Course on Linking Words - TOEIC® Preparation
Linking words, also called « connectors », are used to connect ideas and make a text or speech more fluid. In this course, we will review the main types of linking words, categorized by type.
1. Linking words to add or enumerate ideas
These words allow you to introduce new information, complete an idea, or structure points in a logical order (chronological or by importance).
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| and | I like watching movies and reading books. |
| also | She works as a teacher; she also does volunteer work on weekends. |
| as well | He's a talented singer as well as a skilled guitarist. |
| in addition | She speaks Spanish. In addition, she understands French. |
| moreover | He was late. Moreover, he didn't bring his notes. |
| furthermore | We have no time. Furthermore, we lack the necessary equipment. |
| besides | I don't like horror films. Besides, they scare me. |
| first / firstly | First, let me introduce the main topic of the meeting. |
| second / secondly | Second, we will examine the results of the survey. |
| third / thirdly | Third, we'll compare these results to last year's data. |
| next | Next, we need to analyze the data in more detail. |
| then | Then, we'll move on to the final discussion. |
| finally | Finally, we'll summarize our conclusions. |
| lastly | Lastly, we should thank everyone for their contributions. |
| last but not least | Last but not least, let's address the financial aspect. |
Nuances / Exceptions
- « And » is the most basic linking word. It simply connects two elements or ideas.
- « Beside(s) » can mean « next to » as a preposition (e.g., "The phone is beside the lamp."). But as a connector, « besides » means « furthermore ».
- The forms first/firstly, second/secondly, etc. are interchangeable, but the form with « -ly » is sometimes considered more formal.
2. Linking words to express cause and consequence
They indicate why something happens (cause) and what the result is (consequence).
Expressing cause
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| because | I stayed home because it was raining heavily. |
| since | Since you're here early, let's start the meeting now. |
| as | As I was busy, I couldn't attend the conference. |
| due to | The game was canceled due to bad weather. |
| owing to | Owing to the traffic, we arrived late. |
Expressing consequence
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| so | It was raining, so I took an umbrella. |
| therefore | She didn't study; therefore, she failed the exam. |
| thus | He saved money; thus, he could afford a new car. |
| as a result | Sales increased. As a result, the company hired more staff. |
| consequently | The project failed. Consequently, they lost their funding. |
| hence | He was the best performer; hence, his rapid promotion. |
Nuances / Exceptions
- « So » is very common in spoken language.
- « Therefore », « thus », « consequently » and « hence » are often used in a more formal or written register.
- « Due to » and « owing to » are used before a noun or a gerund.
- The cancellation of the event was due to bad weather.
- Owing to arriving late, he missed the beginning of the movie.
3. Linking words to express condition
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| if | If it rains, we'll stay home. |
| unless | I won't go out unless you come with me. |
| provided (that) | I'll lend you the book provided (that) you give it back soon. |
| providing (that) | We'll succeed providing (that) we all work together. |
| as long as | You can stay out as long as you call me if you need anything. |
| on condition that | He will sign the contract on condition that we respect the deadline. |
| in case | Take an umbrella in case it rains. |
Nuances / Exceptions
- « Provided (that) » and « providing (that) » are often interchangeable, but « provided that » is more common in formal contexts.
4. Linking words to express opposition or concession
Expressing opposition
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| but | He is rich, but he is not happy. |
| however | I like the city; however, I prefer the countryside. |
| yet | It seemed easy at first, yet it turned out complicated. |
| nevertheless | They lost the match; nevertheless, they played bravely. |
| nonetheless | It's raining; nonetheless, we decided to go hiking. |
| still | She apologized; still, he remained upset. |
| whereas | She loves jazz, whereas her brother prefers rock music. |
| while | While I like sweets, I try to eat healthy. |
| on the other hand | The city is noisy; on the other hand, it's very vibrant. |
Expressing concession
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| although | Although it was late, we kept studying. |
| even though | She won even though she was injured. |
| though | Though it was difficult, he managed to finish on time. |
| despite | Despite the rain, they continued their trip. |
| in spite of | In spite of her fear, she gave a great speech. |
| even if | We will go out even if it starts raining later. |
Nuances / Exceptions
- « But » is the simplest and most frequent to mark direct opposition.
- « Though » can be placed at the end of a sentence in a more informal register.
- I'm not sure, though.
- « Despite » and « in spite of » are followed by a noun or a gerund.
- Despite the rain, they continued playing.
- In spite of having no experience, he got the job.
5. Linking words to express purpose
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| to | He works hard to achieve his dreams. |
| in order to | She left early in order to catch the first train. |
| so as to | We must prepare everything so as to avoid any delay. |
| so that | Turn down the music so that the neighbors won't complain. |
| in order that | We set up a meeting in order that everyone can participate. |
Nuances / Exceptions
- « To » is the simplest form to express purpose, generally followed by an infinitive verb.
- « So that » and « in order that » often introduce a clause containing a subject and a verb.
- I explained it clearly so that everyone could understand.
6. Linking words to give examples or illustrate
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| for example | Some countries, for example, Italy, are famous for their cuisine. |
| for instance | There are many social networks; for instance, TikTok and Instagram. |
| such as | He likes outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking. |
| like | She enjoys sports like football and basketball. |
| e.g. | You should eat more fruits (e.g., apples, bananas, oranges). |
| specifically | She focuses on sustainable energy, specifically solar power. |
| to illustrate | To illustrate, let's look at last year's revenue figures. |
Nuances / Exceptions
- « Such as » and « like » are generally followed by concrete examples.
- « e.g. » is a Latin abbreviation, mostly used in formal or academic contexts, often in parentheses.
- « For example » and « for instance » are used interchangeably to introduce an example.
7. Linking words to summarize or conclude
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| in conclusion | In conclusion, both methods can be effective. |
| to sum up | To sum up, we need more resources to complete this project. |
| in summary | In summary, we've covered all the major points. |
| all in all | All in all, it was a successful event. |
| overall | Overall, the feedback has been positive. |
| to conclude | To conclude, let's review the final recommendations. |
| briefly | Briefly, the test results are better than expected. |
| in short | In short, we need a better strategy. |
Nuances / Exceptions
- « In conclusion » and « to conclude » have a more formal register.
- « All in all » and « in short » are slightly more informal and often used in spoken language.
Conclusion
Linking words are essential for structuring sentences in English. They make speech clearer, more fluid, and more logical. In the TOEIC®, a good command of linking words is crucial, especially in the Reading section, where they help understand the logical links between ideas, as well as in the Listening section, where they help follow the thread of a conversation or speech.