Linking words

Linking words are used to link ideas when writing. They enable the writing to flow from one idea to the next in a logical and cohesive way. There are three main types of linking words:

• conjunctions
• sentence connectors
• subordinators.

Conjunctions

Conjunctions are the most common form of linking word. They are used to join two parts of a sentence together are generally in the middle of a sentence. There are seven co-ordinating conjuctions. These are:

• and
• but
• so
• or
• for
• nor
• yet.

Example

1. Choose the correct  connector I bought the CD you recommended, however/in spite of I didn’t like it. Although/In spite of we told her the truth, she didn’t believe us. Although/ In spite of their poor game, they won the match. The winner managed to overcome his rival in spite/although he was stronger Most people keep using cars although/however they cause much pollution. However/Despite feeling cold, they didn’t turn on the heater. Bill had a terrible headache; although/however he kept working. Despite/Although having all the necessary books, he doesn’t use them to study.

2. Use the appropriate  connector: although, however, in spite of/despite, nevertheless ………… she works a lot, she doesn’t deserve a raise. …………. not being prepared for the test, she had to do it. She was ill, she had to go to school. Everybody knows he is a liar, ………….. he was not dismissed. …………… it was sunny, there was nobody at the beach. Thomas will do the job ……………….. he is on holiday. ……………. arriving later he finished work earlier than the others. The new waitress seems honest and diligent, ………………….. the boss doesn’t like her.

3. Rewrite as follows. 1. Pam was not felling well, however she went to school. Although … In spite of … 2. Tom was seriously advised by his teacher, but he insisted in disturbing the class. Although … In spite of … 3. I tried several times, but I couldn’t find a taxi. Although, In spite of … 4. Although he felt tired, he stayed up to keep us company. Despite … 5. They didn’t have much time, however they came to visit us. In spite of …. 6. He is too old, but he still does his gymnastic every morning. Although …. In spite of / Despite …. 7. Although the shirts are very expensive, people buy them because they are trendy. In spite of … 8.      Although he had no qualifications for it, he got the job. In spite of …. Adapted from Ten Minute Test 2 (Porto Editora)

CORRECTION 1. Correction I bought the CD you recommended, however/although I didn’t like it. Although we told her the truth, she didn’t believe us. In spite of their poor game, they won the match. The winner managed to overcome his rival,  although he was stronger Most people keep using cars although they cause much pollution. Despite feeling cold, they didn’t turn on the heater. Bill had a terrible headache, however he kept working. Despite having all the necessary books, he doesn’t use them to study. 2. Correction Although she works a lot, she doesn’t deserve a raise. In spite of/despite not being prepared for the test, she had to do it. She was ill, however/ nevertheless she had to go to school. Everybody knows he is a liar, however/ nevertheless he was not dismissed. Although it was sunny, there was nobody at the beach. Thomas will do the job, although he is on holiday. In spite of/despite arriving later, he finished work earlier than the others. The new waitress seems honest and diligent, however/ nevertheless the boss doesn’t like her. 3. Correction 1. Although Pam was not felling well, she went to school. In spite of not feeling well, Pam went to school 2. Although Tom was seriously advised by his teacher, he insisted in disturbing the class. In spite of being seriously advised by his teacher, Tom insisted in disturbing the class. 3. Although I tried several times, I couldn’t find a taxi. In spite of tying several times, I couldn’t find a taxi. 4. Despite feeling tired, he stayed up to keep us company. 5. In spite of not having much time, they came to visit us. 6. Although he is too old, he still does his gymnastic every morning.  In spite of / Despite being too old, he still does his gymnastic every morning. 7. In spite of being very expensive, people buy the shirts because they are trendy. 8.     In spite of having no qualifications for it, he got the job.