LINKING WORDS
1.Reality
-To be honest:To be honest (= what I really think is), it was one of the worst books I’ve ever read.
-To tell (you) the truth(used when admitting sth):To tell the truth, I fell asleep in the middle of her talk.
2.Contrast
-Although
-Nevertheless(despite sth that you have just mentioned):§There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law. Nevertheless, it is important that we try.
§Our defeat was expected but it is disappointing nevertheless.
-As opposed to(used to make a contrast between two things):
§200 attended, as opposed to 300 the previous year.
§ This exercise develops suppleness as opposed to (= rather than) strength.
-On the other hand(=on the one hand … on the other (hand) …)(used to introduce different points of view, ideas, etc., especially when they are opposites):
§On the one hand they’d love to have kids, but on the other, they don’t want to give up their freedom.
-Whereas(used to compare or contrast two facts):
§Some of the studies show positive results, whereas others do not.
-In contrast to:The company lost $7 million this quarter in contrast to a profit of $6.2 million a year earlier
-Nonetheless(despite this fact)=Nevertheless:
§ The book is too long but, nonetheless, informative and entertaining.
§ The problems are not serious. Nonetheless, we shall need to tackle them soon.
-On the contrary(used to introduce a statement that says the opposite of the last one):
§‘It must have been terrible.’ ‘On the contrary, I enjoyed every minute.’
-As the matter of the fact=the fact (of the matter) is (that) …(used to emphasize a statement, especially one that is the opposite of what has just been mentioned):
§A new car would be wonderful but the fact of the matter is that we can’t afford one.
3.Explaining reasons
-Because
-Because of
-Thanks to(words or actions that show that you are grateful to sb for sth):
§How can I ever express my thanks to you for all you’ve done?
-Owing to(=Because of)
-Due to sth/sb(caused by sb/sth; because of sb/sth):
§The team’s success was largely due to her efforts. §Most of the problems were due to human error
-Hence(for this reason):
§We suspect they are trying to hide something, hence the need for an independent inquiry
-After all(used when you are explaining sth, or giving a reason):
§He should have paid. He suggested it, after all.
4.Explaining results
-As a result:She died as a result of her injuries
-Consequently(=As a result; Therefore):
§This poses a threat to agriculture and the food chain, and consequently to human health.
-For that reason(=for the simple reason that):
§I had to do it for the simple reason that (= because) I couldn’t trust anyone else.
-Accordingly(=Therefore)((used especially at the beginning of a sentence) for that reason):
§The cost of materials rose sharply last year. Accordingly, we were forced to increase our prices.


-Thus=Hence=Therefore(as a result of sth just mentioned):
§He is the eldest son and thus heir to the title.
§ We do not own the building. Thus, it would be impossible for us to make any major changes to it.
5.Explaining purpose
-In order to
-So that
-Lest(=for fear that)(in order to prevent sth from happening):
§He gripped his brother’s arm lest he be trampled by the mob.
-For fear of sth / of doing sth= for fear (that) …(to avoid the danger of sth happening):
§We spoke quietly for fear of waking the guards.
§I had to run away for fear (that) he might one day kill me.
6.Concession/qualification
-Even so(=despite that):There are a lot of spelling mistakes; even so, it’s quite a good essay.
-Having said that(=even so)(used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong):I sometimes get worried in this job. Having said that, I enjoy doing it, it’s a challenge.
-Despite
-The fact that(=the fact (of the matter) is (that) …)(used to emphasize a statement, especially one that is the opposite of what has just been mentioned):
§A new car would be wonderful but the fact of the matter is that we can’t afford one.
7.Starting a point
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