- similarity
- contrast
- actuality
- exemplification
- explanation
- definition
- relative significance
- chronological order
One easy way to increase the formality of your writing use some of the formal linkers below to show the relationship between the ideas in your sentences.
And… (adding information) |
But… (expressing contrast) |
Because… (identifying reasons or purpose) |
So… (explaining results or conclusions) |
That is… (giving definitions) |
For example… (giving support) |
In fact, … (expressing actuality) |
… also … as well (as) … too … not (only) … but (also) … Also, Furthermore, In addition, Moreover, What is more, Likewise, Similarly,
|
although even though though whereas while in spite of / despite (the fact that) However, Nonetheless, Nevertheless, On the other hand, On the contrary, |
Reasons: because as since due to / owing to / because of (the fact that) Purpose: (not) to (+ vb) in order (not) to (+ vb) so as (not) to (+ vb) |
Results: As a result, Consequently, For this reason, This is why … Thus, Therefore, |
In other words, That is to say, namely, which means / meaning which can be defined as i.e., |
For instance, To illustrate, To exemplify, such as including e.g., |
In fact, Actually, In reality, As a matter of fact, In actual fact, |
Notes:
- Avoid starting sentences with simple conjunctions like “and”, “but”, or “so”, and use formal linkers like those above
- Try to use a variety of linkers instead of relying on just one or two
- Only use linkers where it is necessary to show a logical or semantic relationship – don’t use them in every sentence to try and get “points”!