Useful linking expressions The list below provides a selection of linking expressions that you will nd useful in your writing. 1 •
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Time sequence they arri arrive ved, d, the the meet meetin ing g When When/A /As s soon soon as/ as/ The The mome moment nt they began. On hearing the news, we immediately phoned to congratulate them. From early childhood/an early age, she showed great aptitude for music. Throughout his adult life, he has dedicated himself to helping others. Up to that time, she ha never even been abroad. I shall return to this point This brings us to Presented Presented in ascending order Listing Afterwards, beforehand, eventually, eventually, nally, nally, rst, in the end, lastly, later, meanwhile First of all, it must be stated that … !econdly , it could be argued that … remembered that … "ast but nor least , it must be remembered Finally , it is important to … Addin Adding g infor informat mation ion/em /empha phasiz sizing ing a point point Also, as well, besides, furthermore, furthermore, in addition, moreover, moreover, too, what#s more Indeed, as matter of fact, in fact He left early and on top of that/to cap it all, he didn!t pay for his share of the meal. $informal% "he didn!t really want to see the lm, and besides/anyway/anyhow she was too tired to go to the cinema now. $informal% The rent is reasonable and moreover/furthermore/in moreover/furthermore/in addition the location is perfect. has he achieved a great deal, but he he has also set an &ot only has example for a generation. They want new regulations in the hostel# above all, they want to restrict the noise level in the evenings. These new medicines are perfectly safe. Indeed, they can be given to young children. i!ing examples
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$any things contributed to her success, for instance/for e'ample/such as hard work, good fortune and the support of her friends. To illustrate this point , … "et#s ta(e the e'ample of … I should li(e to preface my argument with a true story #xplaining/reformulating "ome cars are more environmentally friendly than others. That is to say/In other words, they cause less pollution. He read the newspaper to conrm what he knew already, that is/namely that his team had lost. %ou should treat you colleagues as friends, or, better still/rather , as close friends if you want to create a good working atmosphere. %ontrast )ven so, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, still, yet "he was very kind. *y/In contrast , he seemed very callous. "ome people learn languages easily. +onversely , others nd it very di&cult. 't wasn!t a good thing# on the contrary , it was a huge mistake. They decided not to take the car. Instead, they caught the next train. On the one hand ' en(oyed their company, but on the other hand their strange lifestyle disturbed me. %oncession Although, but, despite, even if, even though, in spite of, while, whereas Although/)ven though he was feeling unwell, he attended the meeting. espite feeling unwell, he attended the meeting. He felt unwell# however/nevertheless/nonetheless, he attended the meeting. He was feeling unwell but he attended the meeting all the same/even so- $informal% $y friends left the cinema before the end of the lm whilst/whereas/while ' stayed until it had nished. &o matter how many/.owever many times ' listen to that music, it still move me to tears. Whoever comes, it will be a valuable opportunity to discuss the problem. i!ing opinions
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In my opinion/view, he is one of the most impressive writers of our generation. It seems to me that one of the biggest problems facing us today is … $ersonally,% I feel that more needs to be done to encourage young people to take responsibility for the environment. I can honestly say that … %ommenting/expressing o)n attitude )sentence adverbials* .opefully, Oddly enough, Understandably, worryingly !urely it must be obvious to anyone that this plan is doomed is failure. +learly , more needs to be done to persuade people to use public transport. &ot surprisingly , there has been considerable opposition to this plan. Irritatingly/Annoyingly , the authorities have decided to cut the funds available for the pro(ect. i!ing reasons As, because, since, so !eeing that/As it was getting late, they decided to return home. Trains are being delayed owing to/due to/because of the inclement weather. They liked his idea, in so far as/to the e'tent that it made money for the company. +urpose 'n order to, to so that In order to her to live a comfortable life, she had to nd a well+ paid (ob. "he spoke uietly in order not to/so as not to wake the sleeping child. ,esults/consequences As a result, because of this, conse0uently, that#s why, therefore lot of people voted for his entry and thus/conse0uently/therefore/as a result/accordingly he was awarded the prie. He became a citien in /000, thereby gaining the right to vote. $any areas have been modernied in such a way as to make the city more attractive to tourists. %omparisons 't!s a good deal/a great deal/very much easier to watch sport than to take part. "he looked as if/as though she!d seen a ghost.
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He was nowhere near/nothing li(e as good at tennis as )he was at* basketball. The more cities expand, the less access we have to the countryside. Attitude clauses As far as I (now, As I said, as we shall see, I am afraid, *elieve it or not, as it turns out, the truth is All things considered, ta(ing everything into consideration, generally spea(ing, to be honest, 1udging by, spea(ing from memory, to tell the truth, or to put it another way eneralizing As a rule, by and large, in the main, on the whole -umming up Forced to conclude In conclusion, In summary, last of all, To conclude -lthough the day was not a complete success, all in all it went as well as could be expected. To sum up/In short , it was a highly successful visit. Overall, what ' most admire is their determination to succeed. In conclusion/Finally/To conclude, it seems clear that tourism is having an adverse e1ect on the area. The team played well, but at the end of the day they (ust weren!t good enough to win. $informal%
.ormal Letter /. 2pening and ending + To a company3 4ear "irs, %ours faithfully + To a single representative3 4ear sir or $adam, %ours faithfully + To a single representative whose name you know3 4ear $r. "mith54ear $s. "mith %ours sincerely 67. $rs. "mith is only a married woman 8. 9eason for writing ' am writing this letter mainly because ' would like to express my feelings about… and also to point out… ' am writing with regard to5 in reference to your letter of 8:th ;une5published recently in your newspaper on the e1ect of…on our lives. ' am writing to express my concern about5 disappointment with5 disapproval of5 apologies for5 dissatisfaction with ' am writing on behalf of my class to express… ' am writing… and ' would like to draw your attention to5point out )certain inaccuracies*. ' am writing in response to your letter of 5asking… ' wish to bring to your attention some problems which ' encountered at… •
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<. =onnectors >irstly5To begin with $oreover5 >urthermore5 'n addition -lthough5However56evertheless5Though >inally5 ?ventually >ortunately 5 -part from that @e also came to the conclusion • • • • • •
:. Aseful sentences )' feel* ' must also disagree with the suggestion ' should also like to point out ' would dare say5 ' feel obliged to write -fter serious discussion between the members of )the club*, we realied that there are some problems which have to be solved 2ne of the main reasons these changes should be made -s far as the clubroom is concerned5 9egarding … Having read carefully )your article*, ' feel The article raises the issue of5 it argues that • • • •
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' feel5 think5 believe5 To my mind5 'n my opinion5 >rom my point of view ' would like to add my views on this sub(ect ' endorse )recolar* this view @e recently carried out a survey5 undertook a survey and conducted interviews among )the residents* -ccording to your )article* )the writer*5 your article states that -dmittedly, there are certain points made by the writer which cannot be argued with. 6egative3 to make matters worse, to add insult to in(ury, had ' known the food would be unsatisfactory.., disgusted by the standard of the service ' decided to
B. 9euest for actions ' would appreciate if5 be grateful if you would 't seems only fair that you should ' hope you will nd this information of use ' wonder if you could C. ?nding ' look forward to receiving5 seeing5 hearing your prompt reply Please do not hesitate to contact me if you reuire any further information • • • •
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?""-% Parts3 'ntroduction Paragraphs =losing paragraph Ad!ice + 'ntroduce the essay in the rst paragraph + 9efer to all the ma(or points given in the uestion + 4ecide whether you are going to write a balanced or one+sided argument + "pend at least /B! writing an outline + -dd relevant opinions of your own. + $ake sure your argument is logical and coherent + 'nclude an e1ective conclusion. + =hoose a suitably neutral register + Ase a variety of sentence openers and linkers. + Ase synonyms and expressions to paraphrase the wording of the uestion. + "ummarise your main views in a conclusion.
Aseful language + Deneraliing 't is often said that... 't is usually the case that... People tend to regard... The reality is that... + "pecifying The rst text suggests that...5outlines how...5views... The second text raises the issue of... The writer is of the opinion that... -dditionally, it is argued that... >rom the )singer*!s point of view Professional musicians are seen as + 9aising and argument 2n the uestion of 6o one would dispute =onsidering5 Eooking at5 Taking the example of + Diving one side 2ne argument in favour of this is 'n support of 't is true that + Diving the other side -t the same time 'n actual fact • • • •
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2n the other hand, 'n contrast to @eighed against this is This is not to say that
+,+-AL Parts3 )Title Fproposal for..G* 'ntroduction )brief* o The aim of this proposal is to…. o This proposal describes5 outlines5 is related to… $ain "ection 4i1erent aspects in di1erent paragraphs o =onclusion )positive concluding remark* 2n balance, we are the opinion of o 'n conclusion, ' would say that o o To sum up, ' believe that
-dvice3 + )Ase headings for each paragraph underlined* + 2rder the points so as to make the most convincing case. + Dive a brief introduction. + $ake clear recommendations. + 6eutral or formal register. + "how conviction throughout. + 9emember to be look+forwarding. Aseful language "uitability o The )town5 centre5 stadium* is well euipped to deal with5 perfectly suited for )such events* 't is conveniently located5 ideally situated5 well connected o to )the capital* o There is little doubt5 @e feel sure that it would be a resounding success5 of great benet to the )town5 company* @e believe wholeheartedly in5 are convinced5 are /I o sure5 are totally committed to… -menities )Jcomoditats* is no shortage 5 a wide selection of )hotels5 o There cinemas* to choose from )town5 conference5 centre* boasts )Jalardea* an o The impressive range of )amenities5 facilities* >ew )cities5 schools* can o1er such a large choice of o 6ot only can we provide …, but we can also… o 't is beyond dispute5widely recognised5 commonly known o that… o The city!s good reputation for... Travel and transport
't is within easy reach 5 walking distance5 driving distance of the )centre5 hotel* 't is (ust a short walk5 drive5 bus ride5 train ride5 from the o )coast 5station* o The )town* has easy access to )the motorway network* 'n terms of )transport* o 9ecommendations 9ecommend K +ing# recommend that o "uggest K +ing# suggest that o Arge )you* to# urge that o 'nsist on K +ing# insist that o -rgue for# argue that o ' feel that…should… o ' propose that…)should* o ' would like to put forward the idea of… o ' feel that it would be particularly benecial5e1ective o 2ne solution )to this problem* might be to… o -nother possible way of dealing with the problem would o be for… … is of particular relevance5importance because o 2f eual merit is.. o @e would like to stress5underline5remind o o
,#+,T Parts3 Title 'ntroduction )brief* o The aim of this report is to examine5evaluate5describe5outline o This report aims to summarise… 't will also include5consider5suggest5recommend o o The report is based on a survey conducted among… 4i1erent headings >urther ideas will be elaborated in the next two o sections 5 below is a di1erent interpretation of o The aspects covered earlier suggest =onclusion )addressing the nal point of the task* o To sum up 5 in conclusion Ad!ice
$ake a detailed plan. 4raft sub+headings for each section. -dd bullets when listing information. "ignpost the information clearly. 6eutral and impersonal style, 'nclude passive structures. Ase a range of relevant vocabulary )compound ad(ectives, compound nouns*
Aseful language
2pinion o The opinion has been expressed )by many students* that 's5are seen to be o 't is apparent5 the previous satment conrms that o -s already discussed5alongside this decision o -s mentioned at the outset )inici* o Predicting the future o The future looks bleak 5 remains uncertain 5 is promising o This seems unlikely in the near 5 foreseeable future $aking recommendations ' would strongly recommend that )the school* should 5 o recommend doing something "uggest+propose )that*5 doing something o 't would be preferable to5 a good idea o 't might be advisable o ' feel it would be to our advantage if o
'n the light of the results survey, ' would strongly advise against 't should now be considered whether o =ompound ad(ectives ?asy+going# half+day# long+standing# meticulously+planned# o record breaking# trouble+free# wider+ranging. o
,#0# 't is often about a book or lm, but it may also be about restaurant, hotel or other place. Parts3 )Title 2Whiteout 2 by 3en Follet * 7rief summary of the book!s content Luestions to engage the reader3 opinion and encouraging. @hat you have learnt from it >inal recommendation Ad!ice
$ake a detailed plan. 't should be a balance of information and opinion. %ou need to include3 7ooks 5lms3 plot and character. 4o 62T describe the o whole plot. Place3 details about the building, the facilities o1ered and o the standard of service. 6eeds to start with an impact and try to conclude your piece with a reMective comment which reinforces your purpose for writing. Ase reported speech and a variety of methods to maintain interest. Nariety of linkers, rhetorical uestions, specialist terms. 6ame the lm, book,. early in the review -ppropriate register and suitability for the intended reader. Think about the tone )light, persuasive, friendly* you should adopt, and how formal you should be.
Aseful language
=ommenting critically Provides a fascinating5valuable5revealing insight into o ' found the plot rather predictable5disappointing o o The acting is very impressive5convincing "he gives a compelling5memorable performance as o 2ne particular strength5weakness of the lm is o o The design5characteriation5production is second to none5 is no o its best feature. ?ncouraging others to read5watch5listen 4on!t be put o1 by the title5critics5cover. o ' will have you roaring with laughter5rushing out to buy o the seuel. 't is denite a must+see. o ' would denitely give it a miss. o
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' would highly recommend it to anyone interested in ' would strongly advise you to go out and buy5 see it.
Nocabulary
-ction+packed -tmospheric =lichOd =ompelling =redible 4isappointing ?xcruciating
?xhilarating >ast+moving Dripping 'mplausible 'mpressive 'nnovative $emorable
$oving 2utstanding 2verhyped Powerful Predictable "entimental "tunning
7lockbuster 7udget "ub+plot
Portrayed )by* Heads out =rew
4igital imaging "pecial e1ects "tars
Tedious Anconvincin g
>eature
A,T%L# Parts3
Title )to attract readers* "trong opening paragraph to encourage reader to go on reading =onclusion3 nish with an interesting conclusion. Eeave the reader something to think about it. Ad!ice
6ot very formal but not informal. 't depends on the reader and magaine. -sk uestions and address the reader to involve them. ?xpress your opinion. Eink the paragraphs. Ase a range of descriptive verbs, ad(ectives and adverbs. Ase direct speech where appropriate but don!t over+use it.
Aseful language
'ntroduction ….. Then …. "eems to be the right solution for you. o "ome students are still in the dark about…'f you are one o of them, here are the answers to all your uestions. 'magine you… o
Personal reactions ' was overwhelmed by… o ' was amaed at how5what amaed me was how… o o The fact gat…made a great impression on me 't made me feel.. o @hat struck me was how… o 't reminded me of o ' felt as if… o
