Linking words and phrases: Essential sentence connectors list

What are examples of linking words and phrases? What are linking words in English? How can I use linking words and phrases?

Generally, linking words and phrases like conjunctions and prepositions are used to express connections of contrast, concession, purpose, cause and effect, addition, etc.

In this post, you’ll learn how to use a variety of linking words and linking phrases. Linking words and phrases are also called transition words, connective words, sentence connectors, and linking devices. You’ll also find, in this post, a variety of good linking words examples sentences.

How to use linking words and phrases/ Sentence connectors

Linking words list

so as to
in order to
to
so that
in order that
For
with a view to
with the aim of

in addition
besides
additionally
in addition to
not only….but also
also
moreover
furthermore
more than that

although
though
even if
even though
despite
in spite of
in spite of the fact that
despite the fact that
however
yet
but

and
nevetheless
nontheless
notwithstanding
still
after all
regardless
all the same
anyway

because
because of
due to
since
for
for that
as
therefore
for this reason

as a result
as a consequence
consequently
thus
hence
so

as such
for example
for instance
such as
like

Linking words and phrases: Linkers of purpose

There are several connecting words that you can use to express purpose. Here is a list of linking words that you might need in writing or a grammar test.

I study hard so as to /in order to / to pass my exams.
She went on a diet so as to /in order to / to lose weight.
I took a taxi so as not to / in order not to be late for the meeting.
I’ll help my sister so that/in order that she can finish early.
I helped her so that/in order that she could finish early.

In order to and so as to are formal ways of expressing purpose.

They left early so that /in order that they wouldn’t miss the train.
I use my smartphone for communication.
My mother visited a doctor for a check-up.
I use my smartphone for texting my friends.
A lot of people use smartphones for vlogging.
A dishwasher is used for washing the dishes.
Our team is in a meeting now with a view to fixing some customer service problems.
My older brother went abroad with the aim of finding a better job.

The expressions with the aim of and with a view to are normally used to express purpose in a formal way.

Linking words addition (Expressing Addition)

Reading books not only reduces stress but also broadens knowledge.
Not only does reading books reduce stress, but it also broadens knowledge.
Illiteracy not only affects the individual, but also the whole society.
Not only does illiteracy affect the individual, but it also affects the whole society.
I got a high grade in the exam. Not only did my father buy me a watch, but he also allowed me to go on a picnic with my friends.
Not only did he turn up late, but he also forgot his books.

If not only is placed at the beginning of the sentence, subject-verb inversion is obligatory.

In addition to languages, I also love Art.
In addition to being good at languages, she is also very good at Chemistry.
In addition to reducing stress, reading books broadens knowledge.
Reading books reduces stress. In addition, it broadens knowledge.
Reading books reduces stress. Additionally, it broadens knowledge.
Reading books reduces stress. Besides, it broadens knowledge.
Besides reducing stress, reading books broadens knowledge.
Reading books reduces stress. Also, it broadens knowledge.
Reading books reduces stress. It also broadens knowledge.
Reading books reduces stress. It broadens knowledge, too.
Reading books reduces stress. It broadens knowledge as well.
He’s a talented artist. Furthermore / Moreover, he is a famous writer.

Expressing Concession (Linking words and phrases)

Although in a sentence/ though in a sentence / despite in a sentence/ in spite of in a sentence/ but in a sentence / nevertheless in a sentence

Although /though / even if / even though my homework was very difficult, I could do it.
I could do my homework although /though / even if / even though it was very difficult.
Although /though / even if / even though he is rich, he lives in a small house.
He lives in a small house although /though / even if / even though he is rich.
Despite /in spite of being rich, he lives in a small house.
Despite/in spite of his wealth, he lives in a small house.
Despite/in spite of his old age, my grandfather does sport every day.
Despite the fact that/in spite of the fact that he is rich, he lives in a small house.
He is rich. Nonetheless, he lives in a small house.
He studied hard for the exam. Nevertheless, he did not get higher marks.
The weather was very bad. However, we enjoyed our picnic.
He is a handsome person. Yet, she refused to marry him.
He is rich, but he lives in a small house.

Although /though/even if/ even though + subject+ verb

Despite/in spite of + verb+ing
Despite / in spite of + noun

Contrast linking words and phrases

While I’m very good at Physics and Maths, my sister is really good at languages. She can speak 4 languages.
I did well in the Physics test, whereas/while my sister didn’t. I am certain she will do well in the Chinese test.
She speaks four languages, whereas/while her brother hasn’t yet learned any.
Our city is very clean. On the other hand, it’s a bit crowded.

Cause and effect connecting words (Cause and effect linking words and phrases)

Cause and effect examples: Here are some cause and effect sentences

He left very early because he wanted to catch the first train.
He put on his coat because it was getting colder.
He put on his coat as it was getting colder.
He put on his coat since it was getting colder.
I can’t get into the house because I have lost the key.
I was late because of the heavy traffic.
I was late owing to the heavy traffic.
I was late due to heavy traffic.
I was late on account of the heavy traffic.
I was late as a result of the heavy traffic.
Thanks to their hard work, they passed their exams with flying colors.
They passed their exams with flying colors thanks to their hard work.

Because/since/as + subject+ verb
Because of/owing to/due to/on account of/as a result of/thanks to + noun

Linking words for example

For example

For instance

As an example

Such as

Linking Words Exercises

Linking words exercises/Linking words pdf

Here are some linking words exercises that will help you practice common linking words in English.

Exercise 1: Join the following sentences with the linking words or linking phrases given.

Many families are poor. They can’t afford to send their kids to school. (because of)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Neil couldn’t attend the tea party. He was ill. (due to)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. The plane couldn’t take off. The weather was very bad. (due to)

……………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Tim is a hard-working student. His brother Tom is Lazy. (whereas)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. Tim is just twenty-two years old. He has written three books so far. (although)

…………………………………………………………………………………………

6. Nancy was worried. She managed to pass the driving test. (despite)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7. My sister’s handwriting is beautiful. Mine is terrible. (whereas)

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

8. He left his job in a multinational company. He wants to set up his own business. (in order to)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

9. Rick joned a language centre. He wanted to learn Chinese. (so as to)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
10. Rick joined a language school. He wanted to learn Chinese. (so that)

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Exercise 2: Complete these sentences with appropriate linking words or linking phrases from the list: as well -although – in spite of – because – because of – in addition to – not only.

My brother is younger than the others in the group. He is better than most of them…………………
…………………………….it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday.
…………………………………we had planned everything carefully, a lot of things went wrong.
………………………………..all our careful plans, a lot of things went wrong.
We couldn’t connect to the Internet last night………………………..technical problems.
I left work early……………………………………I was feeling unwell.
I went to work the next day………………………………………….I was still feeling unwell.
……………..………..does she milk the cow, but she also feeds the chickens and goes to school.
………………………..her homework, she has a lot of work to do in the yard in the autumn.
My father doesn’t spend much time with us……………………………he’s usually busy.

Most learners of English need linking words and phrases ( connecting words ) for either grammar tests or writing

assignments or tests.

Linking Words Exercises PDF

Linking words in English/ Connectors in English

Concession linking words	Contrast linking words	Cause and effect linking words	Addition linking words	Purpose linking words	Giving examples linking words
However	Whereas	Because	Besides	So as to	For example
Notwithstanding	While	Because of	In addition	In order to	For instance
Nevertheless	on the other hand	Due to	In addition to	To	Such as
Nonetheless	In contrast to	Owing to	Too	For	Like
Yet/Still	By contrast	On account of	As well	So that	As
Although/Though	Conversely	As a result of	Not only…but also	In order that	As an example
Despite/despite the fact that		Thanks to	Additionally	With the aim of	Namely
In spite of/In spite of the fact that		Since/As	Moreover	With a view to	A great example is