Connectors in English: An easy guide to linking words [VIDEO]

And. But. Nevertheless. However. Because. Furthermore. These seemingly simple words pack a punch, seamlessly linking ideas and propelling your message forward. We call them transition words, linking words or connectors in English.

Think of connectors as the handy tools that help stitch your sentences together, making your writing flow smoothly like a well-oiled machine adding flavor and cohesion to your words, phrases and sentences.

So if you’re ready to harness the potency of them, join us in the mini-video lesson with Berlitz English teacher, Luiz Chantre, as we unravel how to use linking words in English in simple, easy-to-understand terms.

Throughout this article, we’ll be referring to them as connectors, linking words and transition words. Watch the video lesson below, follow along in the blog article lesson… or both!

Connectors in English: Video lesson summary

Connectors are essential words that link phrases, clauses, or ideas to ensure clear, coherent communication. Mastering connectors is crucial for expanding vocabulary, understanding complex texts, and achieving success in proficiency tests like TOEFL and IELTS.

Importance of linking words or connectors:

• Enhance cohesion and coherence in text
• Aid in understanding complex ideas
• Facilitate effective communication

Types of connector words in English:

• Adding information: and, also, moreover
• Showing contrast: but, however, on the other hand
• Expressing cause and effect: because, therefore, so
• Making comparisons: as, like, similarly

Using transition words in English:

• Understand the function of each connector
• Place connectors correctly in sentences
• Practice reading and writing with connectors

Importance of transition words in English

Transition words or connectors play a vital role in the English language, aiding in the seamless flow of ideas and information. Understanding the significance of connectors is essential for effective communication and comprehension, especially in academic and professional settings.

Here are some key reasons why they’re important in English:

• Enhance clarity: Connectors help in clearly expressing relationships between ideas, ensuring that the message is easily understood.
• Improve coherence: By linking phrases and sentences, connectors create a cohesive and logical structure in writing and speech.
• Highlight relationships: Connectors showcase the connections between different parts of a text, emphasizing contrasts, cause and effect, comparisons, and more.
• Facilitate understanding: Using connectors appropriately aids in grasping complex concepts and following the flow of information in a conversation or written piece.
• Elevate language proficiency: Mastering connectors demonstrates a higher level of language proficiency and sophistication in communication.

Overall, connectors serve as the glue that holds language together, enabling individuals to express themselves clearly and effectively in English.

Types of connectors

Connectors play a crucial role in English by linking ideas, phrases, or clauses to ensure clear and effective communication. There are several types of connectors that serve different functions in a sentence:

1. Coordinating connectors:

These connectors link words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance. They include:

• And: Adds information or lists items
• But: Shows a contrast or contradiction
• Or: Presents alternatives
• So: Indicates a consequence or reason
• Yet: Introduces a contrasting idea

2. Subordinating connectors:

These connectors link dependent and independent clauses, showing the relationship between them. Examples include:

• Because: Indicates a cause-and-effect relationship
• Although: Introduces a contrast or concession
• While: Shows simultaneous actions or events
• Since: Specifies a reason or time
• Unless: Implies a condition

3. Correlative connectors:

These connectors work in pairs to connect similar grammatical elements. Common correlative connectors include:

• Both...and: Indicates a dual situation
• Either...or: Presents a choice between two options
• Not only...but also: Emphasizes additional information
• Whether...or: Introduces alternatives
• As...as: Makes comparisons between two elements

4. Adversative connectors:

These connectors express contrast, opposition, or conflict in a sentence. Some examples of adversative connectors are:

• However: Introduces a contrasting idea
• Nevertheless: Indicates a concession or opposition
• On the other hand: Presents an alternative perspective
• Instead: Offers a different option or choice
• Conversely: Shows a reverse relationship

By understanding the different types of connectors and their functions, individuals can enhance their writing and speaking skills in English.

Examples of common linking words

Linking words, also known as connectors, are essential in English to establish relationships between different parts of a sentence. Here are some common examples of linking words:

1. Addition:

• And
• Also
• Moreover

2. Contrast:

• But
• However
• On the other hand

3. Cause and effect:

• Because
• Therefore
• So

4. Comparison:

• As
• Like
• Similarly

5. Addition of information:

• Furthermore
• In addition
• Additionally

6. Result:

• Consequently
• Thus
• As a result

7. Emphasis:

• Indeed
• Certainly
• Above all

8. Time sequence:

• Firstly
• Then
• Finally

9. Condition:

• If
• Unless
• Provided that

10. Illustration:

• For example
• Such as
• For instance