Linking words (1

• Linking words are expressions that connect words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs in order to make a text easier to read. Here is a list of the main ones according to their function. • The expressions with an asterisk are mostly found in formal texts:

Organising paragraphs and adding ideas / points • Listing points as a sequence (the expressions below, which are typically followed by a comma): firstly / to begin with / for a start / in the first place (opening point) secondly / next / another point is (that) (middle points) finally / last but not least (closing point) • Adding ideas or information at the beginning of a sentence: in addition / what’s more / furthermore* / also / moreover* / also / on top (of that) / besides (+ comma) in mid position: apart from / besides / as well (as)* / too / also • Introducing a new point: as regards / as for / as far as … is concerned* / with reference to* / with regard to* / with respect to* / in respect of* / turning to / when it comes to

Clarifying and comparing ideas (similarity and contrast) • Giving examples to clarify a point or idea: i.e.* (= that is) /e.g.* (= for example) /namely* / a case in point is... / for instance / such as* / like / say (between commas, informal) • Showing similarity: similarly / in the same way (+ comma) / just as… so / likewise • Expressing contrast: despite / in spite of (+ noun) / although / though / even though (+ clause) / despite the fact that / in spite of the fact that (+ clause) in spite of this / despite this / even so / however / nevertheless* / nonetheless* / and yet / on the other hand / at the same time / conversely (+ comma) by contrast / on the contrary (+ comma) / instead (of) / while / whereas / as opposed to / but / unlike Drawing conclusions (+ comma) • Reformulating and rephrasing: in other words / to put it briefly* / in short / in a nutshell • Generalising: all in all / by and large / on the whole / broadly/generally speaking / as a rule / in general / in most cases • Concluding: in conclusion / to sum up / to summarise / in the end / all things considered / in the end

Examples Organising, listing and introducing points

There are several reasons why you should quit smoking. Firstly, it’s harmful for your health. What’s more, it has become an expensive habit. Last but not least, the smell of cigarettes is unbearable and it makes me sick. As far as the price is concerned, the company has decided that the new smartwatch will be available for $350.

Comparing

Just as I wanted to be a doctor, so my twin brother wanted to be an actor. We should be stopping terrorists from operating, as opposed to chasing them after they’ve attacked.

Examples Clarifying

There are four sections in the test, namely speaking, listening, reading and writing. (= more precisely) Lack of communication causes serious problems in a relationship and their marriage is a case in point. (a very clear example of something) If someone earns, say, 15,000 pounds a year, is he eligible for any child benefit?

Summing up and concluding

To put it briefly, he lacks musical ability. All in all, it was a great trip, although we had a few problems on the way there. To sum up, we need to focus our energies away from theoretical debates and address the issues with a practical approach.

Match the two parts of the sentences. 1 I had my wallet stolen and 2 Well, I have a few health problems, but 3 Experts suggest using antiseptic on surfaces 4 I love reading but I have trouble 5 As for that boy, 6 Why didn’t you tell me in the first place

Underline the correct alternative. 1 She’s extremely rich; however / on the other hand, she isn’t snobbish. 2 It was cold and windy. In the same way /

Nevertheless, I went for a walk. 3 That house isn’t big enough for us, and yet / furthermore it’s too expensive. 4 We live in the same building; even though / despite this, we hardly see each other.

a b c d e f

all in all, I’m a happy person. when it comes to studying science. that you had decided to leave? such as armrests and tray tables. what’s more, I got a parking ticket. I don’t think he’s going anywhere in life.

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Despite / Although being twins, Emma and Sara look very different. The neighborhood isn’t very interesting. I like the house, moreover / though. Stephanie cooked the carrots, nonetheless / whereas her brother prepared the broccoli. I prefer reading classic sci-fi books for example / such as ‘The Day of the Triffids’ or ‘The Time Machine’.

Fill in the gaps with the correct phrase from the box.

as a rule as regards in a nutshell in the end instead on top of that whereas yet

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My sister’s hand-writing is always so neat, _______________ mine is a total mess. I got a low mark, but the teacher said I have improved a lot _______________. _______________, the swimming pool is less crowded early in the morning. I suppose that, _______________, it is for you to decide how to raise your kids.

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I was happy for her and _______________ I was upset that I was no longer the baby in the family. We missed the bus and, _______________, it started raining. Here’s our proposal: _______________, we want to sell our business to you. _______________ the hotel, our experience was excellent.

First Choose A, B, C or D to fill in the gaps.

Studying at University may have a number of benefits. (1) _____, students can expand their social networks by meeting people from diverse backgrounds, they can form long-lasting friendships, and develop their social lives. (2) _____, during tutorial sessions, students can learn more effective communication skills. Through this experience, they can (3) _____ learn to negotiate, collaborate and compromise. Students can (4) _____ become critical thinkers and become more open-minded about the world as they see it. (5) _____, they can learn how to develop arguments and support them with evidence from reliable sources. Other skills include independent learning, (6) _____ time and workload management. (7) _____, with the ideas presented above, it is quite evident that University attendance can play a vital role in social and professional skill development, (8)_____.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 A All in all A Despite this A likewise A whereas A On the whole A on top of that A On the other hand A too

B To begin with B However B instead B last but not least B In addition B in spite of B Nevertheless B also

C Besides C Moreover C even so C to sum up C But C as well as C Furthermore C even

D Therefore D For this reason D too D also D Although D on the contrary D In conclusion D in short

34 Listen to 5 quotes from the works by Margaret Atwood, Oscar Wilde, John Dos Passos, Eric Fromm and Henry David Thoreau: match the statements to each speaker. There is one extra statement.

A B C

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To begin with, a novelist should create characters. There has always been a lot of prejudice against Christians. Feelings and passion are more important than technique when it comes to playing the piano. Men dislike seeing blood because it recalls the idea of pain and physical suffering. The opinion of country people as regards any public question is more important than what city dwellers think. The Old Testament has often been misunderstood as well as being read less than the New Testament. Speaker 1

Speaker 2

Speaker 3

Speaker 4

Speaker 5

First Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first using the word in brackets. You must use between 2 and 5 words. 1 In spite of the rain we went for a swim. (although) We went for a swim __________________________. 2 She didn’t offer chocolates to us. She ate them all. (instead) __________________________ to us she ate them all. 3 The sea was very rough, yet nobody was seasick. (spite) Nobody was seasick in __________________________. 4 Dave’s clever and he’s also very friendly. (well) As __________________________ clever, Dave’s very friendly. 5 They let us in though we were late. (delay) They let __________________________. 6 The book’s dull; what’s more, it’s long. (top) The book’s dull; __________________________, it’s long.