Connecting Your Ideas Linking Words

Connecting your ideas: Linking words
What are linking words and what are they for?

Cohesion and clarity are essential elements of academic writing. Making the connections between your ideas clear and
visible can help achieve clear communication as it will be much easier for the person reading to follow what you are
saying and understand your argument or premise. In order to make connections clear, you can use linking words
between parts of a sentence, between sentences or between paragraphs. Looking for the right linking word prompts you
to think about how you are trying to connect your ideas and whether the connections make sense.
Kinds of linking words

Let’s explore linking words by looking at two short sentences that could be connected through appropriate linking
words:
This theory could be applied to many contexts. The theory is most useful when analysing practical situations.
We can connect these sentences in a number of ways by using linking words to show specifically what kind of
connection we are making. Here are some examples of how we can make them into one sentence in a variety of ways:
• This theory could be applied to many contexts, however / although it is most useful when analysing practical
situations.
• This theory could be applied to many contexts because it is most useful when analysing practical situations.
• This theory could be applied to many contexts, particularly when analysing practical situations.
We can also link these ideas but keep them as two connected sentences by using appropriate linking language:
• This theory could be applied to many contexts. However, it is most useful when analysing practical situations
because ………
• This theory could be applied to many contexts. In particular, it is most useful when analysing practical
situations.
• This theory could be applied to many contexts. Despite this, it is most useful when analysing practical
situations.
All of these examples have the same two ideas, but the links or connections between the ideas add subtle differences to
the meaning in each case.
There are four main categories of connective devices used extensively in academic writing:
• Adding information: and, furthermore, in addition, also
• Chronology: previously, subsequently, firstly
• Cause and effect: if, therefore, thus, consequently
• Compare and contrast: similarly, in contrast, however
Learning Experience Team

learningzone@scu.edu.au
+61 2 6626 9262 Last updated: 6.03.2020 p. 1
GENERAL NOTES – CONNECTIVES OR LINKING DEVICES:
• Avoid over-using linking words and phrases. It is not necessary to begin every sentence with a linking device.
This can make your writing seem mechanical or formulaic.
• If you think you are over-using linking devices, take them out and read the sentence / paragraph / section
without them. Do your ideas still hold together effectively? Is your message clear without overt connective
devices?
Avoid using the same linking word or phrase repeatedly throughout your writing. ‘However’ and ‘furthermore’ are
commonly over-used linking words by many students. Try to use a variety of connective language in your academic
writing.
Typical Linking Words
Type of link Within a sentence Between sentences or Hints, tips and examples
paragraphs
Adding similar and, also, another, too In addition, moreover, Never use ‘and’ at the start of a
information furthermore, further, likewise, sentence.
additionally, another, indeed,
what is more
Showing but, like, similarly, equally, While, however, in contrast, by Never use ‘but’ at the start of a
comparison and whereas, however, although, contrast, on the other hand, sentence.
contrast though, while, compared with, alternatively, compared with, When using a contrasting or
is comparable to, unlike, yet, correspondingly, similarly, comparing linking device to start a
instead, still, notwithstanding, unlike, nonetheless, sentence, follow it with a comma
nonetheless, nevertheless, nevertheless, on the contrary, (However, … Similarly, ... On the other
albeit conversely hand, ...).
Showing cause so, because, if, thus, hence, Despite this, even so, as a Commas are generally used after
and effect/ therefore, consequently, may result, for this reason, with this these linking devices when they
consequence cause, can lead to, can result in mind, thus, therefore, introduce a sentence (Therefore, …
in, owing to, as a result of, as a accordingly, consequently, as a Despite this, …).
consequence of, thereby, consequence, as a result,
accordingly, otherwise, in that, owing to, that being the case,
in view of in that case, in view of
Showing if, even then, even if, unless, As a result of, provided,
condition after, once, until, whether, yet, providing, if, once, even then,
provided, providing, since, even if, when, whenever,
when, on the condition that, wherever
whenever, wherever
Chronology then, when, after, before, while, First, second, … firstly, Use ordinal sequencing devices
first, second, third, next, later, secondly, … initially, to begin, at sparingly in your writing. Find other
latter, former, finally first, first of all, next, before, ways to sequence ideas rather than
subsequently, previously, repeatedly using ‘firstly, … secondly, …
eventually, after, then, finally, to thirdly, …’.
conclude, lastly, in summary, in
short, to sum up, overall, in
conclusion, in sum
p. 2
Providing such as, for instance, for An example of this, for When introducing a long or complex
examples example, including, evidenced example, for instance, this is list of examples, use a colon to
by, exemplified by, illustrated evidenced / demonstrated / introduce the list and semi-colons
by, demonstrated by, by way of illustrated by, a case in point, between the items in the list ( …
example, notably to illustrate, to demonstrate, including: W; X; Y; and Z).
notably
Referring to regarding, considering, with Regarding, in terms of, in the

regard to, with respect to, case of, as regards, with regard
specifically, namely to, with respect to, on the
question of, on the subject of
Cautious, may, might, could, likely, It is thought that, it is believed, It is important in academic writing to
tentative probably, probable, possibly, a widely held view is, it has avoid expressing absolute certainty.
academic possible, suggest, appear to, been suggested, it may be, it is ‘Hedging devices’ or modal
language almost certain, may be due to, likely, it is probable, it is expressions are used to reduce the
could be attributed to, cannot possible, there is some strength of a statement or claim to
be ruled out, often, generally, evidence to suggest, a likely / allow for exceptions and to avoid over-
usually, frequently, most, possible / probable generalising.
almost all, the majority of, explanation, in general, in
certain types of, tends to general terms
p. 3

Connecting Your Ideas Linking Words

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Connecting your ideas: Linking words

What are linking words and what are they for?

Kinds of linking words

Learning Experience Team

Typical Linking Words

Referring to regarding, considering, with Regarding, in terms of, in the

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