Linking Words

Functions and exercises

Gonzalo Oyarzn Vargas

L1 Assistanship
April 16th, 2012

Different types of Connectors

To Add
To Show

Time
To Compare
To Prove
To Contrast
To Repeat
To Emphasize
To Show Sequence
To Give an Example
To Summarize or Conclude

To Add
And
(then)

Again

What is
more

also

in addition

Moreover

further

furthermor
e

too

Firstly,
secondly

next,

Lastly,
finally

E.g.: Smoking cigarettes is usually the main cause of chronic bronchitis. In

addition, it can produce lung cancer and also emphysema.

To Show Time / Sequence

immediately
soon
later,
then

suddenly
At this time
previously
first
(second)

subsequently afterwards

thereafter
finally
formerly
Next
Later on

E.g.: I immediately did my homework when I arrived home. Then, I watched

a movie and subsequently I wrote an article about it.

To Prove / Giving a reason

because

for

since

Due to

Owing to

as

indeed

in fact

obviously

E.g.: I couldnt go to the school yesterday, because I had a terrible headache.

E.g.: Due to the fact that oil prices have risen, the inflation rate has gone up
by 1%25.

Giving a Result
Therefore

So

Consequently

Accordingly

As a
result

Hence

E.g.: Many jobs have been created in the last months. Hence, the
unemployment rate should decrease.

To Compare
whereas

on one hand

on the other
hand

on the
contrary

by
comparison

conversely

Meanwhile

in contrast

While

E.g.: Allowing abortion in Chile has been widely discussed. One one hand,
some people think that abortion should still be prohibited because it is
considered as a murder. On the other hand, some people believe that
women should be allowed to decide conciously what they want.

To Contrast Ideas
But

although

however

nevertheless

in spite of

despite

Whereas

Even though

Unlike

E.g.: Chile is the richest country in Latin America. However, it is the most
unequal in terms of wealth distribution.

To Emphasize
definitely

firmly

obviously

in fact

indeed

absolutely

clearly

certainly

Certainly

E.g.:
Person A: I firmly believe that we need free and public education in
Chile. In fact, everybody should have the chance to receive good education.
Person B: I definitely agree with you.

To Give an Example
for
example

for
instance

in this case

to illustrate

Such as

like

E.g.: There are many topics that should be discussed in our country such as
political reforms, wealth distribution, renewable energy sources, and so on.

To Summarize or Conclude:
in brief

on the whole

summing up

to conclude

in
conclusion

all in all

clearly

Finally

Certainly

E.g.: I got a great mark in the essay that I wrote for the English class and I
also had fun with my friends. In brief, it was an outstanding day.