English Linking Words and Phrases: How to Connect Your Ideas

Whether you are writing an IELTS essay, answering exam questions, or simply trying to speak more fluently, linking words are essential tools. They act as signposts, guiding your reader or listener from one idea to the next. Without them, even accurate sentences can feel disconnected and difficult to follow. With them, your language gains coherence, flow, and a professional quality that examiners and native speakers immediately notice.

This guide covers the five main categories of linking words in English, explains the grammar rules that govern them, and provides real examples so you can begin using them with confidence.

What Are Linking Words?

Linking words—also called connectives, discourse markers, or transition words—are words and phrases that connect ideas within a sentence or between sentences. They signal the relationship between two pieces of information: are you adding something? Contrasting? Explaining a reason? Showing a result?

It is important to understand that linking words fall into two grammatical groups with different rules:

• Conjunctions (e.g. and, but, because, although) join two clauses within one sentence. They do not begin a new sentence and are not followed by a comma.
• Adverbial connectives (e.g. however, therefore, furthermore) are adverbs or adverbial phrases. They can begin a new sentence and are normally followed by a comma. They can also appear mid-sentence, enclosed in commas.

Addition: Adding More Information

Use addition connectives when you want to expand on a point or include a second supporting idea. These are some of the most frequently used linking words in academic and everyday English.

Linking Word / Phrase	Register	Example
also	Neutral	He speaks French. He also speaks Mandarin.
in addition	Formal / semi-formal	In addition, the study found that sleep deprivation affects memory.
furthermore	Formal	Furthermore, the results were consistent across all age groups.
moreover	Formal	The price is competitive. Moreover, delivery is free.
as well as	Neutral	She enjoys cycling as well as swimming.
not only … but also	Formal / emphatic	The policy not only reduces costs but also improves morale.

A common mistake is to write Also, he speaks Mandarin at the start of a sentence as if it were a conjunction. This is grammatically acceptable, but overusing also at sentence beginnings sounds informal. In academic writing, prefer furthermore or in addition for the opening of a new sentence.

Contrast: Showing Differences and Opposing Ideas

Contrast connectives are crucial in opinion essays, discussions, and any argument where you need to acknowledge an opposing view. Getting these right is one of the clearest markers of B2+ proficiency.

Linking Word / Phrase	Grammar Note	Example
however	Adverbial; new sentence or mid-sentence with commas	The plan seemed sound. However, it failed in practice.
nevertheless	Adverbial; formal; implies surprise	The evidence was limited. Nevertheless, the team proceeded.
although / even though	Conjunction; can begin a sentence	Although it was raining, they continued the match.
whereas	Conjunction; compares two clauses directly	Men preferred option A, whereas women preferred option B.
on the other hand	Adverbial phrase; new sentence	City life offers excitement. On the other hand, it can be stressful.
in contrast	Adverbial phrase; formal	Summer temperatures are high. In contrast, winters are mild.

Note the difference between although and however. They both express contrast, but although is a conjunction and must connect two clauses in one sentence, whereas however is an adverb and introduces a separate sentence (or is enclosed in commas). Writing “However he was tired, he continued” is incorrect; you need “Although he was tired, he continued.”

Cause and Effect: Explaining Reasons and Results

These connectives are essential when you want to explain why something happened or what resulted from it.

Showing cause (reason)

• because – the most common; introduces a clause: He left because he was unwell.
• due to / owing to – followed by a noun phrase, not a clause: Due to heavy traffic, she arrived late.
• since / as – slightly more formal alternatives to because; usually placed at the start of a sentence: Since the deadline had passed, no submissions were accepted.

Showing effect (result)

• therefore – formal; begins a new sentence or follows a semicolon: Demand has risen. Therefore, prices have increased.
• as a result – semi-formal; very common in essays: As a result, unemployment fell sharply.
• consequently – formal; slightly stronger than therefore: Consequently, several factories were forced to close.
• so – conjunction; informal; common in speech: It was late, so we took a taxi.

Sequence: Ordering Ideas and Steps

Sequence connectives are vital when explaining a process, telling a story, or presenting arguments in a logical order. They tell the reader when something happens relative to other events.

Position	Linking Words	Example
First point	first of all, to begin with, initially	First of all, mix the flour and butter together.
Subsequent points	then, next, after that, subsequently	Subsequently, the mixture is heated to 80°C.
Simultaneous events	meanwhile, at the same time, simultaneously	Meanwhile, the other team prepared the equipment.
Final point	finally, lastly, in conclusion, to sum up	Finally, allow the mixture to cool before serving.

Avoid using firstly, secondly, thirdly for long lists; it becomes mechanical and repetitive. Instead, use a variety: first of all … in addition … furthermore … finally.

Concession: Acknowledging the Other Side

Concession connectives allow you to admit a point made by the opposing side while maintaining your own argument. This is a sophisticated technique that raises the quality of formal writing considerably.

• admittedly – Admittedly, the initial costs are high; however, the long-term savings are considerable.
• granted – Granted, some species have adapted to urban environments, but most are negatively affected.
• while it is true that – While it is true that remote work offers flexibility, it also creates new challenges for managers.
• despite / in spite of – followed by a noun phrase or gerund: Despite the difficulties, the project was completed on time.
• even so – The evidence is limited. Even so, the findings are significant.

Register and Common Mistakes

One of the biggest challenges for B1–C1 learners is choosing the right register. Using very formal connectives in casual conversation sounds unnatural, just as using and and but throughout a formal essay appears underdeveloped.

A second widespread error is punctuation. Many learners write sentences such as:

• “The project was successful, however it took too long.” ✗ — This creates a comma splice. Correct versions: use a full stop before however, or replace it with but.
• “Although she tried hard, but she did not pass.” ✗ — Never use although and but together; they duplicate the contrast.

Finally, avoid overloading your writing with connectives. Every linking word must reflect a genuine logical relationship. If you find yourself adding furthermore or in addition without a clear reason, remove it. Coherence comes from clear ideas, not from a large number of connectives.

Quick-Reference Table

Category	Formal	Neutral / Informal
Addition	furthermore, moreover, in addition	also, and, as well as
Contrast	nevertheless, in contrast, whereas	but, however, yet
Cause	owing to, since, as	because, as, since
Effect	consequently, therefore, hence	so, as a result
Sequence	subsequently, initially, ultimately	first, then, finally, next
Concession	admittedly, granted, despite this	even so, still, though

Learning these categories systematically is far more effective than memorising a long list without context. When you encounter a new connective in your reading, ask yourself: what category does it belong to? How does it differ from the others in the same category? Answering those two questions will help you use it correctly in your own writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a linking word and a conjunction?

Conjunctions (e.g. and, but, because, although) connect two clauses within the same sentence. Adverbial connectives (e.g. however, therefore, furthermore) are adverbs that connect ideas between sentences; they begin a new sentence and are followed by a comma. Mixing up these two types is one of the most common grammar errors at B2–C1 level.

Can I start a sentence with “however”?

Yes. Beginning a sentence with However, followed by a comma is perfectly correct and very common in academic and professional English. What you must not do is use it to join two clauses with only a comma: “The plan seemed good, however it failed” is incorrect. Either write two separate sentences, use a semicolon (“… good; however, it failed”), or replace however with the conjunction but.

What is the difference between “although” and “despite”?

Although is a conjunction and must be followed by a full clause (subject + verb): “Although he was tired, he continued.” Despite (and in spite of) is a preposition and must be followed by a noun phrase or a gerund (-ing form): “Despite his tiredness, he continued.” / “Despite being tired, he continued.” Writing “Despite he was tired” is a very common error.

Is “furthermore” too formal for IELTS Writing Task 1?

For IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 (describing a graph or chart), furthermore can sound slightly forced if overused. Task 1 rewards accuracy and clarity over elaborate vocabulary. Connectives like in addition, similarly, and in contrast are more natural for data descriptions. Save furthermore and moreover for Task 2, where you are developing an argument across multiple paragraphs.

Can “because” begin a sentence?

Yes, despite what some teachers say, starting a sentence with because is grammatically acceptable, provided you include a main clause: “Because demand fell sharply, production was cut.” The full clause after the comma is essential—a sentence fragment such as “Because of the weather.” (with no main clause) is incorrect in formal writing.

What is the difference between “therefore” and “so”?

Both express a result, but they differ in grammar and register. So is a conjunction: it joins two clauses in one sentence and is informal or neutral: “It was cold, so she wore a coat.” Therefore is an adverbial connective: it begins a new sentence (or follows a semicolon) and is formal: “Temperatures fell. Therefore, she wore a coat.” In academic writing, prefer therefore, consequently, or as a result.

Are “on the other hand” and “on the contrary” the same?

No, they have distinct meanings. On the other hand introduces a contrasting or alternative perspective, often in a balanced discussion: “City life is exciting. On the other hand, it can be exhausting.” On the contrary directly contradicts a previous statement, often correcting a false assumption: “You might think the film was dull. On the contrary, it was gripping from start to finish.” Mixing them up is a common error in formal essays.

How do I use “not only…but also”?

Not only…but also is an emphatic addition structure. When not only appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause, the subject and auxiliary verb are inverted: “Not only did the policy reduce costs, but it also improved staff morale.” When the structure is mid-sentence, no inversion is needed: “The plan not only saves money but also benefits the environment.” The inversion is a marker of C1 writing and is highly valued in formal examinations.

What linking words should I use for a conclusion?

For a concluding paragraph, use phrases that signal a summary or final judgement: In conclusion, To conclude, To sum up, Overall, In summary. In more formal academic writing, In conclusion and To conclude are the most widely accepted. Avoid In the end in formal essays—it can imply a process took a long time rather than signalling a conclusion.

How many linking words should I use in a paragraph?

There is no fixed rule, but a good guideline is one or two linking words per paragraph, used purposefully. Quality matters more than quantity. Experienced writers often connect ideas through pronoun reference, lexical cohesion (repeating or varying key words), and sentence structure rather than by inserting a connective before every sentence. If every sentence in your paragraph begins with a linking word, your writing will feel mechanical—vary your approach for a more natural, sophisticated result.