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Sentence connectors

Sentence connectors are used to link ideas from one sentence to the next and to give paragraphs coherence. Sentence connectors perform different functions and are placed at the beginning of a sentence. They are used to introduce, order, contrast, sequence ideas, theory, data etc. The following table lists useful connectors.

Useful sentence connectors

 

Logical / sequential order

  • Firstly, secondly, thirdly etc
  • Next, last, finally
  • In addition
  • Furthermore
  • Also
  • At present / presently

 

Order of importance

  • Most / more importantly
  • Most significantly
  • Above all
  • Primarily
  • It is essential / essentially

Contrast

  • However
  • On the other hand
  • On the contrary
  • By (in) comparison
  • In contrast

Result

  • As a result
  • As a consequence
  • Therefore
  • Thus
  • Consequently
  • Hence

Comparison

  • Similarily
  • Likewise
  • Also

Reason

  • The cause of
  • The reason for