Linking Words in English: List, Examples and Free PDF

Linking words, also called connectors or transition words, join ideas. Each one has a job: adding (and, also), contrasting (but, however), giving a cause (because), showing a result (so, therefore), giving an example (for example) or putting things in order (first, then). "I was tired, but I finished" and "I was tired. However, I finished" both show contrast.

If you are preparing for CELPIP, this topic matters more than most grammar points, because Writing rates how well you connect your ideas. The section near the end of this page shows where, and you can try it straight away in our AI-scored Writing practice.

Free PDF: the full list, the comma rules and the mistakes table, ready to print. No sign-up needed.

What are linking words?

Linking words are words and phrases that show how one idea relates to the next. Without them, writing reads like a list of separate facts. With them, the reader knows whether the next sentence adds to the last one, argues against it, or explains it.

Compare these two versions:

• "The bus was late. I missed the meeting. My manager was understanding."
• "The bus was late, so I missed the meeting. Luckily, my manager was understanding."

The facts are the same. The second version tells you that missing the meeting was caused by the bus, and that the manager's reaction was good news. Two small words did that.

What are the most common linking words?

The most common linking words are and, but, so, because, also, however and then. The table groups the ones you will use most by the job they do.

You do not need all of them. Five or six from each row that you can use correctly will do more for you than fifty you only recognize.

What are the three types of linking words?

Linking words fall into three grammar groups, and most mistakes happen when learners mix them up. The group decides what comes after the word and what punctuation it needs.

Once you know which group a word belongs to, most of the rules on this page follow on their own.

How do you use however, although and despite?

All three show contrast, but each belongs to a different group, so each fits a different sentence shape. This is the set I correct most often.

Although (and even though) joins two clauses inside one sentence:

• Although the class was full, the teacher let me join.
• The teacher let me join even though the class was full.

However starts a new sentence, or follows a semicolon:

• The class was full. However, the teacher let me join.
• The class was full; however, the teacher let me join.

Despite (and in spite of) is followed by a noun or an -ing form, never by a full clause:

• Despite the full class, the teacher let me join.
• Despite being late, I got a seat.
• If you want a full clause after it, use despite the fact that: "Despite the fact that the class was full, the teacher let me join."

The same pattern works for cause. Because takes a clause ("because it rained"). Because of and due to take a noun ("because of the rain", "due to the rain").

Where do commas go with linking words?

Put a comma after a linking word that starts a sentence, and put a comma before but or so when they join two full sentences. Those two rules cover most cases.

The one to watch is the comma splice: two full sentences joined only by a comma and however. "I booked early, however the price went up" is a mistake in formal writing. Use a period, a semicolon, or swap however for but.

What mistakes do learners make with linking words?

The most common mistakes are using two contrast words at once, putting a clause after despite, and using too many linking words. Here are the ones that come up again and again.

The mistake that does not show up in a grammar check is overuse. When every sentence starts with Firstly, Moreover, Furthermore or In addition, the writing sounds memorized, not natural. Using one or two linking words per paragraph, chosen because the meaning needs them, reads far better than one in every line.

Tone is the other trap. Moreover and furthermore are formal. They fit an essay or a complaint to a company, but in an email to a neighbour or a friend they sound stiff. "Also" and "on top of that" do the same job in a friendly message.

Are linking words different in speaking and writing?

Yes. Speech uses short, simple linking words, and written English, especially formal writing, uses longer ones. Using the written set out loud makes you sound like you are reading from a page.

A natural spoken answer sounds like this: "I'd go for the bigger apartment. It's a bit more expensive, but you get a second bedroom. And on top of that, it's right next to the bus stop, so your commute would be much shorter."

There is nothing fancy in it. The linking words (but, and on top of that, so) are what make it easy to follow.

How do linking words help on the CELPIP test?

CELPIP rates Writing in four areas: Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability and Task Fulfillment. Readability is, in our words, about how easy your writing is to follow, and CELPIP names connectors and transitions as one of the things it looks at there, along with paragraphing, grammar and sentence structure, and spelling and punctuation. So in Writing, linking words are rated by name. (How CELPIP scores grammar explains what else sits inside Readability.)

Speaking is different. CELPIP does not list connectors as a separate item in Speaking, but Content/Coherence includes how well your ideas are organized. In my experience, simple linking words are the easiest way to make your organization audible, because a rater hears the plan of your answer in words like "first", "but" and "so".

Writing Task 1, an email. You get 27 minutes to write an email of 150 to 200 words. Imagine you are writing to your community centre because the evening yoga class moved to an earlier time.

• Without linking words: "I go to the evening yoga class. The time changed to 5:30. I cannot come now. I finish work at 6. I would like the old time back. Many people feel the same."
• With linking words: "I have attended the evening yoga class for two years. However, since the start time moved to 5:30, I have not been able to come because I finish work at 6. Several other members are in the same situation, so I would like to ask whether the 7 o'clock class could return, even if only on two evenings a week."

The second version makes the same point. It also has a clear line of thought: the problem, the reason, who else it affects, and a reasonable request. That is what connected writing looks like.

How many linking words should you use? There is no number to hit. A good rule is to use one where the meaning changes direction (a contrast, a result, a new point) and to leave it out where the next sentence simply continues. Vary them, because the same "Also" four times reads as a list. Our list of transition words for CELPIP gives alternatives for the ones you overuse, and the free discourse markers lesson practises them in full answers.

For the structure that holds those linking words in place, the Writing Task 1 email template and the Writing Task 2 survey template show where each paragraph goes. If you are aiming high, how to score 9+ in CELPIP Writing covers the rest of what raters reward. Linking words and modal verbs together fix most problems with flow and tone.

Try it on a real task: write a Writing Task 1 email in our AI-scored Writing practice and see how your Readability is rated. Your first practice set in each Writing task is free once you sign up, with up to three AI-scored tries.

Can you choose the right linking word?

Pick the better option for each sentence. Answers are below.

1. ___ the snow, the bus came on time. (Although / Despite)
2. The tickets were expensive. ___, we bought them. (However / Although)
3. The clinic was closed, ___ I went to a walk-in centre. (so / because)
4. ___ she had no experience, they hired her. (Even though / In spite of)
5. Some fruits grow well in Ontario. ___, apples and pears do well near the lakes. (For example / Such as)
6. The flight was cancelled ___ the storm. (because / due to)

Answers:

1. Despite (followed by a noun).

2. However (starts a new sentence).

3. so (a result).

4. Even though (followed by a clause).

5. For example (starts a new sentence; such as cannot).

6. due to (followed by a noun).