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Linking Words for Paragraphs

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B1 (Intermediate)Writing

Linking Words for Paragraphs

Linking words (also called transition words or connectors) guide your reader through a paragraph. They show how one idea relates to the next — adding, contrasting, giving examples, or concluding. Using them well is a key B1 skill that makes writing smooth and easy to follow. This lesson organises the most useful ones.

Linking words (also called transition words or connectors) guide your reader through a paragraph. They show how one idea relates to the next — adding, contrasting, giving examples, or concluding. Using them well is a key B1 skill that makes writing smooth and easy to follow. This lesson organises the most useful ones.

1. The main groups

Purpose Linking words
To add also, in addition, moreover, and
To contrast however, but, although, on the other hand
To give an example for example, for instance, such as
To show a reason/result because, so, therefore, as a result
To sequence first, next, then, finally
To conclude in conclusion, in short, overall

2. Punctuation with linking words

Position Rule Example
Start of sentence comma after it However, the price is high.
Joining two sentences comma before and/but It is cheap, but it is slow.
“because / although” mid-sentence no comma needed I stayed home because I was tired.

3. However vs. but

They both show contrast, but they behave differently. But joins two parts of one sentence. However usually starts a new sentence and takes a comma.

  • The course is hard, but it is useful.
  • The course is hard. However, it is useful.
Don’t overuse themLinking words are seasoning, not the meal. One good connector per idea is enough. A paragraph stuffed with “moreover… furthermore… in addition…” sounds unnatural. Use them where the reader genuinely needs a signal.
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersChoose the linking word by the relationship between your ideas, not by habit. Ask: am I adding (also), contrasting (however), giving an example (for example), or giving a result (therefore)? Also watch the punctuation: connectors at the start of a sentence take a comma after them (“However, …”; “For example, …”). This small comma is expected in English writing.

Examples from EduCareer

  • Online classes are flexible. In addition, they save travel time.
  • Aisha studied hard. As a result, she passed easily.
  • Many skills improve with reading, such as spelling and vocabulary.
Common mistakes

However the price is high.  →  However, the price is high.

It is cheap but, it is slow.  →  It is cheap, but it is slow.

The course is hard, however it is useful.  →  The course is hard. However, it is useful.

Moreover furthermore in addition also it is good.  →  In addition, it is good.

Check your understanding

Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.

1.What do linking words do?
They show relationships between ideas.
2.Which word ADDS information?
"in addition" adds information.
3.Which word shows CONTRAST?
"however" shows contrast.
4.Which introduces an EXAMPLE?
"for example" introduces an example.
5.Which shows a RESULT?
"as a result" shows a result.
6.Punctuation: "___ the price is high." (contrast, start of sentence)
"However," needs a comma after it.
7.Which is correct?
Comma before "but" when joining two sentences.
8."But" is used to:
"but" joins within one sentence.
9."However" usually:
"However," starts a new sentence.
10.Fix: "The course is hard, however it is useful."
"However" starts a new sentence with a comma.
11.Which SEQUENCES ideas?
These are sequence words.
12.Which CONCLUDES?
"in conclusion" signals the end.
13.Does "because" mid-sentence need a comma before it?
"I stayed home because I was tired." \u2014 no comma.
14.Choose the best connector: "Aisha studied hard. ___ she passed easily."
Hard work led to a result \u2192 As a result,
15.Choose the best connector: "The course is hard. ___ it is useful."
A contrast \u2192 However,
16.Which is the mistake?
Too many connectors piled together is wrong.
17."such as" is used to:
"such as" gives examples.
18.Best connector: "Online classes are flexible. ___ they save travel time."
Adding a second benefit \u2192 In addition,
19.How many connectors per idea are usually enough?
One well-chosen connector is enough.
20.Which sentence is fully correct?
"such as" flows in with a comma before it introducing the list.

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Continue practising

B1 (Intermediate)The Paragraph: The Concluding SentenceStart lesson →B1 (Intermediate)Prepositions of MovementStart lesson →B1 (Intermediate)Connectors: because, so, although, howeverStart lesson →B1 (Intermediate)The Third ConditionalStart lesson →
PreviousThe Paragraph: The Concluding SentenceNext lessonWriting a Descriptive Paragraph
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