Linking Words: The Complete Bank, by Job
Writing Toolkit · Flow
Linking words are instructions to the reader about how two ideas relate. Use the word that matches the real relationship — this bank is organized by job, not by alphabet.
Adding and Listing
For stacking ideas that agree with each other. In addition and furthermore are formal; also and too live inside sentences; firstly/secondly/finally run ordered lists (use them when the order itself matters, and do not forget the 'finally' — a list that never lands is a debt).
- and, also, too, as well as
- in addition, furthermore, moreover (formal)
- firstly, secondly, finally (true lists only)
- not only … but also … (paired, parallel)
Contrasting and Conceding
Contrast is the most abused family: but (informal-neutral), however (starts a new sentence, comma after), although/even though (inside a sentence), whereas/while (direct comparison), despite/in spite of (+ noun or -ing, never a full clause), nevertheless (contrast that survives: 'and yet').
- “It is expensive, but it lasts.” / “It is expensive. However, it lasts.”
- “Although it was expensive, we bought it.”
- “Despite the price, we bought it.” / “Despite being expensive, it sold out.”
- “The north is wet, whereas the south is dry.”
Cause, Result, and Purpose
Because + clause; since/as (gentler, for known reasons); because of/due to + noun. Results: so (neutral), therefore/consequently/as a result (formal, sentence-openers with commas). Purpose: to / in order to / so that — 'so that' takes a clause and expresses purpose, not result: compare “I left early so I caught the train” (result) with “I left early so that I could catch the train” (purpose).
- “The match was canceled because of the rain.” (noun after because of)
- “The road was icy. As a result, the buses stopped.”
- “She whispers so that the baby stays asleep.”
- Never pair because with so in one sentence pair — choose one.
Examples, Restatement, and Time
For example / for instance open evidence; such as lives inside sentences (“cities such as Chicago”). In other words restates for clarity; that is (i.e.) defines. Time linkers — meanwhile, subsequently, eventually, in the meantime — run narratives and processes.
- “Some cities, such as Denver, invest in trams.”
- “He is a miser. In other words, money leaves his hands slowly.”
- “The minister resigned. Subsequently, the policy was reversed.”
- “Eventually” = in the end, after a process — not 'possibly' (a classic false friend).
Watch Out: Common Errors
✗ Despite he was tired, he finished the work.
✓ Despite being tired, he finished the work. / Although he was tired, he finished the work.
✗ Because the flight was late, so we missed the connection.
✓ Because the flight was late, we missed the connection. / The flight was late, so we missed the connection.
✗ I will eventually come to your party, maybe.
✓ I may come to your party. (“Eventually” means “in the end”, not “perhaps”.)
Practice
Related lessons
✍️ Linking Words: And, But, Because, So, First, Then, Finally✍️ Linking Words at B1: However, Although, In Addition, As a Result✍️ Cohesion and Coherence: Making Texts Flow and Make Sense📘 Grammar deep-dive← All Toolkit pages · Writing Lab
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