LINKING WORDS

To make contrasting points

• Killing endangered species is illegal; nevertheless, people will not stop hunting
them.
• In spite of the fact that killing endangered species is illegal, people will not stop
hunting them.
• Killing endangered species is illegal, but people will not stop hunting them.
• While killing endangered species is illegal, people will not stop hunting them.
• Even if killing endangered species is illegal, people will not stop hunting them.
• Even though killing endangered species is illegal, people will not stop hunting
them.
• Although killing endangered species is illegal, people will not stop hunting them.
• Killing endangered species is illegal; at the same time, people will not stop
hunting them.

To list points

• Firstly, the government must revise the out-of-date environmental laws which
were written twenty years ago.
• In the first place the government must revise the out-of-date environmental laws
which were written twenty years ago.
• To start with, the government must revise the out-of-date environmental laws
which were written twenty years ago.
• Secondly, the government must revise the out-of-date environmental laws
which were written twenty years ago.
• Thirdly, the government must revise the out-of-date environmental laws which
were written twenty years ago.
• Finally, the government must revise the out-of-date environmental laws which
were written twenty years ago.

To add more points on a topic

• What is more, the city should conduct inspections of zoos.

• The city should also conduct inspections of zoos.
• Apart from this/that / In addition to this, the city should conduct inspections of
zoos.
• Moreover / Besides, the city should conduct inspections of zoos.
• The city should conduct inspections of zoos too.
• ... not to mention the fact that the city should conduct inspections of zoos.
To list advantages/disadvantages

• One of the greatest advantages of regular exercise is that it leads to a healthier

lifestyle.
• Another great advantage of regular exercise is that it leads to a healthier
lifestyle.
• One other advantage of regular exercise is that it leads to a healthier lifestyle.
• A further advantage of regular exercise is that it leads to a healthier lifestyle.
• The main advantage of regular exercise is that it leads to a healthier lifestyle.
• The first/greatest advantage of regular exercise is that it leads to a healthier
lifestyle.

To express effect / phrases for result

• Lots of factories have closed down, therefore, many people have lost their jobs.
• Lots of factories have closed down; thus, many people have lost their jobs.
• Lots of factories have closed down; consequently, many people have lost their
jobs.
• Lots of factories have closed down so many people have lost their jobs.
• Lots of factories have closed down; as a consequence, many people have lost
their jobs.
• As a result, ... / Eventually, ...

To emphasise what you say

• Clearly research has proved that eating healthy foods and exercising regularly
reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Obviously, research has proved that eating healthy foods and exercising
regularly reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Of course, research has proved that eating healthy foods and exercising
regularly reduce the risk of heart disease.
• In particular, researchers have proved that eating healthy foods and exercising
regularly reduce the risk of heart disease.
To express reality

• Actually, the report states that most college graduates are interested in
pursuing a Masters' degree in the future.
• As a matter of fact, the report states that most college graduates are interested in
pursuing a Masters' degree in the future.
• In practice the report states that most college graduates are interested in
pursuing a Masters' degree in the future.
• The fact of the matter is the report states that most college graduates are
interested in pursuing a Masters' degree in the future.

To express difference between appearance and reality

• On the face of it the building looked safe, but after a detailed inspection it was
reported to be in need of major structural repairs.
• Apparently, the building looked safe, but after a detailed inspection it was
reported to be in need of major structural repairs.

To state an argument against your opinion

• It is popularly believed that the teaching profession needs more qualified

educators.
• People often claim that the teaching profession needs more qualified
educators.
• It is often alleged that the teaching profession needs more qualified educators.
• It is fact that the teaching profession needs more qualified educators.

To state other people's opinions

• Some people argue that the mayor's proposal to raise local taxes is unfair.
• A lot of people think/believe that the mayor's proposal to raise local taxes is
unfair.

To introduce the other side of the argument

• However, there are people who believe that increasing the school year will only
overwork students.
• Those who oppose increase the school year claim that it will only overwork
students.
To express balance

• On the one hand working for a large company is prestigious, but it can be very
stressful.
• Working for a large company is prestigious, but on the other hand it can be very
stressful.
• John is a hard-working person, whereas Ann isn't.

To give examples

• For example, in the past six months retailers have reported a 25% drop in sales of
electronic equipment.
• For instance, ... / In particular, ... / To illustrate, ...

To refer to what actually happens

• In effect consumers spend more money on luxury items.

To make general statements

• Generally, girls get better exam results than boys.

• In general, girls get better exam results than boys.
• As a general rule, girls get better exam results than boys.
• On the whole, girls get better exam results than boys.

To make partly correct statements

• Considering the high rate of unemployment, some companies have, up to a

point, tried to create more positions.
• Considering the high rate of unemployment, some companies have, to a certain
extent, tried to create more positions.
• Considering the high rate of unemployment, some companies have, in a way,
tried to create more positions.
• Considering the high rate of unemployment, some companies have, in a sense,
tried to create more positions.

To express limit of knowledge

• To the best of my knowledge, residents were opposed to the city's plan to

build a nuclear power plant in their area.
• For all I know residents were opposed to the city's plan to build a nuclear power
plant in the area.
To rephrase

• That is to say, they disagree with the manager's decision.

To bring up other points or aspects

• Regarding the community, the area is in need of a new elementary school.

• With regards to the community, the area is in need of a new elementary school.
• As for the community, the area is in need of a new elementary school.

To express personal opinion

• To my mind/way of thinking, department stores offer a greater selection of

clothes than small boutiques.
• I personally believe department stores offer a greater selection of clothes than
small boutiques.
• It strikes me that department stores offer a greater selection of clothes than
small boutiques.
• I feel very strongly that department stores offer a greater selection of clothes
than small boutiques.
• I am inclined to believe that department stores offer a greater selection of
clothes than small boutiques.
• It seems to me that department stores offer a greater selection of clothes than
small boutiques.
• As far as I am concerned department stores offer a greater selection of clothes
than small boutiques.

To refer to other sources

• With reference to, this report, that brand of sun cream causes irritation to
sensitive skin.
To express cause

• Because of the harsh winter, many crops were destroyed.

• Owing to the harsh winter, many crops were destroyed.
• For this reason, many crops were destroyed.

To imply that nothing else needs to be said

• Anyway, a new community centre will greatly benefit the people of the town.
• In any case, a new community centre will greatly benefit the people of the town.

Accepting the situation

• As it is, the situation cannot be improved.

• Things being as they are, the situation cannot be improved.

To conclude

• Finally, the university offers a wide range of courses and provides modern
facilities.
• Lastly, the university offers a wide range of courses and provides modern
facilities.
• Above all, the university offers a wide range of courses and provides modern
facilities.
• All in all, the university offers a wide range of courses and provides modern
facilities.
• Taking everything into account, the university offers a wide range of courses
and provides modern facilities.
• On the whole, the university offers a wide range of courses and provides
modern facilities.
• All things considered, the university offers a wide range of courses and
provides modern facilities.
• In conclusion, the university offers a wide range of courses and provides
modern facilities.
• As I have said, the university offers a wide range of courses and provides
modern facilities.
• As was previously stated, the university offers a wide range of courses and
provides modern facilities.
• To sum up, the university offers a wide range of courses and provides modern
facilities.