Linking words help you to connect ideas and sentences when you speak or write English. They can be used to join two or more sentences or clauses. Linking words and phrases can be used to add ideas together, differentiate them, or show the purpose behind something. In order to learn them, you need to know them by group. Here are some groups:

Linking words and phrases for giving examples:

For example;
For instance;
Namely;

 There are a number of problems in this school. For example, many of the classrooms don’t have audiovisual equipment.

There are two problems: namely, the expense and the time.

Linking words and phrases for adding information:

 And
In addition
As well as
Also
Too
Furthermore
Moreover
Apart from
In addition to
Besides

“We discussed politics, education, and the law.”

Also is used to add an extra idea or emphasis. “We also argue about the budget plan.”

As well as can be used at the beginning or the middle of a sentence.

“As well as the costs, we are concerned about the competition.”

“We are interested in costs as well as the competition.”

Too goes either at the end of the sentence or after the subject and means as well.

“She was worried too.”

Apart from and besides are often used to mean as well as, or in addition to.

“Apart from Nivea, we are the biggest brand for cosmetics.

“Besides, they’re a lot of reasons to continue your education.

Moreover and furthermore add extra information to the point you are making.“Marketing plans give us an idea of the potential market. Moreover, they tell us about the competition.”

Linking words and phrases for contrasting information.  

But
However
Although / even though
Despite/despite the fact that
In spite of/in spite of the fact that
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
While
Whereas
Unlike

But is more informal than however. It is not normally used at the beginning of a sentence.

“He works hard, but he doesn’t earn much.”

“He works hard. However, he doesn’t earn much.”

Although, despite and in spite of introducing an idea of contrast. With these words, you must have two halves of a sentence.

“Although it was cold, she went out in shorts.”

“In spite of the cold, she went out in shorts.”

Despite and in spite of being used in the same way as due to and owing to. They must be followed by a noun. If you want to follow them with a noun and a verb, you must use the fact that.

“Despite the fact that the company was doing badly, they took on extra employees.”

Nevertheless and nonetheless mean in spite of that or anyway.

“The sea was cold, but he went swimming nevertheless.”

“The company is doing well. Nonetheless, they aren’t going to expand this year.”

While, whereas and unlike are used to show how two things are different from each other.

“While I was studying at the weekend, my friends went on a trip to France.

“Taxes have gone up, whereas social security contributions have gone down.”

“Unlike in the UK, Spain has cheap hotels.”