Writing Effectively at The World Health Organization

Practice: Add appropriate connector words to a paragraph

There are many words and phrases used to connect ideas. The list below contains some of the more common ones.

Addition

Causality, Consequence

again

besides

furthermore

as a result

for this reason

so that

also

equally important

in addition

because

consequently,
in consequence

therefore

at the same time

first, second (etc.)

including

in so doing

in order to

thus

   

Comparison, Contrast

Examples

although

in comparison/ contrast

on the contrary

for example

for instance

in other words

likewise

in spite of, despite

similarly

particularly

 

indeed

in fact

 

in the same way

nevertheless

whereas

to illustrate

   
   

Place

Summary

above, below

far away

here

all in all

in conclusion

on the whole

adjacent to

east, west (etc.)

nearby

finally

in summary

therefore

beside

elsewhere

there

in brief

last

thus

 

Time

after, afterward

hitherto

shortly

[dates]

meanwhile

thereafter

before

immediately

subsequently

first, second (etc.)

presently

ultimately

The sample paragraph describes some of the social outcomes of legislation prohibiting smoking in public places. The blanks represent missing connector words or phrases, without which the meaning of the paragraph is not very clear. Read the paragraph and add the connector words or phrases you think are most appropriate. When you’re done, check our suggested responses.

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