Using Linkers

In addition to the categories of vocabulary you have already learnt, 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

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

Some of the linkers in the paragraph are but, in spite of, such as, when, because.
But is a linker that speaks of the contrast of beauty and strength between animals and the
human body.
In spite of is also a linker that contrasts the strength of the human body with its weaknesses.
Such as is a linker that illustrates the weaknesses of human body by naming them.
When is a time linker that tells us what happens at the time the body is healthy or sick.
Because is a linker that states the reason for keeping the body fit and healthy.