English Linking Words: Complete List, Rules & Exercises

'But' is a conjunction that connects two parts within a single sentence: 'The food was good, but expensive.' 'However' is a conjunctive adverb that appears at the start of a new sentence or after a semicolon: 'The food was good. However, it was expensive.' In academic and business writing, 'however' sounds more professional; in everyday conversation, 'but' is perfectly appropriate.

The difference is grammatical: 'Although' is a conjunction followed by a full clause (subject + verb): 'Although it was expensive, we bought it.' 'Despite' is a preposition followed by a noun or gerund: 'Despite the high price, we bought it.' or 'Despite being expensive, we bought it.' Both express contrast, but the sentence structure differs fundamentally.

In terms of meaning, yes; in terms of style, no. 'So' is a conjunction connecting clauses directly: 'It was late, so we left.' 'Therefore' is a more formal adverb appearing after a period or semicolon: 'It was late. Therefore, we left.' In business reports, academic texts, and formal emails, use 'therefore'. In everyday conversation and casual emails, 'so' is the more natural choice.

A comma splice occurs when two main clauses are separated only by a comma, even though a period, semicolon, or conjunction is needed. This frequently happens with linking words like 'however', 'therefore', and 'moreover': 'It rained, however we went out' is wrong. Correct: 'It rained; however, we went out.' or 'It rained. However, we went out.' This error is especially common among German speakers because comma rules work differently in German.

For business emails, neutral connectors are best: 'however' (for contrasts), 'therefore' (for conclusions), 'in addition' (for additions), and 'for example' (for examples). Avoid overly formal words like 'hence', 'thus', 'notwithstanding', or 'furthermore' -- they sound stiff in emails. Also avoid overly informal variants like 'plus', 'so', or 'anyway'. The middle ground makes your emails professional yet natural.

Yes, an important one! 'In contrast' compares two different things or situations: 'Sales rose in Q1. In contrast, Q2 saw a decline.' 'On the contrary' directly contradicts a previous statement, showing the opposite is true: 'The project was not a failure. On the contrary, it exceeded all expectations.' Don't confuse these two -- 'on the contrary' corrects, 'in contrast' juxtaposes differences.

There is no fixed rule, but a good guideline: Not every sentence needs a linking word. In a paragraph of 5-6 sentences, 1-2 connectors are enough. Too many feel overloaded and distract from the content. Read your text aloud: If the linking words feel forced and unnatural, you have used too many. Good English texts flow even without explicit connectors when the logic of the argument is clear.

For practical use, around 40 connectors are enough, organised into 6 functional groups: addition, contrast, cause and effect, sequence, example, and comparison. At B1 level, about 15 of them suffice (however, therefore, for example, also, but, so, among others); from B2 upward, formal variants like nevertheless, consequently, and furthermore come into play.