Introducing

Adding

Devices

Usage

Example

Formal

First and
foremost

Needs a
comma

First and foremost, it is essential to make clear the basis of the

scientific method.

Neutral

To start with
First of all

Needs a
comma

To start with, I have seen many failures in this program.

The thing is...

Rather
spoken

Well, the thing is I just want to buy that expensive TV.

Formal
Neutral

Contrasting

Formal

Nevertheless
Nonetheless

Neutral
Comparing

Formal
The former, the
latter

Reformulating

While
Whereas

Used at the
beginning

Neutral

On the one hand

On the other hand

Should be
used as a
pair

Formal

That is to say

Neutral
Hypothesising &
Assuming

Formal

Assuming that...

Neutral

As long as...

Summarising

Formal

Above all

Neutral

Roughly speaking

Emphasis
on sth

Concluding

Formal
Neutral