In English, connectors —often called “linking words”— are words used to connect ideas, sentences, or paragraphs within a text or speech. Their main purpose is to give cohesion and coherence to the content, making it easier for the reader or listener to understand. Depending on the type of connector, they serve different functions.
On this page, you can download a list of these linking words to study and improve your English.
This list includes the most common linking words used when writing in English —such as essays, assignments, or other academic texts.
The classification of the connectors is only a suggestion, since some of them can be used for different purposes depending on the context.
You can download the list for free in PDF format or view it online.
To introduce an idea
first of all
to begin with
to start with
in the first place
at the beginning
initially
the first thing to consider is…
it is important to note that…
Addition
and
also
in addition
moreover
furthermore
besides
as well as
not only… but also
Contrast
but
however
on the other hand
nevertheless
nonetheless
although
even though
whereas
while
in contrast
despite / in spite of
Purpose
so that
in order to
to
for the purpose of
Cause and Effect
because
since
as
due to
owing to
therefore
thus
consequently
as a result
for this reason
Comparison
similarly
likewise
just as
in the same way
equally
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Examples
for example
for instance
such as
like
to illustrate
namely
Conclusion
in conclusion
to sum up
in summary
all in all
overall
finally
in short
Time / Sequence
first / firstly
second / secondly
then
next
after that
later
meanwhile
eventually
finally
at last
afterwards
before
after
when
while
as soon as
Emphasis
in fact
indeed
especially
particularly
obviously
clearly
it should be noted that
Condition
if
unless
as long as
provided that
in case
even if
only if
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