Connect Your Ideas: Linking Words for A2 Writing

The key idea

Choose the right connector for your two ideas. Use he, she, it or they only when the reader knows who or what you mean.

What is it for?

Learn how to connect sentences and use pronouns and reference words to make a paragraph clear, natural and easy to follow.

What you need to know

Use and, also and too to add information, but to show contrast, because to give a reason, and so to show a result.
Use sequence words to put events in a clear order and time words to show when things happen.
Put commas in the right places with but, so and sequence words.
Use pronouns and reference words to avoid repeating nouns, but make sure the reader knows who or what they mean.
Replace repeated and or and then with a wider range of connectors and clearer sentence structures.

1. Connect your sentences

A list gives the reader separate pieces of information. A connected paragraph shows how the ideas work together.

Choose a connector that shows the relationship between two ideas. You do not need a connector in every sentence.

Use and to add a similar idea.
Use also or too to add information.
Use but to show a difference.
Use because to give a reason.
Use so to show a result.

I visited a park. I ate lunch. The weather was sunny.

This list gives information, but the ideas do not feel connected.

I visited a park and ate lunch because the weather was sunny.

And joins activities, while because explains the reason.

The park was beautiful, but it was very crowded.

But shows a contrast between two ideas.

I also took photos. My friend took photos too.

Also usually comes before the main verb, while too often comes at the end.

2. Show reasons, results and time

Because and so connect ideas in different ways. Use because before a reason and so before a result.

Sequence words help readers follow events in order. Time words explain when one action happens in relation to another.

Because + reason: I stayed inside because it rained.
Result + so + result of the situation: It rained, so I stayed inside.
First, Then, Next, After that and Finally show the order of events.
When, after and before connect actions with time.

I was hungry because I missed lunch.

The reason comes after because.

I missed lunch, so I was hungry.

The result comes after so.

First, we visited the museum. Then, we walked to a café.

Use a comma after First and Then at the start of a sentence.

After we ate lunch, we went for a walk.

After shows that lunch happened before the walk.

I listened to music when I travelled home.

When shows the time of the action.

I packed my bag before I left home.

Before shows that packing happened earlier.

3. Use the right punctuation

Connectors help readers understand your ideas, and punctuation makes the connections easier to read.

Learn the basic comma patterns. Do not put a comma before every connector.

Use a comma before but when it joins two complete ideas.
Use a comma before so when it joins two complete ideas.
Do not put a comma before because in a normal sentence.
Use a comma after First, Then, Next, After that and Finally at the start of a sentence.
A full stop can separate two ideas when a sentence becomes too long.

I wanted to swim, but the water was cold.

The comma comes before but because both sides are complete ideas.

The bus was late, so we walked.

The comma comes before so to separate the two ideas.

We stayed inside because it was raining.

There is no comma before because in this sentence.

Next, we bought some snacks.

The comma comes after Next at the start of the sentence.

4. Make pronouns and reference words clear

You do not need to repeat the same noun in every sentence. Pronouns and reference words help your paragraph sound natural.

Use he for a man or boy. Use she for a woman or girl. Use it for one thing or animal. Use they for more than one person or thing. Use this, that or the same when the reader can identify the idea or object.

Use a pronoun after you introduce the person or thing.
Use this or that to refer to an idea or situation the reader can identify.
Use the same to show that something is not different from what you mentioned before.
If two people could be the subject, repeat the name instead of using an unclear pronoun.

Mina bought a new camera. She used it at the park.

She refers to Mina, and it refers to the camera.

We visited two gardens. They were both beautiful.

They refers to the two gardens.

The bus was late. This made us tired.

This refers to the situation of the late bus.

Lena spoke to Sara after she arrived.

It is not clear who arrived. Write Lena or Sara to make the meaning clear.

I ordered the same meal as my brother.

The same shows that the two meals matched.

5. Use more than and and then

And is useful, but too many ands can make a paragraph sound like a list. And then can also make every event sound the same.

Choose connectors that show the real relationship between your ideas. You can also start a new sentence or remove a connector when it is not needed.

Use but when two ideas are different.
Use because when you explain a reason.
Use so when you explain a result.
Use sequence words to show the order of events.
Use pronouns instead of repeating the same names or nouns.

We went to the beach and we swam and we ate and then we went home.

Too many repeated connectors make the sentence tiring to read.

First, we went to the beach. Then, we swam. After that, we ate lunch, so we felt happy and relaxed.

Different connectors show the order of events and the result.

I took my camera. I used it to take photos.

It avoids repeating camera.

How to do it, step by step

Decide what your paragraph is about and choose the main events or ideas.
Put the ideas in a clear order, such as time order for a day out.
Choose connectors to show addition, contrast, reasons, results or time.
Replace repeated names and nouns with clear pronouns or reference words.
Check punctuation, remove unnecessary connectors and read the paragraph again.

Formulas and key language

Use it for	Example	Another example
idea + and + idea	We visited the park and played football.	I bought a sandwich and a drink.
also + main verb	We also visited a small museum.	I also took some photos.
idea + but + different idea	The beach was beautiful, but the water was cold.	I wanted to walk, but it started to rain.
result or situation + because + reason	We went home because it was late.	I took a jacket because the evening was cold.
reason or situation, so + result	It was late, so we went home.	The bus was full, so we walked.
First, + event. Then, + event.	First, we bought tickets. Then, we entered the museum.	First, I packed my bag. Then, I left home.
After that, + event. Finally, + last event.	After that, we ate lunch. Finally, we went home.	After that, I took photos. Finally, I called my friend.
action + when / before / after + time or action	I listened to music when I travelled home.	We washed our hands before we ate.
person or thing + pronoun or reference word	Maya bought a book. She read it on the bus.	The walk was long. This made us tired.

UK / US: Both British and American English use these connectors in the same basic way. Spelling can differ in other words, such as favourite (British) and favorite (American).

Model text

A Saturday by the Lake

1. Start and first event

Last Saturday, my cousin Leo and I visited a lake near our town. First, we walked along the water and took photos.

First shows the order of events, and and adds a second activity.

2. Contrast and reason

The weather was sunny, but the water was cold. We sat under a tree because we wanted some shade.

But shows a difference, and because gives the reason for sitting under the tree.

3. More events and a result

After that, we ate sandwiches and drank juice. Leo also played a little music, so some people stopped to listen.

After that shows the next event, also adds information, and so introduces a result.

4. Ending

Finally, we walked home together. We were tired, but we felt happy. It was a lovely day, and I want to visit the lake again.

Finally marks the last event, it refers to the day, and but contrasts tiredness with happiness.

Common mistakes

✗ The park was nice because we stayed there all day.

✓ The park was nice, so we stayed there all day.

So introduces the result of liking the park, while because introduces a reason.

✗ I was hungry, because I missed lunch.

✓ I was hungry because I missed lunch.

Do not normally put a comma before because in this sentence.

✗ It was late so we went home.

✓ It was late, so we went home.

Use a comma before so when it joins two complete ideas.

✗ First we visited the museum.

✓ First, we visited the museum.

Use a comma after First at the start of a sentence.

✗ We walked and we talked and we ate and then we left.

✓ We walked and talked. Then, we ate and left.

Remove repeated connectors to make the paragraph easier to read.

✗ Nina met Sara at the station. She was late.

✓ Nina met Sara at the station. Nina was late.

The reader cannot know which person she refers to, so repeat the name.

Plan it, then check it

Plan

Choose a weekend or day-out experience, real or invented.
Write down six to eight events or ideas in a clear order.
Choose different connectors for addition, contrast, reason, result and sequence.
Decide where you can use pronouns or reference words without confusing the reader.

Check

Check that each connector shows the correct relationship between ideas.
Check because and so: a reason follows because, and a result follows so.
Check commas before but and so, after opening sequence words, and no comma before because in a normal sentence.
Check that each pronoun or reference word has a clear meaning.
Remove repeated and or and then when another connector or a full stop works better.

Practice

EXERCISE:

Choose the right connector

Choose the connector that best shows the relationship between the two ideas.

1.The café was small, ___ it was comfortable.

But shows a contrast between the café's size and comfort.

2.We stayed at home ___ it was raining.

Because introduces the reason for staying at home.

3.The train was late, ___ we took a taxi.

So introduces the result of the late train.

4.First, we bought our tickets. ___, we entered the museum.

Then shows that entering the museum happened after buying tickets.

5.Mia took photos. She ___ bought a postcard.

Also adds another activity by Mia.

6.I packed my bag ___ I went to bed.

Before shows that packing happened earlier than going to bed.

Now write

Your task

Write a connected paragraph of 6-8 sentences about a weekend or a day out. Use real or made-up details. Show the order of events, add information, and explain at least one reason or result. Use at least four different connectors and at least two clear pronouns.

Target: 6-8 sentences

Word bank

weekendparkmuseumbeachcousinfriendsunnycrowdedFirstThenbecausebutsoalsoFinally

Sentence starters

Last weekend, I...
First, we...
After that, we...
I enjoyed the day because...
The place was..., but...
Finally, we...

Use made-up names, places and events if you prefer. Do not include private information.

Write in your notebook or in a document, then use the checklist below.

Check your writing

Have I used connectors to show how my ideas relate?
Have I used at least four different connectors instead of repeating and?
Have I used because for a reason and so for a result?
Have I used commas correctly with but, so and opening sequence words?
Can the reader clearly identify every person or thing in my pronouns and reference words?

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