THE ENGLISH TEACHERS VOICE

David White is an Australian English teacher who has been living in Peru since 2001. In partnership
with his wife Claudia, they are the owners of ¨English For You Language Institute´, a boutique
institute that specializes in the teaching of all levels of English from Basic (A1) to Advanced (C2)
including international exam preparation. David is also the Headmaster of the American School, a
well known bilingual ib school in Northern Peru.

Using connecting words when writing essays for

international exams.
April 04, 2020
When writing and speaking, it is useful to use words which connect one idea to another

to help the reader or listener to follow along. There are different categories of linking

words which serve specific purposes. Therefore, it is important to understand the

usage of the word (contrasting, adding new information, expressing cause and effect,

etc.), and whether or not a word fits into the structure of the sentence. The following is

a list of many of these linking words with example sentences.

Sequencing :

First(ly), second(ly), third(ly), before, previously, earlier, then, next, finally, lastly, the

former/the latter.
Example :

 Firstly, I’d like to present the current production method at our factory.

 Secondly, I will show how this new method can increase productivity.

 Of the two types of production methods mentioned, only the latter gives operators

greater decision-making powers.

Expressing Alternatives
Both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, whether…or, between…and,

instead (of)…

 Both Sarah and Sam are available.

 Either the manager or the sales reps are available.

 Neither the sales reps nor their manager is available.

 We can’t be sure whether the sales manager is available or not.

 Instead of calling, why don’t you send an email?

Adding another point

Also, too, as well, in addition (to), additionally, furthermore, moreover.

 Besides telephones, the company produces transmitters, as well.

 The company produces transmitters in addition to telephones.

 Furthermore, we have recently added a transmitter production facility to our site.

Contrasting ideas
Even though, (al)though, despite, in spite of, however, nevertheless, whereas, on the

one hand…on the other hand.

 Even though Amanda had signed the contract, she wanted them to change some of

the terms.

 Despite Amanda’s signing of the contract, she wanted them to change some of the

terms.

 The company thought everything was clear, whereas Amanda didn’t.

Expressing consequences or cause and

effect
Because (of), since, so, so that, therefore, consequently, thus, as a result.

 Since you didn’t call back, I had to make the decision on my own.

 You didn’t call back; therefore, I made the decision on my own.

 You didn’t call back so I made the decision on my own.

The real situation

In fact, as a matter of fact, actually, in reality.

 In fact, we don’t really offer 1000 free tablets to first-time customers.

 Everything that you need to know about English grammar.

Things to look out for when writing your essay.

Parallel construction with expressing alternatives (and in other sentence structures, as

well)

 The research project will need both time and money. (‘both’ + noun…‘and’ + noun)

 For some people, learning English is either too difficult or too time-

consuming. (‘either’ + adjective…’or’ + adjective)

‘Also’ is generally at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence, whereas, ‘too’ and ‘as

well’ are usually at the end.

  Customers are also provided with free parking.

 Customers are provided with free parking, too.

‘In addition’ can stand alone (followed by a ‘,’) or be followed by ‘to’ if there is a noun

after.

 We have already requested a full refund. In addition, we will ask the company for an

apology.

 In addition to the refund we requested, we will also ask the company for an apology.

‘Even though’, ‘although’ and ‘though’ are followed by a subject and a verb.

 Even though he had negotiated a good deal, he still wasn’t satisfied.

‘Despite’ and ‘in spite of’ are followed by nouns

 Despite his well-negotiated deal, he still wasn’t satisfied.

‘Because’ is followed by a subject and a verb whereas ‘because of’ is followed by a noun

 He missed his connection because of the train strike.

 Because the trains were on strike, he missed his connection.

‘Actually’ is a false cognate which means ‘in fact’. It does NOT mean ‘presently’ or ‘now’.
 Contrary to what some people say, we are actually one of the highest paying

employers in this sector and don’t have any trouble finding new recruits.

CLICK TO ENLARGE THE IMAGES

CLICK TO ENLARGE THE IMAGES

Tips for maximizing your score on the TOEFL test

Understanding the TOEFL speaking section

My advice to my students is to always choose a small selection of connectors that they feel

comfortable with and to use them in each practice writing that they do. This way, they will become

familiar to them whenever they write an essay.

I hope that this article helps you in your endeavors to achieve the highest score possible in the

writing section of your international English exam.

Remember to keep practicing and never give up, no matter what. Persistence always pays off.

Good luck and good studying.

 10 creative games for making grammar fun to learn.

Taking the stress out of learning grammar

Making the rules of grammar easy to understand

Everything that you need to know about interjections.

Understanding English tenses including 28 slides to use in the classroom.

Understanding how to use conjunctions including 12 slides to use in the

classroom.
 Everything that you need to know about reported speech

Tips for making grammar fun to learn.

Understanding count and non-count nouns

Tips for teaching, and understanding conditional sentences.

Understanding the most common grammatical mistakes and how to fix them.

Everything that you need to know about collocations.

 Understanding comparative and superlative adverbs

TOEFL and grammar, understanding what you need to know to maximize your

score.

Understanding comparative and superlative adjectives.

 Everything that you need to know about conjunctions

The rules for the correct usage of prepositions in English.

 Everything that you need to know about articles.

Understanding the correct order of adjectives.

Games and strategies for teaching verb tenses.

Adjectives for describing everything, anything and everyone.

Teaching the verb to be to true beginners

The 6 rules for understanding plural nouns.

 Understanding verb tenses

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