Study the linking devises given in the table below and their aims in sentences and paragraphs

No Aims Linking Devices
To make contrasting points ☺ although ☺ yet ☺ however ☺ nevertheless ☺ in spite of ☺ but ☺ while ☺ despite ☺ even if ☺ even though ☺ at the same time
To list points ☺ firstly ☺ in the first place ☺ first of all ☺ to start with ☺ secondly ☺ thirdly ☺ finally
To add more points on a topic ☺ what is more ☺ furthermore ☺ also☺ apart from this/that ☺ in addition to☺ moreover ☺ besides☺ too ☺ not to mention the fact that
To list advantages / disadvantages ☺ one advantage/ disadvantage of... ☺ another advantage/ disadvantage of... ☺ one other advantage/ disadvantage of... ☺ a further advantage/ disadvantage of... ☺ the main advantage/ disadvantage of... ☺ the first advantage/ disadvantage of... ☺ the greatest advantage/ disadvantage of...
To express personal opinion ☺ in my opinion/view ☺ to my mind/way of thinking ☺ I for one think /believe ☺ personally I believe ☺ It strikes me that ☺ I feel very strongly that ☺ I am inclined to believe that ☺it seems to me that ☺ as far as I am concerned
To refer to other sources ☺ according to☺ with reference to
To conclude ☺ finally☺ lastly ☺ above all ☺ all in all ☺ taking everything into account ☺ on the whole ☺ all things considered ☺ in conclusion ☺ as I have said ☺ as was previously stated ☺ to sum up
To express reason / cause ☺ because of ☺ owing to ☺ due to ☺ for this reason
To express effect ☺ therefore ☺ thus ☺ as a result ☺ consequently ☺ so ☺ as a consequence
To emphasise what you say ☺ clearly ☺ obviously ☺ of course ☺ needless to say ☺ in particular
To express reality ☺ in fact ☺ actually ☺ as a matter of fact ☺ in practice ☺ the fact of the matter is that
To express difference between appearance and reality ☺ on the face of it ☺ at first sight ☺ apparently
To state an argument against your opinion ☺ it is popularly believed that ☺ people often claim that ☺ contrary to popular belief ☺ it is a fact that ☺ it is often alleged that ☺ people argue that
To state other people's opinions ☺ many people are in favour of /against … ☺ some people argue that … ☺ a lot of people think /believe that …
To introduce the other side of the argument ☺ opponents of this view say… ☺ however, there are people who oppose… ☺ however, there are those who claim that …
To express balance ☺ while ☺ whereas ☺ on the one hand ☺ on the other hand ☺ for one thing ☺ for another thing
To give examples ☺ for example ☺ for instance
To refer to what actually happens ☺ in practice ☺ in effect
To make general statements ☺ as a rule ☺ generally ☺ in general ☺ as a general rule ☺ on the whole
To make partly correct statements ☺ up to a point ☺ to a certain extent ☺ to some extent ☺ in a way ☺ in a sense
To express limit of knowledge ☺ to the best of my knowledge ☺ for all I know ☺ as far as I know
To rephrase ☺ that is to say ☺ in other words ☺ to put it mildly ☺ to put it plainly
To bring up other points or aspects ☺ as far as ... is concerned ☺ regarding ☺ with regard to ☺ as for
To imply that nothing else needs to be said ☺ anyway ☺ at any rate ☺ in any case
To show that you accept the situation ☺ as it is ☺ under the circumstances ☺ things being as they are

 

Exercises on linking devices

Exercise 7. Find and underline all the linking devices in the sentences below. Next to each sentence write down the aim expressed by the linking device. The first one is done for you.

1. First of all, the government must revise the out-of-date environmental laws, which were written twenty years ago. - ___To list points ___

2. While working for a large company is prestigious, it can be very stressful. ________

3. Killing endangered species is illegal. However, people will not stop hunting them. ________

4. Needless to say, research has proved that eating healthy foods and exercising regularly reduce the risk of heart disease. ________

5. At first sight, the building looked safe but after a detailed inspection it was reported to be in need of major structural repairs. ________

6. Furthermore, the city should conduct inspections of zoos. ________

7. Under the circumstances, the situation cannot be improved. ________

8. On the whole, the university offers a wide range of courses and provides modern facilities. ________

9. As far as the community is concerned, the area is in need of a new elementary school. ________

10. In other words, they disagree with the manager’s decision. ________

11. Some companies have tried to create more positions to some extent, considering the high rate of unemployment. ________

12. At any rate, a new community centre will greatly benefit the people of the town. ________

13. As a rule, girls get better exam results than boys. ________

14. For instance, in the past six months, retailers have reported a 25% drop in sales of electronic equipment. ________

15. Opponents of this view say that increasing the school year will only overwork students. ________

16. The greatest advantage of regular exercise is that it leads to a healthier lifestyle. ________

17. Many people are in favour of/against the mayor’s proposal to raise local taxes. ________

18. In practice, consumers spend more money on luxury items. ________

19. Contrary to popular belief, the teaching profession is in need of qualified educators. ________

20. As far as I know, residents were opposed to the city’s plan to build a nuclear power plant in their area. ________

21. In fact, the report states that most college graduates are interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in the future. ________

22. As a result many people have lost their jobs. ________

23. According to this report, that brand of sun-cream causes irritation to sensitive skin. ________

24. Due to the harsh winter, many crops were destroyed. ________

25. In my view, department stores offer a greater selection of clothes than small boutiques. ________