Linking Words

Positive Addition:

and, both...and, not only...but (also/as well), too, moreover, in addition to, furthermore, further, also, not to mention the fact that, besides

E.g. She's clever and rich.

Negative Addition:

neither...nor, nor, neither, either

E.g. Neither Barry nor Kevin knows how to drive. Barry doesn't know how to drive. Nor does Kevin.

Contrast:

but, not...but, although, while, whereas, despite, even if, even though, on the other hand, in contrast, however, (and) yet, at the same time

E.g. Riding a bicycle may not be as comfortable as driving a car, however it is much more environmentally friendly.

 Similarity:

similarly, likewise, in the same way, equally

E.g. A glass of milk before you go to bed may help you sleep. Similarly, a hot bath could do the trick.

Concession:

but, even so, however, (and) still, (and) yet, nevertheless, on the other hand, although, even though, despite/in spite of, regardless of, admittedly, considering, whereas, while, nonetheless

E.g. He carried on playing until the end of the game, even though he had a broken toe.

Alternative:

or, on the other hand, either ... or, alternatively

E.g. You could tell her the bad news, or/on the other hand/alternatively you could let her find out herself.

Emphasis:

besides, not only this but...also, as well, what is more, in fact, as a matter of fact, to tell you the truth, actually, indeed, let alone

E.g. I'm afraid you are not qualified for this job and, what is more, you are far too young.

Exemplification:

as, such as, like, for example, for instance, particularly, especially, in particular

E.g. All the performers were good, but Pavarotti in particular was magnificent.

Clarification:

that is to say, specifically, in other words, to put it another way, I mean

E.g. She's angry. Specifically, she's angry at you.

Cause/Reason:

as, because, because of, since, on the grounds that, seeing that, due to, in view of, owing to, for, now that, so

E.g. She decided to order a salad now that she had started her diet.

Manner:

as, (in) the way, how, the way in which, (in) the same way (as), as if, as though

E.g. The coach explained how the team could beat their opponents.

Condition:

if, in case, assuming (that), on condition (that), provided (that), providing (that), unless, in the event (that), in the event of, as/so long as, granted/granting (that), whether, whether...or(alternative condition), only if, even if, otherwise, or(else), in case of

E.g. The travel agency will contact you in the event that/in case your flight is changed.

Consequence of a condition:

consequently, then, under those circumstances, if so, if not, so, therefore, in that case, otherwise, thus

E.g. You may be caught by the enemy. If so, tell them nothing.

Purpose:

so that, so as (not) to, in order (not) to, in order that, for fear (that), in case, lest

E.g. Make a note of our appointment in your diary in case you forget about it.

Effect/Result:

such/so...that, consequently, for this reason, as a consequence, thus, therefore, so

E.g. He was the only child of a rich banker and, as a consequence, he was very spoilt.

Comparison:

as...as, than, half as...as, nothing like, the...the, twice as...as, less...than

E.g. Her second novel is nothing like her first.

Time:

when, whenever, as, while, now (that), before, until, till, after, since

E.g. I like to visit the cathedral whenever I'm in Durham.

Place:

where, wherever

E.g. Park your car wherever you want to.

Exception:

but (for), except (for), apart from

E.g. We had a lovely holiday, apart from that one day when it rained.

Relative:

who, whom, whose, which, what, that

E.g. There's the man whose house was burnt down.

Chronological: 
beginning: initially, first..., at first, to start/begin with, first of all

E.g. First of all, I'd like to thank my mother...

continuing: secondly..., after this/that, second..., afterwards, then, next, before this

E.g. Then, I must thank everyone involved in making this wonderful film...

concluding: finally, at last, in the end, eventually, lastly, last but not least

E.g. Finally, I want to thank you, my fans.

Reference:

considering, concerning, regarding, with respect/regard/reference to, in respect/regard/reference to this/to the fact that

E.g. Considering all the evidence, we find the accused "not guilty".
I'm writing with reference to your report on whales.

Summarising:

in conclusion, in summary, to sum up, as I have said, as (it) was previously stated, on the whole, in all, all in all, altogether, in short, briefly, to put if briefly

E.g. To sum up, the government must spend more money on public services.