Cohesion: linking words and phrases

(http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/writingguides/1.33.htm; 5.12.2012, 11:06))

You can use words or short phrases which help to guide your reader through your writing, and to link
sentences, paragraphs and sections both forwards and backwards. Good use will make what you
have written easy to follow; bad use might mean your style is disjointed, probably with too many
short sentences, and consequently difficult to follow. Your mark could be affected either way.

The best way to "get a feel" for these words is through your reading. Most textbooks and articles are
well-written and will probably include a lot of these cohesive devices. Note how they are used and
try to emulate what you have read. Do make sure though that you fully understand their meaning:
incorrect use could change completely what you're trying to say. Try to use a variety of expressions,
particularly in longer pieces of writing.

Don't forget "AND"! Two short sentences are often best connected together with this little word.
There follows a list of words and phrases that can be used. The list is not exhaustive, and BE
CAREFUL: although grouped together, none is totally synonymous. Their position in the sentence
can also vary; this is where your reading and dictionary come in.

Listing Giving examples Generalising

first, second, third for example in general

first, furthermore, finally for instance generally

to begin, to conclude as follows: on the whole

next that is as a rule

Reinforcement in this case for the most part

also namely in most cases

furthermore in other words usually

moreover Result/consequence Highlighting

what is more so in particular

in addition therefore particularly

besides as a result/consequence especially

above all accordingly mainly

as well (as) consequently Reformulation

in the same way because of this/that in other words

not only ... but also thus rather

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Similarity hence to put it more simply

equally for this/that reason Expressing an alternative

likewise so that alternatively

similarly in that case rather

correspondingly under these circumstances on the other hand

in the same way Deduction the alternative is

Transition to new point then another possibility would be

now, in other words Contrast

as far as x is concerned in that case instead

with regard/reference to otherwise conversely

as for ... this implies that ... on the contrary

it follows that if so/not in contrast

turning to Stating the obvious in comparison

Summary obviously Concession (sth unexpected)

in conclusion clearly however

to conclude naturally even though

in brief of course however much

to summarise as can be expected nevertheless

overall surely still

therefore after all yet

Here are just a few examples of some of the words in action:

REINFORCEMENT
Desktop computers are cheaper and more reliable than laptops; furthermore, they are more
flexible.

RESULT/CONSEQUENCE
Prices fell by more than 20% last year. As a result, sales increased by 15%.

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GENERALISING
On the whole, his speech was well received, despite some complaints from new members.

CONTRAST
The South East of the UK often has the coldest weather in the winter. Conversely, the North West
of Scotland frequently has the mildest temperatures.

CONCESSION
It was a very expensive holiday, the weather was bad and the people weren’t very friendly.
Nevertheless, we would probably go back to the same place.

Transition word exercise

Always ask yourself what the exact relationship is between the sentences or parts of sentences. Are
you leading to the result of something? Are you making a deduction? Are you introducing some
contradictory evidence or ideas? Your choice of word or phrase obviously depends on this. And
always check in a good dictionary if you're not quite sure about a word's use or its position in a
sentence. Remember that punctuation will affect what you use.

Insert the best alternative

1 Polls show that Tony Blair is the most popular Prime Minister this century. ______________ , there
are even members of his own party who are uneasy with his approach.
In particular However For instance

2 There are some slight variations in temperature, but ________________ 26 to 27ºC should be
expected.
consequently otherwise as a rule

3 The two main Channel Islands, ________________ Jersey and Guernsey, are much closer to France
than to England.
for example namely in particular

4 It was announced that nurses' working hours would be increased by 25%. ______________ , even
fewer trainee nurses are expected to join the profession.
As a result So that Likewise

5 Sales of CDs have experienced a small but steady fall over the past 12 months. _____________ ,
vinyl records have seen an increase in their share of the market, up to 1.7%.
Above all Correspondingly In contrast

6 The Vice Chancellor explained that in light of the current financial climate and because of
unexpected bad debts, it would be necessary to peg salary levels at their current level for all grades
of staff. ______________ , no-one was getting a pay rise.
Nevertheless In other words Similarly

7 It is clear, therefore, that the situation in Brazil will improve only slowly. ______________ the
economic problems being experienced in Japan, the outlook is slightly more optimistic.
Furthermore In comparison With reference to

8 In order to try to reduce car use in the inner cities, the government has announced new
restrictions on company parking spaces and ______________ , a new tax on individual car use.
as well as in addition in the same way

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9 Essays must be handed in by the deadline, ______________ they will not be marked.
obviously otherwise as a result

10 ______________ it has been shown that fractures can occur at even relatively low pressures, the
use of the material should not be completely discounted.
Nevertheless Because Even though

 
Transition word exercise
Answers
1 Polls show that Tony Blair is the most popular Prime Minister this century. However, there are
even members of his own party who are uneasy with his approach.

However indicates that what follows is something of a contradiction or an exception.

2 There are some slight variations in temperature, but as a rule 26 to 27ºC should be expected.

As a rule shows you are about to make a generalisation.

3 The two main Channel Islands, namely Jersey and Guernsey, are much closer to France than to
England.

You are actually naming the two islands mentioned, so namely is used.
4 It was announced that nurses' working hours would be increased by 25%. As a result , even fewer
trainee nurses are expected to join the profession.

The second sentence is a result or consequence of the first. So that must be followed by a verb.
5 Sales of CDs have experienced a small but steady fall over the past 12 months.In contrast , vinyl
records have seen an increase in their share of the market, up to 1.7%.

The second sentence contrasts vinyl with CDs.

6 The Vice Chancellor explained that in light of the current financial climate and because of
unexpected bad debts, it would be necessary to peg salary levels at their current level for all grades
of staff. In other words , no-one was getting a pay rise.

The second sentence says the same as the first, but in a much simpler way (reformulation).
7 It is clear, therefore, that the situation in Brazil will improve only slowly. With reference to the
economic problems being experienced in Japan, the outlook is slightly more optimistic.

The second sentence deals with a new aspect/point.

8 In order to try to reduce car use in the inner cities, the government has announced new
restrictions on company parking spaces and in addition, a new tax on individual car use.

Reinforcement of the idea; an extra point. As well as must be immediately followed by a noun or
verb.
9 Essays must be handed in by the deadline, otherwise they will not be marked.

The second part is a consequence of the first.

10 Even though it has been shown that fractures can occur at even relatively low pressures, the use
of the material should not be completely discounted.
The idea of concesssion again; the second part is somewhat unexpected.
 

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