LINKING WORDS

LINKING WORDS 1.Reality -To be honest:To be honest (= what I really think is), it was one of the worst books I’ve ever read. -To tell (you) the truth(used when admitting sth):To tell the truth, I fell asleep in the middle of her talk. 2.Contrast -Although -Nevertheless(despite sth that you have just mentioned):§There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law. Nevertheless, it is important that we try. §Our defeat was expected but it is disappointing nevertheless. -As opposed to(used to make a contrast between two things): §200 attended, as opposed to 300 the previous year. § This exercise develops suppleness as opposed to (= rather than) strength. -On the other hand(=on the one hand … on the other (hand) …)(used to introduce different points of view, ideas, etc., especially when they are opposites): §On the one hand they’d love to have kids, but on the other, they don’t want to give up their freedom. -Whereas(used to compare or contrast two facts): §Some of the studies show positive results, whereas others do not. -In contrast to:The company lost $7 million this quarter in contrast to a profit of $6.2 million a year earlier -Nonetheless(despite this fact)=Nevertheless: § The book is too long but, nonetheless, informative and entertaining. § The problems are not serious. Nonetheless, we shall need to tackle them soon. -On the contrary(used to introduce a statement that says the opposite of the last one): §‘It must have been terrible.’ ‘On the contrary, I enjoyed every minute.’ -As the matter of the fact=the fact (of the matter) is (that) …(used to emphasize a statement, especially one that is the opposite of what has just been mentioned): §A new car would be wonderful but the fact of the matter is that we can’t afford one. 3.Explaining reasons -Because -Because of -Thanks to(words or actions that show that you are grateful to sb for sth): §How can I ever express my thanks to you for all you’ve done? -Owing to(=Because of) -Due to sth/sb(caused by sb/sth; because of sb/sth): §The team’s success was largely due to her efforts. §Most of the problems were due to human error -Hence(for this reason): §We suspect they are trying to hide something, hence the need for an independent inquiry -After all(used when you are explaining sth, or giving a reason): §He should have paid. He suggested it, after all. 4.Explaining results -As a result:She died as a result of her injuries -Consequently(=As a result; Therefore): §This poses a threat to agriculture and the food chain, and consequently to human health. -For that reason(=for the simple reason that): §I had to do it for the simple reason that (= because) I couldn’t trust anyone else. -Accordingly(=Therefore)((used especially at the beginning of a sentence) for that reason): §The cost of materials rose sharply last year. Accordingly, we were forced to increase our prices. -Thus=Hence=Therefore(as a result of sth just mentioned): §He is the eldest son and thus heir to the title. § We do not own the building. Thus, it would be impossible for us to make any major changes to it. 5.Explaining purpose -In order to -So that -Lest(=for fear that)(in order to prevent sth from happening): §He gripped his brother’s arm lest he be trampled by the mob. -For fear of sth / of doing sth= for fear (that) …(to avoid the danger of sth happening): §We spoke quietly for fear of waking the guards. §I had to run away for fear (that) he might one day kill me. 6.Concession/qualification -Even so(=despite that):There are a lot of spelling mistakes; even so, it’s quite a good essay. -Having said that(=even so)(used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong):I sometimes get worried in this job. Having said that, I enjoy doing it, it’s a challenge. -Despite -The fact that(=the fact (of the matter) is (that) …)(used to emphasize a statement, especially one that is the opposite of what has just been mentioned): §A new car would be wonderful but the fact of the matter is that we can’t afford one. 7.Starting a point -To start with(used when you are giving the first and most important reason for sth): §To start with it’s much too expensive … -First of all(before doing anything else; at the beginning):First of all, let me ask you something. -For one thing(used to introduce one of two or more reasons for doing sth): §‘Why don’t you get a car?’ ‘Well, for one thing, I can’t drive!’ -In the first place(used at the end of a sentence to talk about why sth was done or whether it should have been done or not):§I still don’t understand why you chose that name in the first place.- I should never have taken that job in the first place. -In the first, second, etc. place(used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce the different points you are making in an argument):Well, in the first place he has all the right qualifications. -For one thing(used to introduce one of two or more reasons for doing sth): §‘Why don’t you get a car?’ ‘Well, for one thing, I can’t drive!’ -Incidentally(used to introduce a new topic, or some extra information, or a question that you have just thought of )=by the way:Incidentally, have you heard the news about Sue? 8.Adding to a point -As well (as)(in addition to sb/sth; too):Are they coming as well? §They sell books as well as newspapers. §She is a talented musician as well as being a photographer. -Along with sb/sth(in addition to sb/sth; in the same way as sb/sth): §She lost her job when the factory closed, along with hundreds of others -Together with(in addition to; as well as):I sent my order, together with a cheque for £40. -Both … and …= Not only … but also …:Both his mother and his father will be there. § For this job you will need a good knowledge of both Italian and Spanish -In addition (to)(sb/sth)(used when you want to mention another person or thing after sth else):In addition to these arrangements, extra ambulances will be on duty until midnight. §There is, in addition, one further point to make. -On top of sth/sb(in addition to sth):He gets commission on top of his salary. § On top of everything else, my car’s been stolen. -By the way(used to introduce a comment or question that is not directly related to what you have been talking about):By the way, I found that book you were looking for. § What’s the time, by the way? § Oh by the way, if you see Jackie, tell her I’ll call her this evening. -At least(used to add a positive comment about a negative situation): §She may be slow but at least she’s reliable. -Indeed(used to add information to a statement):I don’t mind at all. Indeed, I would be delighted to help -What is more(used to add a point that is even more important):You’re wrong, and what’s more you know it! 9.Developing a point -Besides(in addition to sb/sth; apart from sb/sth):We have lots of things in common besides music. §Besides working as a doctor, he also writes novels in his spare time. § I’ve got no family besides my parents. -Furthermore=Moreover(in addition to what has just been stated. Furthermore is used especially to add a point to an argument): §He said he had not discussed the matter with her. Furthermore, he had not even contacted her. -In addition (to)(sb/sth) -Anyway=Besides(used when adding sth to support an idea or argumen): §It’s too expensive and anyway the colour doesn’t suit you. § It’s too late now, anyway. 10.Making generalization -In general(usually; mainly):In general, Japanese cars are very reliable and breakdowns are rare -By and large(used when you are saying something that is generally, but not completely, true): §By and large, I enjoyed my time at school. -On the whole(considering everything; in general):On the whole, I’m in favour of the idea. -Broadly speaking(generally, without considering details orused to show that what you are saying is true in a general, etc. way): §Broadly speaking, I agree with you or Generally speaking, the more you pay, the more you get. § There are, broadly speaking, two ways of doing this. § Personally speaking, I’ve always preferred Italian food. 11.Others -And then, to make matters worse, his parents turned up -At any rate(used to show that you are being more accurate about sth that you have just said):He said he’ll be coming tomorrow. At any rate, I think that’s what he said(used to show that what you have just said is not as important as what you are going to say):There were maybe 60 or 70 people there. At any rate, the room was packed. -He was too trusting—or, to put it another way, he had no head for business. -They've had a very difficult time.On top of that, their home was burgled -To some extent what she argues is true - In conclusion, (= finally) I would like to thank … CONJUNCTIONS -No less than :You no less than he are very rich. -Or/Else/Otherwise:We have to work hard, or/else/otherwise we will fail the exam. -Not with standing that: He is poor not with standing that he works very hard . LINKING WORDS 1.Reality -To be honest:To be honest (= what I really think is), it. that we can’t afford one. 3.Explaining reasons -Because -Because of -Thanks to (words or actions that show that you are grateful to sb for sth): §How can I