Writing essays can be like putting together a puzzle. Each piece needs to connect smoothly to the others. Linking words are like the puzzle pieces that help your sentences and ideas fit together. They make your writing flow nicely and easy to understand.
Linking words, also known as transitional or connecting words, are essential elements of language that bridge ideas, sentences, and paragraphs together. They serve to establish logical connections, enhance the coherence of a text or speech, and guide readers or listeners through the flow of information.
Common examples include
- however
- therefore
- in addition
- consequently
Here’s a list of useful linking words to make your essays better and clearer, especially if you’re learning or improving your English.
Linking Words List (With Meaning and Example)
1) According to
Meaning: As stated by
Example: According to the rules, it’s wrong.
2) After
Meaning: Following in time
Example: After lunch, let’s walk.
3) Although
Meaning: Contradiction
Example: Although raining, we walked.
4) And
Meaning: Addition, also
Example: She sings and dances.
5) Apart from
Meaning: Except for
Example: Everyone’s here, apart from Joe.
6) As for
Meaning: Concerning
Example: As for me, I’m fine.
7) As if
Meaning: Hypothetical comparison
Example: He acts as if he’s boss.
8) As long as
Meaning: Condition
Example: I’ll go as long as you do.
9) As per
Meaning: According to
Example: As per instructions, I called.
10) As soon as
Meaning: Immediately when
Example: Leave as soon as ready.
11) As though
Meaning: Similar to ‘as if’
Example: Looks as though he’s lost.
12) As
Meaning: Comparison, similarity
Example: As I said, be careful.
13) At the expense of
Meaning: At the cost of
Example: At the expense of health, he worked hard.
14) At the height of
Meaning: At the peak of
Example: At the height of summer, it’s hot.
15) At the rate of
Meaning: According to a certain speed
Example: He’s improving at the rate of a chapter a day.
16) At the request of
Meaning: As asked by
Example: At the request of the manager, call him.
17) At the risk of
Meaning: With the danger of
Example: At the risk of sounding rude…
18) Because
Meaning: Cause, reason
Example: We left because it rained.
19) Before
Meaning: Earlier than
Example: Finish before noon.
20) Besides
Meaning: Additional argument
Example: It’s cheap, besides being convenient.
21) But
Meaning: Contradiction, opposition
Example: He’s old but active.
22) By comparison with
Meaning: Compared to
Example: By comparison with him, I’m short.
23) By means of
Meaning: Through, by using
Example: Travel by means of train.
24) By order of
Meaning: As commanded by
Example: By order of the boss, leave now.
25) By the side of
Meaning: Next to
Example: Sit by the side of your friend.
26) By virtue of
Meaning: Due to, by means of
Example: By virtue of hard work, he succeeded.
27) By way of
Meaning: Via, through
Example: Travel by way of the coast.
28) Consequently
Meaning: Result, effect
Example: He failed, consequently he’s sad.
29) Due to
Meaning: Because of
Example: Cancelled due to rain.
30) During
Meaning: Throughout the period
Example: During summer, we swim.
31) For the duration of
Meaning: During the whole time
Example: For the duration of the flight, sleep.
32) For the purpose of
Meaning: For the reason of
Example: For the purpose of research, read this.
33) For the sake of
Meaning: For the purpose of
Example: For safety’s sake, be cautious.
34) Furthermore
Meaning: Additional information
Example: It’s good, furthermore, it’s cheap.
35) However
Meaning: Contrast, opposition
Example: Rich, however, not happy.
36) In accordance with
Meaning: According to
Example: In accordance with the rules, you’re late.
37) In addition to
Meaning: Plus, also
Example: In addition to tea, bring coffee.
38) In case
Meaning: If it happens that
Example: Take an umbrella in case.
39) In contrast to
Meaning: Opposite
Example: In contrast to you, I’m tall.
40) In contrast with
Meaning: As opposed to
Example: In contrast with you, he’s punctual.
41) In lieu of
Meaning: Instead of
Example: In lieu of gifts, donate.
42) In line with
Meaning: According to, in agreement with
Example: In line with policies, he acted.
43) In order to
Meaning: Purpose, reason
Example: Study in order to pass.
44) In preference to
Meaning: Rather than
Example: I chose tea in preference to coffee.
45) In response to
Meaning: Answering
Example: In response to your question, yes.
46) In spite of
Meaning: Despite
Example: In spite of rain, we played.
47) In terms of
Meaning: With regard to
Example: In terms of price, it’s high.
48) In the absence of
Meaning: Without
Example: In the absence of evidence, he’s free.
49) In the context of
Meaning: Considering the situation
Example: In the context of budget, it’s costly.
50) In the course of
Meaning: During
Example: In the course of the day, call me.
51) In the event of
Meaning: If it happens
Example: In the event of fire, exit.
52) In the face of
Meaning: Despite
Example: In the face of danger, he’s calm.
53) In the interest of
Meaning: For the benefit of
Example: In the interest of time, let’s conclude.
54) In the light of
Meaning: Considering
Example: In the light of facts, you’re right.
55) In the meantime
Meaning: Meanwhile
Example: In the meantime, stay calm.
56) In the name of
Meaning: On behalf of
Example: In the name of the law, stop.
57) In the run-up to
Meaning: Before an event
Example: In the run-up to exams, study more.
58) In the vicinity of
Meaning: Near
Example: He lives in the vicinity of the school.
59) In the wake of
Meaning: Following
Example: In the wake of the scandal, he resigned.
60) In view of
Meaning: Considering
Example: In view of the time, let’s hurry.
61) Instead
Meaning: Alternative scenario
Example: Eat fruit, instead of candy.
62) Likewise
Meaning: Similarity, comparison
Example: She’s late, likewise her brother.
63) Meanwhile
Meaning: Simultaneous time
Example: I’ll cook, meanwhile clean.
64) Moreover
Meaning: Addition, emphasis
Example: He’s smart; moreover, he’s kind.
65) Nevertheless
Meaning: Despite that
Example: Hard; nevertheless, rewarding.
66) On a par with
Meaning: Equal to
Example: He’s on a par with experts.
67) On account of
Meaning: Because of
Example: On account of rain, the event’s off.
68) On behalf of
Meaning: Representing
Example: I speak on behalf of the team.
69) On the assumption that
Meaning: Assuming that
Example: On the assumption that he agrees, plan ahead.
70) On the basis of
Meaning: Because of
Example: On the basis of talent, he’s hired.
71) On the condition that
Meaning: Only if
Example: I’ll come, on the condition that you cook.
72) On the grounds of
Meaning: Because of
Example: On the grounds of health, eat well.
73) On the part of
Meaning: By, from
Example: It’s an error on the part of the team.
74) On the verge of
Meaning: About to
Example: On the verge of crying, she left.
75) On top of
Meaning: In addition to
Example: On top of that, he’s late.
76) Once
Meaning: When, as soon as
Example: Once finished, call me.
77) Or
Meaning: Choice, alternative
Example: Coffee or tea?
78) Otherwise
Meaning: Different condition/result
Example: Hurry, otherwise we’ll miss it.
79) Owing to
Meaning: Because of
Example: Owing to traffic, I’m late.
80) Prior to
Meaning: Before
Example: Prior to lunch, we met.
81) Regarding
Meaning: Concerning, about
Example: Regarding your request, we agree.
82) Since
Meaning: From a time, cause
Example: He’s happy since moving.
83) So
Meaning: Result, consequence
Example: It rained, so we left.
84) Subsequent to
Meaning: After
Example: Subsequent to the meeting, write notes.
85) Than
Meaning: Comparison
Example: He’s taller than me.
86) Therefore
Meaning: Result, conclusion
Example: He’s late, therefore we’ll start.
87) Though
Meaning: Despite the fact
Example: It’s hard, though worth it.
88) Thus
Meaning: Result, inference
Example: He left, thus he’s absent.
89) To the extent that
Meaning: So much that
Example: He’s lazy to the extent that he never cleans.
90) Under the guise of
Meaning: Pretending to be
Example: He came under the guise of a plumber.
91) Under the terms of
Meaning: According to
Example: Under the terms of the contract, work hard.
92) Unless
Meaning: Condition, exception
Example: You’ll fail unless you study.
93) Until
Meaning: Up to a time
Example: Wait until I return.
94) Up to
Meaning: As far as
Example: Up to you to decide.
95) Whereas
Meaning: Contrasting
Example: I’m early, whereas he’s late.
96) Whether
Meaning: Possibility, doubt
Example: I doubt whether he’ll come.
97) While
Meaning: During the same time
Example: I read while you cook.
98) With a view to
Meaning: With the intention of
Example: With a view to improving, study hard.
99) With regard to
Meaning: Regarding
Example: With regard to your query, yes.
100) Yet
Meaning: Contrast, emphasis
Example: Small, yet powerful.
Linking Words and Phrases
Concession
– Although
– Apart from
– But for
– Despite
– Even though
– Though
Explaining
– As
– Because
– In so far as
– Since
– The reason why …
Condition
– As long as
– If
– Provided that
– Unless
– Whether
Purpose
– In order to
– So as to
– So that
– To
Adding Ideas
– Also
– Besides
– In addition
– Moreover
– Not only … but also
– What’s more
Opinion
– As far as I’m concern
– In my opinion
– It seems to me that…
– To my mind
Consequence
– As a consequence
– As a result
– Eventually
– So
– That’s why
– Therefore
– Thus
Choice
– Either … or
– Neither … nor
– Or
– Whatever
– Whoever
Contrast
– But
– However
– On the one hand
– On the other hand
– Whereas
– While
– Yet
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