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Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Published on May 29, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 23, 2023.

Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.

The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.

For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.

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When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words, other interesting articles.

Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.

Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.

Example text with and without transition words

The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.

If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently , France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However , Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.

Don’t overuse transition words

While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.

In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.

The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.

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There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.

Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.

Additive transition words

Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Addition	We found that the mixture was effective. , it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted.	indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both and , not only but also , , in fact
Introduction	Several researchers have previously explored this topic. , Smith (2014) examined the effects of …	such as, like, particularly, including, as an illustration, for example, for instance, in particular, to illustrate, especially, notably
Reference	The solution showed a high degree of absorption. , it is reasonable to conclude that …	considering , regarding , in regard to , as for , concerning , the fact that , on the subject of
Similarity	It was not possible to establish a correlation between these variables. , the connection between and remains unclear …	similarly, in the same way, by the same token, in like manner, equally, likewise
Clarification	The patient suffered several side effects, increased appetite, decreased libido, and disordered sleep.	that is (to say), namely, specifically, more precisely, in other words

Adversative transition words

Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Conflict	The novel does deal with the theme of family. , its central theme is more broadly political …	but, however, although, though, equally, by way of contrast, while, on the other hand, (and) yet, whereas, in contrast, (when) in fact, conversely, whereas
Concession	Jones (2011) argues that the novel reflects Russian politics of the time. this is correct, other aspects of the text must also be considered.	even so, nonetheless, nevertheless, even though, on the other hand, admittedly, despite , notwithstanding , (and) still, although, , regardless (of ), (and) yet, though, granted
Dismissal	It remains unclear which of these hypotheses is correct. , it can be inferred that …	regardless, either way, whatever the case, in any/either event, in any/either case, at any rate, all the same
Emphasis	The chemical is generally thought to have corrosive properties. , several studies have supported this hypothesis.	above all, indeed, more/most importantly
Replacement	The character of Godfrey is often viewed as selfish, self-absorbed.	(or) at least, (or) rather, instead, or (perhaps) even, if not

Causal transition words

Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Consequence	Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany.	therefore, because (of ), as a result (of ), for this reason, in view of , as, owing to x, due to (the fact that), since, consequently, in consequence, as a consequence, hence, thus, so (that), accordingly, so much (so) that, under the/such circumstances, if so
Condition	We qualified survey responses as positive the participant selected “agree” or “strongly agree.” , results were recorded as negative.	(even/only) if/when, on (the) condition that, in the case that, granted (that), provided/providing that, in case, in the event that, as/so long as, unless, given that, being that, inasmuch/insofar as, in that case, in (all) other cases, if so/not, otherwise
Purpose	We used accurate recording equipment our results would be as precise as possible.	to, in order to/that, for the purpose of, in the hope that, so that, to the end that, lest, with this in mind, so as to, so that, to ensure (that)

Sequential transition words

Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.

Function	Example sentence	Transition words and phrases
Enumeration	This has historically had several consequences: , the conflict is not given the weight of other conflicts in historical narratives. , its causes are inadequately understood. , …	first, second, third…
Initiation	, I want to consider the role played by women in this period.	in the first place, initially, first of all, to begin with, at first
Continuation	, I discuss the way in which the country’s various ethnic minorities were affected by the conflict.	subsequently, previously, eventually, next, before , afterwards, after , then
Conclusion	, I consider these two themes in combination.	to conclude (with), as a final point, eventually, at last, last but not least, finally, lastly
Resumption	my main argument, it is clear that …	to return/returning to , to resume, at any rate
Summation	Patel (2015) comes to a similar conclusion. , the four studies considered here suggest a consensus that the solution is effective.	as previously stated/mentioned, in summary, as I have argued, overall, as has been mentioned, to summarize, briefly, given these points, in view of , as has been noted, in conclusion, in sum, altogether, in short

Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.

Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.

Confused use of therefore

“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.

We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. Therefore , the average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”

We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. The average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

Starting a sentence with also , and , or so

While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.

Also , a second round of testing was carried out.

To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.

A second round of testing was also carried out.
Additionally , a second round of testing was carried out.

Transition words creating sentence fragments

Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions . This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.

The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.

Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. Although other researchers disagree.

We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”

Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed, although other researchers disagree.
Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. However , other researchers disagree.

And vs. as well as

Students often use the phrase “ as well as ” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.

Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf, as well as presenting my analysis of To the Lighthouse .

In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before “as well as” but not before “and.”

Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf and presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse .
Chapter 1 presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse , as well as discussing some background information on Woolf.

Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”

Both my results as well as my interpretations are presented below.
Both my results and my interpretations are presented below.

Use of and/or

The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.

First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.

Participants were asked whether they used the bus and/or the train.
Participants were asked whether they used the bus, the train, or both.

Archaic transition words

Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.

Poverty is best understood as a disease. Hereby , we not only see that it is hereditary, but acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.

Poverty is best understood as a disease. Understanding it as such , we not only see that it is hereditary, but also acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

Using a paraphrasing tool for clear writing

With the use of certain tools, you can make your writing clear. One of these tools is a paraphrasing tool . One thing the tool does is help your sentences make more sense. It has different modes where it checks how your text can be improved. For example, automatically adding transition words where needed.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or writing rules make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Speech transitions: words and phrases to connect your ideas

June 28, 2018 - Gini Beqiri

When delivering presentations it’s important for your words and ideas to flow so your audience can understand how everything links together and why it’s all relevant.

This can be done using speech transitions because these act as signposts to the audience – signalling the relationship between points and ideas. This article explores how to use speech transitions in presentations.

What are speech transitions?

Speech transitions are words and phrases that allow you to smoothly move from one point to another so that your speech flows and your presentation is unified.

This makes it easier for the audience to understand your argument and without transitions the audience may be confused as to how one point relates to another and they may think you’re randomly jumping between points.

Types of transitions

Transitions can be one word, a phrase or a full sentence – there are many different types, here are a few:

Introduction

Introduce your topic:

We will be looking at/identifying/investigating the effects of…
Today I will be discussing…

Presentation outline

Inform the audience of the structure of your presentation:

There are three key points I’ll be discussing…
I want to begin by…, and then I’ll move on to…
We’ll be covering… from two points of view…
This presentation is divided into four parts…

Move from the introduction to the first point

Signify to the audience that you will now begin discussing the first main point:

Now that you’re aware of the overview, let’s begin with…
First, let’s begin with…
I will first cover…
My first point covers…
To get started, let’s look at…

Shift between similar points

Move from one point to a similar one:

In the same way…
Likewise…
Equally…
This is similar to…
Similarly…

Shift between disagreeing points

You may have to introduce conflicting ideas – bridging words and phrases are especially good for this:

Conversely…
Despite this…
However…
On the contrary…
Now let’s consider…
Even so…
Nonetheless…
We can’t ignore…
On the other hand…

Transition to a significant issue

Fundamentally…
A major issue is…
The crux of the matter…
A significant concern is…

Referring to previous points

You may have to refer to something that you’ve already spoken about because, for example, there may have been a break or a fire alarm etc:

Let’s return to…
We briefly spoke about X earlier; let’s look at it in more depth now…
Let’s revisit…
Let’s go back to…
Do you recall when I mentioned…

This can be also be useful to introduce a new point because adults learn better when new information builds on previously learned information.

Introducing an aside note

You may want to introduce a digression:

I’d just like to mention…
That reminds me…
Incidentally…

Physical movement

You can move your body and your standing location when you transition to another point. The audience find it easier to follow your presentation and movement will increase their interest.

A common technique for incorporating movement into your presentation is to:

Start your introduction by standing in the centre of the stage.
For your first point you stand on the left side of the stage.
You discuss your second point from the centre again.
You stand on the right side of the stage for your third point.
The conclusion occurs in the centre.

Emphasising importance

You need to ensure that the audience get the message by informing them why something is important:

More importantly…
This is essential…
Primarily…
Mainly…

Internal summaries

Internal summarising consists of summarising before moving on to the next point. You must inform the audience:

What part of the presentation you covered – “In the first part of this speech we’ve covered…”
What the key points were – “Precisely how…”
How this links in with the overall presentation – “So that’s the context…”
What you’re moving on to – “Now I’d like to move on to the second part of presentation which looks at…”

Speech transitions during a team meeting

Cause and effect

You will have to transition to show relationships between factors:

Therefore…
Thus…
Consequently…
As a result…
This is significant because…
Hence…

Elaboration

Also…
Besides…
What’s more…
In addition/additionally…
Moreover…
Furthermore…

Point-by-point or steps of a process

First/firstly/The first one is…
Second/Secondly/The second one is…
Third/Thirdly/The third one is…
Last/Lastly/Finally/The fourth one is…

Introduce an example

This is demonstrated by…
For instance…
Take the case of…
For example…
You may be asking whether this happens in X? The answer is yes…
To show/illustrate/highlight this…
Let me illustrate this by…

Transition to a demonstration

Now that we’ve covered the theory, let’s practically apply it…
I’ll conduct an experiment to show you this in action…
Let me demonstrate this…
I’ll now show you this…

Introducing a quotation

X was a supporter of this thinking because he said…
There is a lot of support for this, for example, X said…

Transition to another speaker

In a group presentation you must transition to other speakers:

Briefly recap on what you covered in your section: “So that was a brief introduction on what health anxiety is and how it can affect somebody”
Introduce the next speaker in the team and explain what they will discuss: “Now Gayle will talk about the prevalence of health anxiety.”
Then end by looking at the next speaker, gesturing towards them and saying their name: “Gayle”.
The next speaker should acknowledge this with a quick: “Thank you Simon.”

From these examples, you can see how the different sections of the presentations link which makes it easier for the audience to follow and remain engaged.

You can tell personal stories or share the experiences of others to introduce a point. Anecdotes are especially valuable for your introduction and between different sections of the presentation because they engage the audience. Ensure that you plan the stories thoroughly beforehand and that they are not too long.

Using questions

You can transition through your speech by asking questions and these questions also have the benefit of engaging your audience more. There are three different types of questions:

Direct questions require an answer: “What is the capital of Italy?” These are mentally stimulating for the audience.

Rhetorical questions do not require answers, they are often used to emphasises an idea or point: “Is the Pope catholic?

Loaded questions contain an unjustified assumption made to prompt the audience into providing a particular answer which you can then correct to support your point: You may ask “Why does your wonderful company have such a low incidence of mental health problems?”.

The audience will generally answer that they’re happy. After receiving the answers you could then say “Actually it’s because people are still unwilling and too embarrassed to seek help for mental health issues at work etc.”

Transition to a visual aid

If you are going to introduce a visual aid you must prepare the audience with what they’re going to see, for example, you might be leading into a diagram that supports your statement. Also, before you show the visual aid , explain why you’re going to show it, for example, “This graph is a significant piece of evidence supporting X”.

When the graphic is on display get the audience to focus on it:

The table indicates…
As you can see…
I’d like to direct your attention to…

Explain what the visual is showing:

You can see that there has been a reduction in…
The diagram is comparing the…

Using a visual aid to transition

Visual aids can also be used as transitions and they have the benefit of being stimulating and breaking-up vocal transitions.

You might have a slide with just a picture on it to signify to the audience that you’re moving on to a new point – ensure that this image is relevant to the point. Many speakers like to use cartoons for this purpose but ensure its suitable for your audience.

Always summarise your key points first in the conclusion:

Let’s recap on what we’ve spoken about today…
Let me briefly summarise the main points…

And then conclude:

If you have a shorter speech you may choose to end your presentation with one statement:

In short…
To sum up…
In a nutshell…
To summarise…
In conclusion…

However, using statements such as “To conclude” may cause the audience to stop listening. It’s better to say:

I’d like to leave you with this…
What you should take away from this is…
Finally, I want to say…

Call to action

Requesting the audience to do something at the end of the presentation:

You may be thinking how can I help in this matter? Well…
My aim is to encourage you to go further and…
What I’m requesting of you is…

Common mistakes

When transitions are used poorly you can annoy and confuse the audience. Avoid:

Using transitions that are too short – transitions are a key part of ensuring the audience understands your presentation so spend sufficient time linking to your next idea.
Too many tangents – any digressions should still be relevant to the topic and help the audience with their understanding, otherwise cut them out.
Incompatible transitions – for example, if you’re about to introduce an example that supports your statement you wouldn’t introduce this by saying “but”. Use transitions that signify the relationship between points.
Over-using the same transition because this is boring for the audience to hear repeatedly. Ensure that there is variety with your transitions, consider including visual transitions.
Miscounting your transitions – for example, don’t say “first point”, “second point”, “next point” – refer to your points consistently.

Speech transitions are useful for unifying and connecting your presentation. The audience are more likely to remain engaged since they’ll be able to follow your points. But remember that it’s important to practice your transitions beforehand and not just the content of your arguments because you risk looking unprofessional and confusing the audience if the presentation does not flow smoothly.

200+ Linking Words – Full List, Examples

| Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

Worried that your essay lacks structure and coherence? Perhaps you should use linking words, transition words, or connectors to give it a boost.

Linking words join separate sentences to improve writing flow. You can also find them mid-sentence to connect clauses.

Read on as I show you the definition and types of linking words in English. I also list examples of linking words under every category, and I whipped up a helpful worksheet to test your skills.

What Are Linking Words?

Linking words, transition words, or connecting words in the English language help connect ideas and sentences when speaking or writing.

Linking words and phrases are connectors or transitional phrases. They are also part of formal language, so you’ll find them in academic writing, opinion writing, critical essays, dialectic essays , journalism, and business documents.

Some linking verbs link clauses within a sentence, such as although, in case, and whatever. That means you can find them in the middle of sentences from time to time. Others link two complete sentences, such as besides, as a result, and however.

List of Transition Words

Now that you know the meaning of transition words, let’s look at the usage of transition words in sentences and clauses. Don’t worry, I’ll break it all down for you!

Below, I’ve got a list of linking words and phrases to serve as alternative choices for connecting ideas in writing. Note that there are several types of transition words which we will discuss later.

Agreement/Addition/Similarity

Linking words may help the reader understand additional comments or ideas in a statement. They may also express agreement or similarities. These words are also called additive transition words, commonly found in expository essays and narrative essays.

In the first place
As a matter of fact
In like manner
In addition
Not only, but also
Coupled with
In the same way
In the same manner
First, second, third
Not to mention
In the light of
By the same token
Additionally
Correspondingly
Furthermore
Comparatively
At the same time
Together with
Identically

Here are some examples of additive linking words in a sentence.

The group found that a constructivist approach leads to higher test scores. Moreover, essay examinations show higher levels of learning.
The resort has tennis courts. Furthermore, it has an Olympic pool.

Negative Ideas

Some linking words come in pairs to join negative ideas.

Not, neither
Neither, nor

Here are sentence examples of linking words showing negative ideas.

I haven’t seen Lory, neither have I talked to her friend.
I neither drink nor smoke.

Opposition/Limitation/Contradiction

Whereas some linking words show an extra idea, these transition phrases and words express contrasting ideas in writing.

Although this may be true
In contrast
(and) still
Notwithstanding
Different from
Of course…, but
On the other hand
On the contrary
Be that as it may
Nonetheless
Even so/though
Nevertheless
In spite of

Here are some sentences with linking words of opposition.

The short story can be analyzed using a functionalist lens. However, its historical theme is better understood with a critical perspective.
As much as I want to go, I must take care of my sister.

Some linking words show relationships between ideas by accepting an idea with reservation instead of showing complete opposition. Here are some examples.

All the same
Regardless of this
Up to a point

Here are some sentence examples.

Many citizens opposed this unfair policy, which the president nevertheless enacted.
I like him even if we have different views in life.

Cause/Condition/Purpose

You may also use linking words in your writing piece to show conditions and purpose for a logical flow of ideas. Words like reason get the reader ready to understand why. These words are commonly found in hypothesis essays.

In the event that
Granted (that)
Provided that
On (the) condition (that)
For the purpose of
With this intention
With this in mind
In the hope that
Inasmuch as
To the end that
For fear that
In order to
Seeing/being that
The researchers used this method so that the results would be valid, reliable, and aligned with the objectives.
I will not be attending the seminar due to a high fever.

Examples/Support/Emphasis

You can also use transition words in your piece of writing that show examples or support of an idea.

In other words
To put it differently
For one thing
In particular
As an illustration
In this case
For example
For instance
For this reason
To put it another way
To demonstrate
That is to say
With attention to
By all means
To emphasize
To enumerate
Particularly
Significantly
Specifically
Surprisingly
Important to realize
Another key point
On the negative side
First thing to remember
Must be remembered
To point out
Point often overlooked
She visited several cities, namely Portland, Jacksonville, Charleston, and Hartford.
Transition words improve writing flow. For instance, we use further to add extra ideas related to the previous statement.

Effect/Consequence/Result

You might also spot transitional devices for essays that show consequences, results, and effects.

As a result
In that case
Under those circumstances
Accordingly
Consequently

Consider the examples below.

We watered the plant for seven days. In effect, it grew three inches taller.
Because she didn’t study for the test, Anna failed and had to retake it.

Conclusion/Summary/Restatement

These words and phrases show transitions between sentences to show conclusions. You’ll find these words in essay conclusions of different essay types.

In simple language
In explanation
In lay terms
In a nutshell
As can be seen
In simple terms
Generally speaking
All things considered
As shown above
In the final analysis
In the long run
In either case
Given these points
As has been noted
In any event
On the whole
By and large
For the most part
In conclusion
To summarize

Note that in lay terms and in explanation are formal alternative choices to “ in a nutshell.”

Here are some examples.

Matter is a material that occupies space and has mass. In simple language, it is any physical substance.
I don’t want to climb the corporate ladder. After all, money isn’t everything.

Time/Chronology/Sequence

Linking words’ other role in writing is to show sequence or chronology. Under the time category, these phrases add a meaning of time. You can find these words in an essay introduction when the writer explains how the paper is structured.

In due time
From time to time
At the present time
Sooner or later
Up to the present time
To begin with
Straightaway
In the meantime
In a moment
Without delay
All of a sudden
At this instant
First, second
By the time
Immediately
Occasionally
I watched the movie on television. Eventually, I fell asleep.
First, fill the pan with water. Then, bring it to a boil.

Space/Location/Place

The following transition words are famous adverbial expressions that limit or modify space. Some of these words and phrases are also transition words of time.

In the middle of
To the left/right
In front of
On this side
In the distance
In the foreground
In the background
In the center of
Adjacent to
Opposite to

Below are sentence examples using transition words of space.

My house is located behind the building.
To the left of the supermarket is a flower shop.

Common Mistakes With Transition Words

Transition words help you create a flow of arguments for readers to understand what you’re saying. But misused transition words and phrases will make your writing unclear. Avoid these mistakes to give your readers a better experience.

Starting a Sentence With So, And, and Also

Both so and and are coordinating conjunctions, which means they can start independent clauses that stand on their own. But it’s not recommended to use these words and also as sentence starters in formal writing. For example:

Incorrect: Also, there are unauthorized charges on my credit card account.
Correct: Furthermore, there are unauthorized charges on my credit card account.

Combination of Transition Words And/Or

When writing an essay, avoid English transition words and/or because it makes your paper look messy. Instead, consider whether you need both connectors or only one of them. If you need them both, try this alternative.

Incorrect: boat and/or plane.
Correct: boat, plane, or both.

Using As Well As as Alternative to And

As well as has a different meaning from the transition word and. And means you’re listing something of equal importance. Meanwhile, as well as is for additional, less essential information. Here’s an example.

Incorrect: In this paper, I discuss my movie analysis as well as provide recommendations for improvement.
Correct: In this paper, I discuss my movie analysis and provide recommendations for improvement.

Archaic Words

Your writing may not make any sense to readers if you overuse archaic transition words like therewith .

For example, hereby means as a result. We can replace it with more modern and explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement is connected to the previous statement.

Linking Words Summary

A linking word is a term that connects different ideas in your text, whether they are contrasting, supporting, or adding. They can improve your writing and help it flow better, I promise!

Regardless of the style of writing, every piece of writing contains linking words to show perfect transitions. I hope my guide on the definition and list of transitions helps you use these words and phrases correctly. Memorize each category, and don’t overuse them in essays.

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Transitional Words and Phrases

One of your primary goals as a writer is to present ideas in a clear and understandable way. To help readers move through your complex ideas, you want to be intentional about how you structure your paper as a whole as well as how you form the individual paragraphs that comprise it. In order to think through the challenges of presenting your ideas articulately, logically, and in ways that seem natural to your readers, check out some of these resources: Developing a Thesis Statement , Paragraphing , and Developing Strategic Transitions: Writing that Establishes Relationships and Connections Between Ideas.

While clear writing is mostly achieved through the deliberate sequencing of your ideas across your entire paper, you can guide readers through the connections you’re making by using transitional words in individual sentences. Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between your ideas and can help your reader understand your paper’s logic.

In what follows, we’ve included a list of frequently used transitional words and phrases that can help you establish how your various ideas relate to each other. We’ve divided these words and phrases into categories based on the common kinds of relationships writers establish between ideas.

Two recommendations: Use these transitions strategically by making sure that the word or phrase you’re choosing matches the logic of the relationship you’re emphasizing or the connection you’re making. All of these words and phrases have different meanings, nuances, and connotations, so before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely, and be sure that it’s the right match for your paper’s logic. Use these transitional words and phrases sparingly because if you use too many of them, your readers might feel like you are overexplaining connections that are already clear.

Categories of Transition Words and Phrases

Causation Chronology Combinations Contrast Example

Importance Location Similarity Clarification Concession

Conclusion Intensification Purpose Summary

Transitions to help establish some of the most common kinds of relationships

Causation– Connecting instigator(s) to consequence(s).

accordingly as a result and so because

consequently for that reason hence on account of

since therefore thus

Chronology– Connecting what issues in regard to when they occur.

after afterwards always at length during earlier following immediately in the meantime

later never next now once simultaneously so far sometimes

soon subsequently then this time until now when whenever while

Combinations Lists– Connecting numerous events. Part/Whole– Connecting numerous elements that make up something bigger.

additionally again also and, or, not as a result besides even more

finally first, firstly further furthermore in addition in the first place in the second place

last, lastly moreover next second, secondly, etc. too

Contrast– Connecting two things by focusing on their differences.

after all although and yet at the same time but

despite however in contrast nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding

on the contrary on the other hand otherwise though yet

Example– Connecting a general idea to a particular instance of this idea.

as an illustration e.g., (from a Latin abbreviation for “for example”)

for example for instance specifically that is

to demonstrate to illustrate

Importance– Connecting what is critical to what is more inconsequential.

chiefly critically

foundationally most importantly

of less importance primarily

Location– Connecting elements according to where they are placed in relationship to each other.

above adjacent to below beyond

centrally here nearby neighboring on

opposite to peripherally there wherever

Similarity– Connecting to things by suggesting that they are in some way alike.

by the same token in like manner

in similar fashion here in the same way

likewise wherever

Other kinds of transitional words and phrases Clarification

i.e., (from a Latin abbreviation for “that is”) in other words

that is that is to say to clarify to explain

to put it another way to rephrase it

granted it is true

naturally of course

finally lastly

in conclusion in the end

to conclude

Intensification

in fact indeed no

of course surely to repeat

undoubtedly without doubt yes

for this purpose in order that

so that to that end

to this end

in brief in sum

in summary in short

to sum up to summarize

Improving Your Writing Style

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Clear, Concise Sentences

Use the active voice

Put the action in the verb

Tidy up wordy phrases

Reduce wordy verbs

Reduce prepositional phrases

Reduce expletive constructions

Avoid using vague nouns

Avoid unneccessarily inflated words

Avoid noun strings

Connecting Ideas Through Transitions

Using Transitional Words and Phrases

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#257: Linking Words for Smooth Transitions When Speaking English

Nov 9, 2022 | English Conversation

Have you ever felt that heart-stopping panic when someone says “ What was that? I lost you. ” Or, “ Could you explain that again? I’m not following you. ”

It is stressful and frustrating when someone has a difficult time following your ideas.

And sure, it could be the noise in the background or the topic is unfamiliar, but it could also be a lack of smooth transitions between your sentences.

Let me show you what I mean. Listen and read the following examples:

Helen walked to the store and bought groceries. She went to the bank to pay her bills. She didn’t go shopping. There wasn’t enough time.

Helen walked to the store and bought some groceries. Then , she went to the bank to pay her bills. However , she didn’t go shopping since there wasn’t enough time.

What differences do you notice? Was one easier to follow than the other? Did one have more clarity?

You may have also noticed that I sprinkled in a few extra words in the second example: Then, however, and since.

Those small but mighty words are linking words.

Linking words, also known as sentence transitions and transition words , help your sentences to smoothly flow from one to another so you speak English with clarity .

And those smooth transitions make it easy for your listeners to follow you as you speak.

In other words, they don’t feel lost.

In this Confident English lesson, you’ll learn 8 ways to use linking words and linking phrases for smooth transitions when you speak English.

Of course, I’ll give you multiple examples so you can use these sentence transitions with accuracy and confidence in your English communication.

8 Ways to Use Linking Words for Smooth Transitions When Speaking English

Why are linking words useful .

Before we focus on the first way to use linking words, let’s look at all the ways linking words can help you with smooth transitions:

Linking words:
Create a logical flow between ideas;
Compare, contrast, add on, agree, or refute;
Maintain cohesion;
Act as signposts to guide listeners through each idea;
Draw attention to and emphasize details;
Express emotions or attitude

Put Them Where They Belong

Knowing where to place linking words is crucial to ensuring clarity and organization.

Linking words may be placed:

At the beginning of a sentence
In between a sentence/idea
Ex . At first , the book introduces the history of psychology. Later , it shifts to contemporary studies and theories.

Use #1: To Reiterate Or Repeat

There may be times when you will need to reiterate and repeat what has already been said. This is usually done in an attempt to clarify, draw attention to the fact that something was previously mentioned or covered, or emphasize the repetition of a point.

To indicate this, the following linking words may be used as a signpost:

As I’ve said
As mentioned in [X]
As/Like X said

Ex . Scenario #1 : Imagine you’re in a meeting for the company’s social media strategy and a coworker suggests a change, you might say, “ Like Linny said , we should wait for more data before making any major changes to our strategy. ”

Use #2: To Create A Sequence

When organizing and expressing a number of ideas at once, sequencing and time are especially important – sequencing helps us understand the order of events.

Linking words/phrases related to time and sequence not only allow for smoother transitions, but they help the listener to easily follow your train of thought.

Some linking words/phrases for this purpose include:

First/Second/Third/Last
Before/Beforehand
After/Afterwards
At the same time
In the meantime
To begin/start
For [X time]

Ex . Scenario #2 : Think about the last time you shared a baked goods recipe with someone. When sharing the methodology, each step probably started with a time/sequence word. You might’ve said, “ First, cream the butter and sugar together. Then, add the eggs one at a time. ”

Without those transitions, there’s a good chance that the recipe will go terribly wrong.

Use #3: To Express Conditions

Linking words can also be used to communicate conditional circumstances or ideas to express that something may only be true or occur due to another.

To express a conditional, use the following words/phrases:

As/So long as
Granted/Provided that
In the event that

Ex . Scenario #3 : Perhaps you’re discussing future plans of starting a business and say, “ I’m on track to start my business next year, so long as I continue to save my money in the same way .”

The same could also be expressed as: “ I’m currently on track to start my business next year, provided I don’t run into some unforeseen expenses. ”

Use #4: To Support Or Illustrate

Most often, linking words/phrases are used to introduce examples or expand on an idea for support.

To support or illustrate an idea or a series of connected ideas, you may say:

For example/instance
In other words
To put it differently (or another way)
That is to say
To demonstrate/emphasize/explain
In particular

Ex . Scenario #4 : Imagine that you’re explaining where to listen to podcasts. You might say, “ Podcasts are available everywhere. That is to say , you can find them on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or even directly on a podcast’s website. ” The same could also be said in the following way: “ Podcasts are available everywhere. Namely , Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or any podcast’s website. ”

Use #5: To Compare and Contrast

Linking words are particularly helpful to contrast opposing ideas or comparing them. Linking words enable us to compare and contrast concisely and clearly.

When contrasting ideas, the following linking words are often used:

In contrast
On the contrary
On one hand [X]. On the other hand [Y].
Even so / Even though
In spite of
While [X]…[Y]
At first, [X]. But then, [Y]

Ex . Scenario #5 : To convince your coworker of the benefits of making a change to social media strategy, you might say “ On one hand , there are benefits to waiting until we see the data. On the other hand , the slower we are to react, the higher the risk of losing our audience. ” We could express the same by saying, “ While there are benefits to waiting until all the data is in, acting fast will ensure we don’t lose our audience. ”

When drawing similarities or making comparisons, the following linking words are often used:

In comparison
In the same manner/way

Ex . Scenario #6 : Perhaps, you and your partner are narrowing down the options for a property you’re interested in purchasing. “ Just as the first house is by the water with great views, the last house also has the same, it’s just a bit cheaper. ”

Use #6: To Add On & Expand

When we’d like to add more to a statement or an idea, the following linking words/phrases are helpful:

In addition (to)
Additionally,
Furthermore
Equally important

Ex . Scenario #7 : Imagine you’re telling a friend all the reasons why they should watch a particular show. To convince them, you might say, “ The show focuses on real stories and retells events in an exciting way. Plus , the actors are great! ”

Use #7: To Emphasize Or Draw Attention

In addition, linking words are useful for emphasizing or drawing attention to particular ideas.

The following phrases help us do just that:

It’s important to realize

Ex . Scenario #8 : Imagine you’re taking on part of a coworker’s workload but they’re worried it might be too much. To reassure them, you might say, “ Don’t worry about any of this. Besides , Kiko will be helping me as well. ”

Use #8: Summarize Or Conclude

Finally, when all is said and done, linking words help us wrap up our ideas – to come to a conclusion and summarize the main point.

When summarizing, the following linking words/phrases are helpful:

To summarize

Ex . Scenario #9 : Perhaps, you’re nearing the end of a long presentation and would like to reiterate some of the key points.

At that moment, you could say, “ In brief , we can cut carbon emissions by carpooling, using renewable energy sources, and upgrading our homes to be energy-efficient. ”

Lastly, when concluding, the following linking words/phrases are helpful:

In conclusion
To conclude
All things considered
As a result/consequence

Ex . Scenario #10 : Take the previous example. To end your presentation, you might say, “ In brief , we can cut carbon emissions by carpooling, using renewable energy sources, and upgrading our homes to be energy-efficient. Thus , cutting carbon emissions at home is an easy and small step that we should all take.”

How to Practice Using Linking Words in English

After you’ve reviewed the lesson, try using linking words with this practice activity:

Choose a topic that you feel strongly about.
Create a mind map for that topic and branch out to write three major points that support your opinion.
Then, expand on each point with an example or supporting argument.
Use your resulting mind map and record yourself expressing your thoughts.
Listen for areas in your argument where linking words/phrases could smooth the transition between ideas, draw comparisons, help you emphasize..etc.
Reword your argument and record yourself speaking about the topic.
Listen for overuse of linking words/phrases. Remember the goal is to work them naturally into your communication and use them as signposts for your listener.
Repeat the activity with another topic.

You can share an example below.

It’s also the best place to share your questions with me.

~ Annemarie

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Hi! I’m Sophie and i need help with linking words.

Hi I’m Elsa , First of all, I would like to say thank you for sharing this lesson to me .I found it helpful .I really want to practice using linking words/phrases in English. I need your to recommend me some resources such as websites, podcasts…that you think helpful to me to improve English speaking skills using linking words or phrases.

This is a really important lesson and great approach to a weakness for most English-learning speakers. Thanks so much!

You’re so welcome, Ann.

it’s an incredible lesson of 8 strategies linking ideas including a variety of clues through which we will be able to understand the information and follow the instructions and so on. Thank you so much Annmarie for your extraordinary efforts and you are such an amazing teacher. This lesson is the most important for me in writing and understanding.

Thank you so much for your comment, Anju! We’re thrilled to know the lesson was helpful to you!

While there are benefits ” to waiting ” until all the data is in, acting fast will ensure we don’t lose our audience. ” Question: Why ” to waiting ” and not ” to wait “, without ” ing ” ?? ________________

Hi Tania, thank you for your questions with the -ing form of the words “waiting” and “ensuring.” In both cases, we are using the gerund form of the word. This means we’re adding an -ing to the verb and using it like a noun, not a verb. Similar examples include: – There are benefits to meditation. Or, there are benefits to creating time for meditation. Both could be correct. I hope this helps.

I have the same question!

” Knowing where to place linking words is crucial to ensuring clarity and organization”. Question: Why ” ing ” in to ensuring ?? Why not ” to ensure ??? ____________

Whereas I enjoy all of your lessons, I have to say; this lesson is the most favourite to me of them all.

Thank you, Rabab. I’m so pleased to hear that.

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Linking Words (Transitional Expressions)

Introduction, what are linking words, why are linking words important, examples of linking words in english, 1. expressing addition, 2. expressing contrast, 3. expressing cause and effect, 4. expressing purpose, 5. illustrating or exemplifying, 6. time and sequencing, 7. re-phrasing, 8. introducing alternatives, 9. comparing, 10. ananalyzing, 11. summarizing.

Type of Linking Words	Examples	Example Sentence
1.	In addition, Additionally, As well (as), Moreover, What is more, Not only…but also…, Furthermore, Besides, Also, Too, And	If the project fails, this will have terrible consequences not only for our department but also for the whole organization.
	Although, Even though, In spite of, Despite, However, Yet, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, On the contrary, Whereas, On the one hand…but on the other hand…, Conversely, In contrast, But	Brain drain has terrible consequences on developing countries. Nevertheless, nothing has been done to solve the problem or at least reduce its negative effects.
	Consequently, As a consequence, As a result, Therefore, Because of this, For this reason, Because, Since, As, For, Due to, Owing to	She remained silent, for she was too depressed to talk.
	In order to, In order not to, So as to, So as not to, To, Not to, So that, In order that	She wakes up early in order to be on time to work.
	For example, For instance, Such as, Namely, To illustrate, In particular	Participating in regular physical exercise offers various advantages. For example, it promotes cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and enhances overall well-being.
	Meanwhile, Subsequently, Afterward, Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, Another, Additionally, Finally, Lastly, Ultimately, Subsequently, Eventually, Next, Then	Meanwhile, as the research continued, new data emerged, altering the initial hypothesis.
	In other terms, Alternatively, In simpler words, Put differently, To put it another way, In a different light	The concept may be challenging; in other terms, it requires a deeper level of understanding.
	Or better, Instead of, Alternatively, Rather (than), Or else, In lieu of, On the flip side, Otherwise	You can choose the standard shipping option, which takes 5-7 business days, or better, opt for expedited shipping for delivery within 2-3 business days.
	Similarly, Likewise, In the same way, Just as, Like, Similarly (to), In comparison, By comparison, Compared to, In a similar fashion, In a similar vein	The new software interface enhances the user experience. Similarly, the updated mobile app provides a more intuitive design.
	Accordingly, The result is, Results are, The consequence is, It can be seen, Evidence illustrates that, Because of this, Thus, Hence, For this reason, Owing to, This suggests that, It follows that, In that case, That implies	The team optimized the workflow; accordingly, improving overall efficiency.
	In conclusion, To conclude, To sum up, In a nutshell, In brief, In short, All in all, Everything considered, Overall, To summarize	The research findings highlight the importance of sustainable practices in business. In conclusion, companies must prioritize eco-friendly initiatives for long-term success.

Linking Words

Also called Connecting words — Overview

Linking & Connecting Words

It is essential to understand how Linking Words , as a part of speech, can be used to combine ideas in writing - and thus ensure that ideas within sentences and paragraphs are elegantly connected - for the benefit of the reader. This will help to improve your writing (e.g. essay, comment, summary (scientific) review, (research) paper, letter, abstract, report, thesis, etc.). It is also fundamental to be aware of the sometimes subtle meaning of these "small" words within the English language.

"Linking Words" is used as a term to denote a class of English words which are employed to link or connect parts of speech or even whole sentences. They are also called connecting words. There are 2 categories of Linking Words (or Connecting Words):

Conjunctions

Transition words, connecting words, relations between words.

A concept is an idea - and what is an idea? A thought which is in or on our mind. And what is that? Arguably, even more difficult to describe - if not impossible. So, to make it easier, how do we express ideas? With words - and more often than not - with attitude, gesture, movement, and any other kind of physiological behavior.

So, a concept can be expressed as something between a single word, and an elaborate and in extenso described philosophy.

A concept by itself does not necessarily communicate a clear, unambiguous, understandable meaning. Therefore, especially in written communication, it is more than helpful, to use words, which can join ideas (expressed in different words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs). For this, we need linking words or linking phrases. These are a set of words used to join concepts and to express the relationships between concepts. Depending on the linking words selected, the connection between the concepts becomes more apparent, clear, vivid, self-explanatory, definite or on the contrary, more nebulous, vague, inexplicit, ambiguous or obscure.

Complete List of Linking & Connecting Words

Please feel free to download this concise and comprehensive guide as a 2 page cheat sheet Linking Words & Connecting Words — the PDF contains all the Conjunctions & Transitional devices listed on these 2 pages.

Writing Tip : Finding the right word for a text, letter, review or essay not only involves your brain 's intuition and memory, but in these days frequently the use of search engines (although Synonym Lists can be a big help either). Read this concise article, peppered with examples, of How to Choose the Right Words for Best Search Results and your results will vastly improve.

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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

A List of Transition Words to Use for Argumentative Essays

Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

Writing an argumentative essay requires a lot of effort aside from research. Besides grammar and structure, you definitely need to make sure your essay is coherent by using transitions.

Argumentative essay transition words allow you to wrap up a piece of evidence to support your main point and then move on to another. Keep reading for tips and an exhaustive list of transition words I put together for your argumentative essays.

What Is a Transition Word?

A transition word is critical to producing quality content. Also known as linking words, transition words make basic connections between sentences and paragraphs to show a relationship between ideas.

A strong transition is crucial when writing an essay. It’s not enough that you provide complete information about your main points and supporting details. You also have to make your argument attractive and logical by using transitions in your academic essay.

The absence of transition words will make your paper less readable and understandable. But too many transitions can also ruin your piece. Use them in moderation to avoid confusion about your document.

Function and Importance of Transitions

The goal of transition words is to convey ideas clearly and concisely to your readers. If you’re writing an argumentative paper, you want to make logical connections in your document to prove your central point.

Transitional phrases and words help you produce a logical flow from one sentence or paragraph to another. In other words, they introduce what the following information will be. Some transitions come in single words, while others come in complete phrases and sentences.

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There are many categories of transitions, including those that present counterarguments and others that build on your arguments. Be careful about using the wrong transition. Otherwise, you won’t achieve your goal of clarity and conciseness. Consider these examples.

“ For instance , an anonymous TikTok user reports having a shorter attention span because of its over-swiping feature.” (In this sentence, for instance is used to provide an example).
“ Here’s an exception to my previous point. ” (This entire sentence is a transition, showing a logical connection between the previous and following sentences).

Transition can also be a sentence to a paragraph long. I’ll show you an example.

Paragraph A: A point that supports co-sleeping as a parenting method.

Transition: Despite this, there are many reasons that prove co-sleeping leads to sleep-related accidents.

Paragraph B: Points that oppose co-sleeping.

Types of Transition Words

There are several types of transitions you can use for making high-quality essays.

Transition Between Paragraphs

A type of transition required for a well-written essay is one you can find between paragraphs. Once you’ve arranged each paragraph according to your outline, it’s important to start each with an effective transition. This word or phrase is usually present in the topic sentence of the body.

Some examples include however, similarly, and for example. But these transition expressions cannot be a single sentence long. The initial sentence of every paragraph should be clear and substantial instead of simply connecting ideas.

Transition Within Paragraphs

Creating a powerful transition within every paragraph of your academic papers avoids choppy sentences. It provides a sense of connection between complex ideas to help readers anticipate what is coming.

These are usually single words or short phrases like in addition, since, and if.

Transition Between Sections

The last type of transition phrases and sentences are those between sections. You’ll find them all over the entire paper to summarize the information. They can be restatements of arguments or a short closing sentence to ensure the flow of ideas.

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

It’s a type of essay that requires you to research a subject matter and establish a position for or against it.

Aside from researching and evaluating evidence, showing a relationship between sentences and sections is essential when writing a paper. This will allow you to wrap up an idea and then start another. You must cite different sources to support your point of view, then show counterarguments.

The entire essay should include an introduction, a conclusion, and at least three body paragraphs.

How Do You Start an Argumentative Essay?

Every type of paper starts with an introduction, which usually includes a hook, background, and thesis statement.

The common essay introduction piques the reader’s interest through a surprising statistic or an interesting question. Provide readers with a background of your entire content piece, then state your main argument in a clear sentence.

Transition expressions are not yet essential in this stage of essay writing. Focus on setting up your point and discussing how you will argue it throughout the paper.

Common Transitions for Argumentative Essay Writing

Take a look at this list of transitional words and phrases commonly used to make strong arguments.

Additionally
In addition
Not only… but also
In the same way
Comparatively
Furthermore
Equally important

Counterargument Transition Words

Here’s a transition word list for essays showing different sides of an argument.

While it is true that
Nevertheless
Despite this
On the other hand
Be that as it may
Even though
Although this may be true

Transition Words and Phrases for Comparing and Contrasting

Here’s a breakdown of transition words and phrases you can use when comparing and contrasting.

In spite of
On the contrary
Different from
In contrast

Transition Words to Include in Your College Essay

Here are some examples of transition words you can use when applying for college admission or scholarship.

To put it in another way
To demonstrate
As an illustration
By all means
In other words

Transition Words for Cause and Effect

Consider this transition word list when showing cause and effect.

As a result
For this reason
Consequently
Accordingly
Under those circumstances
Because the

Transition Words for Essay Paragraphs

At the present time
In due time
To begin with
All of a sudden
Immediately
In a moment

Transitions to Emphasize a Point

Most of all
The main problem/issue is
Without question
More importantly
Most important of all

Transition Words for Additional Support or Evidence

Transition words for sequence or order, transition words for space or place.

In the middle of
In the distance
In the background
Here and there
On the side

To Cite a Source or Paraphrase

According to
This means that
Put it more simply

Transition Words to Begin a Body Paragraph

What is more
Beyond that

Transition Words to Introduce Details

For example
As an example
For instance
A case in point
Specifically
In particular
More specifically

Transition Words for Conclusion

As can be seen
By and large
On the whole
To summarize
In the final analysis
Generally speaking

More Transition Words

With this intention
In order to
In the hope that
With this in mind
For the purpose of
Provided that

Tips for Using Argumentative Essay Transitions

Follow these tips to improve your use of transitions in your essay.

Know What the Transitions Mean

Non-native speakers may need help knowing the meaning of every transition expression, so research every term before using it.

There are also many categories of transition words. You can use them to summarize points, show contradictions, express sequence, or begin a paragraph.

Start Your Essay with an Outline

Writing an outline will make it easier to map your ideas and move them around. This strategy will help you transition between paragraphs.

Don’t Overuse Transitions

The last mistake you shouldn’t make is overuse. Instead of making connections between sentences, you’ll make your paper more difficult to read. It creates more incoherence and distraction in your writing, contradicting its intended purpose in your paper.

Use Transition Words Properly

Now you know how to use transition words and phrases for your argumentative essay through this guide and list. These expressions will help you produce a coherent relationship between every idea.

Mastering transitions for your essay may not be a piece of cake, but practice makes perfect. Don’t forget to revise and proofread your argumentative before submitting it to your professor.

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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 & Connecting Words Chart

Linking Words and Phrases | Video

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Linking Words & Connector Words: Ultimate List With Examples
Learn English
James Prior
No Comments
Updated February 23, 2024

Linking words and connector words are essential tools for effective communication and writing. They play a crucial role in connecting ideas, enhancing coherence, and guiding the flow of information. Whether you’re writing an essay, giving a presentation, or engaging in a conversation, using appropriate linking words can greatly improve the clarity and effectiveness of your message.

In this ultimate list of linking words, we have compiled a comprehensive collection of linking words along with examples to help you understand their usage and apply them in various contexts. From words that highlight contrast and similarity to those that indicate cause and effect or order of importance, this list covers a wide range of linking words to suit different purposes.

Ready to link your words? Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

What are linking words?

Linking words, also known as connector words or transition words, are words or phrases that connect ideas or parts of a text, providing coherence and smoothness to the overall flow of information. They serve as bridges between sentences, paragraphs, or even larger sections of a document, helping to establish relationships, indicate contrasts, add information, show cause and effect, provide examples, and more.

Here are some common categories of linking words with examples:

Linking words for addition

Addition: Words that show the addition of information or ideas.

These linking words and phrases can help you add information, reinforce ideas, or provide further examples in your writing or conversation. Use them appropriately to expand on your points and enhance the overall coherence and richness of your communication.

She is fluent in English, and additionally, she speaks French and Spanish.
The report highlights the benefits of renewable energy; furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of conservation.
The new system not only improves efficiency but moreover, it reduces costs.
In addition to his regular job, he volunteers at a local charity.
She not only excels in academics but also actively participates in extracurricular activities.
The team consists of experienced professionals as well as enthusiastic newcomers.
The company values teamwork; likewise, it fosters individual growth and development.
Besides working full-time, he manages to pursue his hobbies and spend time with famil
The website offers free shipping; what’s more, customers can enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee.
On top of their regular duties, employees are encouraged to take part in professional development opportunities.
Developing strong interpersonal skills is equally important as acquiring technical knowledge.
The event attracted a large audience, not to mention the media coverage it received.
Along with the new software update, customers will also receive enhanced customer support.
The company achieved its sales targets for the year; what is more, it surpassed them by 20%.
The team completed the project ahead of schedule; besides that, they received positive feedback from the client.
The company’s commitment to quality, coupled with its competitive pricing, sets it apart from its competitors.

Linking words for contrast

Contrast: Words that highlight differences or contrasting ideas.

These linking words and phrases can help you express contrasting ideas and show the differences between two or more concepts or situations. Remember to use them appropriately based on the context and your intended meaning.

She studied hard; however, she didn’t pass the exam.
John loves traveling; on the other hand, his sister prefers staying at home.
The weather was terrible; nevertheless, they decided to go for a walk.
He had a sprained ankle; nonetheless, he played in the soccer match.
Despite the rain, they went to the beach.
In spite of the traffic, they arrived on time.
Although it was late, they continued with their work.
Even though she was tired, she went to the gym.
I enjoy reading, while my brother prefers watching movies.
Sarah loves cooking, whereas her husband prefers eating out.
Unlike his friends, Mark is not a fan of horror movies.
She hates winter; conversely, I love it.
She expected him to be upset; on the contrary, he was happy.
They planned to go to the cinema, but instead, they stayed home and watched a movie.
The cat is small and playful, in contrast to the dog, which is big and lazy.
He enjoys sports; conversely, his sister prefers art.
On one hand, the book is interesting; on the other hand, it’s quite lengthy.
They could go by car, or alternatively, they could take the train.
The movie received mixed reviews; nevertheless, it became a box office hit.
She didn’t pass the test, but in any case, she learned a lot from studying.

Linking words for similarity

Similarity: Words that highlight similarities or shared ideas.

These linking words and phrases can help you express similarities between two or more ideas, situations, or individuals. Use them appropriately based on the context to highlight shared characteristics or experiences.

Sarah enjoys reading; likewise, her brother is an avid reader.
John and Emily both love hiking; similarly, they enjoy spending time in nature.
Just as Sarah likes swimming, in the same way, her best friend enjoys diving.
Jack has a passion for photography, similarly to his sister who is also an enthusiast.
Just like her mother, Jane has a talent for playing the piano.
The two artists approach their work in a similar vein, both using vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes.
Mark loves cooking, and by the same token, he also enjoys experimenting with new recipes.
As the workload increased, the stress levels of the employees correspondingly rose.
Both Sarah and Emily are equally skilled in playing the guitar.
The designer creates unique clothing pieces, and in a similar fashion, the jewelry maker crafts one-of-a-kind accessories.
Just as the sun rises in the morning, the moon appears in the evening.
The teacher explains complex concepts in a simple and understandable way, in the same manner as her colleague.
He enjoys hiking and camping, and his friends, likewise, too, share his enthusiasm for outdoor activities.
Just as a bird builds its nest with care and precision, in the same way, an architect plans and constructs a building.
The two books explore themes of love and loss, along similar lines, inviting readers to contemplate the human experience.
As with all great artists, Picasso’s work continues to inspire and influence generations.
Exercise is essential for physical health, and just as importantly, it is crucial for mental well-being.
Much like a puzzle, life consists of various pieces that fit together to form a bigger picture.

Linking words for cause and effect

Cause and Effect: Words that demonstrate cause and effect relationships.

These linking words and phrases can help you express the cause-and-effect relationship between events or actions. Use them appropriately based on the context to convey the reason and result of a particular situation or occurrence.

He failed the exam because he didn’t study.
They arrived early since they left home on time.
As a result of heavy rainfall, the streets were flooded.
The event was canceled due to bad weather conditions.
The store was closed, therefore, they had to find another place to shop.
He missed the train, consequently, he arrived late to the meeting.
Owing to a power outage, the concert was postponed.
She didn’t have enough sleep, thus, she felt tired throughout the day.
He couldn’t attend the party, for this reason, he sent his apologies.
The storm caused damage to the houses, resulting in the need for repairs.
The baby was hungry, so she started crying.
Lack of exercise and poor diet often leads to weight gain.
They missed the train because of heavy traffic.
The roads were icy, this is why there were many accidents.
They spent all their money, as a consequence, they couldn’t afford the trip.
He quit smoking, and since then, he feels healthier.
The company introduced a new product, and in turn, its sales increased.
She studied hard so that she could pass the exam.

Linking words for time and sequence

Time and sequence: Words that indicate time or sequence of events or actions.

These linking words and phrases can help you express the chronological order and sequence of events or actions. Use them appropriately to guide your audience through the progression of ideas or to outline the steps in a process or narrative.

Firstly, let’s discuss the main causes of climate change.
Secondly, we need to consider the potential solutions to the problem.
Next, we will move on to the implementation phase of the project.
We need to complete the research phase first. Then, we can start analyzing the data.
After that, we can proceed with the construction of the building.
The company experienced financial difficulties. Subsequently, they had to lay off several employees.
The team was working on the project. Meanwhile, the marketing department was preparing the promotional materials.
The two processes are happening simultaneously, ensuring efficient production.
The report will be ready in a week. In the meantime, please proceed with the other tasks.
During the meeting, we will discuss the budget and timeline.
While he was studying, his friends were playing video games.
Please wait here until your name is called.
We need to complete the paperwork before the deadline.
She attended the conference, and afterward, she shared her insights with the team.
Finally, we reached an agreement after a long negotiation process.
In the end, they decided to cancel the project due to budget constraints.
The presentation was engaging, and at the same time, informative.
Initially, he struggled with the new software, but with practice, he became proficient.
At first, the project seemed overwhelming, but with proper planning, it became manageable.

Linking words for order of importance

Order of Importance: Words that highlight the hierarchy or ranking of ideas based on their significance.

These linking words and phrases can help you establish the order of importance when presenting ideas or arguments. Use them to emphasize the significance of certain points, highlight key considerations, or guide the reader’s attention to the most critical aspects.

Most importantly, we need to prioritize the safety of our employees.
Above all, we must prioritize the needs of our customers.
The company’s success primarily depends on effective leadership and strategic planning.
First and foremost, we need to address the urgent issue of inflation.
The new policy chiefly focuses on reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
Notably, the project resulted in significant cost savings for the organization.
Above anything else, maintaining a high standard of quality is our top priority.
It is essential to note that effective communication is the foundation of strong relationships.
It is worth mentioning that the company’s ethical practices have earned it a positive reputation.

Linking words for exemplification

Example: Words that provide examples or illustrate a point.

These linking words and phrases can help you introduce examples and provide further clarification or evidence to support your statements. Use them to enhance your explanations and illustrate your points effectively.

Here’s a list of linking words and phrases that are commonly used to illustrate an example, along with examples:

There are many fruits you can choose from, for example, apples, oranges, and bananas.
Many countries have implemented environmental policies; for instance, Sweden has significantly reduced its carbon emissions.
I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and swimming.
The party was attended by several guests, including friends, family, and colleagues.
He has many hobbies, like painting, playing the guitar, and photography.
The company provides various employee benefits, as an illustration, health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
Let me give you an example to illustrate my point.
There are several endangered species in the area, namely the African elephant, the Bengal tiger, and the giant panda.
The city offers various attractions, in particular, museums, parks, and historical landmarks.
The project requires specific skills, specifically programming and data analysis.
By way of example, let’s consider the case of a successful startup that disrupted the market.
To give an example, let’s say you want to improve your fitness; you can try activities like jogging, swimming, or joining a gym.
The experiment was conducted to demonstrate the effects of temperature on plant growth.
As a case in point, many countries have implemented renewable energy initiatives to combat pollution.
I will use a specific scenario to exemplify how the new policy can be implemented effectively.
The job requires strong communication skills , in essence, the ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively.
The city has invested in renewable energy projects to reduce its carbon footprint. One example of this is the installation of solar panels on public buildings.
To be specific, the company offers three main product lines: electronics, appliances, and furniture.
The data collected serves as proof that the new marketing strategy is effective.
In a similar manner, many companies have embraced remote work as a response to the pandemic.

Linking words for focusing

These linking words and phrases can help you direct attention or emphasize a specific aspect of your discussion or argument. Use them appropriately to highlight the main points or focus areas, ensuring clarity and precision in your communication.

Here’s a list of linking words and phrases that are commonly used to express focusing or directing attention, along with examples:

Specifically, we need to address the issue of employee turnover in our department.
The marketing team has made significant progress, particularly in digital advertising.
In particular, we need to improve our customer service to enhance customer satisfaction.
Notably, the company achieved a record-breaking sales figure in the last quarter.
This task requires attention to detail, especially when dealing with sensitive data.
Specifically speaking, the new software update addresses the security vulnerabilities.
Above all, we must prioritize the safety of our employees.
The company’s success mainly relies on customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
The primary goal of our project is to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
Essentially, our focus should be on optimizing operational efficiency.
Individually, each team member plays a crucial role in achieving our objectives.
Precisely, we need to adhere to the project timeline to meet the deadline.
Specifically, with regards to customer feedback, we have received positive reviews.
The new product line has a sleek design, not to mention its advanced features.
It is worth noting that the market trends are shifting towards online shopping.
Above everything else, we need to prioritize the quality of our products.
In essence, our primary objective is to provide exceptional customer service.
To be more precise, we should focus on improving our supply chain management.
In specific terms, the sales team needs to focus on building client relationships.
More importantly, we need to address the concerns raised by our customers.

Linking words for conclusion

Conclusion: Words that summarize or conclude a text.

These linking words and phrases can help you signal the conclusion of your argument, presentation, or essay. Use them to summarize key points, restate your main argument, or provide a final thought or recommendation.

In conclusion, it is evident that deforestation poses a significant threat to our planet.
To sum up, the project was a great success, exceeding all expectations.
Ultimately, the decision lies in your hands.
All in all, it was a memorable vacation filled with adventure and relaxation.
Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication.
In summary, the findings of the study suggest a strong correlation between exercise and mental well-being.
To conclude, the evidence supports the hypothesis that regular exercise improves cardiovascular health.
The data collected consistently points to the same conclusion; therefore, we can confidently assert our findings.
In essence, the research demonstrates that social media has a profound impact on interpersonal relationships.
The campaign received widespread support, and as a result, donations increased significantly.
In a nutshell, the project aims to promote sustainability through renewable energy initiatives.
The experiments consistently yielded similar results; thus, we can draw a definitive conclusion.
The evidence strongly suggests a link between smoking and lung cancer; hence, it is crucial to raise awareness about the risks.
In light of these findings, it is necessary to reconsider the current educational policies.
The company faced financial challenges, and consequently, had to downsize its workforce.
In conclusion, it can be stated that effective communication is the key to successful teamwork.
Taking all factors into account, it is clear that globalization has both positive and negative consequences.
The lack of investment resulted in decreased productivity, as a consequence, the company experienced a decline in profits.
The study findings reveal a correlation between stress levels and sleep quality; thus, it can be inferred that managing stress positively affects sleep.
Given these points, it is evident that the project should be prioritized for its long-term benefits.

If you’d like more examples, check out this list of other ways to say in conclusion .

Conclusion: Ready to link your words?

These are just some examples of linking words, and there are numerous other linking words and phrases available for different purposes and contexts. Using them appropriately can greatly enhance the clarity and coherence of your writing or speech. So, if you want to become more fluent in English, it’s time to start thinking about linking words!

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Linking Words: Vowel to Vowel

In this short post I’d like to talk about just one type of linking: vowel to vowel. This refers to words that end in a vowel sound followed by words that begin with a vowel sound. When this happens, we tie the two words together by inserting a ‘w’ or ‘y’ sound.

Let’s look at a few examples. Say this sentence out loud: You always do that!

‘You’ ends in a vowel sound and is followed by ‘always’, beginning with a vowel sound. If you say this sentence several times, faster and faster, you’ll notice that ‘you’ and ‘always’ tend to run together. The sound that links them is a ‘w’. You-walways

How about this example? Why is the sky blue?

Assuming you are placing a little bit of stress on ‘is’ and not forming a contraction ‘why’s’, you’ll notice that a ‘y’ sound links ‘why’ and ‘is’ together. Why-yis

Learn more about linking in Part 5 of the free course at http://bit.ly/free8-partproncourse

Can you think of other examples, and figure out which vowels create a ‘w’ link and which vowels create a ‘y’ link? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Reader Interactions

July 11, 2011 at 1:06 pm

When will we add”W”? for Vowel linking to Vowel? When will we add”Y”? for Vowel linking to Vowel?

July 11, 2011 at 2:40 pm

Hi Phanna. I go into greater detail about these linking rules in part 5 of the free course. You can sign up with your name and email in the form to the right and then you can either listen to the program or download the transcript (or both). I hope it will answer your questions! 🙂

June 17, 2012 at 12:04 pm

Thank you so much teacher

[…] Linking Words Together: Vowel to Vowel Linking | English …Jan 21, 2011 … Words are not meant to be pronounced alone. They link with the words before and after them in sentences so that we can speak smoothly and … […]

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Linking Words and Phrases – List & Examples

Are you an English learner looking to improve your language skills? Or maybe you’re an IELTS student aiming for a top band score?

In this detailed guide, we delve into the world of linking words and show you how they can improve your language skills and IELTS performance.

Linking words and phrases are the glue that holds a piece of writing together. They make your sentences flow seamlessly and guide the reader through your ideas. So it is very important that you use them in your essays and reports.

Linking Words and Phrases List


Accordingly	Above all
As a consequence (of)	Absolutely
As a result	Chiefly
Consequently	Clearly
Due to	Definitely
For this reason	Especially
Forthwith	Even
Hence	Importantly
Then	In detail
Therefore	In truth
Thereupon	Indeed
Thus	It should be noted

Linking Words for Addition and Reason


Additionally/an additional	Because of
Along with	For the purpose of
Also	Given that
And	Granted that
Apart from this	In fact
As well as	In order to
As well as that	In view of
Besides	Owing to
Coupled with	Provided that
Finally	Seeing that
First	So that
Further	With this in mind
Furthermore	With this intention
In addition	With this purpose
In addition to this
In the same fashion
Last
Moreover
Not only…but also
Not to mention
Second
Similarly
Third
Together with
Too

Linking Words for Illustration and Contrast


As an example of	Alternatively
For example/ For instance	As opposed to
For one thing	Contrarily
Illustrated by	Contrary to
In another case	Conversely
In the case of	Despite/in spite of
In this case	Differing from
In this situation	Even so
Including	However
Like	In contrast (to)
Namely	In opposition
On this occasion	Instead
Proof of this	Nevertheless
Specifically	Nonetheless
Such as	Nor
To clarify	Notwithstanding
To demonstrate	On the other hand
To simplify	Rathe

Linking Words for Comparison and Order


Alike	First/ firstly
As with	Second/ secondly
Both	Third/ thirdly
By the same token	Finally
Compare / compare(d) to (with)	At this time
Correspondingly	Following
Either	Previously
Equal	Before
Equally	Subsequently
In a similar manner
In common
In like manner
In the same way
In the spitting image of
Just as
Just as…so too
Just like
Likewise
Most important
Resembles
Same as
Similar to
Similarly
Still another

Linking Words for Summary and Condition


All things considered	Although this may be true
Altogether	As
As demonstrated above	Because of
As noted	Even if
As shown above	Given that
As you can see	Granted that
Briefly	If
By and large	In that case
Generally speaking	In the event that
Given these points	Lest
In a word	On the condition that
In any event	Only if
In brief	Since
In conclusion	Then
In essence	Unless
In short	When
In summary	Whenever
In the end	While
In the final analysis

Linking Words for Concession and Generalisation


Admittedly	As a rule
Albeit	Broadly speaking
All the same	Commonly
Although	For the most part
Although/Even though	Generally speaking
And still	In general/ Generally
And yet	In most cases
Be that as it may	Mainly
Even if	More often than not
Even so	Mostly
Even though	Normally
However	Often
In spite of	On the whole
Nevertheless	Overall
Nonetheless	Predominately
Regardless of this	Regularly
Up to a point	Typically

Linking Words for Restatement and Reference


Alternatively	As applied to
Alternatively stated	As far as
Expressed simply	Concerning
In a nutshell	Considering
In other words	In connection to
In short	In terms
In simple language	Pertaining to
In simple terms	Regarding
In summation	Some examples of these might be:
Namely	Speaking about/of
Otherwise stated	The fact that
Put differently	With regards to
Put in another way	With respect to
Reiterated
Said differently
Simplified
Simply put
That is to say
To put it differently

Linking Words for Clarification & Space/ Location


I mean	Across
In explanation	Adjacent
In lay terms	Around
In other words	At the rear
In simple terms	Below
Simply put	Beneath
Simply stated	Near
That is to say	Nearby
To break it down	Next to
To clearly define	On bottom
To explain	On top
To make plain	Opposite
To put it clearly	Over
To put it in another way	Surrounding
To simplify	To the left

Linking Words and Phrases List and Examples


	– , the research findings indicated a significant improvement in patient outcomes.
	– , we need to consider the economic implications of this policy.
	– , the company plans to expand its market presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

	– , despite the challenges, we remain committed to our mission.
	– , some argue that social media has detrimental effects on mental health.
	– , the previous year’s sales figures were considerably higher.

	– , the company faced severe financial losses and had to lay off employees.
	– , traffic congestion in the city increased due to the road construction.
	– , we recommend a change in the current pricing strategy to boost sales.

	– , we will discuss the historical context of the topic.
	– , we can examine the implications of these changes on the environment.
	– , let’s explore the practical applications of this scientific discovery.

	– , consider the case of a student who excelled academically while working part-time.
	– , this is evident in the case of the endangered species we’re trying to protect.
	– , the core issues revolve around environmental sustainability and social equity.

	– , this concept applies to the digital marketing landscape.
	– , the two theories have commonalities, but they also have key differences.
	– , our results mirror those of previous studies in the field.

	– , this is a critical issue that requires immediate attention.
	– , we must address this problem to prevent further environmental degradation.
	– , we should prioritize the safety and well-being of our employees.

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Linking Words in English with Examples

Table of Contents

Linking words, also known as transition words or connectors , are defined as words or phrases that connect clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and ideas together, and convey the intended meaning more clearly and effectively. These words not only make the text readable but also help the readers to understand the writer’s perspective. We can use these words to express ideas, contrast, comparison, order, cause and effect, time, and many other functions.

Linking words are essential parts of writing to “link” all your ideas in a way that helps create a smooth flow and connections between different parts of a text. In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at what linking words are, their functions with examples, and how to use them effectively. So, let’s get started!

What are linking words?

Linking words , also known as transition words or connectors , are words or phrases used to connect ideas, sentences, or paragraphs, ensuring a smooth flow in writing. Examples include “however” (indicating contrast), “therefore” (showing cause and effect), and “furthermore” (adding information). For instance,

She wanted to go shopping; however , it started raining.

Here connecting word “However” indicates a contrast between her desire to go shopping and the unexpected rain, helping the reader understand the change in the situation.

Why use linking words?

Linking words are essential for effective writing because they:

Improve flow and coherence
Help establish relationships between ideas
Make writing smoother to read
Create clear transitions between paragraphs
Enhance reader comprehension and understanding
Linking words can help to emphasize and clarify important points

How to use Linking Words

Here are some basic rules for the placement and usage of linking words:

Using Linking Words Effectively

Before using linking words , it’s crucial to understand their meanings and how they are applied. Here’s how to use them effectively:

Adding New Ideas

Some words are used to add new ideas. For example:

Furthermore

These words help in building upon the previous point.

Showing Contrast or Contradiction

Other words are used to show contrast or contradiction. For example:

Nevertheless

These linking words indicate a shift or opposition in ideas.

Choosing the Right Linking Word

Select the appropriate linking word based on the context:

Use “Additionally” for adding more information.
Use “For example” when providing an illustration.

Placement of Linking Words

Linking words can be placed at the beginning or in the middle of sentences for smooth transitions.

Example: However, I decided to give it a try.
Example: In this case, however, the outcome was unexpected.

Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions.

These words connect equal parts (independent clauses). Always use a comma before them. For example, and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet

Example: I like apples, but he prefers oranges.

Subordinating Conjunctions

These introduce dependent clauses. Use commas when the dependent clause precedes the main clause. For example, although, because, since, while, when

Example: Although it was raining, we went for a walk. (Comma before main clause)

No comma is needed if the subordinate clause follows the main clause.

Example: We went for a walk although it was raining. (No comma)

Maintaining Parallel Structure

Ensure parallel structure when using multiple linking words in a list.

Incorrect : She likes reading, to cook, and watching movies. ❌
Correct : She likes reading, cooking, and watching movies. ✅

Functions of linking words

Different linking words serve different purposes/functions:

Linking words like “and,” “also,” “besides,” “furthermore,” and “moreover” are used to introduce additional information or ideas that are related to the previous point. Common linking words for addition include: and, also, as well as, additionally, furthermore, moreover, in addition, besides, not only…but also, etc.

I love both chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

Contrasting Ideas

Words such as “but,” “however,” “although,” and “on the other hand” help introduce a contrasting idea or point that is different from what was previously mentioned. Examples of contrastive linking words are: but, however, on the other hand, yet, and, although, nevertheless, in contrast, whereas, although, and even though, etc.

He wanted to go out. However, it started raining heavily.

Cause and Effect

Linking words indicate the relationships between cause and effect. They help explain why something happened or the consequences of an action. Common cause-and-effect linking words are; because, so, therefore, due to, resulting in, consequently, therefore, thus, hence, etc.

He missed the bus; consequently, he arrived late.

These words help you show similarities or likenesses between ideas. They allow you to compare and contrast different concepts. Examples include; like, similarly, in the same way, and compared to, likewise, just as, just like, in contrast, on the contrary, unlike, etc.

The first book was good, but the second one was even better.

Time Sequence

Linking words help arrange ideas chronologically or in a specific order. They guide readers through a sequence of events or steps. Common time sequences linking words are; first, next, then, finally, meanwhile, after, before, afterward, subsequently, eventually, etc.

First, we went shopping. Then, we had lunch at a cafe.

Example/Illustration

Linking words are used to provide examples that clarify or support the main point. They make your ideas more concrete and relatable. Examples of these words include “for example,” “such as,” “specifically,” and “in particular” etc.

There are many outdoor activities you can try, such as hiking, biking, and camping.

Conclusion/Summary

To sum up, regular exercise has numerous health benefits.

These words can be used to emphasize a point or to highlight its significance. They guide readers to pay attention to specific information. Examples are “especially,” “notably,” “indeed,” and “importantly.”

The view from the top of the mountain was truly breathtaking.

Clarification

These words aid in clarifying or restating an idea to ensure readers understand it correctly. They help avoid confusion. Examples include “in other words,” “that is,” “to put it differently,” and “namely.”

“The concept is a bit complex. In other words , it might take some time to fully understand.”

Expressing Purpose

Linking words like “in order to,” “so that,” and “for the purpose of” indicate the purpose or intention behind a certain action or statement.

He worked overtime for extra money.

Sequence/Order

Words like “firstly,” “next,” “then,” “finally,” and “in conclusion” help to organize and sequence ideas in a logical order.

First, we went to the park. Then, we had a picnic.

Linking words like “if,” “unless,” “provided that,” and “in case” introduce conditions or circumstances under which something else will happen. They show that one thing depends on another.

If it rains, we will stay indoors.

List of Linking Words & Connecting Words

Additionally
Apart from this
As well as that
Coupled with
In addition
In addition to this
In the same fashion
Not only…but also
Not to mention
Together with
What’s more

Alternatively
By contrast
In spite of
As opposed to
Contrary to
Differing from
In contrast to
In opposition
Nonetheless
Notwithstanding
On the other hand

Showing Cause and Effect

As a result
Consequently
For this reason
On account of
Resulting from
Under the circumstances
In consequence of
As a consequence
The outcome is that
The effect of this
This has led to
Such is the case
Accordingly

Linking Words of Cause and Effect in English

In comparison
In the same way
Correspondingly
Compared to/with
In a similar fashion
On the contrary
At the same time

Time sequence

First of all
In the beginning
To start with
Subsequently
Following that
Simultaneously
Concurrently
In the meantime

For example
For instance
To illustrate
In particular
Specifically
As an illustration
To demonstrate
As shown by
In the case of
One example is
As evidence
In other words
As a case in point
To put it differently
As revealed by
A good example of this is
In a similar manner
This can be seen when
As a specific instance
To exemplify
As a sample
In one instance
Let’s consider
As an example of

All things considered
As demonstrated above
As shown above
As you can see
By and large
Given these points
In any event
In conclusion
Generally speaking
In the final analysis
On the whole
To conclude
To summarize

Clearly, then
Importantly
Most importantly
Significantly
Undoubtedly
Without a doubt
Unquestionably
It’s worth noting
It should be emphasized that
It’s important to highlight
A key point to remember
To highlight
It’s important to note
To draw attention to
It cannot be overstated

In explanation
To be clear
Let me explain
To put it clearly
Simply stated
That is to say
To break it down
More precisely
To clearly define
Allow me to clarify
To put it in another way
To simplify

Linking Words of Clarification in English

Expressing Purpose, Reason

For the purpose of
Granted that
With this purpose
Provided that
Seeing that
With this in mind
In order to
With this intention
With the aim of

Linking Words of Reason or Purpose in English

First/ firstly
Second/ secondly
Third/ thirdly

Although this may be true
In that case
On the condition that

Option 1 or Option 2
Either… or…
Whether… or…
Preferably… or…
In either case…
While… In comparison…
Select between… or…
Choose either… or…

Restatement

Expressed simply
In a nutshell
Otherwise stated
Put in another way
In simple terms
What I mean by this is
To rephrase

Generalize information

In most cases
In the majority of instances
For the most part
In a general sense
Without exception
Universally
Across the board
Without distinction
In a broader context
Without specific regard to
In a global perspective
Without pinpointing

Q1. What are linking words?

Linking words, also known as transition words or connectors , are words or phrases that create a connection between ideas, sentences, or paragraphs in a text.

Q2. What is the importance of using linking words?

Connecting words help to create cohesion and coherence in writing , making it easier for readers to understand the relationships between different ideas.

Q3. Why are linking words important in writing?

Linking words help writers to make their writing coherent and logical. They allow the writer to smoothly transition from one idea to the next, which helps keep the reader engaged and ensures that the writing flows logically.

Q4. Can I use the same linking word more than once in a paragraph?

While it’s generally better to use a variety of linking words to create a sense of flow and variety, there may be instances where using the same linking word multiple times in a paragraph is appropriate.

Q5. What are some commonly used linking words?

Some commonly used linking words include and, but, or, because, since, therefore, however, furthermore, in addition, and despite.

Q6. What is the difference between conjunctions and linking words?

Conjunctions are a type of linking word that connects two clauses within a sentence. Linking words, on the other hand, connect different sentences or paragraphs within a text.

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How to Teach Linking in Connected Speech

Linking in connected speech , also known as “catenation”, is the process by which words ending with consonants don’t sound like they have their normal written word transition when they are followed by vowels. This is sometimes described as the words merging, as if “an orange” becomes “anorange”. However, I find it is far more useful to explain it as the consonant moving to the beginning of the following word, making it sound like “a norange”. This is because this explanation more clearly represents possible confusions like “an app” and “a nap”, and can also make this pronunciation point seem like a more manageable change.

Such linking between words is a common reason for students finding fast speech difficult to understand. However, it can also help them, as it makes the final consonant in words like “can’t” clearer than usual (though moved to a different place). Catenation is also much easier to explain than other features of connected speech like intrusive sounds and weak forms, making it is a great place to start to looking at how English can sound at natural speeds. This article gives some teaching tips.

What students need to know about linking in connected speech

What students need to most understand about linking is:

it happens when one word ends with a consonant sound and the next begins with a vowel sound (“get on”, etc)
the effect is like the two words merging (“geton”) or like the consonant moving to the beginning of the second word (“ge ton”)
although most students don’t really need to think about this during speaking, linking is well worth practising orally because of its importance for listening comprehension
catenation can also sometime help make the pronunciation clearer (e.g. as the sounds in “can’t exercise” are much more clearly pronounced than in “can’t take”)
although there are often small differences in pronunciation that show word transitions (so that “a nail” doesn’t usually sound exactly the same as “an ale”), it is usually much easier and more reliable to use the context to work out which of the two possibilities is being said (that “keep stalking” is a crime, so your boss probably means “keeps talking”, etc)

How to present linking in connected speech

Long before presenting this point, it’s best for the teacher to make sure that they use as much natural linking as they can in their own speech, both in modelling the target language and in classroom phrases like “Can you two mo vover here?” for “move over here”. As well as helping with comprehension of natural speech, this also gives you examples that you can refer back to when you get around to actually presenting catenation.

As students will be studying this mainly to help their listening comprehension, probably the best time to present catenation is when students can’t fill a gap with the right word because they are confused about where the word transition is. For example, students might be tricked into writing “mart” instead of “art” if the word before it in the recording ends with M. When you pick up the error, the first step is to get students to use the context to work out that the answer makes no sense and what similar-sounding answer matches the topic better. You can then drill what the word sounded like with linking to show them why they made that mistake, explain the final consonants and initial vowels rule, drill some other similar examples, and perhaps move onto the lesson ideas below.

If you’ve already decided to do a lesson on catenation and want to make the need for it really clear to your students, the best way might be with pairs of phrases that have to be distinguished through context like:

an app/ a nap
an aim/ a name
grade A/ grey day
might rain/ my train
might earn/ my turn
an ice tea/ a nice tea

If you want to tie catenation to one particular language point, it can work with almost anything that has more than one word, such as:

phrasal verbs and other idioms (“get on with”, etc)
functional language and situational phrases (complaints phrases, phrases in the airport, etc)
determiners, quantifiers, etc before nouns (“some advice”, etc)

A good way of presenting both that language point and linking in connected speech is to give students the target phrases with the final consonant written with the next word, as in “Ca nI help you?” and “Would you li kea cu pof tea?” for offers. After moving the letters to where they usually go in a written sentence, students try to work out why they were written in those places, try to remember where the linking was in the initial sentences, and/ or practise pronouncing them with linking.

Especially if this is your first lesson on connected speech, it’s best to choose language that doesn’t also have similar but trickier aspects of connected speech like intrusion.

How to practise linking in connected speech

As long as students understand that it is mainly to help with comprehension, it is well worth some limited speaking practise such as marking the linking on a useful sentence and then practising saying it that way. For example, you could give students different sentences to mark the linking on and then drill, show their sentences one by one to the whole class as they say them that way for other people to mark the linking on, then discuss what linking they heard and what other linking is possible.

A good practice task that focuses more on listening is dictating phrases, sentences or short texts which are chosen for the amount and maybe trickiness of the linking they include. These can be done as a traditional dictation, done with students dictating to each other (after marking and practising the linking), or done as a dictogloss/ grammar dictation in which they listen with their pens down, try to reconstruct the text together from memory, then listen again to check.

Linking Consonant to Vowel
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Speech analysis

Eine speech analysis ist eine Redeanalyse in Englisch. Hier findest du hilfreiche Tipps zum Aufbau und zum Inhalt deiner speech analysis .

Du willst dir schnell einen Überblick über das Thema verschaffen? Dann schau dir gleich unser Video an!

Was ist eine speech analysis?

How to analyse a speech, tipps und tricks , linking words.

Eine speech analysis ist eine besondere Form der Analyse in Englisch , bei der du verschiedene Aspekte einer Rede untersuchst. Meist handelt es sich dabei um eine politische Rede . Eine sogenannte political speech wird zu verschiedenen Anlässen (occasions) gehalten. Dazu gehören zum Beispiel:

Wahlkämpfe (election campaigns)
Ansprachen in Krisenzeiten (addresses in times of crisis)
Gedenkfeiern (commemorations)
Gipfeltreffen (summit meetings)
Amtseintritte (inaugural addresses)

Unabhängig vom Anlass ist das Ziel einer political speech in der Regel gleich: Der Redner will das Publikum darin von seiner Einstellung überzeugen und zu einem bestimmten Handeln auffordern.

Um die gewünschte Wirkung zu erzielen, halten sich politische Reden an einen klaren Aufbau aus Einleitung , Hauptteil und Schluss .

In deiner speech analysis arbeitest du heraus, wie der Redner in diesen drei Teilen an sein Publikum appelliert . Das heißt, du untersuchst, mit welchen sprachlichen Mitteln er seine Zuhörer anspricht und überzeugen möchte.

Speech analysis – Vorbereitung

Um eine Rede in Englisch richtig zu analysieren, solltest du dich zuerst mit den wichtigen Informationen zur Rede beschäftigen. Dafür liest du dir die Rede aufmerksam durch. Dadurch kannst du Fragen zu der Rede, also der Redesituation (context) beantworten. Dazu gehören:

speaker – Wer ist der Redner ?
occasion – Was ist der Anlass ?
time and place – Wie ist der Kontext ?
(target) audience – Wer ist das (Ziel-) Publikum ?

Häufig geben dir diese Informationen bereits einen ersten Eindruck vom Thema und vom Ziel der Rede.

Speech analysis – Einleitung

In der Einleitung (introduction) deiner speech analysis benennst du die Redesituation und das Thema der Rede. Dafür erklärst du, mit welchem Problem oder mit welcher Frage sich die Rede hauptsächlich beschäftigt. Einen Hinweis darauf liefert dir in der Regel der Titel . Aber auch Schlüsselwörter und Wiederholungen geben darüber Aufschluss.

Wenn du dir über das Thema im Klaren bist, schreibst du deinen Einleitungssatz. Der könnte zum Beispiel so aussehen:

Speech analysis – Beispiel: In his “ Victory Speech , “ given on election night on 6 November 2012 in Washington, D.C. , Barack Obama addresses the American people with one important message : They need to move forward!

Die englische Übersetzung von „eine Rede halten“ lautet to give a speech und nicht to hold a speech !

Speech analysis – Hauptteil

Der Hauptteil einer Rede in Englisch wird als argumentation bezeichnet. Darin beschäftigt sich der Redner (speaker) ausführlich mit dem Thema seiner Rede.

Im Hauptteil (body) deiner speech analysis untersuchst du, wie der Redner dabei vorgeht. Dafür fasst du zunächst den Inhalt der Rede in einer kurzen Summary zusammen. Danach untersuchst du die Argumentationsstruktur und die Sprache der Rede. Außerdem machst du deutlich, wie der Redner Kontakt zu seinem Publikum herstellt.

Argumentationsstruktur

Indem du die Argumentationsstruktur der Rede analysierst, kannst du die Intention, also die Absicht des Redners, herausarbeiten. Dabei untersuchst du, wie er seine Argumente präsentiert. An seiner These (thesis) und seinen Argumenten (arguments) kannst du zum Beispiel ablesen, ob

der Redner seine Beliebtheit steigern möchte,
er über etwas aufklären möchte,
er seriös – also mit von Fakten und Expertenmeinungen – argumentiert
oder ob er unseriös – also mit Gefühlen und Vorurteilen – argumentiert.

Sprachliche Analyse

Noch wichtiger als die Argumentationsstruktur ist die Sprache , die ein Redner in seiner speech verwendet. Die sprachliche Gestaltung in einer politischen Rede ist häufig sehr subjektiv und anschaulich. Das erreicht ein Redner durch rhetorische Mittel wie Metaphern (metaphors) , Vergleiche (comparisons) oder Wiederholungen (repetitions) .

Speech analysis – Beispiel: Using the climax “ to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting, “ Obama emphasises the American Dream.

Es spielt auch eine Rolle, ob der Redner formelle Sprache (formal language) oder eher Umgangssprache (colloquial language) verwendet. Dadurch kann er sich seinem Publikum gezielt anpassen.

Wenn du die Möglichkeit hast, solltest du dir zusätzlich eine Videoübertragung der Rede ansehen. Dadurch kannst du auch den Tonfall (intonation) und die Betonung (stress) des Redners in deine speech analysis miteinbeziehen. Dasselbe gilt für seine Gestik (gestures) und Mimik (facial expression) .

Kontakt zum Publikum

In einer politischen Rede versucht der Redner meist, das Publikum direkt anzusprechen. Dafür benutzt er Personalpronomen wie we und us (inclusive pronouns). So stellt er einen engen Kontakt zum Publikum her und gewinnt Einfluss auf seine Zuhörer.

Speech analysis – Beispiel: In his speech, Obama uses a lot of inclusive pronouns. For example, when he says: “ … we know in our hearts that for the United States of America the best is yet to come. “

Speech analysis – Schluss

Im Schluss fasst du die wichtigsten Ergebnisse deiner speech analysis knapp zusammen. In einem Fazit hebst du anschließend die Intention des Redners hervor. Du hältst also fest, was die Absicht des Redners ist und ob seine Rede die gewünschte Wirkung erzielt.

Speech analysis – Beispiel: By describing a hopeful future for the United States, Obama creates confidence in the minds of the American people and encourages them to work hard to achieve their dreams.

Um deine Redeanalyse in Englisch noch besser zu machen, kannst du die vorliegende Rede auch auf bestimmte Methoden der Beeinflussung untersuchen. Diese verwenden Redner gezielt, um auf ihr Publikum einzuwirken.

Um seine eigene Position aufzuwerten , stellt der Redner seine Meinung als den Standpunkt einer ganzen Gesellschaft dar. Dadurch erzeugt er ein Wir-Gefühl unter seinen Zuhörern.
Ein Redner kann seine eigene Position auch aufwerten, indem er einen gegnerischen Standpunkt abwertet . Dabei weist er auf Fehler oder Unstimmigkeiten in der Argumentation eines Gegners hin.
Indem der Redner einen Aspekt dramatisiert , beeinflusst er die Gefühle seines Publikums. So kann er Ängste schüren und dadurch seine Zuhörer zum Handeln aufrufen.
Umgekehrt kann der Redner sein Publikum aber auch beschwichtigen . Dafür fokussiert er Erfolge und schwächt Misserfolge ab.

Um deine Analyseteile sinnvoll miteinander zu verbinden, verwendest du am besten linking words . Schau dir gleich unser Video dazu an!

Beliebte Inhalte aus dem Bereich Textarten Englisch

Englisch Brief schreiben Dauer: 04:08
Letter to the editor Dauer: 03:53
Letter of application Dauer: 04:41

Weitere Inhalte: Textarten Englisch

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Trump’s Repetitive Speech Is a Bad Sign

If the debate was a cognitive test, the former president failed.

Overlapping, blurry images of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris during the September 2024 presidential debate

Produced by ElevenLabs and News Over Audio (NOA) using AI narration.

Tuesday’s presidential debate was, among other things, an excellent real-world test of the candidates’ cognitive fitness—and any fair-minded mental-health expert would be very worried about Donald Trump’s performance.

The former president has repeatedly bragged over the past several years that he has passed various mental-status exams with flying colors. Most of these tests are designed to detect fairly serious cognitive dysfunction, and as such, they are quite easy to pass : They ask simple questions such as “What is the date?” and challenge participants to spell world backwards or write any complete sentence. By contrast, a 90-minute debate that involves unknown questions and unanticipated rebuttals requires candidates to think on their feet. It is a much more demanding and representative test of cognitive health than a simple mental-status exam you take in a doctor’s office. Specifically, the debate serves as an evaluation of the candidates’ mental flexibility under pressure—their capacity to deal with uncertainty and the unforeseen.

Just to be clear: Although I am a psychiatrist, I am not offering any specific medical diagnoses for any public figure. I have never met or examined either candidate. But I watched the debate with particular attention to the candidates’ vocabulary, verbal and logical coherence, and ability to adapt to new topics—all signs of a healthy brain. Although Kamala Harris certainly exhibited some rigidity and repetition, her speech remained within the normal realm for politicians, who have a reputation for harping on their favorite talking points. By contrast, Donald Trump’s expressions of those tendencies were alarming. He displayed some striking, if familiar, patterns that are commonly seen among people in cognitive decline.

Much of the time, following Trump’s train of thought was difficult, if not impossible. In response to a question from the moderator David Muir about whether he regretted anything he’d done during the January 6 insurrection, Trump said:

I have said “blood bash—bath.” It was a different term, and it was a term that related to energy, because they have destroyed our energy business. That was where bloodbath was. Also, on Charlottesville, that story has been, as you would say, debunked. Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, Jesse—all of these people, they covered it. If they go an extra sentence, they will see it was perfect. It was debunked in almost every newspaper. But they still bring it up, just like they bring 2025 up. They bring all of this stuff up. I ask you this: You talk about the Capitol. Why are we allowing these millions of people to come through on the southern border? How come she’s not doing anything—and I’ll tell you what I would do. And I would be very proud to do it.

Evading the question is an age-old debate-winning tactic. But Trump’s response seems to go beyond evasion. It is both tangential, in that it is completely irrelevant to the question, and circumstantial, in that it is rambling and never gets to a point. Circumstantial and tangential speech can indicate a fundamental problem with an underlying cognitive process, such as logical and goal-oriented thinking. Did Trump realize that his answer was neither germane to the question nor logical?

Eleven days before the debate, at a campaign event in Pennsylvania, Trump responded to criticism of his rambling speech by claiming that it is part of a deliberate strategy to frustrate his opponents. “I do the weave,” he told the audience. “You know what the weave is? I’ll talk about, like, nine different things that they all come back brilliantly together. And it’s like—and friends of mine that are, like, English professors, they say: ‘It’s the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen.’” Viewers can judge for themselves whether the disjointed statements they heard during the debate cohered brilliantly in the end.

Read: How swing voters reacted to the Trump-Harris debate

The speech Trump excuses as the “weave” is one of many tics that are starting to look less strategic and more uncontrollable. Last week, David A. Graham wrote in The Atlantic that the former president has a penchant for describing objects and events as being “ like nobody has ever seen before .” At the debate, true to form, Trump repeatedly fell back on the superlative. Of the economy under his presidency: “Nobody’s ever seen anything like it.” Of inflation under the Biden administration: “I’ve never seen a worse period of time.” Of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan: “That was one of the most incompetently handled situations anybody has ever seen.” Harris, for her part, also showed some verbal tics and leaned on tired formulations. For instance, she invited viewers more than 15 times to “understand” things. But Trump’s turns of phrase are so disjointed, so unusual, and so frequently uttered that they’re difficult to pass off as normal speech.

Trump’s speech during the debate was repetitive not only in form but also in content. Politicians regularly return during debates to their strongest topics—that’s just good strategy. Harris twice mentioned Project 2025 , which voters widely disapproved of in recent polling , and insisted three times that Americans want to “move forward” or “chart a new way forward.” Trump likewise expounded at every opportunity on immigration, a weak issue for Harris. But plenty of the former president’s repetitions seemed compulsive, not strategic. After praising the Hungarian strongman Viktor Orbán, Trump spoke unprompted, at length, and without clarity about gas pipelines in the United States and Europe, an issue unlikely to connect with many voters. A few minutes later, he brought up the pipelines again. The moderators cut him off for a commercial break. Even in cases where Trump could have reasonably defended himself, he was unable to articulate basic exculpatory evidence. When Harris raised his infamous “very fine people on both sides” remark regarding the 2017 white-supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia, Trump could have pointed out that even at the time, he had specified, “I’m not talking about the neo-Nazis and the white nationalists—because they should be condemned totally.” But he did not.

Read: The mistake that could cost Trump the election

In psychiatry, the tendency to conspicuously and rigidly repeat a thought beyond the point of relevance, called “perseverance,” is known to be correlated with a variety of clinical disorders, including those involving a loss of cognitive reserve. People tend to stick to familiar topics over and over when they experience an impairment in cognitive functioning—for instance, in short-term memory. Short-term memory is essentially your mental sketch pad: how many different thoughts you can juggle in your mind, keep track of, and use at the same time. Given the complexity of being president, short-term memory is a vital skill.

If a patient presented to me with the verbal incoherence, tangential thinking, and repetitive speech that Trump now regularly demonstrates, I would almost certainly refer them for a rigorous neuropsychiatric evaluation to rule out a cognitive illness. A condition such as vascular dementia or Alzheimer’s disease would not be out of the ordinary for a 78-year-old. Only careful medical examination can establish whether someone indeed has a diagnosable illness—simply observing Trump, or anyone else, from afar is not enough. For those who do have such diseases or conditions, several treatments and services exist to help them and their loved ones cope with their decline. But that does not mean any of them would be qualified to serve as commander in chief.

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Transition Words & Phrases
Example sentence. Transition words and phrases. Addition. We found that the mixture was effective. Moreover, it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted. indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both x and y, not only x but also y, besides x, in fact. Introduction.
PDF transitional words and phrases
These transitional words (like finally) have the function of limiting, restricting, and defining time. They can be used either alone or as part of adverbial expressions. at the present time. from time to time. sooner or later. at the same time. up to the present time. to begin with.
Speech transitions: words and phrases to connect your ideas
Speech transitions: words and phrases to connect your ideas. When delivering presentations it's important for your words and ideas to flow so your audience can understand how everything links together and why it's all relevant. This can be done using speech transitions because these act as signposts to the audience - signalling the ...
Transition Words & Phrases
These transitional words (like finally) have the function of limiting, restricting, and defining time. They can be used either alone or as part of adverbial expressions. at the present time. from time to time. sooner or later. at the same time. up to the present time. to begin with.
200+ Linking Words
Linking Words Summary. A linking word is a term that connects different ideas in your text, whether they are contrasting, supporting, or adding. They can improve your writing and help it flow better, I promise! Regardless of the style of writing, every piece of writing contains linking words to show perfect transitions.
Transitional Words and Phrases
Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between ideas in your paper and can help your reader understand the logic of your paper. However, these words all have different meanings, nuances, and connotations. Before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely and be sure…
Linking Words for Smooth Transitions When Speaking English
Before we focus on the first way to use linking words, let's look at all the ways linking words can help you with smooth transitions: Linking words: Create a logical flow between ideas; Compare, contrast, add on, agree, or refute; Maintain cohesion; Act as signposts to guide listeners through each idea;
Linking Words (Transitional Expressions)
In Paragraph 1, the use of linking words like "Moreover," "despite," "Additionally," "However," and "Nevertheless" helps create a smooth and connected narrative, indicating additions, contrasts, and causal relationships between different ideas. The paragraph feels more cohesive and organized. In contrast, Paragraph 2 lacks ...
PDF Linking words and phrases
They show the relationships between the ideas and are the glue that holds your assignment together. The table below provides an overview of commonly-used linking words. List/sequence words: orders the information in a sequence. Efect/results: something brought by a cause. Emphasis: special importance or significance. first. so. undoubtedly.
Linking Words
Linking & Connecting Words. It is essential to understand how Linking Words, as a part of speech, can be used to combine ideas in writing - and thus ensure that ideas within sentences and paragraphs are elegantly connected - for the benefit of the reader.This will help to improve your writing (e.g. essay, comment, summary (scientific) review, (research) paper, letter, abstract, report, thesis ...
PDF Connecting your ideas: Linking words
Making the connections between your ideas clear and visible can help achieve clear communication as it will be much easier for the person reading to follow what you are saying and understand your argument or premise. In order to make connections clear, you can use linking words between parts of a sentence, between sentences or between ...
A List of Transition Words to Use for Argumentative Essays
Transition can also be a sentence to a paragraph long. I'll show you an example. Paragraph A: A point that supports co-sleeping as a parenting method. Transition: Despite this, there are many reasons that prove co-sleeping leads to sleep-related accidents. Paragraph B: Points that oppose co-sleeping.
Linking Words, Connecting Words: Full List and Useful Examples
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.
Linking Words in American English
Linking words seamlessly is a vital element in sounding natural in the vibrant tapestry of American English. The art of linking words is a pivotal component to knowing how words flow together in American English and achieving a natural and professional cadence in American English. L et's dive into tips to refine your communication, making it more polished and fluent! 🌐
All About Linking Words, With Examples
Linking words generally come before a new idea as a way to introduce it. This includes new clauses, new sentences, and new paragraphs, as well as standalone words and phrases. When a linking word or phrase begins a sentence, clarity is usually helped if you place a comma after it. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches contain a lot of healthy ...
Sound more FLUENT and NATURAL with LINKING: How to Connect Words in
2) Linking patterns are based on what type of sound one word ends with and the type of sound the next word begins with. There are 3 different linking patterns: 1) consonant to vowel 2) vowel to vowel and 3) consonant to consonant. 3) The stop consonants (/p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/ and /g/) are often held by native speakers in connected speech.
Linking Words & Connector Words: Ultimate List With Examples
These linking words and phrases can help you express similarities between two or more ideas, situations, or individuals. Use them appropriately based on the context to highlight shared characteristics or experiences. Examples: Likewise: Sarah enjoys reading; likewise, her brother is an avid reader. Similarly:
Linking Words: Vowel to Vowel
When this happens, we tie the two words together by inserting a 'w' or 'y' sound. Let's look at a few examples. Say this sentence out loud: You always do that! 'You' ends in a vowel sound and is followed by 'always', beginning with a vowel sound. If you say this sentence several times, faster and faster, you'll notice that ...
Linking Words and Phrases
Linking Words and Phrases Examples; Addition - Moreover, the research findings indicated a significant improvement in patient outcomes. - In addition, we need to consider the economic implications of this policy. - Furthermore, the company plans to expand its market presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Contrast - However, despite the challenges, we remain committed to our mission.
Linking Words in English with Examples • Englishan
Words such as "but," "however," "although," and "on the other hand" help introduce a contrasting idea or point that is different from what was previously mentioned. Examples of contrastive linking words are: but, however, on the other hand, yet, and, although, nevertheless, in contrast, whereas, although, and even though, etc ...
How to Teach Linking in Connected Speech
Linking in connected speech, also known as "catenation", is the process by which words ending with consonants don't sound like they have their normal written word transition when they are followed by vowels.This is sometimes described as the words merging, as if "an orange" becomes "anorange". However, I find it is far more useful to explain it as the consonant moving to the ...
Speech analysis • Eine Redeanalyse in Englisch schreiben
Speech analysis - Beispiel: ... Linking Words. Um deine Analyseteile sinnvoll miteinander zu verbinden, verwendest du am besten linking words. Schau dir gleich unser Video dazu an! Zum Video: Linking Words zur Videoseite: Speech analysis Beliebte Inhalte aus dem Bereich Textarten Englisch
Trump's Repetitive Speech Is a Bad Sign
Trump's speech during the debate was repetitive not only in form but also in content. Politicians regularly return during debates to their strongest topics—that's just good strategy.