Linking words

Expressing cause / reason

Adding Contrasting
*and *but because
as well as However, as
besides Although since
Moreover, despite This is why
Furthermore, In spite of because of
What is more, Nevertheless, Due to
In addition, On the contrary, Owing to
not only .... but also on the one hand For this reason,
another point is that on the other hand,
whereas Expressing effect / result
relative clauses while *so
who where but while so....that
that ,which In contrast, such a...that
whose to whom Neither...nor Therefore
when what Thus
why Consequently,
As a result,
too...for/to
not enough...for/to
 Giving examples Summing up / concluding Emphasis

for example, All in all especially

for instance, In conclusion, particularly
such as e.g.. (for example) on the whole Naturally,
i.e. (that is) To sum up, above all
Whatever
Whenever
Narration Expressing purpose
First (of all) immediately to
At first Once so as to
At the beginning Suddenly in order that
In the beginning As soon as so that
then on for (Non-specific)
next No sooner....than
Before Finally Expressing opinion
After Eventually I would say that
After that At the end In my opinion,
afterwards In the end I think (that)
When At last I believe (that)
While To begin with, Personally
during until Apparently,
Soon To me,

* Avoid starting a sentence with these words.

The linking words beginning with a capital letter often start a sentence, for those without, position in
a sentence is optional.
Conjunctions can join sentences to express contrast, reason and result, time, and condition. In each
group complete the sentences with suitable conjunctions.

CONTRAST
however although despite even though

1. ______________________ I can’t speak Spanish, I can understand a lot.

2. I can’t speak Spanish well. ___________________, I can understand most things.
3. He can’t speak Spanish well, __________________ he lives in Spain.
4. ___________________ living in Spain, he can’t speak Spanish.

REASON AND RESULT

such…that so as since because so… that

1. I didn’t sleep well last night, ___________________ I’m tired.

2. I’m tired ___________________ I didn’t sleep well last night.
3. I wanted to go, but ____________________ it was late, I decided not to go.
4. _______________________ John can’t be here today, I’ve been asked to chair the meeting.
5. He always looks _______________ innocent _____________ he gets away with his murder.
6. He’s _______________ terrible liar ________________ no one believes him.

TIME
when(ever) while as (soon as) until after since

1. I call you _________________________ I can.

2. He refused to talk to the police __________________ his lawyer arrived.
3. I feel sad _____________________ I hear that song.
4. They were burgled ________________ they were away on holiday.
5. I’ve known her _________________ I was a small child.
6. I’ll help you with this exercise _____________ I’ve had dinner.

CONDITION
if as long as unless in case

1. ________________________ I’m late, I’ll call you.

2. You won’t pass ___________________ you work harder.
3. Take an umbrella __________________ it rains.
4. You can borrow my car ________________ you drive carefully.
EXERCISES

1. A reporter is interviewing Isabel Browning, a skater. Complete the interview using the words or
phrases in the box. Use each word or phrase only ONCE.

after / during / in / when / at the age of / eventually / now / at / for / at first / for a time

Reporter: So you’ve been a serious skater (0) for about ten years now. How old were
you (1)_______________________ you first started skating?
Isabel: I started going to skating classes (2)_______________________ five.
Reporter: Five! That’s very young. Were you a good skater?
Isabel: Well, no. I didn’t really enjoy it (3)_______________________ and
(4)_______________________ I tried to refuse to go – but (5)_______________________ winning my
first competition, I decided I really liked it.
Reporter: And when did that happen?
Isabel: That was (6)________________________ 1978. After that, I practised all the time
(7)________________________ weekends and (8)________________________ the school holidays.
And (9) ________________________ I was good enough to enter big competitions.
Reporter: And (10)________________________ you’re the south-east champion!

2. Julie is studying psychology at Bath University. Here’s an extract from a letter to her friend Carl.
Complete it using the words or phrases in the box.

because actually which although

but when in the evening that

I’m really enjoying the course, ____________________ I’ve a lot of work to do_______________ apart
from Fridays and Saturdays, _________________ I go dancing or to a pub. I’m glad ________________
I came to Bath University – the city is really beautiful. The university is on a Hill just outside the city,
and there’s a bus service, _____________ I usually cycle, ____________ takes about an hour.
______________ I’m getting quite fit, ________________ I go jogging most mornings.
How are you getting on in ….
3. Read the article and fill in the suitable words or expressions.
This week, boxing is on trial – and it’s something you obviously feel strongly about, as Stacy Pearson
from Manchester explains in her letter.

________________________________ I have to say that I find the idea of two men punching each
other for people’s entertainment truly shocking. What’s entertaining about it? Where’s the excitement
or pleasure in watching two men fight each other ___________ one of them gives in or is left
unconscious? Do people get a thrill out of watching something like this? If they do, I find it very
worrying.
____________________________, it’s not just men who are involved. I was shocked ______________
I read recently about a boxing match between two women. How can they do it? Surely they’ve seen
the horrifying injuries that male boxers get.
_______________ don’t get me wrong. I like watching sport. I find it exciting to see people achieving
new records in athletics and I’m always amazed at the skill of football and rugby players. But boxing is
not a sport, _______________.
I feel strongly about this, and I won’t give up protesting about it. Recently, ______________ I was
giving out anti-boxing leaflets in my local shopping centre, a lot of people came up to me to say they
were pleased that I was doing it ______________________ don’t be surprised if you see me on a street
corner near you !

4. Complete the sentences with although, however or in spite of.

a. ____________________ they’re best friends, they’re very competitive.

b. They didn’t visit us, _________________ promising to come.
c. _________________ she’s a very talented pianist, she finds it difficult to play in public.
d. There was nothing suspicious in his behaviour. ________________, I didn’t really trust him.
e. ____________________ he’d told her the relationship was over, she still thought they could get
back together again.
f. I wanted to play football this morning. _______________ I didn’t wake up till midday.
g. They recognized him __________________ his disguise.
h. ________________ her strong northern accent, I understand everything he says.
i. He’s a very gentle person, ___________________ his appearance.
j. I really liked The Thirty-Nine Steps ____________________ the story was quite complicated.