This document provides a list of linking words and phrases in English used to connect ideas, show relationships between different parts of a text, and aid in developing cohesion and coherence. Some examples given include words to express personal opinion ("in my opinion"), list advantages and disadvantages ("one advantage of..."), sequence ideas ("firstly"), show purpose ("so that"), give examples ("for example"), show contrast ("although"), and conclude ("in conclusion"). A variety of connecting words are presented to help writers structure paragraphs and guide the reader through a text.

1. Linking words &
phrases

2. 1.- To express personal opinion
In my opinion...
in my view….
to my mind….
(personally) I believe that….
I feel (very) strongly that….
it seems to me that...
I think that…
… vaping - electronic cigarettes- should be banned in
public places.

3. 2.- To list advantages & disadvantages
One advantage of...
Another advantage of...
One other advantage of...
The main advantage of...
The greatest advantage of...
The first advantage of…
...living in a small town is that you know
all your neighbours.
One (dis)advantage of...
Another (dis)advantage of...
One other (dis)advantage of...
The main (dis)advantage of...
The greatest (dis)advantage of...
The first (dis)advantage of...
…living in a small town is that all your
neighbours know you!
disadvantage: drawback

4. 3.- To sequence a paragraph
First(ly),
First of all,
In the first place,
To start with,
To begin with,
Secondly,
Thirdly,
Finally,
... it is well known that some dogs may be aggressive and must be kept on a
leash.

5. 4.- To show sequence
BEGINNING CONTINUING CONCLUDING
First,
To start with,
To begin with,
First of all,
...close all doors and
windows
Secondly,
After this/that,
Then,
Next,
...call the fire brigade
Finally,
Lastly,
Last but not least,
...make sure everyone’s
out

6. 5.- To add more points on the same topic
What is more,
Furthermore,
Moreover,
Apart from this/that,
In addition (to this),
Besides (this),
...dogs are very useful in police work.
Dogs are also very useful in police work.
Dogs are very useful in police work too.
Not only do dogs help the blind, but they are also very useful in police work.
Not only do dogs help the blind, but they are very useful in police work as well.

7. 6.- To show reason
because
because of
due to the fact that
since
as
For this reason,
Therefore,
The BBC decided not to show the programme because/due to the fact that/
since/as it would upset many people
The BBC decided not to show the programme because of its content, which might upset many
people.
The programme would upset too many people; for this reason/therefore the BBC decided not to
show it.

8. 7.- To show result or consequence
Therefore,
So,
Consequently,
As a consequence,
As a result,
For this reason,
She was caught using a hand-held phone while driving; therefore,/ so,
consequently,/ as a consequence,/ as a result,/ for this reason, she got 3 penalty
points on her licence and a fine of £100.

9. 8.- To show purpose
so that
so as to
in order to
We left the hotel very early so that we could have time to visit all the
monuments.
We left the hotel very early so as to have time to visit all the monuments.
We left the hotel very early in order to have time to visit all the monuments.

10. 10.- To give examples
For instance,
For example,
such as
like
There are many ways to keep fit; for instance/for example, by going to the
gym regularly or by jogging three times a week.
There are many ways to keep fit like/ such as going to the gym regularly or
jogging three times a week.

11. 11.- To show contrast (1)
Although
Even though
Though
In spite of the fact that
Despite the fact that
Although / Even though/Though/In spite
of the fact that/Despite the fact that
young people know alcohol is harmful,
some go binge drinking every weekend.
In spite of + ING
Despite + ING
In spite of + noun
Despite + noun
In spite of/ Despite knowing alcohol is
harmful, some young people go binge
drinking every weekend.
In spite of/ Despite the harmful effects
of alcohol , some young people go binge
drinking every weekend.

12. 12.- To show contrast (2)
Yet,
However,
Nevertheless,
But
Nonetheless,
On the one hand,
On the other hand,
Young people know alcohol is harmful. Yet,/However,/Nevertheless,
/Nonetheless,/ But some go binge drinking every weekend.
On the one hand, we tell young people alcohol is harmful. On the other hand,
we let them go binge drinking every weekend.

13. 13.- To show time
when
whenever
before
as soon as
Turn off the gas when/whenever/before/as soon as/ you hear the
kettle whistle.
since
for
I haven’t been to the cinema since last month.
I haven’t been to the cinema for a month.
as
while
I cut my finger as/while I was chopping onion.
now that
I can go on holiday now that I’ve passed all my exams.
Now that I’ve passed all my exams,I can go on holiday.

14. 14.- To conclude
Finally,
Lastly,
All in all,
Taking everything into account,
On the whole,
All things considered,
In conclusion,
To sum up,
To put it in a nutshell,...
… there are many good different ways to conclude an essay in English.