The key idea
Choose a linking word by the relationship you want to show between ideas.
What is it for?
Learn to choose linking words that show how ideas connect. Make your writing clearer and easier to follow.
What you need to know
- Identify the relationship between your ideas before choosing a linking word.
- Use contrast words to show differences between ideas.
- Use concession words to show an unexpected result or fact.
- Use result, example and addition words for their specific purposes.
- Check word position and punctuation before finishing your text.
1. Find the relationship first
Linking words show how ideas connect. First, decide what the next idea does.
Does it show a difference, an unexpected fact, a result, an example or extra information? Choose a word that matches.
- Contrast shows a difference between two ideas.
- Concession shows that one fact is surprising beside another.
- Result shows what happens because of something.
- Examples make a general idea more specific.
- Addition gives more information.
The bus is cheap, but it takes an hour.
But shows a difference between price and travel time.
Although the bus was late, I arrived on time.
Although introduces a fact that does not stop the result.
The train was cancelled, so we took a taxi.
So introduces the result of the cancellation.
2. Choose the right word for the job
Some linking words have similar jobs. However, they do not always fit the same sentence.
But joins two ideas in one sentence. However often starts a new sentence. Although introduces an unexpected fact.
So introduces a result. As a result and therefore can also show results. For example and for instance introduce examples.
- Contrast: but, however.
- Concession: although, even though.
- Result: so, as a result, therefore.
- Example: for example, for instance.
- Addition: also, in addition, as well.
The office is small. However, it is comfortable.
However connects ideas across two sentences.
Although the office is small, it is comfortable.
Although joins the unexpected fact and the main idea.
The office has useful spaces. For example, it has a quiet room.
For example introduces one specific detail.
The office is comfortable. In addition, it is close to home.
In addition introduces extra information.
3. Put the linking word in the right place
Linking words follow different sentence patterns. Learn the pattern as well as the meaning.
Use a comma after However at the start of a sentence. Put a comma before but when it joins two complete ideas.
When Although starts a sentence, put a comma before the main idea. As a result and Therefore usually start a sentence and take a comma.
- However, + complete sentence.
- Complete idea, but + complete idea.
- Although + fact, main idea.
- Complete idea. As a result, + complete sentence.
- Do not use however and but together for the same contrast.
- Do not use because and so together in one basic cause-and-result pattern.
However, I still enjoy my job.
Use a comma after However.
I enjoy my job, but the hours are long.
Use a comma before but when joining complete ideas.
Although the hours are long, I enjoy my job.
Use a comma after the opening Although clause.
The train stopped. As a result, I arrived late.
Use a comma after As a result.
4. Connect ideas without overusing links
A linking word should help the reader. Do not add one to every sentence.
Read your ideas together. Add a link only when it makes the connection clearer. You can also change the sentence order.
- Keep links that show a clear relationship.
- Remove links that repeat the same message.
- Use different linking words when the relationships are different.
- Check that each linking word matches the meaning.
My job is tiring. I enjoy helping people.
These sentences give two ideas, but their relationship is not clear.
My job is tiring, but I enjoy helping people.
But makes the contrast clear.
My job is tiring. However, I enjoy helping people. I also learn new skills.
However shows contrast, while also adds information.
How to do it, step by step
- Write the ideas you want to connect.
- Decide how the ideas are related.
- Choose a linking word with the right meaning.
- Put the word in the correct position and add punctuation.
- Read the text again and remove unnecessary linking words.
Formulas and key language
| Use it for | Example | Another example |
|---|---|---|
| Idea, but + contrasting idea. | I like my job, but the hours are long. | The room is small, but it is comfortable. |
| However, + contrasting sentence. | The bus was late. However, I arrived on time. | The work was difficult. However, I finished it. |
| Although + fact, main idea. | Although I was tired, I finished the report. | Although the office is far away, I enjoy working there. |
| Even though + fact, main idea. | Even though the train was crowded, we found seats. | Even though the task was difficult, she completed it. |
| Cause, so + result. | The shop was closed, so we went home. | I missed the bus, so I walked to work. |
| Cause. As a result, + result. | The road was blocked. As a result, we arrived late. | The computer stopped working. As a result, I lost time. |
| Idea. Therefore, + result or conclusion. | The room was noisy. Therefore, I moved to another room. | The train was cheaper. Therefore, we chose it. |
| Idea. For example, + specific detail. | I enjoy outdoor activities. For example, I cycle to work. | The job has benefits. For example, I can learn new skills. |
| Idea. In addition, + extra information. | The job pays well. In addition, it offers flexible hours. | The flat is affordable. In addition, it is near the station. |
| Idea. I also/as well + extra information. | I work from home. I also study in the evening. | She enjoys reading. She enjoys cycling as well. |
UK / US: These linking words are used in British and American English. Spelling may differ in other words, but the linking rules are the same.
Level up: Replace basic words (good, very, nice) with stronger ones. See our A2 to B1 upgrades page.
Model text
Balancing Work and Free Time
Introduction
I work in a small office, where I help customers solve everyday problems. My job can be demanding, but I enjoy speaking with different people. I also learn useful skills that help me outside work.
The opening introduces the job. But shows contrast, while also adds information.
Benefits and problems
The main benefit is my regular schedule, which gives me time for family and friends. For example, I usually have dinner with my family before watching a film. However, busy weeks sometimes leave me exhausted. When this happens, I find it difficult to enjoy my evenings. Although I need time to rest, I try to stay active.
For example gives a detail. However and although show different kinds of contrast.
Conclusion
Last month, I started cycling after work, so I now feel more energetic. In addition, I spend less time looking at my phone. As a result, I sleep better and feel more prepared for work. I believe free time matters because it helps me recover and enjoy my daily life.
So, in addition and as a result show results and extra information.
Common mistakes
✗ I was tired, however I finished the task.
✓ I was tired. However, I finished the task.
Use a full stop before However when it starts a new sentence.
✗ The bus was late, but however I arrived on time.
✓ The bus was late, but I arrived on time.
But and however should not do the same job together.
✗ Because I missed the bus, so I walked home.
✓ Because I missed the bus, I walked home.
Because already introduces the reason, so is unnecessary here.
✗ Although I was tired. I finished the report.
✓ Although I was tired, I finished the report.
Do not put a full stop between the Although clause and the main idea.
✗ The train was cancelled. As a result we took a taxi.
✓ The train was cancelled. As a result, we took a taxi.
Use a comma after As a result at the start of a sentence.
✗ I enjoy my job, in addition I learn new skills.
✓ I enjoy my job. In addition, I learn new skills.
Use a full stop before In addition when it starts a new sentence.
Plan it, then check it
Plan
- Write your main ideas in a short list.
- Mark each connection as contrast, concession, result, example or addition.
- Choose a linking word for each connection.
- Put the ideas in a clear order and write your paragraph.
Check
- Does each linking word match the meaning?
- Have I used commas and full stops correctly?
- Have I avoided using however with but?
- Have I avoided using because with so in the same pattern?
- Have I removed links that do not help the reader?
Practice
Choose the Right Linking Word
Choose the linking word that best connects the ideas.
1.The job pays well, ___ the working hours are long.
But shows the contrast between the pay and the hours.
2.The bus did not arrive. ___, we walked to the station.
As a result introduces what happened because the bus did not arrive.
3.___ the office is far away, I enjoy working there.
Although introduces a fact that does not change the main idea.
4.I enjoy several activities after work. ___, I go cycling twice a week.
For example introduces one activity from a wider group.
5.The shop is close to my home. ___, it stays open late.
In addition introduces another benefit of the shop.
6.The train was cancelled, ___ we took a taxi.
So introduces the result of the cancelled train.
Complete the Sentences
Write one linking word or phrase in each gap.
1.I like my job, the commute is tiring.
But shows a contrast between liking the job and finding the commute tiring.
2.The road was closed. , we arrived late.
As a result introduces the effect of the closed road.
3. I was exhausted, I finished my work.
Although introduces an unexpected fact before the main idea.
4.The flat is affordable. , it is near the station.
In addition adds another fact about the flat.
5.I missed the bus, I walked to work.
So introduces the result of missing the bus.
6.I enjoy outdoor activities. , I go cycling every weekend.
For example introduces one specific outdoor activity.
7.The task was difficult. , I completed it.
However introduces a contrast with the difficulty of the task.
8.She works from home. She studies in the evening.
Also adds another activity to the information about her.
Build Sentences with Although and However
Put the words in the correct order. Add punctuation and capital letters.
1.Put the words in order:
althoughicontinuedwasworkingitired
Although introduces the unexpected fact before the main idea.
2.Put the words in order:
isithesmallofficelikeitalthough
Although introduces an unexpected fact.
3.Put the words in order:
wasalthougharrivedtimelatethebusonwe
Although connects the delay with the unexpected result.
4.Put the words in order:
wasitdifficultfinishedthehoweveriwork
A full stop separates the first sentence from the sentence beginning with However.
5.Put the words in order:
jobshelateworksheralthoughsheenjoys
Although introduces the late hours before the main idea.
Fix the Linking Word or Punctuation
Correct one small mistake in each sentence.
1.The job pays well, however the hours are long.
A full stop and a comma correctly introduce However.
2.Although I was tired. I finished the report.
A comma connects the opening Although clause to the main idea.
3.The train was cancelled, but however we took a taxi.
Remove either but or however to avoid repeating the same contrast.
4.The road was blocked. As a result we arrived late.
Add a comma after As a result.
5.Because I missed the bus, so I walked home.
Remove because or so to keep one clear cause-and-result pattern.
6.I enjoy my job, in addition I learn new skills.
Use a full stop before In addition when it starts a new sentence.
Now write
Your task
Write a paragraph of 7-9 sentences about the good and bad sides of working from home. Use the fictional notes below as your starting point. Draft: Lina works from home three days a week. She saves money on bus fares and has more time for breakfast. However, her flat is sometimes noisy. She misses talking with her workmates. Although she likes working alone, she sometimes feels lonely. She takes a short walk at lunch. As a result, she feels more focused in the afternoon. She also enjoys having a flexible schedule. Use these notes to write your own paragraph. Keep the main ideas, but choose your own linking words and sentence order. Use at least five different linking words.
Word bank
flexible schedulesave moneybus faresquiet spacenoisy flatworkmatesfeel lonelytake a breakstay focusedfinish tasksfamily timework equipmentdaily routinework-life balance
Sentence starters
- One advantage of working from home is ...
- For example, ...
- However, ...
- Although ...
- As a result, ...
- In addition, ...