Linking words, also called connectors or discourse markers, are words or phrases that connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs.
They help the reader or listener follow the logic of a text and understand how ideas are related.
Without linking words, writing may sound unclear, repetitive, or disorganised.
Why are linking words important?
Linking words are essential because they:
- show addition, contrast, cause and effect, and sequence
- make texts more coherent and logical
- help writers develop arguments clearly
- improve fluency and accuracy in academic writing
- are assessed directly in exams (e.g. essays, reports, open cloze tasks)
In spoken language, linking words help speakers structure ideas and sound more natural and confident.
Types of linking words
Linking words can be grouped according to their function:
- Adding ideas → to introduce extra information
- Alternatives & contrast → to show differences or opposing views
- Cause and reason → to explain why something happens
- Effect and result → to show consequences
- Comparison → to show similarity
- Examples → to support ideas
- Sequencing → to organise ideas in order
- Re-phrasing → to clarify meaning
- Conclusion → to summarise or close a text
Each type has a specific purpose, and choosing the correct one is crucial for accuracy.
Position in a sentence
Linking words can appear in different positions:
- At the beginning of a sentence
However, the results were inconclusive. - In the middle of a sentence
The experiment failed because the data was incomplete. - Between clauses
The system is expensive; nevertheless, it is reliable.
Correct punctuation (commas, semicolons) is especially important in formal writing.
Formal vs informal linking words
Some linking words are more formal and are preferred in essays and reports:
- formal: moreover, nevertheless, consequently, furthermore
- neutral: however, therefore, for example
- informal / spoken: so, well, anyway (usually avoided in academic writing)
In exams and academic texts, formal or neutral connectors are expected.
Always:
- Identify the relationship between ideas
- Choose a linker that matches the meaning
- Check grammar and punctuation
Key takeaway
Linking words are not decorative — they are functional tools that guide the reader, clarify meaning, and strengthen arguments.
Mastering them significantly improves coherence, accuracy, and exam performance.
Academic Linking Words & Discourse Markers
| Function | Linking words / phrases |
| Adding ideas / Additional comments | moreover; furthermore; in addition; additionally; also; besides; too; again; further; similarly; correspondingly; indeed; with regard to; regarding |
| Alternative viewpoints / Options | alternatively; another perspective is…; conversely; whereas; in comparison; by contrast; instead; otherwise; although |
| Analysing results & interpretation | therefore; thus; hence; consequently; accordingly; as a result; for this reason; because of this; owing to X; resulting from; the result is / results are; the consequence is; it can be observed that; evidence shows that; this suggests that; it follows that; that implies; in that case |
| Referring to sources | Author (year) argues that; Author (year) suggests that; according to Author (year) |
| Cause / Reason | because (mid-sentence); due to; as a result of; owing to |
| Comparison | in the same way; likewise; similarly; compared with; compared to |
| Contrast / Concession | however; nevertheless; nonetheless; yet; although; though; despite; in spite of; notwithstanding; by contrast; conversely; while X may be true, nonetheless |
| Effect / Result | as a result; therefore; thus; consequently; hence |
| Emphasising previous statements | after all; at the same time; even if X is true; nonetheless; however; in the final analysis |
| Giving examples | for example; for instance; namely; such as; including; especially; particularly; in particular; notably; mainly; as exemplified by; as follows |
| Re-phrasing / Clarifying | in other words; rather; or more precisely; better stated; in view of this; put differently |
| Sequencing / Ordering ideas | firstly; secondly; thirdly; next; then; subsequently; eventually; another point is; finally; moreover |
| Summary / Conclusion | in conclusion; to conclude; to summarise; overall; on the whole; altogether; therefore; hence; following the research of…; after analysis… |