What word connects these ideas? Can you hear it?
These words — therefore, however, in addition — they're not just filler. They tell the listener HOW your ideas connect.
🎙 Speak: Can you repeat the sentences? Did you hear how the linking words control the meaning?
Without these words, you sound choppy: "I was tired. I went to bed." That works, but it's not sophisticated.
With them: "I was tired. Consequently, I went to bed." Now it sounds like you're building an argument. Like you understand cause and effect.
At B1, these words mark the difference between "I can talk" and "I can construct complex ideas." They're the glue that holds your speech together.
Look at each pair. What's the relationship?
🎙 Speak: What's different? In the first one, does the bad weather stop us? In the second, is the studying happening before or after the goal?
These words let you pile on more ideas. They say "I have another point." Useful for building arguments.
Key rule: "In addition," "moreover," and "furthermore" usually start a new clause or sentence. "Also" and "as well" go inside the sentence.
"Moreover" is the most formal. It says "and additionally, here's something important." For a job interview or academic paper, use "moreover." For casual conversation, just use "also."
"The apartment is spacious. Also, it's cheap." Or: "The apartment is spacious and cheap as well." "Furthermore" is too formal for casual chat.
🎙 Speak: Say these pairs out loud. Can you hear the difference in formality?
Pick a topic. Make a statement, then add two more points using the adding words.
1. Main idea: "I love my job because..."
Example: "I love my job because the work is meaningful."
2. First addition: "In addition, _____ ."
Example: "In addition, my colleagues are supportive."
3. Second addition: "Moreover, _____ ."
Example: "Moreover, I'm learning new skills every day."
🎙 Speak: Tell me your three points. Sound confident — you're building an argument.
These words show cause and effect. Something happens, and BECAUSE of it, something else happens. This is the logic of argument.
Key pattern: Cause + [result word] + effect. The cause-and-effect relationship must be logical, not just any two ideas.
Correct logic! Not eating CAUSES hunger. The cause-and-effect is clear. "Therefore" is the right word here.
Weak logic. Wearing a blue shirt doesn't automatically make someone look handsome. Say instead: "He wore a blue shirt that suited him. As a result, he looked handsome." Now there's a real connection.
🎙 Speak: Say both sentences. Which one makes real sense? The cause must actually CAUSE the effect.
Make a cause, then add the result using a result word.
1. "I practiced every day. Therefore, _____ ."
Example: "I practiced every day. Therefore, I improved quickly."
2. "[Your situation]. As a result, _____ ."
Example: "I moved to a new city. As a result, I had to make new friends."
3. "[Your cause]. Consequently, _____ ."
Example: "I didn't understand the question. Consequently, I asked for clarification."
🎙 Speak: Tell me your three statements. Make sure the cause REALLY causes the effect.
These words break the normal pattern. They say "the opposite of what you'd expect" (despite) or "here's the goal" (so that, in order to).
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| Despite + noun or Despite + -ing form |
"Despite the rain, we went out." "Despite being tired, she kept working." |
| In spite of + noun or In spite of + -ing form |
"In spite of the rain, we went out." "In spite of being tired, she kept working." |
| Although + clause (different structure) |
"Although it was raining, we went out." "Although she was tired, she kept working." |
Key difference: "Despite" and "in spite of" are prepositions — they need a noun or -ing form. "Although" is a conjunction — it needs a full clause (subject + verb).
Quick memory: "Despite" breaks expectations. "So that" or "to" explains a goal.
Contrast! You'd expect fear to stop him. But he jumped anyway. "Despite" shows that the opposite happened.
Purpose! The reason for learning is the goal — a better job. "So that" explains the goal.
First = contrast. Hard work didn't get her the pass. Second = purpose. Her goal was to pass. Very different meanings!
🎙 Speak: Say both versions for pair 3. How does the meaning flip?
1. "Despite [challenge], I _____ ."
Example: "Despite being shy, I spoke up in the meeting."
2. "I [action] so that I _____ ."
Example: "I practice every day so that I can improve my English."
3. "I [action] in order to _____ ."
Example: "I took this lesson in order to learn about discourse markers."
🎙 Speak: Say all three sentences. Make them about real situations in your life.
Some of these sentences have the wrong linking word. Can you spot them?
1. "It was raining. Therefore, I wore a coat."
Correct! Rain naturally leads to wearing a coat. The cause-and-effect is logical.
2. "Despite being smart, he understood the problem."
Wrong! Should be: "Because he was smart, he understood the problem." Being smart HELPS you understand. "Despite" means the opposite happens. If you use "despite," it means being smart didn't help.
3. "She's studying in order to learn languages." (Is the infinitive right?)
Correct! "In order to" + infinitive (to learn). This is the right structure for expressing purpose.
4. "I didn't study. Therefore, I passed."
Wrong! The logic is broken. Not studying doesn't cause passing. Should be: "Despite not studying, I passed." (unexpected result) Or: "In spite of not studying, I somehow passed."
5. "I'm learning English. Moreover, I'm improving my skills."
Correct! These are two related ideas. Learning English DOES lead to improving skills. "Moreover" adds the second point. Good connection.
🎙 Speak: Now create a sentence for each linking word type (adding, result, contrast, purpose) and tell me.
This is your main task. Pick a topic. State your opinion, add reasons, show cause-and-effect, acknowledge difficulty, and explain your purpose. All with linking words.
Pick one card. Speak for about 2-3 minutes using this structure:
1. State your opinion: "I believe that... because..."
2. Add a reason: "In addition... / Moreover..."
3. Show cause-effect: "Therefore... / As a result..."
4. Acknowledge difficulty: "Despite... / In spite of..."
5. Explain purpose: "...so that... / ...in order to..."
🎙 Speak: Build your argument now. Use at least four different linking words. Sound confident — you're making a case.
...use conjunctions and discourse markers to connect ideas, build arguments, and speak or write with clear logical flow.
No looking back. Speak your answers out loud.
1. What's the difference between "Therefore" and "Despite"?
"Therefore" shows cause-and-effect (this causes that). "Despite" shows contrast (the opposite of what you'd expect). They're doing opposite jobs.
2. What structure follows "in order to"? Infinitive or clause?
Infinitive: "in order to + verb." "I studied in order to pass." NOT "in order to I pass." If you want to use a full clause, use "so that": "so that I can pass."
3. Name three "adding" words. Are they formal or informal?
"In addition," "moreover," "furthermore" (formal). "Also," "as well" (informal). Use "also" in conversation, "moreover" in formal speech or writing.
4. Can you use "therefore" to connect any two ideas?
No! The first idea MUST cause the second. Not "I like blue. Therefore, I ate pizza." That makes no sense. Only use "therefore" when there's real cause-and-effect.
What challenged you most today?
🎙 Speak: Pick one. Tell me why it was hard. How will you practise it?
🎙 Speak: In two minutes, explain something you believe strongly. Use at least six different linking words from today's lesson. Show you can build a real argument.