Connecting Words: Linking Words and Phrases

Unless you are a robot, then you know that writing requires some level of flow for readers to understand. Connecting words or linking words help writers create continuity in writing.

In this guide, we will cover not only what connecting words are, but their functions and when to use them.

A Quick Review of Conjunctions

Connecting words, at their core, are just conjunctions. But, when you are unsure of what a conjunction is, then you can’t effectively use connecting words.

A conjunction is a word that links other words, phrases, or clauses together.

There are three kinds of conjunctions: coordinating, correlative, and subordinating. Each of these conjunctions includes connecting words, so it’s safe to safe that connecting words and conjunctions are virtually the same thing.

The most significant difference with connecting words is that they also include phrases to more clearly express a thought.

The Original Coordinating Conjunctions

We are taught coordinating conjunctions in elementary school, so it’s easy to understand why this might feel easy to some. Do you remember how you were taught in school to remember connecting words? If you’re like me, then teachers drilled us to recognize the simple mnemonic device: F A N B O Y S

Fanboys is a group of letters that each represents a connecting word.

F = For

A = And

N = Not

B = But

O = Or

Y = Yet

S = So

These basic connecting words are the jumping – off point to dig deeper into the various purposes of connecting words.

Below we have extended the list of connecting words to the eight most common roles of connecting words.

One Final Usage Rule

It is commonly taught that coordinating conjunctions should never be at the beginning of a sentence. But this is incorrect. There are many opportunities where it is correct to use a conjunction at the beginning of a sentence.

Do English usage rules like this confuse you? You’re not alone. English is complicated and filled with rules that can make it difficult to know if you are trying to become a better writer.

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What are Connecting Words?

A connecting word or phrase is used to connect two separate thoughts. You could use connecting words for a variety of different reasons, including:

• To Give Examples
• Add Information
• Summarize
• Sequence Ideas
• Give a Reason
• Give a Result
• Contrast Ideas
• Emphasize a Thought
• To Make a Concession
• To Generalize a Thought
• To Restate Prior Thoughts

Connecting words go by a variety of different names, including linking words and transitions. At the core, all of these things have the same goal, which is to connect thoughts in writing.

Just like the example above of the robot, without connecting words, writing can feel blocky and unrelated.

Examples of Connecting Words

Type	example
To Give Examples	In other words To put differently For one thing As an illustration In this case For this reason to put it another way that is to say with attention to by all means notably including like to be sure namely chiefly indeed certainly surely in fact important to realize in general in particular especially in detail to demonstrate truly to emphasize to repeat on the negative side to clarify to explain most compelling evidence to enumerate another key point first thing to remember must be remembered point often overlooked on the positive side markedly specifically expressively surprisingly frequently significantly such as for example for instance to point out with this in mind proof of this
Add Information	In the first place not only…but also as a matter of fact in like manner in addition coupled with in the same fashion/way first, second, third in light of not to mention to say nothing of equally important by the same token again to and also then equally indentically uniquely like as too moreover as well as together with of course likewise comparatively correspondingly similarly furthermore additionally
Summarize	as can be seen generally speaking in the final analysis all things considered as shown above in the long run given these points as has been noted in a word after all in fact for the most part in summary altogether in conclusion in short on balance in brief in essence to summarize overall ordinarily usually by and large to sum up on the whole in the event in either case all in all
Sequence Ideas	at the present time from time to time sooner or later at the same time up to the present time to begin with in due time until now as soon as as long as in the meantime in a moment without delay in the first place all of a sudden at this instant immediately quickly finally after later last until till since then before hence when once about next now now that formerly suddenly shortly henceforth whenever eventually meanwhile further during first, second in time prior to forthwith straightaway by the time whenever instantly presently occasionally
Give a Reason	Due to Due to the fact that owing to owing to the fact that because because of since as
Give a Result	Therefore so consequently this means that as a result
Contrast Ideas	As a result under those circumstances in that case for this reason henceforth for thus because the then hence consequently therefore thereupon forthwith accordingly
Establish Opposition	Although this may be true In contrast different from of course,… but on the other hand on the contrary at the same time in spite of even so/though be that as it may then again above all in reality after all but (and) still unlike or (and) yet while albeit besides as much as even though although instead whereas despite conversely otherwise however rather nevertheless nonetheless regardless notwithstanding

Conclusion

If you want to add interest to your writing, but aren’t sure how a great place to start is connecting words. There are many different forms of connecting words, so it’s important to determine your purpose before selecting the words you’re going to use.

Let’s review:

• Conjunctions are the basic form of connecting words.
• There are three kinds of conjunctions: coordinating, correlative, and subordinating.
• The most basic conjunctions are the words that create fanboys (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
• Connecting words connect different thoughts.
• There are many kinds of connecting words to use so that your purpose can be communicated to your readers.
• If you are struggling with concepts like connecting words, check out ArgoPrep for easy-to-use and high-impact resources to help you grow.