Movement verbs in English

At a glance

  • Definition: words or expressions that link two ideas, sentences or paragraphs
  • Main categories: addition, contrast, cause, consequence, time, purpose, example, conclusion
  • Register: some linking words are informal (so, but), others formal (furthermore, nevertheless)
  • Common pitfall: confusing linking words with prepositions or coordinating conjunctions, related but distinct categories

Linking words in English serve to connect ideas, within a sentence or from one paragraph to the next. They play a decisive role in the quality of a text or speech: grammatically correct English without connectors sounds choppy and unnatural, whereas a masterful use of these words makes expression more fluent and convincing, both in writing and speaking.

This page groups linking words by logical function (addition, contrast, cause, consequence, time, purpose, example, conclusion), along with their register and concrete examples. Certain related categories, such as English prepositions or conjunctions, are covered in more detail on dedicated pages, as the topic is rich enough to warrant separate treatment.

Addition linking words

English French Register
and et Neutral
also aussi, également Neutral
moreover de plus Formal
furthermore en outre Formal
in addition de plus, en plus de cela Formal
besides en outre, d’ailleurs Neutral to formal
as well as ainsi que Neutral

Furthermore and moreover are used almost exclusively in formal writing or speech, while also and and are suitable for all registers, including everyday conversation.

Contrast and opposition linking words

English French Register
but mais Neutral
however cependant Neutral to formal
although / though bien que, quoique Neutral
nevertheless néanmoins Formal
nonetheless néanmoins Formal
on the other hand d’un autre côté Neutral
whereas alors que, tandis que Neutral to formal
in spite of / despite malgré Neutral to formal

Despite and in spite of are directly followed by a noun or a noun phrase (despite the rain), never by a full clause like although , a grammatical construction distinction rather than a difference in meaning that is worth remembering separately.

Cause linking words

English French Register
because parce que Neutral
because of à cause de Neutral
since puisque, comme Neutral to formal
as comme Neutral to formal
due to en raison de Formal
owing to en raison de Formal

Consequence linking words

English French Register
so donc, alors Neutral, common in speech
therefore par conséquent Formal
thus ainsi Formal, mainly written
consequently par conséquent Formal
as a result en conséquence, de ce fait Neutral to formal
hence d’où, par conséquent Very formal

Time linking words

English French
then ensuite, puis
after that après cela
before avant
meanwhile pendant ce temps
while pendant que, tandis que
as soon as dès que
eventually finalement, au bout du compte
finally enfin, en dernier lieu

Purpose linking words

English French
so that afin que, pour que
in order to afin de, dans le but de
so as to de façon à, pour

The choice between “in order to”, “so as to”, and “so that” depends on the grammatical structure that follows, a grammar point detailed enough to warrant its own separate page.

Exemplification linking words

English French Register
for example par exemple Neutral
for instance par exemple Neutral
such as comme, tel que Neutral to formal
namely à savoir Formal

Concluding and summarizing linking words

English French Register
in conclusion en conclusion Formal
to sum up pour résumer Neutral to formal
overall dans l’ensemble Neutral
in short en bref Neutral
all in all tout compte fait Neutral

Linking words, prepositions, and conjunctions: don’t confuse them

Linking words overlap partly with two other grammatical categories that many learners confuse with them. English prepositions (despite, because of, due to) introduce a noun or noun phrase, never a full clause with a subject and verb. English conjunctions (and, but, or, although, because) connect two clauses within the same sentence, with their own rules of punctuation and construction. Distinguishing these three families helps avoid many structure errors, especially with words like because, since, or despite which change grammatical category depending on what follows them.

Practical exercise

Test your knowledge:

1. Which linking word expresses a consequence, rather formal in writing?




Therefore expresses a consequence in a formal register, the equivalent of “consequently”.

2. What is the difference in construction between despite and although?




Despite is constructed with a noun or noun phrase, whereas although introduces a clause with a subject and verb.

3. Which linking word is used to give an example?




For instance, like for example, serves to introduce a concrete example.

4. Which of these linking words belongs to the time category?




Meanwhile (in the meantime) belongs to the category of time linking words.

5. What register characterizes furthermore and nevertheless?




Furthermore and nevertheless belong to a formal register, typical of formal or academic writing.

6. Which grammatical category connects two full clauses, unlike prepositions?




Conjunctions connect two clauses, each with its own subject and verb, unlike prepositions which introduce a simple noun.


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