Cohesion: linking
words and phrases
You can use words or
short phrases which help to guide your reader through your writing, and to link
sentences, paragraphs and sections both forwards and backwards. Good use will
make what you have written easy to follow; bad use might mean your style is
disjointed, probably with too many short sentences, and consequently difficult
to follow. Your mark could be affected either way.
The best way to "get a feel" for these words is through your reading. Most textbooks and articles are well-written and will probably include a lot of these cohesive devices. Note how they are used and try to emulate what you have read. Do make sure though that you fully understand their meaning: incorrect use could change completely what you're trying to say. Try to use a variety of expressions, particularly in longer pieces of writing.
Don't forget "AND"! Two short sentences are often best connected together with this little word.
There follows a list of words and phrases that can be used. The list is not exhaustive, and BE CAREFUL: although grouped together, none is totally synonymous. Their position in the sentence can also vary; this is where your reading and dictionary come in.
The best way to "get a feel" for these words is through your reading. Most textbooks and articles are well-written and will probably include a lot of these cohesive devices. Note how they are used and try to emulate what you have read. Do make sure though that you fully understand their meaning: incorrect use could change completely what you're trying to say. Try to use a variety of expressions, particularly in longer pieces of writing.
Don't forget "AND"! Two short sentences are often best connected together with this little word.
There follows a list of words and phrases that can be used. The list is not exhaustive, and BE CAREFUL: although grouped together, none is totally synonymous. Their position in the sentence can also vary; this is where your reading and dictionary come in.
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Listing
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Giving examples
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Generalising
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first, second, third
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for example
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in general
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first, furthermore, finally
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for instance
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generally
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to begin, to conclude
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as follows:
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on the whole
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Next
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that is
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as a rule
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Reinforcement
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in this case
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for the most part
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Also
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namely
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in most cases
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Furthermore
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in other words
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usually
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Moreover
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Result/consequence
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Highlighting
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what is more
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so
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in particular
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in addition
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therefore
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particularly
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Besides
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as a result/consequence
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especially
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above all
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accordingly
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mainly
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as well (as)
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consequently
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Reformulation
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in the same way
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because of this/that
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in other words
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not only ... but also
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thus
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rather
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Similarity
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hence
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to put it more simply
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Equally
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for this/that reason
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Expressing an alternative
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Likewise
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so that
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alternatively
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Similarly
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in that case
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rather
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correspondingly
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under these circumstances
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on the other hand
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in the same way
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Deduction
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the alternative is
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Transition to new point
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then
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another possibility would be
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now,
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in other words
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Contrast
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as far as x is
concerned
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in that case
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instead
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with regard/reference to
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otherwise
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conversely
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as for ...
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this implies that ...
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on the contrary
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it follows that
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if so/not
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in contrast
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turning to
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Stating the obvious
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in comparison
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Summary
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obviously
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Concession (sth unexpected)
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in conclusion
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clearly
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however
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to conclude
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naturally
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even though
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in brief
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of course
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however much
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to summarise
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as can be expected
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nevertheless
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Overall
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surely
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still
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Therefore
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after all
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yet
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Here are just a few
examples of some of the words in action:
REINFORCEMENT
REINFORCEMENT
Desktop computers are
cheaper and more reliable than laptops; furthermore, they are more
flexible.
RESULT/CONSEQUENCE
Prices fell by more than 20% last year. As a result, sales increased by 15%.
GENERALISING
On the whole, his speech was well received, despite some complaints from new members.
RESULT/CONSEQUENCE
Prices fell by more than 20% last year. As a result, sales increased by 15%.
GENERALISING
On the whole, his speech was well received, despite some complaints from new members.
CONTRAST
The South East of the UK
often has the coldest weather in the winter. Conversely, the North
West of Scotland frequently has the mildest temperatures.
CONCESSION
It was a very expensive
holiday, the weather was bad and the people weren’t very friendly. Nevertheless,
we would probably go back to the same place.
Transition word exercise
Always ask yourself what the exact relationship is between the sentences or parts of sentences. Are you leading to the result of something? Are you making a deduction? Are you introducing some contradictory evidence or ideas? Your choice of word or phrase obviously depends on this. And always check in a good dictionary if you're not quite sure about a word's use or its position in a sentence. Remember that punctuation will affect what you use.
Insert the best alternative
1 Polls show that Tony Blair is the most popular Prime Minister this century. ______________ , there are even members of his own party who are uneasy with his approach.
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In
particular
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However
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For
instance
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2 There are some slight
variations in temperature, but ________________ 26 to 27ºC should be expected.
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consequently
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otherwise
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as
a rule
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3 The two main Channel Islands, ________________ Jersey and Guernsey, are much closer to France than to England.
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for
example
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namely
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in
particular
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4 It was announced that nurses' working hours would be increased by 25%. ______________ , even fewer trainee nurses are expected to join the profession.
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As
a result
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So
that
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Likewise
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5 Sales of CDs have
experienced a small but steady fall over the past 12 months. _____________ ,
vinyl records have seen an increase in their share of the
market, up to 1.7%.
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Above
all
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Correspondingly
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In
contrast
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6 The Vice Chancellor explained
that in light of the current financial climate and because of unexpected bad
debts, it would be necessary to peg salary levels at their current level for
all grades of staff. ______________ , no-one was getting a pay rise.
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Nevertheless
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In
other words
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Similarly
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7 It is clear,
therefore, that the situation in Brazil will improve only slowly.
______________ the economic problems being experienced in Japan, the outlook is
slightly more optimistic.
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Furthermore
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In
comparison
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With
reference to
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8 In order to try to
reduce car use in the inner cities, the government has announced new
restrictions on company parking spaces and ______________ , a new tax on
individual car use.
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as
well as
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in
addition
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in
the same way
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9 Essays must be handed
in by the deadline, ______________ they will not be marked.
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obviously
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otherwise
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as
a result
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10 ______________ it has
been shown that fractures can occur at even relatively low pressures, the use
of the material should not be completely discounted.
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Nevertheless
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Because
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Even
though
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