Importance of Linkers

There are other lexical (vocabulary) forms that support our expressions in composing a good
paragraph. One such classification of lexis is linkers. Linkers are also called transitions or discourse
markers. They help us establish our ideas explicitly. Linkers make it easy for us to compare,
contrast, illustrate, define, and summarize our thoughts and develop coherent paragraphs. This unit
introduces some linkers that help you to write a descriptive paragraph.

What are linkers?

Linkers are words that relate one idea or sentence of the text with another. They connect
the ideas logically.

Why are they used?

They give direction to the writer. They are also used to guide the reader through his
thoughts. They make the meaning specific.

How to choose a linker?

Meaning is the first and the most important criterion in choosing a linker. The second is the
logical relation that needs to be made distinctly clear. For example, linkers like because, so and
therefore express logical relations which are different from those expressed by although, but and
nevertheless.

What is their use in descriptive paragraphs?

It is important to use linkers while describing a person, place or thing. They help us in
listing facts chronologically, linking events across time, comparing and contrasting sketches,
explaining graphic images and illustrating the main idea.

Listed below are some of the important linkers. Let us now learn them.
Type of linker Examples Broad meaning Example
because, so, accordingly,
introduces a reason We had to wait because, it was
cause and effect thus, consequently, hence,
and shows result raining.
therefore, as
similarly, likewise,
Life is difficult in
whereas, but, on the other
extreme polls;
hand, except, by identifies similarities
comparison similarly, it is horrible
comparison, when between two ideas
near the Equatorial
compared to, equally, in
regions.
the same way
but, however, yet, still, even
though, nevertheless, on the
other hand, otherwise, after
Raj did not perform well in the
all, for all of that, on the identifies differences
contrast exam; nevertheless, he got a
contrary, notwithstanding, in between two ideas
distinction in English
contrast, unlike, whereas,
instead of, alternatively,
although
 at once, immediately,
meanwhile, at length, in the
time meantime, at the same time,
in the end, when, then, as,
before that, after that
and, also, even, again,
moreover, further,
addition
furthermore, similarly, in
addition, as well as
for example, such as, for
instance, in this case, in
example another case, on this
occasion, in this situation, in
this manner, to illustrate
first, second, third, next,
then, following, now, at this importance of the There is a students’ procession
sequence point, after, after this,
subsequently, eventually,
finally, previously
in brief, on the whole, in
summary
sum, to sum up, thus
indicates time and The bell rang and the students
frequency of events left immediately.
adds ideas in support It is very hot today; moreover,
of the main idea there is a power outage.
introduces
I think he is very rich; for
illustrations in
example, he gave a hundred
support of the main
rupee note to a beggar
idea
shows the
ideas by listing today; therefore, they diverted
according to the the traffic.
priority
It is a love story, the actors
draws conclusion by performed well, the direction
summarizing the is excellent, the settings are
ideas beautiful; in brief, it is a good
film.

The Human Body

The human body is a wonderful piece of work that nature has created. It is not beautiful like the
body of a butterfly or a peacock but it is shaped practically. It can do many types of work which
other animals cannot. It is not strong like the body of a tiger. But in place of physical strength it has
a big and sharp brain. By using this brain the human physique has been able to overcome many of
its limitations. By sitting in an airplane it flies faster than a kite, by riding a motorcycle it travels
faster than a leopard, and by firing a machine gun it fights much better than a tiger. In spite of all
this, the human body suffers from many diseases because it has a weakness for habits such as
smoking, drinking and overeating. When it is healthy the body can give great pleasure but when it
is sick it can cause great pain. The wise man would always keep his body fit because a healthy mind
can work only in a healthy body.