Academic Writing Connectors
Connectors do the work of showing how your ideas relate: this adds to that, this contradicts that, this follows from that. Used well, they make an argument readable. Used badly, they make writing sound mechanical. This list groups them by function and notes the ones that are usually overused.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| furthermore /ˌfɜːðəˈmɔː/ | adv.此外（递进，较正式） | Furthermore, the sample size was too small to support the claim. |
| moreover /mɔːrˈəʊvə/ | adv.而且，此外 | Moreover, the effect persisted after the treatment stopped. |
| in addition /ɪn əˈdɪʃn/ | phr.另外 | In addition to cost, the timeline was unrealistic. |
| similarly /ˈsɪmələli/ | adv.同样地 | Similarly, the second experiment produced the same result. |
| likewise /ˈlaɪkwaɪz/ | adv.同样地 | Likewise, later studies found no correlation. |
| however /haʊˈevə/ | adv.然而（转折，最常用也最容易滥用） | However, the authors do not address the counterexample. |
| nevertheless /ˌnevəðəˈles/ | adv.尽管如此 | Nevertheless, the policy produced measurable gains. |
| in contrast /ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst/ | phr.相比之下 | In contrast, the rural sample showed no such pattern. |
| on the other hand /ɒn ði ˈʌðə hænd/ | phr.另一方面 | On the other hand, the cost savings were substantial. |
| whereas /ˌweərˈæz/ | conj.然而，而（对比两句） | Urban participants improved, whereas rural participants did not. |
| although /ɔːlˈðəʊ/ | conj.虽然 | Although the sample was small, the result was consistent. |
| conversely /ˈkɒnvɜːsli/ | adv.相反地 | Conversely, higher humidity reduced the effect. |
| therefore /ˈðeəfɔː/ | adv.因此 | The data is incomplete; therefore, no firm conclusion is possible. |
| consequently /ˈkɒnsɪkwəntli/ | adv.因此，结果 | Consequently, the hypothesis was rejected. |
| as a result /əz ə rɪˈzʌlt/ | phr.结果是 | As a result, the experiment was repeated twice. |
| thus /ðʌs/ | adv.因此（简洁，适合数学/科学写作） | Thus, the two variables cannot be treated independently. |
| hence /hens/ | adv.因此 | Hence the need for a larger sample. |
| for example /fər ɪɡˈzɑːmpl/ | phr.例如 | For example, one participant withdrew before the second phase. |
| for instance /fər ˈɪnstəns/ | phr.例如 | For instance, the 2019 cohort performed markedly better. |
| namely /ˈneɪmli/ | adv.即，也就是 | One factor dominated, namely the availability of funding. |
| in particular /ɪn pəˈtɪkjələ/ | phr.尤其 | In particular, the second question proved problematic. |
| to illustrate /tu ˈɪləstreɪt/ | phr.为说明这一点 | To illustrate, consider the case of a single classroom. |
| in other words /ɪn ˈʌðə wɜːdz/ | phr.换句话说 | In other words, the treatment worked only for beginners. |
| that is /ðæt ɪz/ | phr.也就是说 | The effect was dose-dependent, that is, larger doses produced larger changes. |
| in summary /ɪn ˈsʌməri/ | phr.总之 | In summary, the evidence points to a modest effect. |
| in conclusion /ɪn kənˈkluːʒn/ | phr.总之（最容易被滥用的结尾词） | In conclusion, the policy achieved its primary aim. |
| overall /ˌəʊvərˈɔːl/ | adv.总的来说 | Overall, the results support the original hypothesis. |
| to sum up /tu sʌm ʌp/ | phr.概括来说 | To sum up, three factors explain most of the variation. |
| ultimately /ˈʌltɪmətli/ | adv.最终，归根结底 | Ultimately, the decision rests with the funding body. |
| given that /ˈɡɪvn ðæt/ | phr.考虑到 | Given that attendance was optional, the results are striking. |
| provided that /prəˈvaɪdɪd ðæt/ | phr.只要，假如 | The method works provided that the inputs are accurate. |
| insofar as /ˌɪnsəʊˈfɑːr əz/ | phr.就……而言 | The claim holds insofar as it applies to adults. |
| with regard to /wɪð rɪˈɡɑːd tuː/ | phr.关于 | With regard to cost, the two options are comparable. |
| in terms of /ɪn tɜːmz əv/ | phr.在……方面 | In terms of accuracy, the newer method is clearly better. |
| notably /ˈnəʊtəbli/ | adv.尤其值得注意的是 | Notably, the effect disappeared after six months. |
| arguably /ˈɑːɡjuəbli/ | adv.可以说，可能 | This is arguably the strongest evidence available. |
| admittedly /ədˈmɪtɪdli/ | adv.诚然，不可否认 | Admittedly, the sample was drawn from one region. |
| by contrast /baɪ ˈkɒntrɑːst/ | phr.与之相反 | By contrast, the control group showed no improvement. |
| in light of /ɪn laɪt əv/ | phr.鉴于 | In light of these findings, the guidance was revised. |
| rather than /ˈrɑːðə ðæn/ | phr.而不是 | The study measured retention rather than satisfaction. |