Linking words are important to connect sentences smoothly and allow readers to easily transition between ideas. They help convey thoughts effectively and engage readers. Appropriate use of linking words enables ideas to flow naturally and for readers to follow the writing easily. Different types of linking words like independent markers, coordinating conjunctions, and subordinating conjunctions are used to join independent clauses and dependent clauses in compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. The document provides examples of how each type can be used.

1. Linking words

2. Why are linking words important?
◦ To make your writing flow better, you can use linking words, also known as
connective devices, to connect sentences as if you are building a bridge.
◦ This allows your readers to smoothly walk from one place to another
without having to jump from sentence to sentence.
◦ An appropriate use of linking words enables you to convey your ideas
effectively as well as engaging your readers more in your writing.

3. Sentence structure

4. Simple sentence structure
A huge shopping revolution is happening in China right now.
Subject + verb

5. Compound sentence structure
E-commerce in China has been growing at twice the speed of the United States and a
lot of the growth is coming from mobile.
Independent clause (subject + verb) + Linker (and/but/etc.) + Independent clause (subject + verb)
We use a linking
word/linker to combine
two independent
clauses together. It’s
called compound
sentence.

6. Complex sentence structure
When this huge base of mobile shoppers meets with aggregated ecosystems, chemical reactions happen.
You should come to China because here you will get a glimpse into the future.
Independent clause (subject + verb) + Linker (when/because/which/etc.) + Dependent clause (subject + verb)
We use a linking
word/linker to combine
one independent and
one dependent clause.
It’s called complex
sentence.

7. Compound-complex sentence structure
E-commerce in China has been growing at twice the speed of the United States and a lot of the growth is coming
from mobile purchases because it has been an essential item for people in China.
Independent clause (subject + verb) + Linker + Independent clause (subject + verb) + Linker + Dependent clause
(subject + verb)
We use a linking word/linker
to combine more than two
independent clauses and
more than one dependent
clause. It’s called compound
-complex sentence.

8. Not all the linking words
can be used in a
compound sentence. The
slides after this will show
you how different linking
words are used in different
ways.

9. Independent markers
Independent clause (subject + verb) + independent marker + Independent clause (subject + verb)
◦ For contrast
however, nevertheless, conversely, nonetheless, on the other hand
◦ For cause + effect
consequently, therefore, thus, as a consequence, as a result
◦ For adding related information
also, furthermore, moreover, in addition, additionally
◦ E.g. With this integrated ecosystem, it is so easy for them to buy, one click after another. However, this new shopping
behaviour is creating a lot of challenges for those once-dominant businesses.
◦ E.g. With this integrated ecosystem, it is so easy for them to buy, one click after another; however, this new shopping
behaviour is creating a lot of challenges for those once-dominant businesses.
This type of linkers,
independent markers, can be
in the middle of the sentence.
They can also be at the
beginning of the sentence.
The clause with independent
markers is independent and
so the clause can be on its
own.

10. Coordinating conjunctions
Independent clause (subject + verb) + coordinating conjunction + Independent clause (subject + verb)
◦ and / but / yet
◦ nor / or
◦ so
◦ E.g. Every month, 500 million consumers are buying mobile phones, and to put that into context, that is the total
population of the United States, UK and Germany combined, but it is not just about the scale of the e-commerce, it is
the speed of adoption and the aggregation of the ecosystems.
◦ E.g. Every month, 500 million consumers are buying mobile phones, and to put that into context, that is the total
population of the United States, UK and Germany combined. But it is not just about the scale of the e-commerce, it is
the speed of adoption and the aggregation of the ecosystems.
This type of linkers, coordinating
conjunctions, should always be in the
middle of the sentence. They cannot be
at the beginning of the sentence and so
the clause after coordinating
conjunctions cannot stand on its own.

11. Subordinating conjunctions
Independent clause (subject + verb) + subordinating conjunction + Independent clause (subject + verb)
◦ For contrast
although, even though, whereas, while
◦ For cause + effect
as, because, since
◦ E.g. Although a huge shopping revolution is happening in China right now, frauds are common.
◦ E.g. Although a huge shopping revolution is happening in China right now. Frauds are common.
This type of linkers, subordinating
conjunctions, could be in the middle of
the sentence. They can also be at the
beginning of the sentence. However, the
clause with subordinating conjunctions is
‘dependent’, and so the clause cannot
stand on its own.