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Using linking words within and between sentences and paragraphs helps to make your writing flow logically.

These words act as signposts, assisting your reader to move easily from one idea to the next, and to see relationships between sentences or paragraphs. Linking words are particularly useful for indicating that you are going to explain something, to give an example or to use a time sequence, or to offer a contrasting view.

Help me choose a linking word

To give an example

For example
For instance
To illustrate
…such as

To emphasise something

Above all
Certainly
Clearly
Indeed
In fact
Obviously

To show order of time or importance

Firstly, Secondly etc
First of all
Then
Next
Afterwards
Finally
Subsequently
Recently
At the same time
In the meantime
Sometimes
Preceding this
Until

To amplify

Again
Also
Apparently
Equally important
Furthermore
In addition
Moreover
Finally

To offer a contrast

However
In contrast
Nevertheless
On the contrary
On the other hand
Alternatively
Despite this
Although

To show similarity

Likewise
Similarly

To express causality

Accordingly
Consequently
For this reason

To introduce detail

Especially
In particular
Specifically
Namely

To interpret something

Fortunately (unfortunately)
Interestingly
Surprisingly (unsurprisingly)
Significantly

To generalise

On the whole
In general
Generally speaking
Broadly speaking

To conclude

To summarise
In conclusion

Adapted from Silyn-Roberts, H. (1996). Writing for science. Auckland, NZ: Addison Wesley Longman.

The content on this page has been adapted from a resource created by Learning Support@Student Success, Otago Polytechnic