Connectors that hold an essay together
however - therefore - for example
How to use this sheet
Examiners reward essays whose logic is visible, and these words are the signposts that make it visible - each one announces the relationship between what you just said and what comes next. The table groups them by the job they do; within a group the members are close in meaning but differ in position and punctuation, which is where most marks are lost. Two or three per group, used accurately, beat a dozen used at random.
| Function | Linking word | Position and punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addition | furthermore | starts a sentence, followed by a comma | Furthermore, the costs keep rising. |
| Addition | as well as | joins two nouns mid-sentence, no comma | The plan saves time as well as money. |
| Contrast | however | starts a sentence, followed by a comma | However, not everyone agrees. |
| Contrast | although | joins two clauses; comma when its clause comes first | Although the test was hard, most students passed. |
| Cause | because of | followed by a noun, no comma | The match was cancelled because of the rain. |
| Cause | since | joins two clauses; comma when its clause comes first | Since prices rose, sales have fallen. |
| Result | therefore | starts a sentence, followed by a comma | Therefore, the project needs more staff. |
| Result | as a result | starts a sentence, followed by a comma | As a result, exports doubled. |
| Example | for example | starts a sentence, followed by a comma | For example, many schools now teach coding. |
| Example | such as | mid-sentence after a noun, usually no comma | Team sports such as football build confidence. |
| Conclusion | in conclusion | starts a sentence, followed by a comma | In conclusion, the benefits outweigh the risks. |
| Conclusion | to sum up | starts a sentence, followed by a comma | To sum up, both sides have strong arguments. |
In use
The scheme is expensive. However, it has clear long-term benefits. Although the sample was small, the results were consistent. In conclusion, the advantages clearly outweigh the drawbacks.
Watch out
The plan is popular, however it will be expensive.
The sentence-starting words in this table cannot glue two sentences together with just a comma - that is the single most common punctuation error examiners see; close the first sentence with a full stop or a semicolon before using them. And resist decorating every sentence with a signpost: use one only where the logical link would otherwise be unclear.