Linking words and transitional phrases in English - how to use them Linking words and phrases in English (also called 'connective' or 'transition' words) are used to combine two clauses or sentences presenting contrast, comparison, condition, supposition, purpose, etc. They enable us to establish clear connections between ideas. Most linking words can either connect clauses within a sentence, or start a sentence to form a link with the previous statement. ♦Note : A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb. The following sentence contains two clauses: She lives in Mexico because she likes the climate. Below you will find some examples of linking words and how to use them. Examples of linking words within one sentence: Examples of linking words that connect two separate sentences or two clauses: ♦Note : If linking words start a sentence, they are followed by a comma. Try these online exercises back to lesson list
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, 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. Conjunctions and Transition Words Connecting Words Relations Between Words A concept is an idea - and what is an idea? So, a concept can be expressed as something between a single word, and an elaborate and in extenso described philosophy. Complete List of Linking & Connecting Words Download
Cohesion: linking words and phrases 1.33 Cohesion: linking words and phrases You can use words or short phrases which help to guide your reader through your writing, and to link sentences, paragraphs and sections both forwards and backwards. Good use will make what you have written easy to follow; bad use might mean your style is disjointed, probably with too many short sentences, and consequently difficult to follow. The best way to "get a feel" for these words is through your reading. Don't forget "AND"! There follows a list of words and phrases that can be used. Here are just a few examples of some of the words in action: Desktop computers are cheaper and more reliable than laptops; furthermore, they are more flexible. Prices fell by more than 20% last year. On the whole, his speech was well received, despite some complaints from new members. The South East of the UK often has the coldest weather in the winter. It was a very expensive holiday, the weather was bad and the people weren’t very friendly. Answers
Improving Style: Using Transitions 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 that it's the right match for the logic in your paper. Addition furthermore moreover too also in the second place again in addition even more next further last, lastly finally besides and, or, nor first second, secondly, etc. Time while immediately never after later, earlier always when soon whenever meanwhile sometimes in the meantime during afterwards now, until now next following once then at length simultaneously so far this time subsequently Place here there nearby beyond wherever opposite to adjacent to neighboring on above, below Exemplification or Illustration Comparison Contrast Clarification Cause because since on account of for that reason
Transition Words & Phrases As a "part of speech" transition words are used to link words, phrases or sentences. They help the reader to progress from one idea (expressed by the author) to the next idea. Thus, they help to build up coherent relationships within the text. Transitional Words This structured list of commonly used English transition words — approximately 200, can be considered as quasi complete. There is some overlapping with prepositions and postpositions, but for the purpose of usage and completeness of this concise guide, I did not differentiate. Agreement / Addition / Similarity The transition words like also, in addition, and, likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material. in the first place not only ... but also as a matter of fact in like manner in addition coupled with in the same fashion / way first, second, third in the light of not to mention to say nothing of equally important by the same token again to and also then equally identically uniquely like as too moreover likewise
List of Transition Words Anyone who has ever received criticism about a written assignment has quite possibly been told to use more transition words, which is where this list of transition words come in handy. List of Transition Words While you do not want your paper or other written piece to sound like a long string of transition words, consider adding some of these suggestions when appropriate in order to spice up your work and to make the sections flow more smoothly from one to another. What follows is a list of transition words which you might want to use in your writing from time to time. Note that some of them are phrases and not singular words. Purpose of Transition Words Transition words help a written piece to flow more smoothly. Let's take a look at examples of sentences without a transition words, and then add a transition word in. Carla spent a long day working at school and then cooked dinner for her family.
Conjunctions, connectors, coordination and subordination Coordinating and subordinating words : conjunctions connectors and conjunctive adverbs. Key points : Connectors - also called conjunctive words - are words that link two similar elements in a sentence. The four categories of connector are A small number of conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs can link individual words or phrases; but the majority can only link two clauses.A coordinated clause or phrase must follow the clause or phrase to which it is connected.A subordinate clause normally follows the main clause, but in some cases may preceed it. See below. The problem with conjunctions : where linguists disagree Most traditional grammars just repeat the established classification of conjunctions as being either coordinating conjunctions or subordinating conjunctions. OK Though he did not win, he took part in the competition. This suggests that the pertinent distinction between different types of conjunction is not actually one of function, but one of usage. Part 1. 1. Examples: 2. 3.
Linking Words Home » English Grammar » Linking words help you to connect ideas and sentences when you speak or write English. We can use linking words to give examples, add information, summarise, sequence information, give a reason or result, or to contrast ideas. Here's a list of the most common linking words and phrases: Giving examples For exampleFor instanceNamely The most common way to give examples is by using for example or for instance. Namely refers to something by name." Adding information AndIn additionAs well asAlsoTooFurthermoreMoreoverApart fromIn addition toBesides Ideas are often linked by and. "We discussed training, education and the budget." You can use also with not only to give emphasis." We don't usually start a sentence with also. As well as can be used at the beginning or the middle of a sentence." Too goes either at the end of the sentence, or after the subject and means as well." Apart from and besides are often used to mean as well as, or in addition to." Summarising Sequencing ideas
CONJUNCTIONS A conjunction is a word that links words, phrases, or clauses. Conjunctions come in three broad types: coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, and subordinating conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions join single words or groups of words, but they must always join similar elements: subject + subject, verb phrase + verb phrase, sentence + sentence, etc. Coordinating conjunctions and correlative conjunctions are listed below. To help remember the coordinating conjunctions, think of the word FANBOYS. Click on the conjunction to read a bit more about it. Commas and coordinating conjunctions: 1. Marty had thought he had a date with Sarah, but Sarah went to the movies with Jesse, instead. 2. I bought apples, oranges, and bananas. 3. She thought she loved him, but she really didn't. In most of their other roles as joiners (other than joining independent clauses, that is), coordinating conjunctions can join two sentence elements without the help of a comma. AND: Its uses and functions.
Transition words - English in Action website Addition To show that more information or explanation is coming: alsomoreoverfurthermorein additionadditionallyas wellwhat is more Illustration To illustrate or show a more precise meaning:for examplefor instanceas an exampleas an illustrationto illustratein this caseconsiderin particularspecifically Contrast To show contrast or a change in direction:althoughhoweveron the other handin contraston the contraryconverselyeven soneverthelesswhereaswhileyet Similarity To show similarity or sameness: likewise similarlyin a similar wayin a similar fashionin the same wayin the same manner Restating or clarifying To restate or clarify something you have already said: in other wordsto put it another waythat is to sayas I have saidas discussed aboveas I have notedas noted abovein essence Sequence Emphasis To show emphasis or importance:in factas a matter of factindeedabove allmost of allespeciallycertainlyobviouslysurprisinglysignificantlymore (most) importantlyof coursewithout a doubtundoubtedly Summary
Types of Conjunctions: Coordinate Conjunctions, Subordinate Conjunctions, and Correlative Conjunctions written by: Keren Perles • edited by: SForsyth • updated: 10/17/2014 What are conjunctions? Sure, they're joining words, but they're much more than that. Conjunctions are the words that decide the importance of the various other words in the sentence. Definition: Conjunctions are words that link other words, phrases or clauses. Linking Words in English – Reasons and Results Linking words help you connect the ideas in a sentence. In this lesson, you’ll learn some common linking words to express reasons and results. Linking Words: Reasons Because / Because of The difference between these two words is that because is followed by a subject + verb, and because of is followed by a noun: The game was canceled because of the rain.The game was canceled because it was raining. In spoken English, many people say ’cause as a short form of “because.” Due to / Owing to Due to and owing to are also followed by a noun. There’s a lot of traffic today due to the upcoming holiday. Due to the fact that / Owing to the fact that Use these phrases before a subject + verb. Many people are still unemployed due to the fact that the economic recovery has been slower than anticipated.The publisher rejected the author’s latest work owing to the fact that the manuscript was full of errors. Since / As Since and as are more informal, and they are followed by a subject + verb. So