English connectors, or linking words, are words and phrases that connect sentences, clauses, and paragraphs. They show the relationship between ideas and help create a coherent and logical flow in writing. Here[SQ]s a breakdown by category, with examples :

1. Addition:

These words introduce additional information or points.

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And:

Simple addition. "He likes apples and oranges."
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Also:

Adds another point. "He likes apples. He also likes bananas."
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Furthermore:

Adds a more significant point. "The car is expensive; furthermore, it[SQ]s unreliable."
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Moreover:

Similar to furthermore. "The evidence is weak; moreover, it[SQ]s contradictory."
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In addition:

Adds information. "In addition to apples, he likes pears."
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Besides:

Adds another point, often implying something extra. "Besides being expensive, the car is ugly."
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As well as:

Adds another item or idea. "She enjoys swimming as well as running."
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Too:

Adds a similar point at the end of a sentence. "He likes apples, too."
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Equally important:

Highlights the importance of another point. "The design is impressive; equally important is its functionality."


2. Contrast/Opposition:

These words introduce opposing or contrasting ideas.

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But:

Simple contrast. "He tried, but he failed."
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However:

Introduces a contrasting idea. "The weather was hot; however, we still enjoyed the picnic."
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Yet:

Similar to however, often used in shorter sentences. "She[SQ]s tired, yet she continues working."
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Although/Though/Even though:

Introduce a contrasting clause. "Although it was raining, we went for a walk."
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Despite/In spite of:

Introduce a contrasting phrase. "Despite the rain, we went for a walk."
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Nevertheless/Nonetheless:

Introduce a contrasting idea that emphasizes the main point. "The evidence is weak; nevertheless, I believe him."
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On the other hand:

Introduces a contrasting viewpoint. "On the one hand, it[SQ]s expensive; on the other hand, it[SQ]s very durable."
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Instead of:

Indicates a substitution. "Instead of going to the movies, we stayed home."
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Rather than:

Similar to instead of. "Rather than complaining, he took action."


3. Cause and Effect:

These words show a relationship between cause and effect.

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Because:

States the reason. "He failed because he didn[SQ]t study."
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Since:

States the reason (often implies time as well). "Since it[SQ]s raining, we[SQ]ll stay inside."
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As:

States the reason. "As he was tired, he went to bed early."
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Therefore/Thus/Hence:

Indicate a consequence. "He didn[SQ]t study; therefore, he failed."
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Consequently/Accordingly:

Indicate a result. "The traffic was heavy; consequently, we were late."
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So:

Indicates a consequence (more informal). "It[SQ]s raining, so we[SQ]ll stay inside."
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As a result:

Indicates a result. "As a result of the storm, the power went out."


4. Sequence/Order:

These words show the order of events or ideas.

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First, second, third,...finally:

Simple order.
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Then:

Indicates what happened next. "First, he woke up; then he ate breakfast."
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After:

Indicates what happened after something else. "After he finished his work, he went home."
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Before:

Indicates what happened before something else. "Before he left, he locked the door."
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Next:

Indicates the following step. "Next, we[SQ]ll discuss the budget."
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Following:

Introduces what comes after. "Following his speech, there was a Q&A session."
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Subsequently:

Indicates what happened later. "Subsequently, he resigned from his position."


5. Example/Illustration:

These words introduce examples.

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For example:

Introduces an example. "Many fruits are healthy; for example, apples and bananas."
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For instance:

Similar to for example.
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Such as:

Introduces a list of examples. "He enjoys various sports, such as tennis and swimming."
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Including:

Includes something in a list. "Several countries participated, including France and Germany."
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Specifically:

Specifies an example. "He is skilled in many areas, specifically software development."


6. Conclusion/Summary:

These words summarize or conclude an idea.

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In conclusion:

Summarizes the main points.
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In summary:

Similar to in conclusion.
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To summarize:

Similar to in conclusion.
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In short:

Concise summary.
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Therefore:

Restates a conclusion based on previous arguments.
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Thus:

Similar to therefore.
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To conclude:

Similar to in conclusion.


This is not an exhaustive list, but it covers many common connectors. The best connector to use will depend on the specific context and the relationship between the ideas you are connecting. Remember to use these words carefully and naturally to avoid making your writing sound clunky or repetitive.