The words that hold your ideas together and show how they connect.
"Although the weather was cold, we enjoyed the walk."
"She studied hard. As a result, she passed with top marks."
"He plays the piano. In addition, he speaks three languages."
What Are Linking Words?
These are words and phrases that connect ideas — within a sentence, between sentences, or across a whole paragraph.
Linking words show the relationship between ideas. They tell your reader whether you are adding, contrasting, explaining, giving a reason, showing a result, giving an example, or summarising. Without them, writing feels like a list of disconnected facts. With them, it flows.
💡 Think of linking words as the signposts in a piece of writing. They tell the reader where the text is going next: "here comes a contrast", "here is an example", "here is the conclusion".
Exercise 1
Click the Linking Word or Phrase
Read the task, then click all the words that make up the linking word or phrase.
Sentence 1 of 5
🎯 Click the linking word that shows contrast.
Click all the words in the linking phrase.
Sentence 2 of 5
🎯 Click the linking word that introduces the reason.
Click all the words in the linking phrase.
Sentence 3 of 5
🎯 Click the linking phrase that introduces an example.
Click all the words in the linking phrase.
Sentence 4 of 5
🎯 Click the linking phrase that shows a result.
Click all the words in the linking phrase.
Sentence 5 of 5
🎯 Click the linking phrase used to sum up.
Click all the words in the linking phrase.
Seven Types of Linking Word
Each group does a different job. The colour-coded key below matches the cards.
AddingContrastingReasonsResultsExamplesSequencingSumming up
Adding information
and · also · too · as well · in addition · furthermore · moreover · besides · what is more
Use to add another point that supports or extends the first. Also goes before the main verb (or after be); too and as well go at the end; in addition / furthermore / moreover start a new sentence.
"She is clever. She is also very kind."
"He plays guitar. He sings, too."
"Furthermore, the study found that sleep improves memory."
Contrasting / showing the opposite
but · however · although · even though · though · while · whereas · despite · in spite of · nevertheless · on the other hand · yet
But joins two clauses. However starts a new sentence (or sits between commas). Although/even though need a full clause after them. Despite/in spite of need a noun or -ing form.
"She was tired, but she kept working."
"Although she was tired, she kept working."
"Despite her tiredness, she kept working."
"It rained. However, we enjoyed the walk."
Giving reasons
because · since · as · due to · owing to · because of · on account of
Because / since / as are followed by a full clause (subject + verb). Because of / due to / owing to are followed by a noun or noun phrase — never a full clause.
"She left early because she was tired."
"She left early because of her tiredness."
"Since the weather was bad, we stayed in."
"Due to bad weather, we stayed in."
Showing results
so · therefore · as a result · consequently · thus · hence · for this reason · this means that
So joins two clauses in one sentence. Therefore / as a result / consequently usually begin a new sentence, followed by a comma.
"She studied hard, so she passed."
"She studied hard. As a result, she passed."
"The road was closed. Therefore, we took a different route."
Giving examples
for example · for instance · such as · like · including · namely
For example / for instance introduce a complete example sentence. Such as / like / including introduce examples within a sentence (no comma needed before like in informal use).
"Many animals hibernate. For example, bears sleep through winter."
"Some fruits, such as mangoes and papayas, grow in tropical climates."
"She speaks several languages, namely French, Arabic, and Thai."
Ordering and sequencing
first · firstly · to begin with · then · next · after that · subsequently · finally · lastly · in the end
Used to show the order of steps, events or points. Usually placed at the start of a sentence or clause, followed by a comma.
"First, preheat the oven to 180°C."
"Then, mix the flour and butter together."
"Finally, leave it to cool before serving."
Summing up
in conclusion · to conclude · to sum up · in short · overall · in brief · all in all · to summarise
Used at the end of a piece of writing to signal a final statement. Always followed by a comma. Avoid overusing in conclusion — overall and all in all are less formal alternatives.
"In conclusion, the evidence strongly supports this theory."
"All in all, it was a productive meeting."
"To sum up, both approaches have their advantages."
Exercise 2
Choose the Right Linking Word
Select the linking word that best fits the meaning of each sentence.
Question 1 of 6
She didn't study. ___, she passed the exam. (surprising contrast)
Question 2 of 6
Many animals can use tools. ___, chimpanzees use sticks to extract termites. (introducing a specific example)
Question 3 of 6
The project ran over budget. ___, it was delivered three weeks late. (adding another negative point)
Question 4 of 6
The roads were icy. ___, several accidents occurred. (the icy roads caused the accidents)
Question 5 of 6
___, preheat the oven. Then add the ingredients. (the very first step)
Question 6 of 6
___, the research suggests that regular exercise improves both physical and mental health. (final statement in an essay)
The Most Common Mistakes
These pairs are frequently confused. The key is what comes after each one.
although / even though vs despite / in spite of
+ full clausealthough / even though: always followed by a subject and verb. "Although she was tired, she kept going." ✓
+ noun / -ingdespite / in spite of: followed by a noun or -ing form — never a clause on its own. "Despite her tiredness, she kept going." ✓ "Despite being tired, she kept going." ✓ "Despite she was tired, she kept going." ✗
because vs because of / due to
+ full clausebecause / since / as: followed by a subject and verb. "She left because she was ill." ✓
+ noun / -ingbecause of / due to / owing to: followed by a noun phrase. "She left because of her illness." ✓ "She left due to she was ill." ✗
however vs but
joins two clausesbut: sits between two clauses in one sentence. "It was cold, but we went out." ✓ (no comma before but is also acceptable)
new sentencehowever: usually starts a new sentence, followed by a comma. It can also sit in the middle of a sentence between commas, but it cannot join two clauses the way but does. "It was cold. However, we went out." ✓ "It was cold however we went out." ✗
📍 Position of also · too · as well
also = goes before the main verb, or directly after be: "She also plays tennis." / "She is also a teacher."
too / as well = go at the end of a sentence: "She plays tennis, too." / "She plays tennis as well."
in addition / furthermore / moreover = start a new sentence, followed by a comma.
🔑 The quick test: Look at what comes after the linking word. A subject and verb? → use although, because, however, but. A noun or -ing? → use despite, because of, due to.
Exercise 3
Clause or Noun? Choose the Correct Form
Some linking words need a full clause after them; others need a noun. Choose carefully.
Question 1 of 5
___ the weather was terrible, we decided to go ahead with the outdoor event.
Question 2 of 5
She succeeded ___ many difficulties along the way.
Question 3 of 5
The match was cancelled ___ the heavy rain.
Question 4 of 5
He is a talented musician. He is ___ a gifted painter. (adding a second point — think about position)
Question 5 of 5
The film was poorly reviewed. ___, it was a huge commercial success. (the second sentence is surprising given the first)
Exercise 4
Mixed Review
A mix of everything — adding, contrasting, clause vs noun, reasons, results, examples, and sequencing.
Adding & Contrasting
Question 1 of 16
She is fluent in French. ___, she speaks Japanese quite well.
Question 2 of 16
He was late again. He ___ forgot the documents. (mid-position, before the main verb)
Question 3 of 16
The team played well; ___, they lost the match. (unexpected outcome)
Question 4 of 16
It was raining heavily; ___, the match continued. (concession despite the obstacle)
Clause or Noun?
Question 5 of 16
___ the heavy traffic, we arrived on time. (followed by a noun phrase)
Question 6 of 16
___ the traffic was heavy, we arrived on time. (followed by a full clause)
Question 7 of 16
The trip was cancelled ___ the storm. (followed by a noun)
Question 8 of 16
The match was postponed ___ it was raining. (followed by a full clause)
Reasons, Results & Examples
Question 9 of 16
She missed the meeting ___ she was stuck in traffic.
Question 10 of 16
There was a storm. ___, all flights were cancelled.
Question 11 of 16
Many fruits, ___ oranges and mangoes, are rich in vitamin C. (example within a sentence)
Question 12 of 16
He speaks several languages, ___ French and German.
Sequencing & Summary
Question 13 of 16
___, preheat the oven to 200 degrees. (the first step)
Question 14 of 16
___, add the flour and mix well. (the following step)
Question 15 of 16
___, we can say that both approaches have merit. (a final, summarising statement)
Question 16 of 16
She sings well. She dances well, ___. (end-position addition)