LINKING WORD, A THREAD THAT CONNECTS THE MEANINGS OF A LANGUAGE

Whether it’s written communication or verbal communication, the flow and clarity of information is necessary when conveying certain thoughts or ideas in an organized manner. To achieve this is why linking words or transition words exists. These words are capable of combining and connecting bits and pieces of information, into a coherent one.

So, what are linking words ? They are words or phrases that connect phrases, sentences, paragraphs to convey text in a structured, coherent manner. They help in making texts easier to read and follow the general flow of the text. Here are some functions of linking words : 

• Adding Information : can help you expand on your idea by giving more information.

Example :

1. We have tests tomorrow and I haven’t studied yet.
2. I wasn’t going anyway. Besides, we have no money.

In example a, ‘and’ is the word linking two phrases, connecting the event that’s going to happen in the future and the present. On the other hand, sentence B is an example of a link word between sentences. It is trying to explain why the event before ‘besides’ is happening.

Other linking words that are used to add information are additionally, also, moreover, what’s more, etc.

• Contrasting Ideas : can be used to point out contrasting opinions.

Example : 

1. The event was supposed to be held outdoors, but they decided to move the venue because of the weather.
2. She went for a ride, despite the weather being cold outside.

In this case, ‘but’ connects two phrases that are related, but opposes one another. Likewise, ‘despite’ indicates an opposing argument. The difference is that there must be 2 ideas when using ‘despite’, while ‘but’ can be used as a starting word in a sentence. Another similar word to ‘but’ is ‘however’ which is more formal. For, ‘despite’ words that have similar conditions are ‘although’ and ‘in spite of’.

• Cause and Effect : can help you to convey why something happened.

Example : 

1. I missed the bus because I woke up too late.
2. There was someone suspicious near our house, so I called the police.

In the examples above, both ‘because’ and ‘so’ are used to connect the cause  and the effect of a certain event. What differs the two is the position of the cause and effect. When using ‘because’, the result is mentioned before the cause and vice versa for ‘so’. Other linking words to connect cause and effect are ‘since’, ‘therefore’, and ‘hence’.

• Emphasis : To put more weight behind the point you’re trying to convey.

Example : 

1. I think she has never been anywhere outside the city, which explains why she’s so excited.
2. Judging from his reaction, he’s definitely interested in the project.

In the first sentence, ‘never’ is used to explain the absence of experience to emphasize her excitement. In the second sentence, like the first, ‘definitely’ is used to clarify the man’s reaction. Both have similar uses, they just emphasize different things, ‘never’ being the absence of something, while ‘definitely’ is the presence of something. Other words used to emphasize an event or action are ‘especially’ and ‘in fact’.

Now that you know what linking words are, you’ve probably realized that it’s a natural part of the English language that you use without realizing. It may be a small part of the language, but it is the part that connects all meanings to form a coherent and clear message.

Reference : 

Ryadi, R. (2023, February 7). Linking Words: Pengertian, daftar kata beserta contoh. Kampung Inggris LC Pare. https://www.kampunginggris.id/linking-words

Linking words. (2006, September 28). english-at-home.com. https://english-at-home.com/grammar/linking-words/

Isabella. (2021). Linking Words, Connecting Words: Full List and Useful Examples • 7ESL. 7ESL. https://7esl.com/linking-words/