In English language, linking words are those which join clauses within the sentence. There are also linking words that join ideas across sentences and paragraphs. These are something called ‘text organizers’ because they make the organization of what we say or write. They are more common in writing or formal speech. Linking words are very much important for the writing to be clear and natural. Linking words are also called conjunctions. Generally, a sentence cannot begin with conjunction. The word ‘because’ is the well-known example for conjunction. From to a famous saying ‘A sentence cannot begin with the word because since it is a conjunction’. Only in rare cases a sentence will begin with these words. Linking words differ in three ways and they are as follows:
- Position in the sentence: Some linking words generally form a link between the clauses and it is not good to start a sentence with these types of words. Example: because, such as, and, until. As said earlier, another type of linking words form a link between sentences and these words should start with capital letters and are generally followed by a comma. For example Moreover, Therefore, However, Nevertheless. These words can be used either at the beginning of the sentence or in between two sentences. It is up to the writer to decide where to use these words.
- Function of linking words: Linking words are neither verbs, nor nouns. They supply a text with unity and explain how the parts of the sentence connect to each other. Some of the functions provided by linking words are expressing cause and effect, expressing opinion and purpose, narrating or showing when some event took place, making conclusions, giving emphasis and listing examples.
- Grammatical disparity: The linking words will have grammatical disparities. Some linking words must be suffixed by a clause, which contains a subject, a verb and an object. Example: why, although, when. Some other linking words should be suffixed by noun phrase, which includes a linking word, an article and a noun/gerund/pronoun. For example, despite, because of.
Uses of linking words:
Linking words can be used for the following purposes:
- For giving example: Some of the linking words used for this purpose are namely, for example, for instance.
- For Adding information: Some of the linking words used for this purpose are and, apart from, besides, in addition, moreover, too.
- Summarizing: The linking words used for this purpose are in short, to conclude, in summary, in conclusion.
- Sequencing ideas: Some of the linking words used for this purpose are firstly, finally, the following.
- Giving a reason: The linking words used for this purpose are because, since, owing to, as.
- Giving a result: Some of the linking words used for this purpose are therefore, as a result, so.
- Contrasting ideas: The linking words used for this purpose are but, while, unlike, in practice.
- For giving opinions: For example, in my view, in my opinion.
Hope, now you would be well-aware of the usage of linking words in English!!!