Learn about connectors in English, the most common types and how they can be used to enhance your writing and speaking skills in any context.
If you're learning English, you've probably come across the term 'connectors'. These small elements can have a significant impact on your communication skills, enabling you to link ideas, structure texts and make your English sound more natural and fluent.
In this article, you’ll discover what connectors are in English, their main types, and practical examples to use them correctly in your speaking and writing.
What are connectors in English?
Connectors are words or phrases that link phrases, sentences and paragraphs together, thereby structuring speech and making it coherent. Examples: and, but, because, therefore, however.
Using connectors effectively will make you sound more professional and improve your exam results, such as IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge exams.
Types of connectors in English with examples
There are several types of connectors according to their function. Here are the most commonly used ones:
1) Connectors of addition (to add information)
- and – I like coffee and tea
- also – She’s smart and also creative
- besides – I’m tired; besides, it’s late
2) Connectors of contrast (to contrast ideas)
- but – It’s cold, but sunny
- however – I studied a lot; however, I failed the exam
- although – Although it rained, we went out
3) Connectors of cause and effect
- because – I stayed home because it rained
- so – It rained, so we stayed home
- therefore – It was late; therefore, we left
4) Connectors of sequence or order
- first / then / finally – First we ate, then we danced, finally we went home
- next – Wash your hands, next prepare the ingredients
- after that – We watched a movie; after that, we slept
5) Connectors for examples and explanations
- for example – Many fruits are healthy; for example, apples and oranges
- such as – I enjoy sports such as tennis and swimming
- in other words – He’s thrifty, in other words, he saves money
Tips for using connectors correctly in English
- Don't overuse them: using too many connectors makes your text look forced.
- Mix up your vocabulary: don't always use the same ones; alternate between however, nevertheless, and although.
- Pay attention to punctuation: some are followed by a comma (However, …).
- Adapt them to the context: not all of them work the same way in formal and informal English.
Conclusion
Mastering connectors is essential for expressing yourself clearly and coherently in writing and conversation. Familiarizing yourself with the different types and using them in context will help you to communicate more effectively and excel in your academic and professional English.
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