linking words

Linking words and phrasesWhy? To link or connect two clauses

e.g.

Jack works very hard. Jack doesn’t have a lot of money

Jack works very hard but he doesn’t have a lot of money

What for? To make contrasting points

(although, yet, however, nevertheless, in spite of, but, while, etc.)

e.g.

Killing endangered species is illegal. However, people will not stop hunting them.

To list points

(first, in the first place, first of all, to start with, secondly, finally, etc.)

e.g.

Fist of all, the government must revise the out-of-date environment laws, which were written several years ago.

Secondly, they should…..

To add more points on a topic

(what is more, furthermore, also, apart from this/that, in addition to, moreover, besides, too, etc.)

e.g.

Furthermore, the city should conduct inspections of zoos.

To list advantages/ disadvantages

(one/another/one other/a further/the main/the first/etc… advantage/disadvantage of… is/are)

e.g.

The greatest advantage of regular exercise is that it leads to a healthier lifestyle.

To express balance

(while, on the one hand, on the other hand, whereas)

e.g.

While working for a large company is prestigious, it can be very stressful.

To express personal opinion

(in my opinion/view, to my mind/way of thinking, personally I believe, it strikes me that, I feel very strongly that, I am inclined to believe that, as far as I am concerned, etc.)

e.g.

In my opinion/view department stores offer a great selection of clothes than small boutiques.

To refer to other sources

(according to, with reference to)

e.g.

According to this report , sun creams cause irritation to sensitive skin.

To express cause

(because of, owing to, due to, for this reason, etc.)

Due to the harsh winter, many crops were destroyed

To express effect

(therefore, thus, as a result, consequently, so, as a consequence )

e.g.

As a result many people many people have lost their jobs

To state an argument against your opinion

(it is popular believe that, people often claim that, contrary to popular belief, people argue that, etc.)

e.g.

Contrary to popular belief, the teaching profession is in need of qualified educators.

To make general statement

(as a rule, generally, in general, as a general rule, on the whole.etc.)

e.g.

As a rule, girls get better exams results than boys.

To rephrase

(that is to say, in other words)

e.g.

In other words, they disagree with the manager’s decision.

To give examples

(for example, for instance)

e.g.

For instance, in the past six months, retailers have reported a 25% drop in sales of electronic equipment.

To conclude

(finally, lastly, above all, all in all, taking everything into account, on the whole, in conclusion, to sum up, summing up, etc.)

e.g.

On the whole, the university offers a wide range of courses and provides modern facilities.

Exercises Fill in the gaps using the following words:

( and, because, however, or, therefore)

In all novels incidents, actions, thoughts ___ descriptions are related, ___ narrated, by an agent who is known as a narrator. The reader, _____ sees the events of a novel to a greater or lesser degree through the eyes, ____ point of view, of the novel’s narrator. It is obvious, ____, that the narrator is an extremely significant element in considering a novel _____ it is the narrator who decides what to show or tells us, ____ what emphasis is to be placed on an event or character, it is the narrator language that describes events and characters.

Complete the sentences with an item from (a) and an item from (b) using a linking word from the list: ( since, because, as)

A B

She could not decide which to choose He can learn to drive

She walked carefully Hello, again, was an odd thing to say

He is now 17 years old The prices at home were sky high

I had no idea how it worked The streets were covered in ice

They were going to have a party All the cakes looked good

They had to buy the machine abroad They had been married for ten years

They had never met before I had to ask for help

Task 1.

Do you like novel books or soap operas? Do you agree with the position taken in exercise 1 about narrators in all novels?

Yes? Write a short paragraph listing points in favor and expressing personal opinions about it.

No? Write a short paragraph listing points against and expressing personal opinions about it.