linking words and phrases [LEFT]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. [TABLE][TR][TD]Listing[/TD][TD]Giving examples[/TD][TD]Generalising[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]first, second, third[/TD][TD]for example[/TD][TD]in general[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]first, furthermore, finally[/TD][TD]for instance[/TD][TD]generally[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]to begin, to conclude[/TD][TD]as follows:[/TD][TD]on the whole[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]next[/TD][TD]that is[/TD][TD]as a rule[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Reinforcement[/TD][TD]in this case[/TD][TD]for the most part[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]also[/TD][TD]namely[/TD][TD]in most cases[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]furthermore[/TD][TD]in other words[/TD][TD]usually[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]moreover[/TD][TD]Result/consequence[/TD][TD]Highlighting[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]what is more[/TD][TD]so [/TD][TD]in particular[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]in addition[/TD][TD]therefore[/TD][TD]particularly[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]besides[/TD][TD]as a result/consequence[/TD][TD]especially[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]above all[/TD][TD]accordingly[/TD][TD]mainly[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]as well (as)[/TD][TD]consequently[/TD][TD]Reformulation[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]in the same way[/TD][TD]because of this/that[/TD][TD]in other words[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]not only ... but also[/TD][TD]thus[/TD][TD]rather[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Similarity[/TD][TD]hence[/TD][TD]to put it more simply [/TD][/TR][TR][TD]equally[/TD][TD]for this/that reason[/TD][TD]Expressing an alternative[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]likewise[/TD][TD]so that[/TD][TD]alternatively[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]similarly[/TD][TD]in that case[/TD][TD]rather[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]correspondingly[/TD][TD]under these circumstances[/TD][TD]on the other hand[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]in the same way[/TD][TD]Deduction[/TD][TD]the alternative is [/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Transition to new point[/TD][TD]then[/TD][TD]another possibility would be[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]now,[/TD][TD]in other words[/TD][TD]Contrast[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]as far as x is concerned[/TD][TD]in that case[/TD][TD]instead[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]with regard/reference to[/TD][TD]otherwise[/TD][TD]conversely[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]as for ...[/TD][TD]this implies that ...[/TD][TD]on the contrary[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]it follows that[/TD][TD]if so/not[/TD][TD]in contrast[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]turning to[/TD][TD]Stating the obvious[/TD][TD]in comparison[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Summary[/TD][TD]obviously[/TD][TD]Concession (sth unexpected)[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]in conclusion[/TD][TD]clearly[/TD][TD]however[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]to conclude[/TD][TD]naturally[/TD][TD]even though[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]in brief[/TD][TD]of course[/TD][TD]however much[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]to summarise[/TD][TD]as can be expected[/TD][TD]nevertheless[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]overall[/TD][TD]surely[/TD][TD]still[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]therefore[/TD][TD]after all[/TD][TD]yet[/TD][/TR][/TABLE][LEFT]Here are just a few examples of some of the words in action:

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.
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.
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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.
[CENTER][TABLE][TR][TD][CENTER]In particular[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]However[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]For instance [/CENTER][/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/CENTER]
2 There are some slight variations in temperature, but ________________ 26 to 27ºC should be expected.
[CENTER][TABLE][TR][TD][CENTER]consequently[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]otherwise[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]as a rule [/CENTER][/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/CENTER]

3 The two main Channel Islands, ________________ Jersey and Guernsey, are much closer to France than to England.
[CENTER][TABLE][TR][TD][CENTER]for example[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]namely[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]in particular [/CENTER][/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/CENTER]

4 It was announced that nurses' working hours would be increased by 25%. ______________ , even fewer trainee nurses are expected to join the profession.
[CENTER][TABLE][TR][TD][CENTER]As a result[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]So that[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]Likewise [/CENTER][/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/CENTER]
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%.
[CENTER][TABLE][TR][TD][CENTER]Above all[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]Correspondingly[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]In contrast [/CENTER][/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/CENTER]
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.
[CENTER][TABLE][TR][TD][CENTER]Nevertheless[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]In other words[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]Similarly [/CENTER][/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/CENTER]
[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS]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.

[CENTER][TABLE][TR][TD][CENTER]Furthermore[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]In comparison[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]With reference to[/CENTER][/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/CENTER]
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.
[CENTER][TABLE][TR][TD][CENTER]as well as[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]in addition[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]in the same way[/CENTER][/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/CENTER]
9 Essays must be handed in by the deadline, ______________ they will not be marked.

[CENTER][TABLE][TR][TD][CENTER]obviously [/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]otherwise [/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]as a result [/CENTER][/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/CENTER]
10 ______________ it has been shown that fractures can occur at even relatively low pressures, the use of the material should not be completely discounted.
[CENTER][TABLE][TR][TD][CENTER]Nevertheless[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]Because[/CENTER][/TD][TD][CENTER]Even though [/CENTER][/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/CENTER]

[HIGHLIGHT=#fbd5b5]Transition word exercise [/HIGHLIGHT]
[HIGHLIGHT=#fbd5b5]Answers
[/HIGHLIGHT]
1 Polls show that Tony Blair is the most popular Prime Minister this century. However, there are even members of his own party who are uneasy with his approach.

However indicates that what follows is something of a contradiction or an exception.
2 There are some slight variations in temperature, but as a rule 26 to 27ºC should be expected.

As a rule shows you are about to make a generalisation.
3 The two main Channel Islands, namely Jersey and Guernsey, are much closer to France than to England.

You are actually naming the two islands mentioned, so namely is used.
4 It was announced that nurses' working hours would be increased by 25%. As a result , even fewer trainee nurses are expected to join the profession.

The second sentence is a result or consequence of the first. So that must be followed by a verb.
5 Sales of CDs have experienced a small but steady fall over the past 12 months.In contrast , vinyl records have seen an increase in their share of the market, up to 1.7%.

The second sentence contrasts vinyl with CDs.
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. In other words , no-one was getting a pay rise.

The second sentence says the same as the first, but in a much simpler way (reformulation).
7 It is clear, therefore, that the situation in Brazil will improve only slowly. With reference to the economic problems being experienced in Japan, the outlook is slightly more optimistic.

The second sentence deals with a new aspect/point.
8 In order to try to reduce car use in the inner cities, the government has announced new restrictions on company parking spaces and in addition, a new tax on individual car use.

Reinforcement of the idea; an extra point. As well as must be immediately followed by a noun or verb.
9 Essays must be handed in by the deadline, otherwise they will not be marked.

The second part is a consequence of the first.
10 Even though it has been shown that fractures can occur at even relatively low pressures, the use of the material should not be completely discounted.
The idea of concesssion again; the second part is somewhat unexpected.