With this intention
- With this purpose
Connecting Words – Illustration
Function: To provide examples
- As an example of
- For example/ For instance
- For one thing
- Illustrated by
- In another case
- In the case of
- In this case
- In this situation
- On this occasion
- Proof of this
- Specifically
- To demonstrate
- To demonstrate/ To clarify
- To simplify
Linking Words – Contrast
Function: To show how things are different
- Alternatively
- As opposed to
- Contrary to
- Despite/in spite of
- Differing from
- In contrast (to)
- In opposition
- Nevertheless
- Nonetheless
- Notwithstanding
- On the other hand
Linking Words – Comparison
Function: To show how things are similar
- By the same token
- Compare / compare(d) to (with)
- Correspondingly
- In a similar manner
- In like manner
- In the same way
- In the spitting image of
- Just as…so too
- Most important
- Still another
Connecting Words – Order
1. Function: To indicate the order of what is being said
- First/ firstly
- Second/ secondly
- Third/ thirdly
- At this time
- Subsequently
2. Function: To mark the end of an ascending order
- Lastly and most importantly
- Last but not least
3. Definition: To mark the beginning of a descending order
- First and foremost…
Connecting Words – Summary
Function: To sum up what has been previously stated
- All things considered
- As demonstrated above
- As shown above
- As you can see
- By and large
- Generally speaking
- Given these points
- In any event
- In conclusion
- In the final analysis
- On the whole
- To conclude
- To summarise
Linking Words – Condition
Function: To provide a condition to what has been stated
- Although this may be true
- In that case
- In the event that
- On the condition that
Connecting Words – Concession
Function: Connecting words and phrases to accept a point or idea with reservation
- All the same
- Although/Even though
- Be that as it may
- Even though
- In spite of
- Regardless of this
- Up to a point
Connecting Words – Generalisation
Function: To make a general statement
- Broadly speaking
- For the most part
- In general/ Generally
- In most cases
- More often than not
- Predominately
Connecting Words – Restatement
Function: To express an alternative to what has been previously stated
- Alternatively stated
- Expressed simply
- In a nutshell
- In other words
- In simple language
- In simple terms
- In summation
- Otherwise stated
- Put differently
- Put in another way
- Said differently
- That is to say
- To put it differently
Connecting Words – Reference
Function: To a relationship between continuing ideas presented in your essay.
- As applied to
- Considering
- In connection to
- Pertaining to
- Some examples of these might be:
- Speaking about/of
- The fact that
- With regards to
- With respect to
Connecting Words – Clarification
Function: To indicate that you will be exploring your ideas in more detail.
- In explanation
- In lay terms
- Simply stated
- To break it down
- To clearly define
- To make plain
- To put it clearly
- To put it in another way
Connecting Words – Space/ Location
Function: To clarify spatial relationships/ provide spatial order and reference.
- At the rear
- Surrounding
- To the left
Linking Words and Phrases | Video
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