Useful connecting words

The following is a list of useful words you can use to connect ideas in writing.


Addition

in addition

and 

similarly

likewise 

as well as

besides 

further more

also 
moreover 
and then 
too
not only ... but 
even 
besides this/that


Sequence

first(ly) 

initially

second(ly) 

to begin with

then

next 

earlier/later

after this/that

following this/that

afterwards

Consequence

as a result 

thus 

so 

therefore

consequently

it follows that

thereby

eventually

then 

in that case

admittedly

Contrast

however 

on the other hand 

despite 

in spite of

though 

although 

but

on the contrary

otherwise 

yet 

instead of

rather 

whereas

nonetheless 

even though

compared with 

in contrast 

alternatively

Certainty

obviously 

certainly

plainly 

of course

undoubtedly

Condition

if 

unless 

whether

provided 

that for

so that 

whether

depending on

Definition

is 

refers to

means 

that is

consists of

Summary

in conclusion 

in summary 

lastly 

finally

to sum up 

to conclude

to recapitulate 

in short

Example

for instance 

one example 

for example

just as 

in particular

such as 

namely

to illustrate

Reason

since 

as 

so

because (of)

due to 

owing to

the reason 

why

in other words

leads to 

cause

Time

before 

since 

as

until 

meanwhile

at the moment

when 

whenever

as soon as 

just as