There are other lexical (vocabulary) forms that support our expressions in composing a good
paragraph. One such classification of lexis is linkers. Linkers are also called transitions or discourse
markers. They help us establish our ideas explicitly. Linkers make it easy for us to compare,
contrast, illustrate, define, and summarize our thoughts and develop coherent paragraphs. This unit
introduces some linkers that help you to write a descriptive paragraph.
Listed below are some of the important linkers. Let us now learn them.
Type of linker Examples Broad meaning Example
because, so, accordingly,
introduces a reason We had to wait because, it was
cause and effect thus, consequently, hence,
and shows result raining.
therefore, as
similarly, likewise,
Life is difficult in
whereas, but, on the other
extreme polls;
hand, except, by identifies similarities
comparison similarly, it is horrible
comparison, when between two ideas
near the Equatorial
compared to, equally, in
regions.
the same way
but, however, yet, still, even
though, nevertheless, on the
other hand, otherwise, after
Raj did not perform well in the
all, for all of that, on the identifies differences
contrast exam; nevertheless, he got a
contrary, notwithstanding, in between two ideas
distinction in English
contrast, unlike, whereas,
instead of, alternatively,
although
at once, immediately,
meanwhile, at length, in the
indicates time and The bell rang and the students
time meantime, at the same time,
frequency of events left immediately.
in the end, when, then, as,
before that, after that
and, also, even, again,
moreover, further, adds ideas in support It is very hot today; moreover,
addition
furthermore, similarly, in of the main idea there is a power outage.
addition, as well as
for example, such as, for
introduces
instance, in this case, in I think he is very rich; for
illustrations in
example another case, on this example, he gave a hundred
support of the main
occasion, in this situation, in rupee note to a beggar
idea
this manner, to illustrate
first, second, third, next, shows the
then, following, now, at this importance of the There is a students’ procession
sequence point, after, after this, ideas by listing today; therefore, they diverted
subsequently, eventually, according to the the traffic.
finally, previously priority
It is a love story, the actors
draws conclusion by performed well, the direction
in brief, on the whole, in
summary summarizing the is excellent, the settings are
sum, to sum up, thus
ideas beautiful; in brief, it is a good
film.