Linking words in English: the spoken versions, by function
Linking words join your ideas so that you sound organised instead of giving short separate sentences. Most lists are written for essays. In speaking, people say “so”, “plus”, “anyway” and “to be honest” more than “moreover” or “consequently”. Here are the linking words by function, the spoken and formal versions side by side, and a 2-minute drill.
By The YoFluent teamUpdated 8 min read
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Linking words by function: spoken vs formal
| Function | Spoken (everyday) | Formal (writing, presentations) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add an idea | and · also · plus · besides · on top of that | moreover · furthermore · in addition | “The hotel is cheap, and the staff are friendly. Plus, it’s close to the beach.” |
| Contrast | but · though · still · even so | however · nevertheless · on the other hand | “It was expensive, but it was worth it.” |
| Reason | because · since · as · that’s why | due to · owing to | “I stayed home because I was tired.” |
| Result | so · that’s why · which means | therefore · consequently · as a result | “I missed the bus, so I walked.” |
| Example | for example · like · such as · for instance | namely · to illustrate | “I like active hobbies, like cycling.” |
| Order | first · then · after that · finally | firstly · subsequently · lastly | “First I called the bank, then I sent an email.” |
| Opinion | I think · to be honest · in my opinion · personally | it could be argued that | “To be honest, I prefer small cities.” |
| Change topic or return | anyway · by the way · back to what I was saying | — | “Anyway, let’s get back to the plan.” |
| Conclude | so · in the end · overall · all in all | in conclusion · to sum up | “Overall, I’d say it was a great trip.” |
Both columns are correct. In conversation and interviews, the spoken column sounds natural. In essays, reports and formal presentations, use the formal one.
Where to put linking words
| Position | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Start of the sentence | “However, it was too late.” · “So I took a taxi.” | Pause briefly after however, therefore, anyway. |
| Middle of the sentence | “It was late, but I went anyway.” · “I was tired because I worked all day.” | But, because, so join two parts. |
| End of the sentence | “It was expensive. It was good, though.” | Though and however can end a sentence in speech. |
Linking words that make a short answer longer
Question: “Do you like cooking?”
| Without linking words | With linking words |
|---|---|
| “Yes. I like cooking. It is relaxing. I cook on weekends.” | “Yes, I do, because it’s really relaxing. I usually cook on weekends, so I can try new recipes. For example, last Sunday I made a lasagne. It took a long time, but it was worth it.” |
The second answer is longer, but easier to follow, because every sentence is tied to the one before. This is what examiners mean by “coherence” in speaking tests.
Common mistakes
- Too formal in conversation. “Moreover, I enjoy football” sounds like an essay. Say “Plus, I enjoy football.”
- Using “but” and “although” together: “Although it was late, but I went.” Use one: “Although it was late, I went.” / “It was late, but I went.”
- Using “because” and “so” together: “Because I was tired, so I went home.” Use one.
- Starting every sentence with the same word (“And… And… And…”). Vary your linkers.
- Stopping after a linker. “However…” and then silence. Think of the contrast before you say it.
- Overusing “actually” and “basically” as fillers instead of real connectors.
A 2-minute drill
- Pick a topic from just a minute topics or English conversation topics.
- Speak for one minute and force yourself to use five linkers: because, so, but, for example, anyway.
- Record and listen: are your ideas connected? Did you use “but” and “because” correctly?
- Repeat with a different set: plus, though, then, to be honest, overall.
To end a talk well, see other ways to say in conclusion. See also linking sounds in English (how words join in pronunciation), collocations and how to speak English fluently. To practise with feedback, try an AI tutor.
Frequently asked questions
What are linking words in English?
Linking words (also called connectors or discourse markers) join ideas and show how they are related: adding (and, also), contrast (but, however), reason (because), result (so, therefore), example (for example) and order (first, then).
Which linking words are used in speaking?
Common spoken ones are and, but, because, so, plus, though, for example, then, anyway, to be honest and overall. Formal words such as moreover, furthermore and consequently are more common in writing.
What is the difference between linking words and linking sounds?
Linking words connect ideas in meaning (because, so, however). Linking sounds describe how words join in pronunciation, such as “turn it off” sounding like “tur-ni-toff”.
Can I start a sentence with “but” or “so”?
Yes, in speaking it is natural. In formal writing, many teachers prefer to join the idea to the previous sentence or use “however” or “therefore”.
How many linking words should I use?
Use one where your idea needs it. In a one-minute answer, four to six is natural. Too many in a row can sound memorised.
Do linking words help in IELTS speaking?
They support fluency and coherence, which is one of the four scoring criteria. Natural, accurate use matters more than using fancy words.
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