Logical connectors, also referred to as "linking words" or "connectors", function to create links between ideas and ensure textual and oral coherence. This guide presents the main categories of connectors, classified according to their communicative function.
1. Addition and Enumeration Connectors
These terms allow for introducing an additional element, continuing a line of reasoning, or organizing arguments according to a logical or hierarchical progression.
| Connector | Translation | Contextual Example |
|---|
| and | et | She enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes. |
| also | également | He manages the team; he also trains new employees. |
| as well | aussi / également | They offer online courses as well as in-person workshops. |
| in addition | de plus / en outre | The hotel has a pool. In addition, it provides a fitness center. |
| moreover | qui plus est | The product is expensive. Moreover, it requires constant maintenance. |
| furthermore | en outre | We're behind schedule. Furthermore, the budget is insufficient. |
| besides | en outre / au demeurant | I'm not interested in that job. Besides, the salary is too low. |
| first / firstly | premièrement | First, we'll review the project objectives. |
| second / secondly | deuxièmement | Second, let's discuss the implementation strategy. |
| third / thirdly | troisièmement | Third, we must evaluate potential risks. |
| next | ensuite / puis | Next, we'll allocate tasks to each team member. |
| then | ensuite / après | Then, we can proceed to the testing phase. |
| finally | finalement / enfin | Finally, we'll present our findings to management. |
| lastly | pour finir | Lastly, I'd like to thank all participants. |
| last but not least | enfin et surtout | Last but not least, we need to consider customer feedback. |
Points to Note
- "And" is the most neutral connector for joining two elements of the same nature.
- "Besides" functions as a preposition meaning "next to" (e.g., "The keys are beside the door."), but as a connector, it means "in addition / moreover".
- The variants first/firstly, second/secondly are semantically equivalent, but the "-ly" form belongs to a more formal register.
2. Cause and Consequence Connectors
These words express causal relationships: they specify the origin of an event (cause) or its effect (consequence).
Expressing Cause
| Connector | Translation | Contextual Example |
|---|
| because | parce que | We postponed the trip because the forecast predicted storms. |
| since | puisque / vu que | Since everyone has arrived, we can begin the presentation. |
| as | comme / étant donné que | As the deadline is approaching, we must accelerate production. |
| due to | en raison de | The delay was due to technical difficulties. |
| owing to | du fait de | Owing to unforeseen circumstances, the event has been rescheduled. |
Expressing Consequence
| Connector | Translation | Contextual Example |
|---|
| so | so / then | The store was closed, so we went to another one. |
| therefore | consequently / so | She demonstrated excellent skills; therefore, she received a promotion. |
| thus | thus / in this way | Costs have decreased; thus, profits have improved. |
| as a result | as a consequence | Demand surged. As a result, production capacity doubled. |
| consequently | consequently | The budget was cut. Consequently, several projects were abandoned. |
| hence | hence / thus | He possessed unique expertise; hence, his recruitment by the firm. |
Points to Note
- "So" is mainly used in spoken language and in informal contexts.
- "Therefore", "thus", "consequently", and "hence" belong to a formal register and are particularly suitable for academic or professional writing.
- "Due to" and "owing to" are followed by a noun phrase or a gerund:
- The cancellation was due to insufficient registrations.
- Owing to missing the train, she arrived late.
3. Condition Connectors
| Connector | Translation | Contextual Example |
|---|
| if | si | If you need assistance, don't hesitate to contact us. |
| unless | à moins que / sauf si | The meeting won't happen unless the director approves it. |
| provided (that) | à condition que | You may borrow my laptop provided (that) you handle it carefully. |
| providing (that) | pourvu que | We'll reach our targets providing (that) everyone contributes. |
| as long as | tant que / du moment que | You can use the facilities as long as you follow the rules. |
| on condition that | à condition que | They'll invest on condition that we present solid guarantees. |
| in case | au cas où / si jamais | Bring extra batteries in case your phone dies. |
Points to Note
- "Unless" expresses a negative condition ("if... not"):
- "I won't attend unless..." = "I won't attend unless..."
- "Provided (that)" and "providing (that)" are interchangeable, although "provided that" is more common in formal texts.
4. Opposition and Concession Connectors
Expressing Opposition
| Connector | Translation | Contextual Example |
|---|
| but | mais | The solution seems simple, but implementation is complex. |
| however | cependant / toutefois | The weather was poor; however, attendance remained high. |
| yet | pourtant / néanmoins | The instructions appeared clear, yet many made mistakes. |
| nevertheless | néanmoins / malgré tout | Funding was limited; nevertheless, the project succeeded. |
| nonetheless | néanmoins | Reviews were mixed; nonetheless, sales exceeded expectations. |
| still | cependant / toutefois | He acknowledged his error; still, he refused to apologize. |
| whereas | alors que / tandis que | She thrives in teamwork, whereas he prefers working independently. |
| while | tandis que | While some favor innovation, others prioritize stability. |
| on the other hand | en revanche / d'autre part | Remote work offers flexibility; on the other hand, it can feel isolating. |
Expressing Concession
| Connector | Translation | Contextual Example |
|---|
| although | bien que / quoique | Although resources were scarce, they completed the mission. |
| even though | même si | She maintained her composure even though the situation was stressful. |
| though | bien que | Though preparation was rushed, the presentation went smoothly. |
| despite | malgré | Despite technical issues, the conference was a success. |
| in spite of | en dépit de | In spite of limited experience, he demonstrated remarkable skill. |
| even if | même si | We'll proceed even if obstacles arise. |
Points to Note
- "But" is the most common and neutral opposition connector.
- "Though" can be placed at the end of a sentence in an informal register:
- It was challenging, though.
- "Despite" and "in spite of" are followed by a noun or a gerund:
- Despite the obstacles, they persevered.
- In spite of feeling exhausted, she completed the marathon.
5. Purpose Connectors
| Connector | Translation | Contextual Example |
|---|
| to | for / in order to | She studies diligently to secure a scholarship. |
| in order to | in order to / with the aim of | They arrived early in order to secure good seats. |
| so as to | so as to | We documented everything so as to ensure transparency. |
| so that | so that / in order that | Speak clearly so that everyone can follow your explanation. |
| in order that | so that | We scheduled multiple sessions in order that all staff could attend. |
Points to Note
- "To" is the simplest form to express purpose, usually followed by a verb in the infinitive without "to" (base form).
- "So that" and "in order that" introduce a full clause with a subject and a conjugated verb:
- I repeated the instructions so that no one would be confused.
6. Illustration and Exemplification Connectors
| Connector | Translation | Contextual Example |
|---|
| for example | par exemple | Certain industries, for example, healthcare, are experiencing rapid growth. |
| for instance | par exemple | Many platforms, for instance, LinkedIn, facilitate professional networking. |
| such as | tel que / comme | He enjoys creative hobbies such as photography and painting. |
| like | comme | She appreciates classic authors like Austen and Dickens. |
| e.g. (exempli gratia) | par exemple (abrév.) | Consider citrus fruits (e.g., lemons, grapefruits, limes). |
| specifically | spécifiquement / notamment | The program targets vulnerable populations, specifically elderly individuals. |
| to illustrate | pour illustrer | To illustrate, examine this case study from 2023. |
Points to Note
- "Such as" and "like" directly introduce concrete examples without special punctuation.
- "e.g." is a Latin abbreviation favored in academic or technical texts, usually in parentheses.
- "For example" and "for instance" are perfectly interchangeable and are used to introduce an illustration.
7. Summary and Conclusion Connectors
| Connector | Translation | Contextual Example |
|---|
| in conclusion | en conclusion | In conclusion, both approaches present distinct advantages. |
| to sum up | pour résumer | To sum up, we require additional funding to proceed. |
| in summary | en résumé | In summary, the initiative has exceeded initial expectations. |
| all in all | tout compte fait | All in all, the collaboration proved highly productive. |
| overall | globalement / dans l'ensemble | Overall, customer satisfaction has improved significantly. |
| to conclude | pour conclure | To conclude, let's establish clear action items. |
| briefly | brièvement | Briefly, performance indicators show positive trends. |
| in short | en bref / bref | In short, we need a more agile approach. |
Points to Note
- "In conclusion" and "to conclude" belong to a formal register and are suitable for professional presentations or writings.
- "All in all" and "in short" are more informal and frequently used in spoken language.
Conclusion
Logical connectors are essential tools for structuring discourse in English. They ensure the clarity, fluency, and coherence of argumentation. For the TOEIC®, mastering these linking words is crucial, particularly in the Reading section, where they help grasp the logical relationships between ideas, as well as in the Listening section, where they facilitate following the argumentative thread of a conversation or presentation.
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