Connectors in English: types, uses and examples

The English connectors They are words or phrases that are used to join ideas and sentences. They serve to provide coherence and fluidity to the discourse, providing information about the relationship between the two parts: whether enumeration, contrast, addition or consequence, among others. For example: firstly, in contrast, as well as.

Connectors are linguistic tools that give variety and complexity to oral or written communication. In English they are called connectors either linking words.

• See more at: Conjunctions in English

Types of connectors in English

There are various types of connectors in English, depending on the relationship that exists between the prayers or ideas that you want to join:

English addition connectors

Addition connectors in English (addition connectors) They are used to add or add information.

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Connector	Translation	Example
and	and	I enjoy soccer and tennis. I enjoy soccer and tennis.
also	also	I'm hot and also tired. I'm hot and I'm also tired.
too / as well	also	We want to go home too. We also want to go home.
in addition	besides	In addition, she works part-time. Plus, he works part time.
as well as, in addition to	in addition to	As well as being a skilled painter, he is a sculptor. In addition to being a skilled painter, he is a sculptor.
both…and…	as much as …	He is both talented and hardworking. He is talented and hardworking.
not only…but also…	not only, but also …	She is not only a wonderful artist but also a fantastic human being. She is not only a wonderful artist but also a fantastic human being.
furthermore	What's more, in addition	Learning a language is fun and furthermore,it gives you skills for the future. Learning a language is fun and also gives you skills for the future.
moreover	Furthermore, above	It's the best hotel in town. Moreover, it's well-located. It is the best hotel in the city. Furthermore, it is well located.
what's more	what's more	It was a beautiful speech and what's more, it was heartfelt. It was a beautiful speech and, furthermore, it was heartfelt.
besides	besides	Besides studying, she enjoys reading in her free time. In addition to studying, he likes to read in his free time.

Contrast Connectors in English

Contrast connectors in English (contrast connectors) They are used to express opposition between two contrasting ideas, such as countries, people, or things.

Connector	Translation	Example
but	but	I don't know her much but I already love her. I don't know her very well but I already love her.
while, whereas	while	While the US relies on imports, Canada is a great exporter. While the United States depends on imports, Canada is a large exporter.
on the other hand	on the other hand	I'd like to earn more money; on the other hand, I enjoy my work. I would like to earn more money; On the other hand, I enjoy my job.
in contrast	on the contrary	The climate in the south is mild; in contrast, in the north it's harsh. The climate in the south is temperate; On the contrary, the north is hard.
unlike	Unlike	Unlike Paris, London is eclectic. Unlike Paris, London is eclectic.
contrary to	Contrary to	Contrary to popular belief, the Loch Ness monster does not exist. Contrary to popular belief, the Loch Ness monster does not exist.

English Grant Connectors

English concession connectors (concession connectors) They are used to introduce a difficulty or contradiction that seems to oppose another related idea, but that does not nullify its concreteness.

Connector	Translation	Example
although / even though / though	even though, although	Although it was raining, I went jogging. Even though it was raining, I went out for a run.
in spite of / despite	although	In spite of all odds against them, they won. Despite all the odds against them, they won.
however	however	It's a good idea. However, it's not the best. It is a good idea. However, it is not the best.
however	however, still	Ted studied hard for the exam; however, he didn't pass it. Ted studied hard for the exam; however, he did not pass it.
nevertheless	However	We have many problems; nevertheless, we remain positive. We have a lot of problems; however, we remain positive.
yet	but nevertheless	He is nice and yet I don't trust him. He's nice and yet I don't trust him.
even if	although, even if	Even if the weather is nice, I prefer to stay indoors. Even if the weather is nice, I prefer to stay inside.
regardless of	despite, despite	Regardless of the risks, they embarked on a new project. Despite the risks, they embarked on a new project.

Cause/reason connectors in English

Causal connectors in English (cause connectors) They are used to express the reason or cause of a statement.

Connector	Translation	Example
because	because	I arrived late because I got stuck in traffic. I was late because I got stuck in traffic.
because of	for, because of	The train was delayed because of the strike. The train was delayed because of the strike.
as, since	due to, owing to	She couldn't attend the lecture since she had a prior commitment. She was unable to attend the conference as she had a prior commitment.
due to, owing to	due to	He couldn't attend the meeting owing to a personal problem. He was unable to attend the meeting due to a personal problem.
that's why / this is (the reason) why	That's why, that's why	He didn't study for the test; that's why I have got a low grade. He didn't study for the exam; that's why she got a low rating.
given that	Given the	Given that nobody has shown up, we'll put off the event. Since no one has shown up, we will postpone the event.
thanks to	thanks to	Thanks to her hard work and dedication, we could do the work. Thanks to her hard work and dedication, we were able to get the job done.

Result/Consequence Connectors in English

The connectors of result or consequence in English (result connectors) They are used to express the effect or result of a statement.

Connector	Translation	Example
SW	so, so	We were lost, SW we asked for directions. We were lost, so we asked for directions.
consequently, as a result	then, consequently	We didn't prepare for the presentation, and as a result, we received negative feedback. We did not prepare for the presentation and consequently, we received negative comments.
for this reason	for this reason	She decided to pursue a career in medicine. For this reason, she enrolled in a medical school. She decided to pursue a career in medicine. For this reason, she enrolled in a medical school.
therefore, thus, hence	therefore, consequently	She practiced every day; thus she became a great musician. She practiced every day; consequently she became a great musician.

Purpose connectors in English

The purpose connectors in English (purpose connectors) They are used to express the goal or purpose of an action.

Similarity and comparison connectors in English

Similarity and comparison connectors in English (similarity and comparison connectors) They are used to establish a comparison relationship between two statements or to point out a parallelism or similarity between different elements.

Connector	Translation	Example
like	as	It looks like it's going to rain. It seems like it's going to rain.
alike	equally, as much… as	Children and adults alike will love the show. Children and adults alike will love the show.
just like that	as	Ace with earlier books, this one was brilliant. Like the previous books, this one was brilliant.
likewise, similarly, in the same way	in the same way	She enjoys reading. Likewise, her sister loves books too. She enjoys reading. Similarly, her sister also loves books.
by comparison	compared	By comparison, the new model is faster and more efficient than the old one. In comparison, the new model is faster and more efficient than the previous one.
both…and…	as much as …	Both Maria and Tom take English lessons. Both Mary and Tom take English lessons.
not only…but also…	not only, but also …	She is not only intelligent but also fun. She is not only smart but also funny.
as if / as though	like	They speak as if they knew. They speak as if they know.

English Sequence Connectors

English sequence connectors (sequence connectors) They are used to list and express information in a sequential and orderly manner.

Connectors	Translation	Example
first / firstly / in the first place	first, firstly, in the first place / term	First, I need to ask you a few questions. First, I need to ask you a few questions.
first of all	first of all	First of all, I'd like to thank you for coming. First of all, I would like to thank you for coming.
second / secondly / in the second place	second, next, in second place / term	Secondly, he'll announce the objectives for next year. Secondly, he will announce the goals for next year.
next, then, after	next, next	Next, we'll discuss last year's sales. Next, we will analyze last year's sales.
eventually	finally, in the end, over time	I have faced many challenges, but eventually, he has achieved his goal. He faced many challenges, but in the end he achieved his goal.
finally	finally, to finish, finally	Finally, I'd like to go over what we've agreed. Finally, I would like to review what we have agreed upon.
last but not least	last but not least	Last but not least, I'd like to thank all my team. Last but not least, I would like to thank my entire team.
to conclude	to end	To conclude, the study highlights the importance of regular exercise. To conclude, the study highlights the importance of regular exercise.
all in all / on the whole	In short, with everything	On the whole, the event was a great success. Overall, the event was a great success.

English introduction connectors

The introduction, focus or linking connectors in English (introductory connectors) They are used to focus on a topic to be discussed.

Connectors	Translation	Example
as regards, regarding	talking about	As regards the new policy, we need to consider its implications. As for the new policy, we must consider its implications.
regarding	in relation to	Regarding your question, we will provide you with an update soon. Regarding your question, we will provide you with an update soon.
as far as … is concerned / as far as … goes / with respect to	with respect to	So far so our school is concerned, it is the oldest. As far as our school is concerned, it is the oldest.
as for	as to	As for the location of the conference, we have chosen a central venue. Regarding the location of the conference, we have chosen a central location.

Conditional connectors in English

Conditional connectors in English (condition connectors) They are used to establish a condition on which a statement depends.

Connectors	Translation	Example
if	Yeah	You may come if you want. You can come if you want.
unless	unless, unless	We'll go out unless we're not allowed. We will leave unless they don't let us.
in case	if	I'll bring an umbrella in case it rains. I'll bring an umbrella in case it rains.
as long as, provided	as long as	You can borrow my car as long as you return it tomorrow. You can borrow my car as long as you return it tomorrow.
otherwise	if not, otherwise	Submit your report by Friday; otherwise, it will not be accepted. Submit your report by Friday; otherwise it will not be accepted.

English Stress Connectors

English stress connectors (emphasis connectors) They are used to emphasize and draw attention to a statement.

Connectors	Translation	Example
above all	above all	Above all, it is essential to prioritize safety. Above all, it is essential to prioritize safety.
in particular / particularly	in particular / particularly	In particular, I would like to thank our sponsors for their generous contributions. In particular, I would like to thank our sponsors for their generous contributions.
even	even	Even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference. Even the smallest act can make a difference.

Connectors for exemplification and clarification in English

The exemplification connectors in English (example connectors) They are used to point out cases and examples that illustrate the aforementioned. Clarifying Connectors (explanatory connectors), for their part, serve to clarify, rectify and explain a statement.

Connectors	Translation	Example
for example, for instance	For example	We can be environmentally friendly, for example by recycling paper. We can be environmentally friendly, for example, by recycling paper.
such as, like	such as	She enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and biking. She enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and biking.
apart from	apart from	Apart from Being brilliant in mathematics, he also excels in music. In addition to being brilliant at math, she also excels at music.
in other words	in other words	In other words, he didn't want to eat. In other words, she didn't want to come.
that is to say, i.e. (id est)	that is to say	She loves chocolate, that is to say, she can't resist it. He loves chocolate, which is to say, he can't resist it.
in fact, actually, as a matter of fact	in fact, actually	In fact, studies show that exercise can improve mental well-being. In fact, studies show that exercise can improve mental well-being.

Disjunctive connectors in English

Disjunctive connectors in English (disjunctive connectors) They are used to indicate a relationship of difference or choice between two concepts.

Connectors	Translation	Example
or (else)	or else)	Finish your homework, or else you won't be able to go out tonight. Finish your homework or else you won't be able to go out tonight.
either … or	or… or…	I'd like either chocolate pie or lemon ice cream. I would like chocolate cake or lemon ice cream.
neither … nor	neither... nor	Neither my friends nor my family liked my new boyfriend. Neither my friends nor my family liked my new boyfriend.
whether … (or)	yes... or...	Whether you like it or not, I'm not leaving. Whether you like it or not, I'm not leaving.
otherwise	if not, otherwise	We should leave now; otherwise, we'll be late. We should go now; If not, we will be late.

Opinion and observation connectors in English

The connectors of opinion and observation in English (viewpoint and comment connectors) They are used to introduce opinions or comments into the speech.

Connectors	Translation	Example
in my opinion	in my opinion	In my opinion, the movie was captivating. In my opinion, the movie was captivating.
as far as I'm concerned	as far as I'm concerned	As far as I'm concerned, traveling broadens the mind. As far as I'm concerned, traveling expands the mind.
obviously	obviously	He didn't study for the exam, so obviously, he didn't do well. He didn't study for the test, so obviously, he didn't do well.
undoubtedly, definitely	undoubtedly	Undoubtedly, her dedication and hard work contributed to her success. Without a doubt, his dedication and hard work contributed to his success.
naturally	naturally	naturally, young children need sleep for healthy development. Naturally, young children need sleep for healthy development.
unfortunately	unfortunately	Unfortunately, the concert was cancelled. Unfortunately, the concert was cancelled.

Follow with:

• ¿“Like" either "ace”?
• Verbs in English
• Adjectives in English
• English nouns
• Negative adverbs in English

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