Linking Adverbials in Academic Writing
Listing Points
- First of all, to start with, to begin with,
- Firstly, secondly, thirdly, …
- Finally, lastly, last, last but not least
- In the first place, in second place
- Then, next
Adding Information, Emphasizing
- Additionally, in addition
- As well as, besides (this)
- Also, again
- More important, on top of that
- Moreover, what is more
- Furthermore, apart from this
- Similarly, in the same way
- In particular, specifically
- Not only X but also Y
- To make matters worse
- As a matter of fact, in fact
- Another important aspect of X is …
Linking Adverbials
Contrast, Compare
By understanding similarities and differences between two things, we can increase our understanding and learn more about both.
Comparison may be a preliminary stage of evaluation.
For example, by comparing specific aspects of A and B, we can decide which is more useful or valuable.
Many paragraphs whose function is to compare or contrast will begin with an introductory sentence expressed in general terms.
Academic Phrasebank p.90
Linking Adverbials
Contrast
- Whereas, while
- Although, even though
- In contrast, even so
- By contrast, despite (this)
- Nonetheless, in spite of (the fact)
- Nevertheless, yet
- However, notwithstanding
- Alternatively, instead
- Conversely, on the contrary
- But, still
- On the one hand … on the other hand
- It is true that …
- It may be the case that …
Linking Adverbials
Contrast
Whereas/while ≈ but
Used to compare things, people or ideas and show how they are different
While ≈ although
Also used in the same way as although
Even so
Means ‘although I know that is true’; can be used to begin a new sentence or after but in a second clause
In contrast
Links two contrasting ideas in separate sentences; normally used at the beginning of a sentence
Contrast
Nevertheless, however
Used when saying something seems different or surprising after your previous statement
Nevertheless – usually at the beginning or end
However – can be used in the middle if between commas
Compare
- In comparison with, likewise
- Compared with, in like manner
- By the same token, similarly
- In the same way, in the same manner
Similarities
- Both X and Y share a number of key features
- There are a number of similarities between X and Y
- The effects of X on Y are similar to those in Z
Differences
- X is different from Y in a number of respects
- There are a number of differences between X and Y
- Significant differences have been found in …
Reason, Cause, Result
- Accordingly, as a result (of this)
- Consequently, as a consequence of
- In consequence, therefore
- Hence, thus
- For this/that reason, because
- Because of this, because of X
- Since, as, so
- Due to, owing to
- In view of the fact that, given the fact that
- In view of X, given X
Reason, Cause, Result
Verbs Indicating Causality
- May cause, can lead to, can result in, can give rise to
- Caused by, driven by, resulting from, stemming from
- Can be attributed to
Nouns Indicating Causality
- One reason why X … is that …
- A consequence of X is …
- The most likely cause of X is …
- X is a key factor in …
- X is a major influence on …
- X has a significant impact on …
- X has a positive effect on …
Time Sequence
- After (a while)
- Eventually
- When
- Later
- No sooner
- Hardly
- At first
- At last
- Scarcely
- In the future
- Subsequently
- At that time
- Since (then)
- So far
- Then
- Shortly
- Over the next (2 days)
- Last
- Immediately
- Afterwards
- While
- Thereafter
- Concurrently
- Soon
- As soon as
- Before (that time)
- In the end
- Meanwhile
- Next
To Generalize
- As a rule, for the most part
- Generally, in general
- On the whole, in most cases
- Usually
To Introduce a Fact
- After all, clearly
- Naturally, evidently
- Obviously, of course
- It is evident that
Inference
- If not, if … then
- In (that) case, that implies
Reformulation
- In other words, put simply
- That is to say, briefly, rather
Condition
- If, if only
- As long as, provided (that)