LINKING WORDS

A. COMPARISON & CONTRAST

I. Transitions in phrases:

 Similar to New Orleans, San Francisco attracts many tourists.

 Like John, Joe also wants to do good things for human beings.
 Different from John, Joe prefers western style clothes.
 Compared with New Orleans, San Francisco has a very cold climate.
(The climate in San Francisco may not be very cold, it is just that the climate in New Orleans is quite hot.)
 Unlike John, Joe likes to wear comfortable clothes.

II. Coordinating Conjunctions as Transitions:

 John is an idealist, but Joe is not.

 The Speed Demon is cheaper than the Road Runner, yet it is a better air-conditioning system.

III. Transitional Expressions Between Sentences:

a) Additive Transitions: first, next, besides, in addition, moreover, furthermore, what’s more, also, then.

 The ride and safety features are excellent. Besides, the price and the cost to operate are impressive.
 This car requires much more oil per mile. Moreover, it requires more expensive premium gasoline.
 It uses oil economically. Also, Audi’s larger gasoline tank provides a cruising range of 690 miles.
 The terrorists bombed a shopping center. In addition, they attacked a police car.

b) Transitions to Indicate Similarity: likewise, similarly, in the same way.

 New Orleans has many recreational facilities. Likewise, San Francisco has a variety of parks and play areas.
 New Orleans has a big seafood business. Similarly, a great deal of fishing is done around San Francisco.

c) Transitions to Indicate Difference: on the other hand, conversely, in contrast, however, nevertheless, while,
Whereas, although, even though, though, despite, in spite of.
 John prefers the more traditional role of the son. On the other hand, Joe prefers the modern way.
 New Orleans has hot, humid summers . In contrast, San Francisco’s summers and cool and windy.
 As I viewed these once familiar surroundings, images of myself as a child there came to mind. However, what I
saw and what I remembered were not the same.

NOTE: The expression on the contrary is also in this group, but it is very restricted on its use. It indicates that the two
ideas being expressed cannot both be true. It is often confused with on the other hand .

 Jane: It is rather hot today.

Mike: It is not very hot today. On the contrary , it is quite cool.
It is not very hot . On the other hand , it is not cool either.

 Jane : You know, New York City is an interesting place.

Mike : New York City is not very interesting to me . On the contrary , I find it very boring.
New York City is not very interesting place . On the other hand , San Francisco is a fascinating place.

NOTE : On the contrary really means “No, it isn’t.” Another expression having the same meaning is in fact.

EXERCISE I

Fill in the blanks with either on the other hand or on the contrary :
1. New Orleans does not have a harsh winter. ________________ , it is quite mild.
2. New Orleans does not have a harsh winter. ________________ , its summers are terrible.
3. New Orleans does not have a large population. ______________ , it is not a village.
4. Many people think that New Orleans is a large city._____________ , it has quite a small population.
5. New Orleans was not originally settled the Spanish ; ______________ , its first settlers were French.
6. New Orleans is a big seaport. _______________ , its manufacturing industry is very small.
EXERCISE II

despite (or in spite of ) although however but yet

1. ______________ a strike of all transport workers was called for Monday, the bus drivers did not join it.
2. There were no trains that morning , _____________ most people managed to get to work.
3. We would like to see an end to the strike. ____________ , we do not think the Government should give way to the
strikers.
4. Their claims may be justified , _____________ they should not have gone on strike.
5. Some school children could not arrive at their schools _____________ the extra buses which the schools provided.

EXERCISE III

Rewrite the following sentences using the linking words in brackets.

1. We have never met Helen. We have heard a lot about her. ( though )
2. Although I like Willie very much , I cannot honestly say I’d back him in a business venture. (nevertheless)
3. Cars are increasingly dangerous to life and limb, yet advertisers are still allowed to boast of their speed and
acceleration. ( even though )
4. Sir James is not a brilliant politician, but he makes a splendid country gentleman. ( in spite of )
5. There is a considerable difference in my parents’ ages, yet it has been a successful marriage. ( despite )

B. CAUSE & EFFECT

I. Transitions in phrases :

 Because of their important place in the family and in the community, the aged retain a feeling of self-worth.
 As a result of her weight, she couldn’t run very fast.
 Due to the bad impression he had made on the members, the committee rejected his proposal.

II. Coordinating Conjunctions as Transitions

 The mongoose was protected by law, so it increased in number rapidly. { result }

 We stopped at a restaurant , for we had not eaten since early morning. { cause }
 They did not stop working late at night , because they had to finish the report for the next day. {cause }
 Because they had to finish the report for the next day, they did not stop working late at night.
 I do not want to risk my business now since ( as is also possible ) there is a mess in the stock-market.
 Since ( As is also possible ) there is a mess in the stock-market, I do not want to risk my business.

III. Transitional Expressions Between Sentences : thus, therefore, consequently, as a result, for this reason,
hence

 The people in Caucasus eat the same food all their lives ; thus , their bodies are accustomed to it.
 She perceived herself as fat ; therefore , diets were unsuccessful .
 It significantly reduced the rat population . Consequently , damage to the cane fields was reduced.
 Debbie ate constantly . As a result , she became rather heavy.
 The students were protesting against the food served in the cafeteria . For this reason , the dean cancelled classes
and closed the university.

NOTE : The transitions above can also occur within an independent clause. When they do, they are set off by commas.
 He had exceeded the speed limit. He was , therefore , charged a fine.

NOTE : Finally and in conclusion signals the last example or the conclusion of a paragraph :
 In conclusion, although I do not like the registration process, I know that at this point I have no choice but to go
through with it.
 Finally, after all the efforts to prevent the unemployment, the government provided most people with a job.
EXERCISES

A. REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USING THE LINKING WORDS BELOW :

1. He spoke with a very strong accent, so I did not understand all he said. (as) (owing to )
2. There was a lot of rain last night and many of the roads are flooded. (because ) ( as a result )
3. My father made such a fuss about my coming in last night and he told me to go and look for somewhere else to
live. ( therefore ) ( since )
4. My father retired early because his health was poor. ( due to ) ( that’s why )
5. I kept my son home from school this morning as he had a very bad cough. ( so ) (because of )

B. FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH SUITABLE LINKING WORDS

so as therefore because due to

1. ___________ the weather report is for more rain, I think we should postpone our trip.
2. The next plane did not leave until the evening ,___________ they decided to spend the afternoon sightseeing.
3. People of the town had to leave their home ____________ the shortage of water.
4. Many children have a great deal of homework to do. ______________ , they have very little leisure during the
week.
5. I was getting rather worried, ______________ I had heard nothing from my brother.

C. PURPOSE
I. Infinitives of purpose :

 Light the fire in order to boil the water.

so as to
 Touch the wheel lightly with your hand ( in order ) to slow it down.
( so as )

II. Clauses of purpose :

 Wear gloves so that you will not cut your hands.

 Put it away immediately in order that you will not forget it.
 He did his work early so that he would not miss his favorite program.
 She saved her money so that she could buy a new car.

NOTE : in order that is more formal than so that.

EXERCISES

Rewrite the following sentences using the items in brackets.

1. We are getting up early, because we want to catch the seven o’clock train. ( so that )
2. I left her a note last time. Otherwise she might have thought someone had pinched her book. ( in order that )
3. As we do not want to be late, we are leaving early. ( in order to)
4. Don’t go climbing up the cliff as you may fall. (to)
5. My assistant Brenda will keep in touch with you; then you will know where we are.
PRACTICE

A. READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER

Some countries still have the death penalty, ____________ (1) it no longer exists in Britain. ___________(2) ,
after a particularly violent murder, British people sometimes call for it to be brought back. ____________(3) , the death
penalty can not be defended for a number of reasons.

__________ (4) and the most important reason is that one can never be entirely certain that the accused person
is guilty__________(5) there are evidences. In the past, people were sentenced to death and later it was found out that
they had been completely innocent. ___________ (6) , some of these people were framed by the real guilty people.

__________(7) many criminologists disagree, it is often said that the death penalty prevents crime and that the
risk of death acts as a deterrent. ___________ (8), many serious crimes are caused by a sudden and very powerful
emotion. In these cases, the individual is not thinking sensibly or does not stop to consider the risks ____________ (9)
not having mental problems. _____________ (10) , emotions take over one’s logic in case of sudden breakdowns.

Another argument against the death penalty is that it sets a bad example. ____________ (11)we know , the
laws of society should reflect its values. If it is wrong for one individual to murder another, ____________(12) it is also
wrong for the state to execute an individual ____________(13) it is because he has killed someone.

__________ (14) ; I believe that the death penalty can not be defended. There are other ways of punishing
criminals and these ways should be tried.

1. a) and b) despite c) although d) moreover

2. a) In addition b) Also c) Nevertheless d) In contrast
3. a) In my opinion b) Accordingly c) Consequently d ) Also
4. a) Firstly b) The first c) The one d) Initially
5. a) in spite of b) because of c) although d) since
6. a) Moreover b) Nevertheless c) Therefore d) That’s why
7. a) Namely b) Since c) Even though d) Besides
8. a) Therefore b) However c) Moreover d) Despite
9. a) despite b) due to c) owing to d) so as to
10. a) On the other hand b) On the contrary c) In other words d) For instance
11. a) As b) Then c) Even d) So
12. a) then b) as c) and d) too
13. a) and b) then c) so d) even
14. a) In contrast b) To sum up c) At last d) Fourthly

 Write an essay defending death penalty.

B. READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND EXAMINE THE USE OF THE LINKING WORDS.

The fur trade is an issue which arouses strong feelings. On the one hand, fur farmers and sellers are fighting to
be allowed to continue producing fur goods, and on the other hand, people concerned about animal rights are trying to
get the trade stopped.
The fur traders say that they do not cause unnecessary suffering to animals and that there is no difference
between killing an animal for its fur and killing it for its meat. Moreover , they point out that if the trade were made
illegal, hunters without licences would cause greater suffering to animals. In addition , they claim that banning the trade
would mean more unemployment and most importantly, people would lose the freedom of choice.
Opponents for the fur trade take a very different view. They believe that animals do suffer unnecessarily and
in order to prove it they have made many horrifying films. They consider that killing of animals for their coats is a
luxury, whereas the killing of animals for meat is a necessity. These people feel that an animal has more right to live
than a human has to wear its coat. Finally, they point out that the manufacture of artificial fur could create jobs and
satisfy the demands of fashion.
In conclusion, the best way to end the fur trade is to change the public opinion. There are signs that the
opponents of the trade are beginning to have some success. Thus, if they can maintain their progress, the trade may be
stopped without having to make it illegal.