Linking Words and Phrases in a Thesis

Linking words (also known as transitions) are one of the most important elements in writing, since they allow readers to see the relationships between your ideas. There are several categories of transitions, ranging from words and phrases that signal contrast to words and phrases that signal agreement.

Because they are so important, it’s critical that you don’t misuse them. This article presents some commonly misused linking words that you should be aware of, and then presents some of the most common types of linking words, along with examples.

The most important thing I can emphasize here is to always be aware of the definition of any word or phrase you use. You may be familiar enough with a word to feel comfortable using it, but if you don’t actually know its definition and you don’t take the time to look it up, you may occasionally (or frequently) misuse it.

Linking words present a particularly important case in which you should be aware of definitions, since your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.

Linking words often (Ab)used

Therefore

Easily one of the most commonly misused linking words, therefore indicates a logical relationship between two things, such that the first thing proves or necessitates the second. Think of it as equivalent to the phrase “as a result.” Confused uses of therefore often imply odd logical connections.

Problem: To see the problem more clearly, simplify the sentence: “We know it’s a competitive environment, so it’s important for lawyers to set themselves apart.” The implication here is that lawyers need to set themselves apart because people know that law firms are highly competitive.

However, the fact that people know of the highly competitive environment is more or less irrelevant to the reasons lawyers set themselves apart from each other.

Explanation:  Here, the logical connection is between law firms being highly competitive environments and lawyers needing to set themselves apart from each other.

Herewith, therewith, hereby

These are all examples of transition words not in common use. They are most common in the technical definitions of legal documents, and often sound archaic when used in other contexts. Though they have their uses, it’s best to avoid these words.

Explanation:  “Hereby” was above being used as an equivalent to “herewith,” meaning roughly “along with this,” “in this way,” or “by means of this.”  The language is simply much more natural in the rephrasing.

And/or

This slash-transition (and with most other words joined by a slash) can be very difficult to understand. Some writers mean “either A or B or both A and B,” yet others simply mean A and B, and still others simply mean A or B. It gets confusing.

Avoid and/or altogether in formal writing. Almost always the context of the discussion will clarify your meaning if you use simply and or or. In cases that might be confusing, it’s generally best to spend the extra words to clarify your meaning.

Explanation:  It’s difficult to tell whether she might take 1) either the bus or the train, 2) both the bus and the train, or 3) either the bus or the train or both. Making the ambiguity worse, the intended meaning will change depending on the writer. This confusion of use among beginning writers makes it difficult for a reader to decide among the choices.

Solution:  Simply avoid “and/or” and spell out the option that you mean:

1. the bus or the train
2. the bus and the train
3. the bus and the train, or both of them.

As well as

The phrase “as well as” is often used as a substitution for “and,” but the meaning is not quite the same. “As well as” implies a difference of emphasis or importance, with whatever comes after “as well as” being less important, so receiving less emphasis. “And,” on the other hand, is used between two equally important things.

Problem:  The emphasis seems not to be right here, at least if we think that whether staff will be paid is at least as important as the time of the meeting.  To see the problem more clearly, we can keep the emphasis as it is and rephrase the sentence: “The mayor will decide on not only whether or not staff will be paid for their time, but also on next week’s meeting time.”

Here it should be obvious that the “not only … but also” sentence structure downplays the importance of a seemingly important issue (whether or not staff gets paid).  The emphasis is the same in the original sentence.

Explanation:  “And” gives equal emphasis to both the time of the meeting and the issue of staff pay.  If we think these are issues that should receive equal emphasis, we need to use “and.”

Different examples of linking words*

Note that many of these may appear at the beginning, middle, and end of sentences. If in doubt about the use of any of the linking words below, a quick search for example sentences should help clarify.

Additive linking words

These show addition, introduction, similarity to other ideas, etc.

Adversative linking words

These linking words are used to signal conflict, contradiction concession, dismissal, etc.

Causal linking words

These linking words signal cause and effect, reason and result, etc.

Sequential linking words

These linking words are used to signal a chronological or logical sequence.