Although some of these words have already been mentioned as sentence connectors, they can also be used to develop coherence within a paragraph that is linking one idea / argument to another. Print off this page to keep as a reference of useful linking words and phrases.
Sequence
Result
Emphasis
· First / firstly, second / secondly, third / thirdly etc
· Next, last, finally
· In addition, moreover
· Further / furthermore
· Another
· Also
· In conclusion
· To summarise
· So
· As a result
· As a consequence (of)
· Therefore
· Thus
· Consequently
· Hence
· Due to
· Undoubtedly
· Indeed
· Obviously
· Generally
· Admittedly
· In fact
· Particularly / in particular
· Especially
· Clearly
· Importantly
Addition
Reason
Example
· And
· In addition / additionally / an additional
· Furthermore
· Also
· Too
· As well as
· For
· Because
· Since
· As
· Because of
· For example
· For instance
· That is (i.e.)
· Such as
· Including
· Namely
Contrast
Comparison
· However
· Nevertheless
· Nonetheless
· Still
· Although / even though
· Though
· But
· Yet
· Despite / in spite of
· In contrast (to) / in comparison
· While
· Whereas
· On the other hand
· On the contrary
· Similarly
· Likewise
· Also
· Like
· Just as
· Just like
· Similar to
· Same as
· Compare
· compare(d) to / with
· Not only...but also
APPENDIX 2
Describing Tables and Graphs
To go up (a little)
To go down (a little)
Nouns
Verbs
Nouns
Verbs
an increase
to increase
a decrease
to decrease
a rise
to rise
a fall
to fall (off)
a growth
to grow
a drop
to drop
an improvement
to improve
a decline
to decline
an upturn
to go up
a downturn
to go down
an upward trend
to slip
a downward trend
to slip
to go up (a lot)
to go down ( a lot)
a surge
to surge
to plummet
an upsurge
to take off
a plunge
to plunge
to shoot up
a slump
to slump
to soar
a crash
to crash
to rocket
to sink
a jump
to jump
a tumble
to tumble
a leap
to leap
No change
Change of direction
Downward
Upward
to remain stable
to peak
to level off
to reach a peak
to reach a low point
to stay at the same level
to top out
to recover
to remain constant
to rebound
to stagnate
to revive
to stabilize
To describe the degree of change
Adjectives
Adverbs
a dramatic
rise or fall
to rise or fall
dramatically
considerable
considerably
sharp
sharply
significant
significantly
substantial
substantially
moderate
moderately
slight
slightly
To describe the speed of change
Adjectives
Adverbs
an abrupt
rise or fall
to rise or fall
abruptly
a sudden
suddenly
rapid
rapidly
quick
quickly
steady
steadily
gradual
gradually
slow
slowly
APPENDIX 3
Reported verbs
NEUTRAL: verbs used to say what the writer describes in factual terms, demonstrates, refers to, and discusses, and verbs used to explain his/her methodology.
describe, show, reveal, study, demonstrate, note, point out, indicate, report, observe, assume, take into consideration, examine, go on to say that, state, believe (unless this is a strong belief), mention, etc.
TENTATIVE: verbs used to say what the writer suggests or speculates on (without being absolutely certain).
suggest, speculate, intimate, hypothesise, moot, imply, propose, recommend, posit the view that, question the view that, postulate, etc.
STRONG: verbs used to say what the writer makes strong arguments and claims for.
argue, claim, emphasise, contend, maintain, assert, theorize, support the view that, deny, negate, refute, reject, challenge, strongly believe that, counter the view/argument that, etc.
