CAMBRIDGE FIRST SERIES

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CAMBRIDGE FIRST SERIES

WRITING & USE OF ENGLISH – LINKERS

When sitting the Cambridge First exam, one of the things most candidates may

have problems with is the

accurate use of linkers

.

Linkers are

words

that relate one idea or sentence of the text with another.

They connect ideas logically.

There are several groups and types of linkers.

This session aims at looking at the following linkers:

Contrast

Reason and cause

Purpose

Consequence

Addition

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A. CONTRAST

We use contrast linkers to identify differences between two ideas. In spite of / Despite

o Link two contrasting ideas.

o Followed by a noun phrase (no subject).

I went to the beach in spite of the terrible weather forecast. Although / (Even) Though

o Link two contrasting ideas.

o Followed by a sentence (subject + verb).

Although the weather forecast was terrible, I went to the beach. However / Nevertheless / Still / Yet / Even so / On the contrary

o Introduce a new idea which marks a contrast with previously stated ideas. o Introduced by a comma ‘ , ‘ .

(in a long text)

… and I don’t like ice cream because it is too sweet for me. … (later in the text) …

However, I have to admit this time the ice cream was delicious. On the one hand… On the other hand

o Links two contrasting ideas or paragraphs.

On the one hand, the government has to put a stop to crime. On the other hand, there isn’t enough money to invest on it. Whereas

o Link two contrasting ideas. o Not separated by commas.

This book is rather dull whereas the other one you gave is much more interesting and entertaining.

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B. REASON AND CAUSE

Introduces a reason and shows the result of it. Because / As / Since / Seeing that

o Introduce a sentence.

o Subordinate sentences introduced by because always appear in final position. I didn’t go to the party because/as/since/seeing that it was too late.

Because of / On account of / Owing to / Due to o Introduce a noun phrase (no subject)

I didn’t go to the party because of/due to the heavy rain.

C. PURPOSE

Introduces the final motive why something happened. In order to / So as to

o Introduce an infinitive of purpose (no subject; infinitive without ‘to’) I went to your party in order to / so as to show you I am a good friend. In order that / So that

o Introduce a sentence (subject + verb)

I went to your party in order that / so that I showed you I am a good friend.

D. CONSEQUENCE

Introduces the result and effect of an action. Consequently / As a result / Therefore

I didn’t do my homework. Therefore / Consequently / As a result, I was asked to do it today.

As a consequence of / As a result of

o Followed by a noun phrase (no subject)

As a consequence of my lack of compassion, she told me off. So

o Introduces a sentence. o No commas

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E. ADDITION

Introduces ideas that support the main idea.

Moreover / Furthermore / In addition / Besides / What’s more. o Used after a strong pause and separated from sentences. o They are introduced by a comma.

I swear to you I didn’t break that glass. Furthermore, I know who did it and it’s in this room.

As well as / In addition to / Besides

o Used to add one more piece of information. o Followed by a noun phrase.

I don’t think I’m going the cinema. Besides, the movie looks quite bad.

F. EXEMPLIFICATION

Illustrates in support of the main idea. For example / For instance.

o Introduces an example referring to previously stated ideas.

… I think European cars are much better than American cars. For example, the brand Mercedes is more luxurious than Cadillac.

Such as

o Introduces an example / examples, referring to the last idea.

… I don’t movies that have a lot of special effect in them, such as Avatar or Star Wars

.

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PRACTICE EXERCISE: LINKERS

Select the appropriate linking word to complete the sentence.

1. Transportation has developed a lot in India; in addition / whereas trade has suffer a decline over the recent years.

2. India has to overcome many problems to keep pace with the developed countries. For example / Furthermore it has to control population growth, improve its economy and increase its

literacy rate.

3. Some of the students scored low ranks in the exams. So that / Consequently the teacher arranged some extra lessons to improve the situation.

4. Dubai is a great touristic destination and also / furthermore it is a convenient place for shopping.

Complete the following text with the correct linker from the ones in the box.

in contrast for instance although even furthermore

__________

Hinduism is practiced by the vast majority of Indians. India declared itself a secular state __________ to a couple of countries in its neighbourhood. It has thus ensured equal treatment to all religions. __________ , it has given all its citizens the right to practice the religion of their choice and the right to build the places of worship.

Likewise, it has officially declared holidays on the important festivals of all the important religions. __________ Dessera and Diwali are holidays for all. __________ Christmas and Ramadan are too holidays for all Indians. The common observance of these holidays helps us in forging brotherly bonds among the followers of various religions.