List of Commonly Used Linking Words

Link independent clauses within a sentence.

Use a comma before a coordinator:
I researched the topic, and I created the presentation.

When the dependent clause is at the beginning of the sentence, it should be followed by a comma:
After I researched the topic, I created the presentation.

Do not use a comma when the dependent clause is at the end of the sentence:
I created the presentation after I researched the topic.

When the transition begins the sentence, it should be followed by a comma:
First, I researched the topic.
Then, I created the presentation.

When the transition connects two independent clauses, a semi-colon comes before it and a comma follows it:
I researched the topic; afterwards, I created the presentation.

• And

• Before
• As
• As long as
• At the same time (as)
• Every time
• Since
• So long as
• The first/second/next/last time
• When
• Whenever
• While
• By the time
• Till
• Until

• Afterward(s)
• At first
• Initially
• Meanwhile
• Meantime
• Simultaneously
• Eventually
• Finally

• And

• After
• As soon as
• Ever since
• Following
• Later
• Once

• Next
• Subsequently
• Then
• Thereafter
• First
• Firstly
• Initially
• To begin
• Next
• Second
• Secondly
• Then
• Third
• Thirdly
• Finally
• Last
• Lastly

• So

• In all
• In summation
• In conclusion
• To conclude

• But
• Either … or
• Yet

• Although
• Despite
• Even though
• In spite of
• Instead of
• Though
• Whereas
• While

• By comparison
• By contrast
• Conversely
• However
• In contrast
• Instead
• Nevertheless
• Nonetheless
• On the contrary
• On the other hand
• Otherwise

• Neither … nor
• Either … or

• In other words
• Likewise
• Similarly

• And

• Additionally
• Also
• Besides
• Further
• Furthermore
• In addition
• Moreover

• For example
• For instance
• In particular

Showing cause

• For

• As a result of …
• Because …
• Due to (the fact that)
• In order to …
• Resulting from …
• Since …

• So

• (If) … then
• … resulting in
• So …that
• … then

• Accordingly,
• As a result,
• Consequently,
• Hence,
• Therefore,
• Thus,

• Even if
• If … then
• In case
• Provided that
• Providing
• Unless
• Whether or not