Mika/IELTS10/21012018 Name: _____________________________________

LINKING DEVICES
1. Sentence connectors
Sentence connectors are used to link ideas from one sentence to the next and to give paragraphs
coherence. Sentence connectors perform different functions and are placed at the beginning of
a sentence. They are used to introduce, order, contrast, sequence ideas, theory, data etc. The
following table lists useful connectors.
Logical / sequential order Order of importance
Firstly, secondly, thirdly etc Most / more importantly
Next, last, finally Most significantly
In addition Above all
Furthermore Primarily
Also It is essential / essentially
At present / presently

Contrast Result
However As a result
On the other hand As a consequence
On the contrary Therefore
By (in) comparison Thus
In contrast Consequently
Hence

Comparison Reason
Similarly The cause of
Likewise The reason for
Also

2. Subordinators
Subordinators are linking words that are used to join clauses together. They are used at
the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. A clause is a group of words that must contain
a subject and predicate. There are two types of clauses:
 independent clauses - these can stand alone as a sentence by themselves
 dependent clauses - these make no sense by themselves.
Example
Comparison & Contrast Cause / effect Time

Although Since After

Though So that When
Even though Because Until
While Whenever
Whereas Before

Possibility Place & manner

if Wherever
as if Where
whether How
unless

3. Linking words and phrases

Although some of these words have already been mentioned as sentence connectors, they can
also be used to develop coherence within a paragraph, that is linking one idea / argument to
another.
Sequence Result Emphasis

First / firstly, second / So Undoubtedly

secondly, third / thirdly etc As a result Indeed
Next, last, finally As a consequence (of) Obviously
In addition, moreover Therefore Generally
Further / furthermore Thus Admittedly
Another Consequently In fact
Also Hence Particularly / in particular
In conclusion Due to Especially
To summarise Clearly
Importantly

Addition Reason Example

And For For example

In addition / additionally / Because For instance
an additional Since That is (ie)
Furthermore As Such as
Also Because of Including
Too Namely
As well as

Contrast Comparison

However Similarly
 Nevertheless Likewise
Nonetheless Also
Still Like
Although / even though Just as
Though Just like
But Similar to
Yet Same as
Despite / in spite of Compare
In contrast (to) / in compare(d) to / with
comparison Not only...but also
While
Whereas
On the other hand
On the contrary

Exercise 1. Choose correct answer

1. The new supermarket is so much cheaper than the one in John Street. _______, they do free home
deliveries too.
However / On the whole / Furthermore
2. Australia has some beautiful parts of the country. _______, they also have a lot of dangerous animals.
Though / However / Despite
3. _______ the high risk involved, many scientists chase tornadoes so they can study them more closely.
But / Though / Despite
4. _______ television can be educational, I think it's better to read a book.
On the other hand / Even though / However
5. So you can see there are both advantages and disadvantages of the new system for organising the
timetable. _______, I would say it would be better to stick with the current system.
On the whole / And / Lastly
6. _______ the rain and the high winds, they never went camping.
Because / Due to / Despite
7. This new computer has a better monitor. Its memory is twice as large as the current one and we can use
the internet with it. _______ its software will make our job so much easier.
Finally / However / In short
8. Saline speaks in class when we are trying to work. She shouts out to other students when it is not necessary
and when she does ask me a question, it is doubtlessly a stupid one just to get some attention. _______ she
is a very disruptive presence in the class. I'm sorry Mr. Philicott.
Furthermore / And / In short

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences using correct linking devices

Otherwise unless in addition in fact however
Moreover although hence whereas
Furthermore despite therefore instead nonetheless
1. She got the job _______________ the fact that she had very little experience.
2. My sister's hand-writing is always so neat, _______________ mine is a total mess.
3. I lost the game, but I told myself that I had improved a lot _______________.
4. You'd better wear a helmet when you go roller-blading. _______________, you could hurt yourself.
5. Reading is an excellent way to increase your vocabulary. _______________, it can also help you improve
your grammar.
6. The student's essay was badly written. _______________, it was too short.
7. Wine will spoil if exposed to light; _______________, wine bottles are usually green or yellow.
8. Alcohol can delay your reaction times; _______________, you should never drink and drive.
9. _______________ we have talked about the dangers of smoking to the students before, I think the
information bears being repeated.
10. Our prime minister is an incompetent leader. ____________, his government is financially irresponsible.
11. In March of 1999, more than 130 nations signed a United Nations Treaty banning land mines;
____________, the United States, Russia and China did not sign.
12. He was an absolute failure in medical school, so he decided to try law ____________.
13. Margaret Mead once observed, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world. ____________, it's the only thing that ever has."
14. You are not eligible for a subsidized bus pass ____________ you are a full-time student.

Exercise 3. Complete the sentences using correct linking devices

otherwise whereas however despite
in fact therefore although Furthermore
consequently moreover instead nevertheless
hence unless

1. Eating well is important for good health. _______________, it helps to make you more attractive.
2. The apartment is very pretty and, _______________, the rent is quite low.
3. Research has shown that bright yellow and bright blue are the most visible, and _______________ safest,
colours for cars.
4. Our production costs have increased, _______________ our prices have gone up as well.
5. You'd better work on improving your pronunciation; _______________, you'll fail the speaking test.
6. She has decided to stay with her husband _______________ the fact he cheated on her with her best
friend.
7. I'm not really interested in history, but the lecture was quite interesting _______________.
8. _______________ most substances shrink when they are cooled, water actually expands.
9. ____________ each individual is unique, members of the same species share certain obvious common
features.
10. No, I don't want to go to dinner with you. ____________, I'd like you to stop asking me out, because I'm
really not interested.
11. There is no wind on the moon, so ____________ someone disturbs them, an astronaut's footprints will
last forever!
12. A snake has no ears; ____________, its tongue is extremely sensitive to sound vibrations.
13. I tried to phone you, but I dialed the wrong area code, and got someone living in Louisiana ____________.
14. He was weakened by the disease, and ____________ vulnerable to infection.
Exercise 4. Choose the correct word for each sentence - each is only used once.

moreover firstly
on the other hand whereas
at least then
however actually
besides though

1. I had a terrible day at work and lost my umbrella too. _________ I spoke to that nice guy who works in the
coffee shop at last!
2. Television turns people into lazy couch potatoes. _________ , there are some educational programmes on.
3. _________, I would like to welcome you all to the conference today.
4. _________the film was a little boring, we still had a nice evening out.
5. I've always known Caroline as a mean person. _________, she lent me $10 yesterday without me having
to ask twice!
6. I got up at 9 o'clock yesterday and had a cold shower. _________ , I had breakfast and left for work.
7. My brother works in a large office _________ I work on my own at home.
8. Why do you think I don't want to go out tonight. _________ , I would be delighted to get out of the house.
9. You should go to university as it gives you a chance to meet so many new people. _________, it gives you
the chance to get important qualifications and get a better job.
10. I don't want to go to the football game. Football bores me and I don't want to pay $40 for a
ticket. _________ , look at the weather! All that rain!