Linking Words: How to Use Them Without Overdoing It
Sameer, a bright software engineer from Pune, recently sat for his IELTS exam. He had memorised a list of twenty “high-level” connectors like furthermore, nevertheless, and subsequently, convinced that sprinkling them across every sentence would secure him a Band 8. Instead, he scored 6.5. The examiner’s feedback? “Mechanical use of cohesive devices.” In plain terms: he had treated linking words like salt—essential in small doses, but ruinous when poured by the handful.
Many of us were taught in school that “good writing” means cramming in complex connectors. Yet in the professional world—whether you are drafting a UPSC essay, emailing a manager in Bengaluru, or preparing a report for a global client—it is logic, not a thesaurus of transitions, that should steer your prose.
The Connector Crutch: Why Less Is More
Linking words act like signposts on a highway: they guide the reader. But a signpost every five metres creates confusion, not clarity. Examiners and editors penalise “mechanical” writing because it feels robotic. When your argument is strong, the sentences often connect themselves.
Choose the Right Tool: Connectors by Function
Select connectors that fit both the purpose and the tone of your writing. The table below shows typical choices for formal, neutral, and often-overused options.
| Function | Formal (UPSC, IELTS, Reports) | Neutral / General (Emails, Blogs) | Avoid Over-using |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addition | Furthermore, Moreover, In addition | Also, Besides, Plus | Moreover (heavy) |
| Contrast | Conversely, However, Nevertheless | But, Though | On the contrary (often misused) |
| Cause | Due to the fact that, Owing to | Because, Since | Due to the fact that (wordy) |
| Result | Consequently, Hence, Therefore | So | Thus (old-fashioned) |
| Example | To illustrate, For instance | For example, Like | — |
| Concession | Albeit, Notwithstanding | Even though, Although | Albeit (use sparingly) |
Register Matters: “Thus” vs. “So”
A common mistake in Indian IT offices is using overly formal connectors in everyday communication.
❌ Overly Formal: “I missed the stand-up call; hence, I am requesting the meeting notes.”
✅ Natural: “I missed the stand-up call, so could you please share the meeting notes?”
Reserve hence, thus, and subsequently for formal documents or editorials. In fast-paced work environments, so, but, and also are far more effective.
From Mechanical to Natural: A Side-by-Side Transformation
Compare how a typical student might write about the rise of e-commerce in India with a more polished approach.
The Mechanical Version (The “Sameer” Approach)
“Online shopping is growing in India. Moreover, many people in rural areas now have smartphones. Consequently, companies like Flipkart are expanding. Furthermore, logistics have improved. However, security concerns remain.”
The Problem: Every sentence begins with a heavy connector, turning the paragraph into a list rather than a flowing narrative.
The Natural Version
“Online shopping is exploding across India, driven largely by the penetration of smartphones into rural heartlands. This shift has pushed giants like Flipkart to expand their reach. While logistics have improved significantly to meet this demand, security concerns continue to worry first-time users.”
Why it works: Connections are woven into the grammar—“driven by,” “While”—instead of being tacked on at the start of each sentence.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
1. The “Actually / Basically” Trap
In spoken Indian English, we often begin sentences with Actually or Basically. In writing, these are fillers that add no value.
❌ “Basically, the project is delayed.”
✅ “The project is delayed because the API integration failed.”
2. Misusing “On the Contrary”
Many students treat On the contrary as a synonym for However. The two are not interchangeable. On the contrary is used to deny a statement and assert the opposite truth.
❌ “I like tea. On the contrary, Priya likes coffee.”
✅ “I like tea. However, Priya prefers coffee.”
✅ “Ravi isn’t lazy. On the contrary, he is the hardest worker in the Mumbai office.”
3. The “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly” Boredom
Numbering every paragraph in a short essay feels rigid. Instead, use phrases that show progression naturally.
- Instead of Secondly, try: “Beyond the financial impact…”
- Instead of Thirdly, try: “A more subtle consequence is…”
These alternatives keep the reader engaged while maintaining logical flow.
Final Thought
Mastering linking words is not about memorising a long list; it is about using them judiciously. Vary their position, match them to the register, and always prioritise clarity over complexity. The best linking words are the ones the reader never even notices.