Linking words

What?

Linking words or conjunctions are used to connect clauses, sentences and paragraphs.

Two different kinds

Co-ordinating conjunctions (e.g. and, but and or)

Subordinating conjunctions (e.g. because, when, that and which)

Adverb clauses can go either first or last in a sentence (depending on what is to be emphasised)

Words for repeated ideas (e.g. she) can be left out in the second of two co-ordinate clauses, but not in a subordinate clause

After certain linking words (e.g. if, when, while, until, once, unless and (al)though), a pronoun subject and its verb can be dropped

Overview linking words

Contrast (e.g. but, however, although/ though, yet, in spite of (the fact)/ despite (the fact), on the other hand, otherwise, while/ whereas, nevertheless, unlike)

Result (e.g. therefore, as a result/ consequently, so, so that)

Purpose (e.g. to/ in order to, in order not to, so that)

Reason (e.g. because, as/since, the reason why)

Condition (e.g. if, even if, provided (that)/ providing (that), unless)

Time (e.g. as soon as, while, after, before, when)

Giving examples (e.g. for example/ for instance, like/ such as/ especially, namely)

Adding information* (e.g. moreover/ besides, as well as, in addition)*

Sequence (e.g. first(ly), second(ly), third(ly), finally)

Summing up/ concluding (e.g. to sum up, in conclusion/ to conclude)