Linking Words

Linking words include conjunctions and transition words. They connect parts of speech or even whole sentences.

Conjunctions join two or more words, phrases, or clauses and exist in two types: coordinating and subordinating.

Coordinating conjunctions
Join elements that are the same.
Ex.: cookies and milk; into the house and out the doors; he came and she left.
They are easy to remember because they are only seven: F A N B O Y S
(For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So).
… more on using coordinating conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions
Join dependent to independent clauses
Ex.: I will eat broccoli after I eat this cookie.
Many subordinating conjunctions exist, so I included many of them in the searchable table below.

Note: keep mind that that words can function as multiple parts of speech. That means the words listed here as subordinating conjunctions can have other functions depending on where they appear in your sentence.

Transition words show the relationship between paragraphs or sections of a text or speech. Transitions provide greater cohesion by making the ideas more explicit or signaling how they relate to one another. Transitions are “bridges” that “carry a reader from section to section.

Type	Category	Item
Coordinating Conjunction	F A N B O Y S	For
Coordinating Conjunction	F A N B O Y S	And
Coordinating Conjunction	F A N B O Y S	Not
Coordinating Conjunction	F A N B O Y S	But
Coordinating Conjunction	F A N B O Y S	Or
Coordinating Conjunction	F A N B O Y S	Yet
Coordinating Conjunction	F A N B O Y S	So
Correlative Conjunction	Condition	as ... as
Correlative Conjunction	Condition	just as ... so
Correlative Conjunction	Condition	both ... and
Correlative Conjunction	Condition	hardly ... when
Correlative Conjunction	Condition	scarcely ... when
Correlative Conjunction	Manner	either ... or
Correlative Conjunction	Manner	neither ... nor
Correlative Conjunction	Manner	if ... then
Correlative Conjunction	Manner	not ... but
Correlative Conjunction	Reason	what with ... and
Correlative Conjunction	Reason	not only ... but also
Correlative Conjunction	Reason	no sooner ... than
Correlative Conjunction	Reason	rather ... than
Subordinating Conjunction	Comparison	than
Subordinating Conjunction	Comparison	rather than
Subordinating Conjunction	Comparison	whether
Subordinating Conjunction	Comparison	as much as
Subordinating Conjunction	Comparison	whereas
Subordinating Conjunction	Relative Pronoun	that
Subordinating Conjunction	Relative Pronoun	what
Subordinating Conjunction	Relative Pronoun	whatever
Subordinating Conjunction	Relative Pronoun	which
Subordinating Conjunction	Relative Pronoun	whichever
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	after
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	as long as
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	as soon as
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	before
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	by the time
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	now that
Subordinating Conjunction	Concession	though
Subordinating Conjunction	Concession	although
Subordinating Conjunction	Concession	even though
Subordinating Conjunction	Concession	while
Subordinating Conjunction	Relative Adjectve	who
Subordinating Conjunction	Relative Adjectve	whoever
Subordinating Conjunction	Relative Adjectve	whom
Subordinating Conjunction	Relative Adjectve	whomever
Subordinating Conjunction	Relative Adjectve	whose
Subordinating Conjunction	Relative Adjectve	where
Subordinating Conjunction	Relative Adjectve	wherever
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	once
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	since
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	till
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	until
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	when
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	whenever
Subordinating Conjunction	Place	where
Subordinating Conjunction	Place	wherever
Subordinating Conjunction	Time	while
Subordinating Conjunction	Condition	if
Subordinating Conjunction	Condition	only if
Subordinating Conjunction	Condition	unless
Subordinating Conjunction	Condition	until
Subordinating Conjunction	Condition	provided that
Subordinating Conjunction	Condition	assuming that
Subordinating Conjunction	Condition	even if
Subordinating Conjunction	Condition	in case (that)
Subordinating Conjunction	Condition	lest
Subordinating Conjunction	Manner	how
Subordinating Conjunction	Manner	as though
Subordinating Conjunction	Manner	as if
Subordinating Conjunction	Reason	because
Subordinating Conjunction	Reason	since
Subordinating Conjunction	Reason	so that
Subordinating Conjunction	Reason	in order (that)
Subordinating Conjunction	Reason	why
Subordinating Conjunction	Reason	whether ... or
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	additionally
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	again
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	also
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	and
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	as
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	as a matter of fact
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	as well as
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	by the same token
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	comparatively
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	correspondingly
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	coupled with
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	equally
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	equally important
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	first, second, third
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	furthermore
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	identically
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	in addition
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	in like manner
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	in the first place
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	in the light of
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	in the same fashion / way
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	like
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	likewise
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	moreover
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	not only ... but also
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	not to mention
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	of course
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	similarly
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	then
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	to
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	to say nothing of
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	together with
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	too
Transition word	Agreement/ Addition/ Similarity	uniquely
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	in other words
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	notably
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	in fact
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	to put it differently
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	including
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	in general
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	for one thing
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	like
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	in particular
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	as an illustration
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	to be sure
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	in detail
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	in this case
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	namely
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	to demonstrate
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	for this reason
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	chiefly
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	to emphasize
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	to put it another way
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	truly
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	to repeat
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	that is to say
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	indeed
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	to clarify
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	with attention to
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	certainly
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	to explain
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	by all means
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	surely
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	to enumerate
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	important to realize
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	markedly
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	such as
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	another key point
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	especially
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	for example
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	first thing to remember
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	specifically
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	for instance
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	most compelling evidence
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	expressively
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	to point out
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	must be remembered
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	surprisingly
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	with this in mind
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	point often
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	overlooked
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	frequently
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	on the negative side
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	significantly
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	on the positives
Transition word	Examples/ Support/ Emphasis	ideally
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	as a result
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	for
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	consequently
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	under those circumstances
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	thus
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	therefore
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	in that case
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	because the
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	thereupon
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	for this reason
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	then
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	forthwith
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	henceforth
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	hence
Transition word	Effect/ Result/ Consequence	accordingly
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	(and) still
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	(and) yet
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	above all
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	after all
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	albeit
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	although
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	although this may be true
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	as much as
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	at the same time
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	be that as it may
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	besides
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	but
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	but
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	conversely
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	despite
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	different from
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	even so / though
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	even though
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	however
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	in contrast
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	in reality
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	in spite of
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	instead
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	nevertheless
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	nonetheless
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	notwithstanding
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	of course ...,
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	on the contrary
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	on the other hand
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	or
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	otherwise
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	rather
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	regardless
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	then again
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	unlike
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	whereas
Transition word	Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction	while
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	as
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	as / so long as
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	because of
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	due to
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	for fear that
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	for the purpose of
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	given that
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	granted (that) ...
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	if
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	in case
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	in order to
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	in the event that
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	in the hope that
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	in view of
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	inasmuch as
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	lest
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	on (the) condition (that)
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	only / even if
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	owing to
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	provided that
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	seeing / being that
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	since
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	since
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	so as to
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	so that
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	then
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	to the end that
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	unless
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	when
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	whenever
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	while
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	while
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	with this in mind
Transition word	Cause/ Condition/ Purpose	with this intention
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	above
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	across
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	adjacent to
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	alongside
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	amid
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	among
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	around
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	before
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	behind
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	below
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	beneath
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	beside
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	between
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	beyond
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	down
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	from
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	further
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	here
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	here and there
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	in front of
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	in the background
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	in the center of
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	in the distance
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	in the foreground
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	in the middle
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	near
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	nearby
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	next
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	on this side
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	opposite to
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	over
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	there
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	to the left/right
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	under
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	up
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	where
Transition word	Space/ Location/ Place	wherever
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	about
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	after
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	all of a sudden
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	as long as
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	as soon as
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	at the present time
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	at the same time
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	at this instant
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	before
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	by the time
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	during
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	eventually
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	finally
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	first, second
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	formerly
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	forthwith
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	from time to time
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	further
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	hence
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	henceforth
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	immediately
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	in a moment
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	in due time
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	in the first place
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	in the meantime
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	in time
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	instantly
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	last
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	later
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	meanwhile
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	next
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	now
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	now that
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	occasionally
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	once
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	presently
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	prior to
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	quickly
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	shortly
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	since
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	sooner or later
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	straightaway
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	suddenly
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	then
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	till
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	to begin with
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	until
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	until now
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	up to the present time
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	when
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	whenever
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	whenever
Transition word	Time/ Chronology/ Sequence	without delay
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	after all
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	all in all
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	all things considered
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	altogether
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	as can be seen
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	as has been noted
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	as shown above
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	by and large
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	for the most part
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	generally speaking
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	given these points
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	in a word
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	in any event
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	in brief
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	in conclusion
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	in either case
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	in essence
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	in fact
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	in short
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	in summary
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	in the final analysis
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	in the long run
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	on balance
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	on the whole
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	ordinarily
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	overall
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	to sum up
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	to summarize
Transition word	Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement	usually

Humberto Mancuso

Private Language Training

Linking Words