Teaching Linking Expressions — However, Moreover, Furthermore

Published April 19, 2026 · Writing

Why Linking Expressions Matter

Writing without linking expressions reads like a list of disconnected thoughts. Linking expressions (also called discourse markers, connectors, or cohesive devices) signal relationships between ideas: contrast, addition, cause, consequence, sequence. They're the difference between A2 writing ("I like coffee. I don't like tea.") and B2 writing ("Although I enjoy coffee, I tend to avoid tea.").

Categories of Linking Expressions

Function	Formal	Neutral	Informal
Contrast	However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless	But, Although, Even though	Though, Still, Mind you
Addition	Furthermore, Moreover, In addition	Also, Besides, What's more	Plus, On top of that
Cause/Reason	Due to, Owing to, As a result of	Because, Since, As	Cause of, Cos
Consequence	Consequently, Therefore, Hence	So, As a result, That's why	So basically
Example	For instance, To illustrate	For example, Such as	Like
Concession	Notwithstanding, Be that as it may	Admittedly, Of course	Sure, OK but

Teaching Sequence: B1 → B2 → C1

B1: Start with basic connectors students already know (but, because, so, also) and introduce their more formal equivalents (however, therefore, furthermore). Focus on position: "However" starts a new sentence with a comma. "But" connects clauses within a sentence.

B2: Expand the range: nevertheless, in contrast, consequently, moreover, in addition. Practice register awareness — when to use "but" vs. "however" vs. "nevertheless." Teach punctuation patterns (semicolon + however + comma).

C1: Subtlety and variety. Notwithstanding, albeit, insofar as, inasmuch as. These appear in academic and legal texts. Also teach overuse avoidance — not every sentence needs a connector.

Practice Activities

Sentence combining: Give two simple sentences, students combine using an appropriate linker. "The project was expensive. We decided to continue." → "Although the project was expensive, we decided to continue." / "The project was expensive. Nevertheless, we decided to continue."
Gap-fill in paragraphs: Remove linkers from a coherent paragraph. Students choose from options. Tests understanding of logical relationships.
Register transformation: Rewrite an informal email as a formal report, upgrading all connectors. "But" → "However." "Also" → "Furthermore." "So" → "Consequently."
Essay skeleton: Provide a topic and 4 key points. Students write a coherent paragraph using at least 3 different linking expressions. Focus on variety — not using "however" in every sentence.

Common Errors

"However" as a conjunction: "I like coffee however I don't like tea" — WRONG. "However" is an adverb, not a conjunction. Use: "I like coffee. However, I don't like tea." or "I like coffee; however, I don't like tea."
Overuse: "Furthermore, moreover, in addition" — using three addition markers in sequence. One is enough.
Wrong function: "I was tired. Moreover, I went to bed early." — "Moreover" adds information; this needs a consequence marker: "Therefore, I went to bed early."

How many linking expressions should B2 students know?

Active use: 15-20 across all categories. Passive recognition: 30+. Quality over quantity — it's better to use 5 correctly than 15 incorrectly. Focus on the most common: however, therefore, furthermore, although, despite, in addition, as a result.

Should I teach linking expressions for speaking too?

Yes, but different ones. Speaking uses simpler connectors: "actually," "by the way," "anyway," "mind you," "having said that." Formal written connectors ("nevertheless," "furthermore") sound unnatural in conversation.

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