Useful Linking Words and Phrases to Use in Your Essays

Linking words and phrases are used to show relationships between ideas. They can be used to join two or more sentences or clauses.

We can use linking words to give a result, add information, summarize, give illustrations, emphasize a point, sequence information, compare or to contrast idea.

Contents

Useful Linking Words and Phrases

In this article, you will learn about the most common linking words and phrases:

Giving a Result

Usage: To provide the result of what has been stated or has occurred

Linking Words:

As a result
As a consequence
Therefore
Thus
Consequently
Hence
For this reason
Due to

Examples:

His wife left him. As a result, he became very depressed.
She has lived in France, and as a consequence she speaks French fluently.
We do not have enough money. Therefore we cannot afford to buy the new car.
We do not own the building. Thus, it would be impossible for us to make any major changes to it.
There has been a great deal of rain and consequently the reservoirs are full.
The customer was displeased with her meal, hence the chef prepared a replacement.
For this reason, they are not a good choice for exterior use.
Due to a broken wing, this bird can’t fly.

Adding Information

Usage: To add to what has been previously stated

Linking Words:

Additionally / an additional
Furthermore
Also
Too
As well as that
Along with
Besides
In addition
Moreover
In addition to this
Apart from this

Examples:

Additionally, the bus service will run on Sundays, every two hours.
He said he had not discussed the matter with her. Furthermore, he had not even contacted her.
We are unable to repair this watch. Also, this is the fourth time this has happened.
I love wearing earrings. I design and make them too.
We went to the park today. As well as that, we did some shopping.
Along with parties and parliaments, elections have lost their charm.
I can’t afford to go to the concert. Besides, I don’t really like classical music.
You haven’t paid the rent yet. In addition, you owe me money.
The report is badly presented. Moreover, it contains inaccuracies.
John’s grades are terrible because he has been so lazy these days. In addition to this, his relationship to his parents got worse.
Apart from this paragraph, the report contains a number of sensible initiatives.

Summarizing

Usage: To sump up what has been previously stated

Linking words:

In conclusion
To summarize
Altogether
In short
To sum up
In summary
Briefly
To conclude

Examples:

In conclusion, walking is a cheap, safe, enjoyable and readily available form of exercise.
To summarize, this is a clever approach to a common problem.
The food was good and we loved the music. Altogether it was a great evening.
His novels belong to a great but vanished age. They are, in short, old-fashioned.
To sum up, there are three main ways of tackling the problem…
In summary, this was a disappointing performance.
Briefly, our team is now one of the best in the world.
To conclude, I want to wish you all a very happy holiday season.

Giving Examples

Usage: To provide examples

Linking words:

For example/ For instance
Such as
Including
Namely
In this case
Proof of this
Like

Examples:

There are many interesting places to visit in the city, for example/ for instance, the botanical garden or the art museum.
I prefer to wear casual clothes, such as jeans and a sweatshirt.
Including Christmas Day and Boxing Day, I’ve got a week off work.
We need to concentrate on our target audience, namely women aged between 20 and 30.
I think I would have made a difference in this case.
This building are a living proof of this existence, so we must preserve it.
I also make other jewellery like rings and bracelets.

Emphasizing a Point

Usage: To put forward a point or idea more forcefully

Linking words:

Undoubtedly
Indeed
Obviously
Particularly / in particular
Especially
Clearly
Importantly
Absolutely
Definitely
Without a doubt
Never
It should be noted
Unquestionably
Above all
Positively

Examples:

Undoubtedly, the story itself is one of the main attractions.
I don’t mind at all. Indeed, I would be delighted to help.
Obviously, we don’t want to spend too much money.
I love silver earrings, in particular ones from Mexico
The car is quite small, especially if you have children.
Clearly, this will cost a lot more than we realized.
More importantly, can he be trusted?
He’s an absolutely brilliant cook.
I definitely remember sending the letter.
We still believe we can win this series without a doubt.
I’m never surprised at what I do.
It should be noted that if you have something to note, then note it
Unquestionably, teaching has been a paramount part of his career.
Above all, this forest is designed for wear and tear.
This is positively the worst thing that I can even imagine.

Sequencing Ideas

Usage: To indicate the order of what is being said

Linking words:

First/ firstly (Second/ secondly, Third/ thirdly, Finally)
At this time
Following
Previously
Before
Subsequently
Above all
Lastly and most importantly
Last but not least
First and foremost

Examples:

Firstly, I prefer the train because I can see the landscape.
At this time, the young man leapt into the air and flew off towards sunset.
They arrived on Monday evening and we got there the following day.
I had visited them three days previously.
Your name is before mine on the list.
Subsequently, new guidelines were issued to all employees.
Above all, keep in touch.
Lastly, and most importantly, you should be optimistic.
Last but not least, I find I seriously cannot relate to women.
We will continue to focus on our players first and foremost.

Comparing Ideas

Usage: To show how things are similar

Linking words:

Similarly
Equally
Likewise
Just as
Just like
Similar to
Same as
Compare / compare(d) to(with)
By the same token
In the same way
Correspondingly

Examples:

Similarly, the basketball and hockey games draw nearly full attendance.
Equally, not all customers are honest.
Her second marriage was likewise unhappy.
She’s just as smart as her sister.
Working with housecats is just like working with lions or tigers.
Some people say I have a running style similar to him.
Having a power is not the same as using the power.
He gets the ball off quickly compared to two years ago.
Teenagers should be more respectful; by the same token, parents should be more understanding.
Alex enjoys telling jokes; in the same way/similarly/likewise,his son adores funny stories.
Correspondingly, the roles each of them played were soon different.

Contrasting Ideas

Usage: To show how things are different

Linking words:

Unlike
Nevertheless
On the other hand
Nonetheless
Despite / in spite of
In contrast (to)
Alternatively
Conversely
Even so
Differing from
Contrary to

Examples:

Unlike most systems, this one is very easy to install.
There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law. Nevertheless, it is important that we try.
Laptops are convenient; On the other hand, they can be expensive.
The problems are not serious. Nonetheless, we shall need to tackle them soon.
Despite/ In spite of the rain, I went for a walk.
In contrast to the diligent bee, the butterfly flies hither and yon with no apparent purpose.
The agency will make travel arrangements for you. Alternatively, you can organize your own transport.
Northern European countries had a great summer. On the contrary/conversely, Southern Europe had poor weather.
Even so, many old friends were shocked at the announcement.
Differing from his white colleagues, he preferred instructing his scholars to the ambition of acquiring personal renown.
The situation in Ireland is quite contrary to this principle.