{"id":8139,"date":"2026-08-09T00:07:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T00:07:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/english-linking-words-transitions\/"},"modified":"2026-08-09T00:07:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T00:07:44","slug":"english-linking-words-transitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/ko\/english-linking-words-transitions\/","title":{"rendered":"English Linking Words and Transitions | \u82f1\u6587\u9023\u63a5\u8a5e\u5927\u5168 (26 Essential Phrases)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\nQuick Answer:<\/strong> English linking words (\u82f1\u6587\u9023\u63a5\u8a5e) connect ideas within and between sentences. The six main types cover addition (also, what’s more<\/em>), contrast (however, even though<\/em>), cause and effect (because, as a result<\/em>), sequence (first, then, finally<\/em>), examples (for example, such as<\/em>), and summary (to sum up, overall<\/em>). Learning these 26 phrases will make your English writing noticeably clearer and more natural.\n<\/div>\n

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 \u2014 known in Chinese as \u82f1\u6587\u9023\u63a5\u8a5e<\/strong> or \u8f49\u6298\u8a5e<\/strong> \u2014 are the glue that holds your ideas together. A 2022 analysis by Cambridge English<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

What Are English Linking Words? [\u82f1\u6587\u9023\u63a5\u8a5e\u662f\u4ec0\u9ebc\uff1f]<\/h2>\n

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<\/em> each sentence follows the one before it.<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 leaning on only one or two categories, especially “and” and “but,” is what makes writing feel flat and repetitive.<\/p>\n

\n\"English<\/p>\n

Understanding which category a linking word belongs to helps you choose the right one for each sentence.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Addition Linking Words [\u52a0\u6cd5\u9023\u63a5\u8a5e]<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Linking Word<\/th>\nFormality<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Also<\/strong><\/td>\nNeutral<\/td>\nShe speaks English. She also speaks Japanese.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In addition<\/strong><\/td>\nFormal<\/td>\nIn addition to grammar, you should study vocabulary.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Besides<\/strong><\/td>\nSemi-formal<\/td>\nBesides reading, listening is key to fluency.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What’s more<\/strong><\/td>\nSemi-formal<\/td>\nHe passed the TOEIC. What’s more, he scored 900+.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Not only… but also<\/strong><\/td>\nFormal<\/td>\nNot only is this rule simple, but it also appears in every exam.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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 \u2014 “She also studies every day” sounds natural; “Also, she studies every day” does not in academic writing.<\/p>\n

\n\"Student<\/p>\n

Writing linking words in a notebook by category is one of the fastest ways to memorize them.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Contrast and Opposition [\u8f49\u6298\u9023\u63a5\u8a5e]<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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