Connectors
Connectors are linking words which join ideas and show how those ideas are related to one another. They also help us to organise our writing and make it easy for the reader to follow:
In general, I prefer watching a film at the cinema than watching one on TV. First of all, it is much more special when you leave your home to go and see a film. Moreover, you always see the latest films at the cinema. Many of my friends, on the other hand, like to watch videos or DVDs because they say it is much more comfortable to watch a film at home.
Even though this is true, nothing, in my opinion, can replace the thrill of watching a film at the cinema. In short - don't be lazy - make the effort and go to the cinema!
| Purpose |
Examples |
| To add points to the same topic |
and / in addition / furthermore/ moreover/ what's more / besides/ also / too |
| To describe a cause or reason |
because (of) / since / due to / for this reason / that is why / one - another reason for ... is |
| To describe a result |
so / therefore / consequently / thus / as a result / as a consequence |
| To show purpose |
in order (not) to / to / so as (not) to / so that |
| To express a contrast |
but / however / nevertheless / yet / still / although / even if / even though / in spite of / despite / whereas |
| To describe a similarity |
similarly / likewise / in the same way |
| To express personal opinions |
in my opinion / I (strongly) believe (that) / I think - feel (that) / in my view / it seems to me (that) / personally / as I see it |
| To describe reality |
in fact / as a matter of fact / actually / the truth is |
| To make general statements |
in general / generally as a rule / on the whole |
| To list points |
to beging - start with / in the first place / first of all / firstly, secondly, thirdly... / after that / then / next / finally / lastly |
| To give examples |
for example / fors instance / such as / especially / like / particularly / in particular / (more) specifically |
| To introduce opposing points |
on the one hand / on the other hand / in contrast / contrary to / it can also be argued that / but there are people who say (that) |
| To show sequence |
first / at first / in the beginning / next / then / later / meanwhile / after that / afterwards / at last / finally / in the end |
| To show time |
when / while / before / after / until / as soon as / by the time |
| To conclude |
in conclusion / to sum up / finally / in short |