Linking Words for Essays

Level: B2. In an essay the examiner follows your argument through your linking words. They tell the reader whether you are adding a point, turning against it, drawing a conclusion, or giving an example. This page groups the formal linkers an essay needs, shows how to punctuate them, and warns you off the mistakes that cost marks.

By the end of this page you can…

…choose the right formal linker for each job, punctuate linking adverbs like ‘however’ and ‘therefore’ correctly, and avoid the over-signposting that makes writing feel mechanical.

Spoken English vs essay English

Everyday speech links ideas with short words: and, but, so, because. They are not wrong in writing, but an academic essay usually reaches for a more formal word in the same slot. The meaning barely changes; the register does.

A linking adverb (however, therefore, moreover, consequently) comments on the whole sentence before it. It is not a conjunction, so it cannot join two clauses with only a comma. Start a new sentence, or use a semicolon, then put a comma after the adverb.

How this list was chosen

The everyday linkers here (and, but, so, because, however) are high-frequency words in the English list from hermitdave/FrequencyWords, which ranks words by how often they appear in a large collection of subtitles. The more formal essay linkers (moreover, consequently, nevertheless) are far rarer in speech but standard in academic writing, so this page pairs each spoken word with its formal essay partner rather than ranking them against each other.

Adding a point

Spoken	Essay (formal)	Meaning	Example
also	moreover	adds a stronger, related point	The plan is cheap. Moreover, it is quick to run.
also	furthermore	adds a further point	Costs fell. Furthermore, quality improved.
and	in addition	as well as this	In addition, the survey covered rural areas.
what is more	additionally	on top of that	Additionally, the data was checked twice.

Showing a contrast

Spoken	Essay (formal)	Meaning	Example
but	however	by contrast (new sentence)	The theory is elegant. However, it is hard to test.
but still	nevertheless	in spite of that	The risk was clear. Nevertheless, the trial went ahead.
though	nonetheless	despite this	The budget was tight; nonetheless, the project finished.
on the other hand	in contrast	sets two facts against each other	Sales rose in cities. In contrast, they fell in towns.
but	whereas	while, by comparison (joins clauses)	Older users preferred calls, whereas younger users texted.

Showing cause and result

Spoken	Essay (formal)	Meaning	Example
so	therefore	for that reason	The sample was small. Therefore, the result is cautious.
so	consequently	as a direct result	Demand grew. Consequently, prices rose.
so	as a result	because of this	Funding was cut. As a result, two studies stopped.
because	since	for the reason that (joins clauses)	Since the data was limited, we repeated the test.
because of	owing to / due to	caused by (+ noun)	The delay was due to a lack of funding.

Giving an example or detail

Spoken	Essay (formal)	Meaning	Example
like / say	for instance	here is one case	Many sports suit beginners; tennis, for instance, is easy to start.
for example	for example	here is a case	For example, the 2020 study used 400 people.
that is	in other words	rephrasing more simply	The scheme is means-tested; in other words, income decides eligibility.
basically	namely	that is to say, specifically	Two groups were excluded, namely children and non-natives.

Ordering an argument

Spoken	Essay (formal)	Meaning	Example
first	firstly	the first point	Firstly, the method must be clear.
next	secondly / moreover	the next point	Secondly, the sample should be large.
in the end	finally / in conclusion	the last point / summary	In conclusion, the evidence supports the claim.
all in all	overall / on balance	weighing everything	On balance, the benefits outweigh the costs.

Example sentences

Play each line, then say it aloud. Notice the punctuation around every linker.

The method is simple. Moreover, it is cheap to repeat.

'Moreover' adds a stronger related point; new sentence, comma after.
The sample was small. Furthermore, it was not random.

'Furthermore' stacks a second point onto the first.
In addition, the study ran for two years, not one.

'In addition' opens a sentence that adds information.
The theory is elegant. However, it is difficult to test.

'However' = but, formal, with a full stop before it.
The risk was known; nevertheless, the trial went ahead.

'Nevertheless' = in spite of that, after a semicolon.
Older users preferred calls, whereas younger users texted.

'Whereas' joins two contrasting clauses with a comma.
Sales rose in the cities. In contrast, they fell in the towns.

'In contrast' sets two facts against each other.
The sample was small. Therefore, the result is cautious.

'Therefore' = for that reason; draws a conclusion.
Demand grew sharply. Consequently, prices rose.

'Consequently' marks a direct result.
Funding was cut, so as a result two studies stopped.

'As a result' = because of this.
Since the data was limited, we repeated the experiment.

'Since' gives the reason and joins the clauses.
The delay was due to a lack of funding.

'Due to' is followed by a noun, not a clause.
Many sports suit beginners; tennis, for instance, is easy to start.

'For instance' introduces one example.
The scheme is means-tested; in other words, income decides who qualifies.

'In other words' rephrases the idea more simply.
Two groups were excluded, namely children and non-native speakers.

'Namely' names the specific items.
Firstly, the method must be clearly described.

'Firstly' opens the first point of an argument.
On balance, the benefits outweigh the costs.

'On balance' weighs everything before a judgement.
In conclusion, the evidence supports the original claim.

'In conclusion' signals the closing summary.

Cheat sheet: formal English linking words for essays grouped by add, contrast, result and example

Quick recap before you practise.

Usage notes

however (adverb) vs but (conjunction): but joins inside one sentence (it is cheap but slow); however comments after a full stop or semicolon (It is cheap. However, it is slow.). They are not swappable in punctuation.
due to vs because of: both take a noun (due to the rain). Careful writers avoid due to after an action; prefer because of or owing to there. Never write due to + a full clause.
firstly / first: both are correct; stay consistent — do not mix firstly then second then thirdly.
for example vs e.g.: write the words in formal essays; keep e.g. and i.e. for notes and brackets.
overuse: examiners reward range and control. A paragraph can work with no linker at all if the ideas flow; add one only where the logic turns.

Practice

Essay linkers practice

Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.

1 Match each essay linker to its job.

moreover Match for moreover
however Match for however
therefore Match for therefore
for instance Match for for instance

Show answer

moreover → add a point
however → contrast
therefore → result
for instance → give an example

Knowing the job of each linker lets you pick the right one for your argument.

2 Which is punctuated correctly? The plan was cheap, however it was slow. The plan was cheap. However, it was slow. The plan was cheap however, it was slow. The plan was cheap, however, it was slow.

Show answer

The plan was cheap. However, it was slow. — 'However' needs a full stop (or semicolon) before it and a comma after it.

3 Result: The sample was small. ____, the result is only cautious. (one formal word)

Hint: formal word for 'so'

Show answer

Therefore — 'Therefore' draws a conclusion from the point before it.

4 Cause + noun: The delay was ____ a lack of funding. (two words)

Hint: takes a noun, not a clause

Show answer

due to — 'Due to' (or 'owing to') is followed by a noun phrase, not a full clause.

5 Which sentence is correct? Although the data was old, but we used it. Although the data was old, we used it. Although but the data was old, we used it. The data although was old, but we used it.

Show answer

Although the data was old, we used it. — Use 'although' OR 'but', never both in the same sentence.

6 Put the words in order to add a point formally.

Show answer

Moreover it is cheap to repeat — 'Moreover' opens the sentence, then the clause follows normally.

Quiz

Recap cheat-sheet

Job	Formal essay linkers
add	moreover, furthermore, in addition
contrast	however, nevertheless, whereas
result	therefore, consequently, as a result
example	for instance, in other words, namely

Build the base first: English Connectors & Linking Words
Advanced contrast grammar: Advanced contrast linking
Advanced result grammar: Advanced result linking
Put it to work: Formal Writing & Emails
Next set: English Minimal Pairs Practice
New here? Start with Start Learning English Here

Linking Words for Essays

By the end of this page you can…

Spoken English vs essay English

How this list was chosen

Adding a point

Showing a contrast

Showing cause and result

Giving an example or detail

Ordering an argument

Example sentences

Usage notes

Practice

Essay linkers practice

Quiz

Essay linkers quiz

Recap cheat-sheet

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Vocabulary