English Linking Words and Transitions | 英文連接詞大全 (26 Essential Phrases)

Most Taiwan learners can write an English sentence without much trouble. The real problem shows up when you try to connect two ideas without using “and” or “but” for the fifth time in a paragraph. That single gap is exactly what makes the difference between writing that sounds like a beginner and writing that sounds fluent. Linking words — known in Chinese as 英文連接詞 or 轉折詞 — are the glue that holds your ideas together. A 2022 analysis by Cambridge English confirmed that cohesive devices (the academic term for linking words) are among the top five scoring criteria on the IELTS writing exam. Yet most B1-level students use fewer than six different connectives in their writing. This guide gives you 26 that you can use right now.

What Are English Linking Words? [英文連接詞是什麼？]

Linking words are words and short phrases that show the logical relationship between two ideas. Without them, your writing reads as a list of disconnected facts. With them, your reader understands why each sentence follows the one before it.

There are six main categories, each doing a different job: addition, contrast, cause and effect, sequence, example, and summary. Most advanced writers switch between all six within a single essay or email. The goal is variety — leaning on only one or two categories, especially “and” and “but,” is what makes writing feel flat and repetitive.

Understanding which category a linking word belongs to helps you choose the right one for each sentence.

Addition Linking Words [加法連接詞]

When you want to say “this AND that,” you have better options than using “and” alone. Addition connectives let you build on a point without sounding repetitive.

The most common mistake with addition words: putting “also” at the very beginning of a sentence. It is grammatically odd in formal English. Put it after the subject instead — “She also studies every day” sounds natural; “Also, she studies every day” does not in academic writing.

Writing linking words in a notebook by category is one of the fastest ways to memorize them.

Contrast and Opposition [轉折連接詞]

Contrast connectives signal that the next idea is different from, or goes against, what was just said. They are some of the most frequently tested words on English exams in Taiwan.

The most common mixing error: using “although,” “even though,” and “despite” as if they are interchangeable. They are not. Although and even though must be followed by a subject and verb. Despite must be followed by a noun or a gerund (verb +-ing).

• Although it was cold, she went running. ✓
• Despite the cold, she went running. ✓
• Despite it was cold, she went running. ✗

Other contrast connectives you should know: however (place at the start of a new sentence, followed by a comma), on the other hand (used when comparing two opposite positions), nevertheless (acknowledges a point but dismisses it), and whereas (compares two contrasting facts in a single sentence).

Writing contrast sentences by hand helps the difference between “although” and “despite” stick.

Cause and Effect [因果連接詞]

These words tell your reader why something happened or what followed from it. Two pairs cause the most confusion for Taiwan learners.

Because vs. because of: “because” is followed by a subject + verb; “because of” is followed by a noun phrase. The same logic applies to since / as (subject+verb) versus due to (noun phrase).

• She failed because she did not study. ✓
• She failed because of poor preparation. ✓
• She failed because of she did not study. ✗

So vs. therefore: both signal a result, but “therefore” belongs in formal writing — academic essays, business reports, cover letters. In conversation and casual emails, “so” is almost always the better choice. “Consequently” is even more formal than “therefore” and works best in academic or legal contexts.

Cause-and-effect connectives appear in every TOEIC and IELTS reading passage — learning to spot them improves reading speed.

Sequence and Time Order [順序連接詞]

Sequence markers tell your reader what comes first, what follows, and what finishes. They are essential for instructions, process writing, storytelling, and explaining how something works.

The most-used sequence connectives: first, second, then, after that, next, finally, eventually, meanwhile.

One note on “firstly” and “secondly” — both are grammatically correct, but they sound slightly old-fashioned in modern English. “First” and “second” are used far more often in contemporary academic and professional writing, and they sound less stiff in speech.

Meanwhile is different from the rest. It does not show a sequence from one step to the next; it shows that two things are happening at the same time. “She was preparing the report. Meanwhile, her colleague finished the presentation.” Use it when two parallel events overlap in time.

Sequence words are especially useful for IELTS Task 1 process diagrams and TOEIC Part 7 instructions.

Example and Clarification Words [舉例連接詞]

These introduce specific examples that support a general claim. They are the most straightforward category, but they come with one well-known trap.

The three main options: for example, for instance, and such as. “For example” and “for instance” are interchangeable — “for instance” is slightly more formal but both work in academic and professional writing. “Such as” is different: it is placed inside the sentence, between the general noun and the list of examples, and does not need a comma after it.

• There are several linking words for contrast, such as however, whereas, and on the other hand. ✓
• There are several linking words for contrast. For example, “however” signals that the next sentence contradicts the last. ✓

The error to avoid: “such as for example” together in the same sentence. They mean the same thing. Pick one.

In other words and that is to say serve a different purpose — they rephrase or simplify something just said. They appear a lot in academic writing and formal presentations when a complex point needs a clearer restatement.

Noting the structure of example sentences — not just the word itself — helps you use them correctly.

Summary Phrases [總結句型]

Summary connectives wrap up an argument or a paragraph. Most learners default to “in conclusion” — and most teachers and editors now flag it as a sign of formulaic writing. These alternatives are stronger:

• To sum up — natural in both written and spoken English
• Overall — works across registers, very flexible
• In brief — best when condensing a complex idea into one simple point
• The bottom line is — assertive and direct; works well in business emails and reports
• All things considered — signals you have weighed multiple sides before reaching a conclusion

None of these require you to add “therefore” or another cause connector after them. “To sum up, the three key linking categories are addition, contrast, and sequence” is complete on its own.

Common Mistakes Taiwan Learners Make [台灣學習者常見錯誤]

After teaching at cram schools and universities in Taipei for over a decade, the same four errors show up on writing tests every year.

1. Treating “besides” as a formal word. It is not. In academic essays and business reports, “in addition” or “what’s more” is the right call. “Besides” sounds conversational in formal contexts.

2. Creating a comma splice with “however.” “He was tired, however, he kept working” is a run-on sentence. The correct options are either a semicolon (“He was tired; however, he kept working”) or a full stop (“He was tired. However, he kept working”).

3. Opening formal writing with “Also” or “And.” Both are fine in speech and casual writing, but academic essays, cover letters, and formal reports expect connectives like “in addition” or “what’s more” at the start of a sentence.

4. Confusing “despite” and “although.” Covered above, but worth repeating — this is the single most common grammar error on Taiwan writing exams. Despite + noun. Although + subject + verb. Write it on a sticky note and put it on your desk.

If you want a broader look at words that sound similar but work differently in English, the 30 Commonly Confused English Words guide covers the full list with clear examples.

Peer correction exercises — where classmates spot each other’s linking word mistakes — tend to produce faster improvement than solo review.

How to Practice Using Linking Words [練習方法]

Memorizing a list does not work for most learners. Production does. The method that consistently gets results in my classes: pick any two facts from today’s news or your own life, then write three separate sentences connecting them — one using an addition connector, one using a contrast connector, one using a cause/effect connector. Do this every day for a week, and reaching for “and” by default becomes noticeably less automatic.

For practical writing applications — specifically emails — the How to Write a Strong Email Subject Line guide pairs naturally with this lesson. Once your transitions are working well inside the body of an email, the subject line is what determines whether anyone opens it.

If you are combining linking words with quantifiers like “most,” “few,” or “some of the,” check the Quantifiers in English: Much, Many, Some, Any guide — the two grammar areas appear together constantly in academic writing and standardized tests.

The video below by 7ESL is a strong visual overview of over 120 transition words organized by function. It is worth watching after you finish reading — seeing them grouped together reinforces the category logic covered above.

Sources [參考資料]

1. Cambridge English — Writing Band Descriptors and Cohesive Device Research
2. British Council — Linking Words and Cohesive Devices Guide
3. Purdue OWL — Transitions and Transitional Devices