Master English Connectors, Your Guide to Smooth and Professional Writing

This article is going to focus on cohesive devices and connectors, as they are alike to mortar between bricks, holding your ideas together and creating smooth professional flow in your writing. Particularly connectors of reason, contrast exemplification, and addition!

Connectors of Reason: Because Writing Makes Sense

Think of connectors of reason as the “why” behind your statements. They help explain causes, consequences, and logical relationships between ideas. Here are some essential ones:

Therefore / Thus: Perfect for introducing logical conclusions
As a result: Ideal for showing direct consequences
Due to / Owing to: Great for explaining specific causes
Consequently: Works well for formal writing situations
Since / Because: Your go-to connectors for straightforward explanations

Pro tip: Notice how “therefore” feels more formal than “that’s why”? Understanding these subtle differences can help you adjust your writing’s tone instantly.

Quick Practice: Reason Connectors

Complete these sentences using appropriate connectors of reason:

The train was delayed ___ heavy snow.
She studied hard, ___ she passed the exam with flying colors.
___ the high cost of living, many people are moving to smaller cities.

Answers (click to open)

1. due to / because of 2. therefore / consequently 3. Due to / Owing to

Connectors of Contrast: But Wait, There’s More!

Want to make your writing more interesting? Contrast connectors are your best friends. They help you present different viewpoints and create engaging arguments. Let’s explore some powerful ones:

However / Nevertheless: Perfect for formal writing
Although / Even though: Great for introducing unexpected elements
Despite / In spite of: Ideal for showing something happened regardless of obstacles
On the other hand: Excellent for presenting alternative viewpoints
Whereas: Perfect for direct comparisons

Quick Practice: Contrast Connectors

Match these sentence halves using appropriate contrast connectors:

A The movie was long… B He loves coffee… C The house was expensive…

…he never drinks it after 6 PM.
…it was worth every penny.
…it kept everyone entertained throughout.

Answers (click to open)

A Although the movie was long, it kept everyone entertained throughout. B Although he loves coffee, he never drinks it after 6 PM. C Although the house was expensive, it was worth every penny.

Connectors for Exemplification: Let Me Show You

Sometimes, you need to illustrate your point with examples. That’s where exemplification connectors come in handy. They help you provide clear, specific instances to support your arguments:

For instance / For example: The classics that never fail
Such as: Perfect for introducing specific examples
To illustrate: More formal, great for academic writing
Like: More casual, perfect for blog writing
Namely: When you want to be specific and precise

Quick Practice: Exemplification Connectors

Add appropriate exemplification connectors to these sentences:

Many outdoor activities, ___ hiking and camping, can help reduce stress.
Some classic novels, ___, “Pride and Prejudice,” remain popular today.
___, you could start by walking 15 minutes daily to improve your fitness.

Answers (click to open)

1. such as / like 2. such as / like 3. For instance / For example

Connectors of Addition: And There’s Even More!

Need to add more information to your point? Addition connectors are your tools for building stronger arguments and providing comprehensive explanations:

Furthermore / Moreover: Perfect for formal writing
Additionally: Versatile and professional
Also: Simple but effective
In addition: Clear and straightforward
What’s more: More casual, great for blog writing

Quick Practice: Addition Connectors

Complete the paragraph using addition connectors:

“Learning a new language improves cognitive function. ___, it enhances job prospects. ___, studies show it can delay the onset of dementia. ___, it’s a great way to make new friends and understand different cultures.”

Answers (click to open)

"Learning a new language improves cognitive function. Furthermore, it enhances job prospects. Additionally, studies show it can delay the onset of dementia. Moreover, it's a great way to make new friends and understand different cultures."

Conclusion

Remember, mastering these connectors takes practice, but the impact on your writing will be worth it. Start incorporating them into your daily writing, and you’ll notice the difference in how smoothly your ideas flow together.

What’s your favorite connector? Start using these in your next piece of writing and watch your prose transform from good to great!