Discourse markers: Linking words

This exercise helps you practise using discourse markers—words and phrases that connect and organise your ideas in speaking and writing. You'll learn how to use markers such as however, therefore, in fact, meanwhile, and others to express contrast, reason, result, emphasis, and topic shifts. Mastering these markers will make your communication more fluent, structured, and natural, especially in longer texts or conversations.

1. The movie was long and confusing. _____, I stayed until the end.

Nevertheless

Actually

As a result

2. We were all tired. _____, we decided to go for a walk.

Therefore

However

Meanwhile

3. He speaks five languages. _____, he’s a professional translator.

As a result

Even though

In fact

4. The weather was great. _____, we spent the whole day outside.

In contrast

As a result

Besides

5. The hotel was expensive. _____, the food was surprisingly affordable.

In contrast

Instead

Otherwise

6. The students are on holiday now. _____, the teachers are preparing next term’s materials.

In case

Therefore

Meanwhile

7. I didn't like the service. _____, the food was cold.

Besides

Otherwise

Nonetheless

8. She said she was feeling better. _____, she looked even worse than before.

Therefore

Actually

Moreover

9. We tried to convince him to stay. _____, he decided to leave.

After all

In the end

Instead

10. The task is difficult. _____, we need to complete it by tomorrow.

Nevertheless

Therefore

Such as

11. We didn’t study enough. _____, we didn’t pass the exam.

Actually

In fact

Therefore

12. _____ holidays, have you booked your flight yet?

Talking of

Moreover

Otherwise