C1 Linking Words in English

Master C1-level English connectors with this comprehensive guide. Learn sophisticated connectors for Writing and Speaking, with examples, real text analyses, and tips to avoid common mistakes.

Updated on 11/02/26

Mastering C1-level English linking words is fundamental to achieving the fluency, coherence, and sophistication expected at this advanced level. Whether you are preparing for the Cambridge C1 Advanced Writing, IELTS, TOEFL, or simply want to improve your English to a C1 level, knowing how to use linking words correctly can make the difference between a correct text and a truly brilliant one.

In this article, I am going to explain all the essential C1 linking words, with translated examples, practical tips, and analyses of real texts so that you have all the material you need to master this crucial aspect of advanced English.

What Linking Words Are and Why They Are Crucial at C1 Level

Linking words, also called linkers or linking expressions, are words or phrases that function as the linguistic glue of our sentences. Their main function is to join ideas, providing coherence and cohesion in both written texts and oral speech. Without linking words, our sentences would sound disjointed, like a simple list of unrelated ideas.

At C1 level, the correct and sophisticated use of linking words is one of the key criteria that distinguish an advanced speaker from an upper-intermediate one. It is not enough to have a good vocabulary or correct grammar: your ideas must flow naturally and elegantly, demonstrating full command of the language. If you already know some B2 linking words, now is the time to take a step further and learn more sophisticated, varied, and precise connectors.

Differences Between B2 and C1 Linking Words

If you are coming from a B2 level, you are probably already familiar with linking words such as however, moreover, therefore, or although. These connectors are perfect for communicating effectively at an upper-intermediate level, but at C1, you are expected to use even more advanced, precise, and varied linking words that demonstrate superior mastery of the language.

For example, instead of always using however to contrast ideas, at C1 you can use nevertheless, nonetheless, or even notwithstanding. Instead of repeating moreover, you can incorporate what’s more, likewise, or besides. This variety will not only make your English sound more natural and sophisticated but will also help you achieve better marks in official exams.

The fundamental difference between B2 and C1 regarding linking words is:

• Greater sophistication: C1 linking words tend to be more formal and precise.
• More variety: At C1, you are expected to alternate between different linking words with similar meanings.
• More flexible use: You master the correct position and punctuation of each connector.
• Appropriate register: You know when to use formal vs. informal connectors depending on the context.

The Role of Linking Words in C1 Exams

Although this article focuses on linking words for the C1 level in general, it is important to mention how they are specifically evaluated in the main official exams.

In the Cambridge C1 Advanced, linking words form a crucial part of the «Organisation» criterion. Examiners look for texts that are well-organised and coherent, using a variety of cohesive devices and organisational patterns with flexibility. This means it is not enough to just use linking words: they must be used naturally, variedly, and appropriately.

In IELTS (Band 7-8, equivalent to C1), «Coherence and Cohesion» is evaluated. Candidates must demonstrate that they can use a variety of cohesive devices appropriately, even if there is occasional over-use or under-use.

In TOEFL (Writing scores 24-30, equivalent to C1), the ability to organise ideas clearly and coherently using appropriate transitions between ideas is valued.

In summary: regardless of the exam you are preparing for, mastering C1 linking words is essential to demonstrate your advanced level of English.

Addition Linking Words for C1

Addition linking words are used to add information, reinforce arguments, or list points. They are especially useful when you want to develop an idea or present several arguments in an argumentative or expository text.

Moreover, Furthermore, and Besides

Moreover and furthermore mean «además» or «es más» and are used to add relevant and significant information to what you have already said. They are quite formal, making them perfect for academic and formal writing. They are normally placed at the start of a sentence, followed by a comma.

🇬🇧 Learning a foreign language improves cognitive abilities. Moreover, it opens up new job opportunities worldwide.
🇪🇸 Aprender un idioma extranjero mejora las habilidades cognitivas. Además, abre nuevas oportunidades laborales a nivel mundial.

🇬🇧 The research provides valuable insights into climate change. Furthermore, it suggests practical solutions for policymakers.
🇪🇸 La investigación proporciona información valiosa sobre el cambio climático. Es más, sugiere soluciones prácticas para los legisladores.

Besides means «además de eso» and is slightly less formal than moreover or furthermore. It can be used both at the beginning of a sentence and in the middle.

🇬🇧 I don’t want to go out tonight. Besides, it’s raining heavily.
🇪🇸 No quiero salir esta noche. Además de eso, está lloviendo mucho.

🇬🇧 The course covers advanced grammar. Besides, students get access to exclusive online resources.
🇪🇸 El curso cubre gramática avanzada. Además, los estudiantes obtienen acceso a recursos en línea exclusivos.

What’s more and Likewise

What’s more means «es más» or «además» and adds additional information with certain emphasis. It is somewhat less formal than moreover, but perfectly appropriate for C1 level texts.

🇬🇧 The hotel was in a perfect location near the beach. What’s more, it offered free breakfast every morning.
🇪🇸 El hotel estaba en una ubicación perfecta cerca de la playa. Es más, ofrecía desayuno gratuito todas las mañanas.

🇬🇧 She speaks three languages fluently. What’s more, she’s currently learning Japanese.
🇪🇸 Habla tres idiomas con fluidez. Además, actualmente está aprendiendo japonés.

Likewise means «asimismo» or «igualmente» and is used to indicate that something is similar or applies in the same way.

🇬🇧 The company increased salaries for junior staff. Likewise, senior employees received substantial bonuses.
🇪🇸 La empresa aumentó los salarios del personal junior. Asimismo, los empleados senior recibieron bonificaciones sustanciales.

🇬🇧 Technology has transformed education. Likewise, it has revolutionised the healthcare sector.
🇪🇸 La tecnología ha transformado la educación. Del mismo modo, ha revolucionado el sector sanitario.

In addition to and As well as

In addition to means «además de» and is followed by a noun or a verb in the -ing form. It is a very useful formal connector for adding information elegantly.

🇬🇧 In addition to improving your English, studying abroad helps you develop independence.
🇪🇸 Además de mejorar tu inglés, estudiar en el extranjero te ayuda a desarrollar independencia.

🇬🇧 In addition to the main course, students receive complimentary materials.
🇪🇸 Además del curso principal, los estudiantes reciben materiales complementarios.

As well as also means «así como» or «además de» and is used to relate two elements, usually nouns or -ing verbs.

🇬🇧 The course covers grammar as well as pronunciation and vocabulary.
🇪🇸 El curso cubre la gramática así como la pronunciación y el vocabulario.

🇬🇧 She enjoys reading as well as writing short stories.
🇪🇸 Disfruta leyendo así como escribiendo relatos cortos.

Contrast Linking Words for C1

Contrast linking words are used to present opposing ideas or to show differences between two situations. They are fundamental in debates, discussions, and in the argumentative part of your writing, especially in essays where you need to present different viewpoints.

However, Nevertheless, and Nonetheless

These three connectors mean «sin embargo» or «no obstante» and are used to contrast two ideas. They normally go at the beginning of a new sentence, preceded by a full stop and followed by a comma.

However is the most common and neutral of the three:

🇬🇧 The film received excellent reviews from critics. However, it didn’t perform well at the box office.
🇪🇸 La película recibió críticas excelentes de los críticos. Sin embargo, no funcionó bien en taquilla.

🇬🇧 Many people believe technology isolates us. However, it can actually bring people closer together.
🇪🇸 Mucha gente cree que la tecnología nos aísla. Sin embargo, en realidad puede acercar más a las personas.

Nevertheless and nonetheless are more formal and emphatic than however. They suggest that, despite what was previously mentioned, the second idea remains valid or important.

🇬🇧 The journey was long and exhausting. Nevertheless, we were determined to reach our destination.
🇪🇸 El viaje fue largo y agotador. No obstante, estábamos decididos a llegar a nuestro destino.

🇬🇧 The evidence was circumstantial at best. Nonetheless, the jury reached a unanimous verdict.
🇪🇸 La evidencia era circunstancial en el mejor de los casos. Aun así, el jurado llegó a un veredicto unánime.

Although, Though, and Even though

These three connectors mean «aunque», but with different levels of emphasis and formality. Unlike however, these connectors introduce a subordinate clause and can go at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence.

Although is the most formal and can go at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence:

🇬🇧 Although I was exhausted, I managed to finish the project on time.
🇪🇸 Aunque estaba agotado, logré terminar el proyecto a tiempo.

🇬🇧 The company decided to expand internationally, although the market conditions were uncertain.
🇪🇸 La empresa decidió expandirse internacionalmente, aunque las condiciones del mercado eran inciertas.

Though is more informal than although and can also go at the end of the sentence:

🇬🇧 Though it was raining heavily, the match continued.
🇪🇸 Aunque llovía con fuerza, el partido continuó.

🇬🇧 The restaurant was expensive. The food was excellent, though.
🇪🇸 El restaurante era caro. La comida era excelente, sin embargo.

Even though adds more emphasis and surprise than although or though:

🇬🇧 Even though she had never acted before, she gave an outstanding performance.
🇪🇸 Aunque nunca había actuado antes, dio una actuación sobresaliente.

🇬🇧 He decided to take the job, even though it meant relocating to another country.
🇪🇸 Decidió aceptar el trabajo, a pesar de que significaba mudarse a otro país.

Despite, In spite of, and Notwithstanding

These connectors mean «a pesar de» and are perfect for showing that something occurred even though there was an obstacle. They are followed by a noun or a verb in the -ing form, never by a complete sentence. They can also be used with the expression the fact that followed by subject + verb.

Despite and in spite of are interchangeable and have the same meaning:

🇬🇧 Despite the bad weather, we enjoyed the outdoor concert.
🇪🇸 A pesar del mal tiempo, disfrutamos del concierto al aire libre.

🇬🇧 In spite of working hard, he didn’t pass the exam.
🇪🇸 A pesar de trabajar duro, no aprobó el examen.

🇬🇧 Despite the fact that she was the youngest candidate, she got the job.
🇪🇸 A pesar de que era la candidata más joven, consiguió el trabajo.

🇬🇧 In spite of the fact that the company made huge profits, they decided to cut salaries.
🇪🇸 A pesar de que la empresa obtuvo grandes beneficios, decidieron recortar los salarios.

Notwithstanding is much more formal and literary than despite or in spite of. It is mainly used in legal, academic, or very formal contexts. It can go before or after the noun.

🇬🇧 Notwithstanding the difficulties, the project was completed successfully.
🇪🇸 A pesar de las dificultades, el proyecto se completó con éxito.

🇬🇧 The committee decided to proceed, objections from several members notwithstanding.
🇪🇸 El comité decidió proceder, a pesar de las objeciones de varios miembros.

Whereas, While, and On the contrary

Whereas and while mean «mientras que» and are used to show contrast between two ideas within the same sentence. They are perfect for comparisons.

🇬🇧 Some people prefer working from home, whereas others find the office environment more productive.
🇪🇸 Algunas personas prefieren trabajar desde casa, mientras que otras encuentran el entorno de oficina más productivo.

🇬🇧 While the city offers numerous job opportunities, the countryside provides a better quality of life.
🇪🇸 Mientras que la ciudad ofrece numerosas oportunidades laborales, el campo proporciona una mejor calidad de vida.

🇬🇧 Traditional education focuses on theoretical knowledge, whereas vocational training emphasises practical skills.
🇪🇸 La educación tradicional se centra en el conocimiento teórico, mientras que la formación profesional enfatiza las habilidades prácticas.

🇬🇧 While technology has made communication easier, it has also reduced face-to-face interactions.
🇪🇸 Aunque la tecnología ha facilitado la comunicación, también ha reducido las interacciones cara a cara.

On the contrary means «al contrario» and is used to completely contradict what has been said before. It is important to note that it is not the same as on the other hand (por otro lado), which simply presents an alternative viewpoint.

🇬🇧 Many people think learning languages is difficult. On the contrary, with the right approach, it can be quite enjoyable.
🇪🇸 Mucha gente piensa que aprender idiomas es difícil. Al contrario, con el enfoque adecuado, puede ser bastante agradable.

🇬🇧 Some believe that technology isolates people. On the contrary, it has connected individuals across the globe like never before.
🇪🇸 Algunos creen que la tecnología aísla a las personas. Al contrario, ha conectado a individuos de todo el mundo como nunca antes.

Albeit (Advanced Formal Use)

Albeit is a very formal connector that means «aunque» or «si bien». It is used mainly in academic, literary, or very formal texts. It is normally followed by an adjective, an adverb, or a short clause.

🇬🇧 The response was positive, albeit somewhat cautious.
🇪🇸 La respuesta fue positiva, aunque algo cautelosa.

🇬🇧 The company made progress, albeit slowly, towards its sustainability goals.
🇪🇸 La empresa avanzó, si bien lentamente, hacia sus objetivos de sostenibilidad.

🇬🇧 He accepted the proposal, albeit reluctantly.
🇪🇸 Aceptó la propuesta, aunque a regañadientes.

🇬🇧 The research provides valuable insights, albeit limited in scope.
🇪🇸 La investigación proporciona información valiosa, aunque limitada en alcance.

Cause and Consequence Linking Words for C1

These linking words help you explain why something happens (cause) or what consequences an action has (effect). They are essential for arguing and justifying your opinions logically and convincingly.

Because of, Owing to, and Due to

These three connectors mean «debido a» or «a causa de» and are followed by a noun or noun phrase, not a complete sentence (for that we would use because, as, or since).

Because of is the most common and neutral:

🇬🇧 The flight was delayed because of technical problems.
🇪🇸 El vuelo se retrasó debido a problemas técnicos.

🇬🇧 Many businesses closed because of the pandemic.
🇪🇸 Muchas empresas cerraron debido a la pandemia.

Owing to and due to are more formal and are mainly used in formal written contexts:

🇬🇧 The concert was cancelled owing to bad weather conditions.
🇪🇸 El concierto se canceló debido a las malas condiciones meteorológicas.

🇬🇧 Owing to unforeseen circumstances, the meeting has been postponed.
🇪🇸 Debido a circunstancias imprevistas, la reunión ha sido pospuesta.

🇬🇧 The delay was due to heavy traffic on the motorway.
🇪🇸 El retraso fue debido al tráfico denso en la autopista.

🇬🇧 Due to increased demand, we have expanded our production facilities.
🇪🇸 Debido a la mayor demanda, hemos ampliado nuestras instalaciones de producción.

Therefore, Thus, Hence, and Consequently

These connectors are used to show the result or consequence of something. They are quite formal and are normally placed at the beginning of a sentence, preceded by a full stop or semicolon, and followed by a comma.

Therefore is the most common and means «por lo tanto» or «por consiguiente»:

🇬🇧 The company made significant losses last year. Therefore, they had to close several branches.
🇪🇸 La empresa tuvo pérdidas significativas el año pasado. Por lo tanto, tuvieron que cerrar varias sucursales.

🇬🇧 The evidence was inconclusive. Therefore, the case was dismissed.
🇪🇸 La evidencia no fue concluyente. Por consiguiente, el caso fue desestimado.

Thus and hence are more formal and academic than therefore:

🇬🇧 The experiment yielded unexpected results. Thus, further research is required.
🇪🇸 El experimento arrojó resultados inesperados. Así pues, se requiere más investigación.

🇬🇧 The data suggests a strong correlation between the variables, thus supporting our hypothesis.
🇪🇸 Los datos sugieren una fuerte correlación entre las variables, apoyando así nuestra hipótesis.

🇬🇧 The weather forecast predicts heavy rain. Hence, we should postpone the outdoor event.
🇪🇸 El pronóstico del tiempo predice lluvia intensa. Por consiguiente, deberíamos posponer el evento al aire libre.

🇬🇧 All the evidence points to the same conclusion. Hence, there can be little doubt about the outcome.
🇪🇸 Toda la evidencia apunta a la misma conclusión. Por lo tanto, puede haber pocas dudas sobre el resultado.

Consequently also means «en consecuencia» or «como consecuencia»:

🇬🇧 The government increased taxes on luxury goods. Consequently, sales in this sector declined sharply.
🇪🇸 El gobierno aumentó los impuestos sobre bienes de lujo. En consecuencia, las ventas en este sector disminuyeron drásticamente.

🇬🇧 She missed several important meetings. Consequently, she was not considered for promotion.
🇪🇸 Faltó a varias reuniones importantes. Como consecuencia, no fue considerada para el ascenso.

As a result and As a consequence

Both expressions mean «como resultado» or «en consecuencia» and are used to show the effect of a previous action or situation. They are slightly less formal than therefore or consequently, but perfectly appropriate for C1 level texts.

🇬🇧 She trained every day for six months. As a result, she won the regional championship.
🇪🇸 Entrenó todos los días durante seis meses. Como resultado, ganó el campeonato regional.

🇬🇧 The company invested heavily in research and development. As a result, they launched several innovative products.
🇪🇸 La empresa invirtió mucho en investigación y desarrollo. Como resultado, lanzaron varios productos innovadores.

🇬🇧 The city failed to maintain its infrastructure. As a consequence, many roads are now in poor condition.
🇪🇸 La ciudad no logró mantener su infraestructura. Como consecuencia, muchas carreteras están ahora en mal estado.

🇬🇧 The policy was poorly communicated to the public. As a consequence, it faced strong opposition.
🇪🇸 La política se comunicó mal al público. En consecuencia, se enfrentó a una fuerte oposición.

Given that and Considering that

These expressions mean «dado que» or «teniendo en cuenta que» and are used to introduce a reason or justification, especially when we want the reader to consider a particular fact or circumstance.

🇬🇧 Given that the project deadline is next week, we should prioritise the most important tasks.
🇪🇸 Dado que la fecha límite del proyecto es la semana que viene, deberíamos priorizar las tareas más importantes.

🇬🇧 Given that she has no previous experience, her performance has been impressive.
🇪🇸 Teniendo en cuenta que no tiene experiencia previa, su rendimiento ha sido impresionante.

🇬🇧 Considering that the weather has been terrible, the turnout for the event was excellent.
🇪🇸 Considerando que el tiempo ha sido terrible, la asistencia al evento fue excelente.

🇬🇧 Considering that he only started learning English last year, his progress is remarkable.
🇪🇸 Teniendo en cuenta que solo empezó a aprender inglés el año pasado, su progreso es notable.

Finality and Purpose Linking Words for C1

These connectors help you explain what you are doing something for or what the goal of an action is. They are fundamental when you need to state your intentions or the reasons behind a decision.

In order to and So as to

Both mean «para» or «con el fin de» and are more formal than simply using to. They are followed by an infinitive without to.

🇬🇧 I’m studying hard in order to pass all my exams with high grades.
🇪🇸 Estoy estudiando mucho para aprobar todos mis exámenes con buenas notas.

🇬🇧 The government introduced new measures in order to reduce carbon emissions.
🇪🇸 El gobierno introdujo nuevas medidas con el fin de reducir las emisiones de carbono.

🇬🇧 She arrived early so as to get a good seat at the conference.
🇪🇸 Llegó temprano para conseguir un buen asiento en la conferencia.

🇬🇧 We kept our voices down so as to avoid disturbing the neighbours.
🇪🇸 Mantuvimos las voces bajas para evitar molestar a los vecinos.

With a view to and With the aim of

These expressions mean «con el objetivo de» or «con vistas a» and are very formal. They are followed by a verb in the -ing form or a noun.

🇬🇧 The company launched a new advertising campaign with a view to attracting younger customers.
🇪🇸 La empresa lanzó una nueva campaña publicitaria con vistas a atraer clientes más jóvenes.

🇬🇧 She moved to London with a view to advancing her career in finance.
🇪🇸 Se mudó a Londres con el objetivo de avanzar en su carrera en finanzas.

🇬🇧 The government implemented the policy with the aim of reducing unemployment.
🇪🇸 El gobierno implementó la política con el objetivo de reducir el desempleo.

🇬🇧 They organised the workshop with the aim of improving team collaboration.
🇪🇸 Organizaron el taller con el objetivo de mejorar la colaboración del equipo.

So that and In order that

These connectors mean «para que» or «de manera que» and are followed by a complete sentence (subject + verb). They are often used with modals such as can, could, will, would, or may.

🇬🇧 I’ll send you the document now so that you can review it before the meeting.
🇪🇸 Te enviaré el documento ahora para que puedas revisarlo antes de la reunión.

🇬🇧 She spoke slowly so that everyone could understand her presentation.
🇪🇸 Habló despacio para que todos pudieran entender su presentación.

🇬🇧 The instructions were simplified in order that new users could follow them easily.
🇪🇸 Las instrucciones se simplificaron de manera que los nuevos usuarios pudieran seguirlas fácilmente.

🇬🇧 The committee met early in order that they might reach a decision before the deadline.
🇪🇸 El comité se reunió temprano para que pudieran llegar a una decisión antes de la fecha límite.

Exemplifying Linking Words in C1

When you need to give examples to support your arguments or illustrate your ideas, these linking words are essential. They allow you to introduce specific cases clearly and professionally.

For instance, Such as, and Namely

For instance and for example mean «por ejemplo» and can be used interchangeably. They normally go at the beginning of the sentence or after a comma.

🇬🇧 There are many ways to improve your English. For instance, you could watch films in English or join a conversation club.
🇪🇸 Hay muchas formas de mejorar tu inglés. Por ejemplo, podrías ver películas en inglés o unirte a un club de conversación.

🇬🇧 Many cities have implemented green initiatives. London, for instance, has introduced an ultra-low emission zone.
🇪🇸 Muchas ciudades han implementado iniciativas verdes. Londres, por ejemplo, ha introducido una zona de emisiones ultrabaja.

Such as means «como» or «tal como» and is used to give specific examples within a sentence:

🇬🇧 I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and kayaking.
🇪🇸 Disfruto de actividades al aire libre como el senderismo, el ciclismo y el kayak.

🇬🇧 Major European cities such as Paris, Berlin and Madrid have excellent public transport systems.
🇪🇸 Las principales ciudades europeas como París, Berlín y Madrid tienen excelentes sistemas de transporte público.

Namely is more formal and means «a saber» or «es decir». It is used to specify exactly what you are referring to:

🇬🇧 Only one candidate met all the requirements, namely Sarah Johnson.
🇪🇸 Solo una candidata cumplía todos los requisitos, a saber Sarah Johnson.

🇬🇧 The study focuses on three main areas, namely education, healthcare and employment.
🇪🇸 El estudio se centra en tres áreas principales, a saber educación, sanidad y empleo.

To illustrate and By way of example

To illustrate means «para ilustrar» and is very formal. It is used to introduce an example that clearly demonstrates your point:

🇬🇧 Technology has transformed the way we communicate. To illustrate, consider how social media has connected people across the globe.
🇪🇸 La tecnología ha transformado la forma en que nos comunicamos. Para ilustrar, considera cómo las redes sociales han conectado a personas de todo el mundo.

🇬🇧 Climate change affects various aspects of our lives. To illustrate this point, we can look at the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
🇪🇸 El cambio climático afecta varios aspectos de nuestras vidas. Para ilustrar este punto, podemos observar la creciente frecuencia de eventos meteorológicos extremos.

By way of example is a very formal expression that means «a modo de ejemplo»:

🇬🇧 Many languages have borrowed words from English. By way of example, the word ‘computer’ is used in numerous languages worldwide.
🇪🇸 Muchos idiomas han adoptado palabras del inglés. A modo de ejemplo, la palabra ‘computer’ se usa en numerosos idiomas en todo el mundo.

🇬🇧 Several countries have successfully implemented renewable energy policies. By way of example, Denmark now generates over 40% of its electricity from wind power.
🇪🇸 Varios países han implementado con éxito políticas de energía renovable. A modo de ejemplo, Dinamarca ahora genera más del 40% de su electricidad a partir de energía eólica.

This means that and That is to say

This means that means «esto significa que» and is used to explain or clarify what you have just mentioned:

🇬🇧 The company has adopted a flexible working policy. This means that employees can choose when and where they work.
🇪🇸 La empresa ha adoptado una política de trabajo flexible. Esto significa que los empleados pueden elegir cuándo y dónde trabajan.

🇬🇧 The course is entirely online. This means that you can study at your own pace from anywhere in the world.
🇪🇸 El curso es completamente en línea. Esto significa que puedes estudiar a tu propio ritmo desde cualquier lugar del mundo.

That is to say is more formal and means «es decir» or «esto es»:

🇬🇧 The project must be completed by the end of Q2, that is to say, by the end of June.
🇪🇸 El proyecto debe completarse para el final del segundo trimestre, es decir, para finales de junio.

🇬🇧 The policy applies to all permanent staff, that is to say, employees on full-time contracts.
🇪🇸 La política se aplica a todo el personal permanente, esto es, empleados con contratos a tiempo completo.

Order and Sequence Linking Words for C1

These linking words help you organise your ideas in a logical and sequential way. They are especially useful in narrations, process descriptions, and when giving instructions or presenting structured arguments.

Opening Connectors

At first sight or at first glance mean «a primera vista» and are used to introduce an initial impression or evaluation:

🇬🇧 At first sight, the problem appeared simple, but it turned out to be quite complex.
🇪🇸 A primera vista, el problema parecía simple, pero resultó ser bastante complejo.

🇬🇧 At first glance, the two proposals seem similar, but there are significant differences between them.
🇪🇸 A primera vista, las dos propuestas parecen similares, pero hay diferencias significativas entre ellas.

First and foremost means «ante todo» or «en primer lugar y sobre todo» and is used to emphasise the most important point:

🇬🇧 First and foremost, we must ensure the safety of all participants.
🇪🇸 Ante todo, debemos garantizar la seguridad de todos los participantes.

🇬🇧 First and foremost, the company is committed to sustainability and ethical business practices.
🇪🇸 En primer lugar y sobre todo, la empresa está comprometida con la sostenibilidad y las prácticas empresariales éticas.

To start with or to begin with mean «para empezar» and are used to introduce the first point in a series of arguments:

🇬🇧 To start with, the hotel was far from the city centre, which made sightseeing difficult.
🇪🇸 Para empezar, el hotel estaba lejos del centro de la ciudad, lo que dificultaba hacer turismo.

🇬🇧 To begin with, we need to identify the main causes of the problem.
🇪🇸 En primer lugar, debemos identificar las principales causas del problema.

Continuation Connectors

Subsequently means «posteriormente» or «a continuación» and is quite formal. It is used to indicate that something occurred after what was previously mentioned:

🇬🇧 The company faced financial difficulties in 2019. Subsequently, they decided to restructure their operations.
🇪🇸 La empresa enfrentó dificultades financieras en 2019. Posteriormente, decidieron reestructurar sus operaciones.

🇬🇧 The proposal was approved by the board. Subsequently, a project team was assembled to implement it.
🇪🇸 La propuesta fue aprobada por la junta. A continuación, se reunió un equipo de proyecto para implementarla.

In the second place, secondly, or thirdly are used to list points in an orderly fashion:

🇬🇧 Firstly, the product is expensive. In the second place, it lacks essential features.
🇪🇸 En primer lugar, el producto es caro. En segundo lugar, carece de características esenciales.

🇬🇧 There are several reasons for this decision. Firstly, it will save costs. Secondly, it will improve efficiency. Thirdly, it aligns with our sustainability goals.
🇪🇸 Hay varias razones para esta decisión. En primer lugar, ahorrará costes. En segundo lugar, mejorará la eficiencia. En tercer lugar, se alinea con nuestros objetivos de sostenibilidad.

Closing Connectors

Finally and lastly mean «finalmente» or «por último» and are used to introduce the last point in a series or to conclude:

🇬🇧 We need to address three main issues. Firstly, the budget. Secondly, the timeline. Finally, the resource allocation.
🇪🇸 Debemos abordar tres cuestiones principales. En primer lugar, el presupuesto. En segundo lugar, el cronograma. Finalmente, la asignación de recursos.

🇬🇧 Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of this project.
🇪🇸 Por último, me gustaría agradecer a todos los que contribuyeron al éxito de este proyecto.

Eventually means «finalmente» or «al final», but refers specifically to the final result of a process or situation that took time:

🇬🇧 The negotiations were difficult, but eventually both parties reached an agreement.
🇪🇸 Las negociaciones fueron difíciles, pero finalmente ambas partes llegaron a un acuerdo.

🇬🇧 She applied to several universities and eventually received an offer from her first choice.
🇪🇸 Solicitó plaza en varias universidades y al final recibió una oferta de su primera opción.

Explanation and Emphasis Linking Words for C1

These linking words allow you to clarify, explain in more detail, or emphasise important information in your speech or text.

In other words, In short, and Basically

In other words means «en otras palabras» and is used to rephrase or explain something more clearly:

🇬🇧 The policy was not cost-effective. In other words, it was too expensive for the benefits it provided.
🇪🇸 La política no fue rentable. En otras palabras, era demasiado cara para los beneficios que proporcionaba.

🇬🇧 The data is inconclusive. In other words, we cannot draw any definitive conclusions from it.
🇪🇸 Los datos no son concluyentes. Es decir, no podemos extraer conclusiones definitivas de ellos.

In short means «en resumen» or «en pocas palabras» and is used to summarise briefly:

🇬🇧 The proposal has several flaws and would be difficult to implement. In short, I don’t think we should proceed with it.
🇪🇸 La propuesta tiene varios fallos y sería difícil de implementar. En resumen, no creo que debamos proceder con ella.

🇬🇧 In short, we need more time and resources to complete the project successfully.
🇪🇸 En pocas palabras, necesitamos más tiempo y recursos para completar el proyecto con éxito.

Basically means «básicamente» or «fundamentalmente» and is used to simplify or reduce something to its essence:

🇬🇧 Basically, the problem is that we don’t have enough staff to meet the demand.
🇪🇸 Básicamente, el problema es que no tenemos suficiente personal para satisfacer la demanda.

🇬🇧 The system is complex, but basically it works by matching supply with demand.
🇪🇸 El sistema es complejo, pero fundamentalmente funciona emparejando la oferta con la demanda.

Above all, Especially, and In particular

Above all means «sobre todo» or «ante todo» and is used to highlight the most important point:

🇬🇧 The course was excellent. Above all, the teacher was inspiring and knowledgeable.
🇪🇸 El curso fue excelente. Sobre todo, el profesor era inspirador y conocedor de la materia.

🇬🇧 When travelling abroad, you need to be prepared. Above all, make sure you have adequate travel insurance.
🇪🇸 Cuando viajas al extranjero, debes estar preparado. Ante todo, asegúrate de tener un seguro de viaje adecuado.

Especially means «especialmente» and is used to highlight something that deserves special attention:

🇬🇧 I love travelling, especially to places with rich cultural heritage.
🇪🇸 Me encanta viajar, especialmente a lugares con un rico patrimonio cultural.

🇬🇧 The museum is worth visiting, especially if you’re interested in modern art.
🇪🇸 El museo merece una visita, especialmente si te interesa el arte moderno.

In particular means «en particular» or «particularmente» and is used to specify something concrete:

🇬🇧 I enjoy Italian cuisine, in particular traditional pasta dishes from the south.
🇪🇸 Disfruto de la cocina italiana, en particular los platos de pasta tradicionales del sur.

🇬🇧 The report highlights several concerns, in particular the rising costs of healthcare.
🇪🇸 El informe destaca varias preocupaciones, en particular el aumento de los costes sanitarios.

On the whole and To a certain extent

On the whole means «en general» or «en conjunto» and is used to provide a general evaluation:

🇬🇧 On the whole, the conference was well organised and informative.
🇪🇸 En general, la conferencia estuvo bien organizada y fue informativa.

🇬🇧 There were some minor issues, but on the whole the project was a success.
🇪🇸 Hubo algunos problemas menores, pero en conjunto el proyecto fue un éxito.

To a certain extent or to some extent mean «hasta cierto punto» and are used to show partial or limited agreement:

🇬🇧 I agree with your analysis to a certain extent, but I think you’ve overlooked some important factors.
🇪🇸 Estoy de acuerdo con tu análisis hasta cierto punto, pero creo que has pasado por alto algunos factores importantes.

🇬🇧 The policy has been effective to some extent, but more needs to be done to achieve the desired results.
🇪🇸 La política ha sido efectiva en cierta medida, pero es necesario hacer más para lograr los resultados deseados.

Linking Words to Express Opinions and Facts in C1

These connectors allow you to introduce your opinions clearly and professionally, or to present facts effectively.

As far as I am concerned and From my point of view

As far as I am concerned means «en lo que a mí respecta» or «por lo que a mí concierne» and is used to introduce a personal opinion:

🇬🇧 As far as I am concerned, the benefits of remote working far outweigh the disadvantages.
🇪🇸 En lo que a mí respecta, los beneficios del trabajo remoto superan con creces las desventajas.

🇬🇧 As far as I’m concerned, the decision should be made by those directly affected by it.
🇪🇸 Por lo que a mí concierne, la decisión debería ser tomada por aquellos directamente afectados por ella.

From my point of view or from my perspective mean «desde mi punto de vista»:

🇬🇧 From my point of view, investing in education is the key to long-term economic growth.
🇪🇸 Desde mi punto de vista, invertir en educación es la clave para el crecimiento económico a largo plazo.

🇬🇧 From my perspective, the company should focus on innovation rather than cost-cutting.
🇪🇸 Desde mi perspectiva, la empresa debería centrarse en la innovación en lugar de en la reducción de costes.

As a matter of fact and In fact

As a matter of fact and in fact mean «de hecho» and are used to emphasise the truth of something, often correcting a misconception:

🇬🇧 Many people think learning languages is difficult. As a matter of fact, it’s easier than most people believe if you use the right methods.
🇪🇸 Mucha gente piensa que aprender idiomas es difícil. De hecho, es más fácil de lo que la mayoría cree si usas los métodos correctos.

🇬🇧 I thought the exam would be challenging. In fact, it was more straightforward than I expected.
🇪🇸 En realidad, fue más sencillo de lo que esperaba.

🇬🇧 The project didn’t fail due to lack of funding. In fact, the budget was more than adequate.
🇪🇸 El proyecto no fracasó por falta de financiación. De hecho, el presupuesto era más que adecuado.

🇬🇧 She’s not just a good teacher. As a matter of fact, she’s one of the best in her field.
🇪🇸 No es solo una buena profesora. De hecho, es una de las mejores en su campo.

To be honest and To tell the truth

To be honest and to tell the truth mean «para ser honesto» or «a decir verdad» and are used to introduce a sincere opinion, sometimes somewhat negative or unexpected:

🇬🇧 To be honest, I wasn’t impressed by the presentation. It lacked depth and substance.
🇪🇸 Para ser honesto, no me impresionó la presentación. Carecía de profundidad y sustancia.

🇬🇧 To tell the truth, I’m not sure this is the right decision for the company.
🇪🇸 A decir verdad, no estoy seguro de que esta sea la decisión correcta para la empresa.

🇬🇧 To be honest, I prefer working alone rather than in a team.
🇪🇸 Para ser sincero, prefiero trabajar solo que en equipo.

🇬🇧 To tell the truth, I had my doubts about the project from the beginning.
🇪🇸 A decir verdad, tuve mis dudas sobre el proyecto desde el principio.

Frequency and Probability Linking Words for C1

These linking words allow you to express how often something occurs or how likely it is that something will happen.

Expressing Frequency

Once in a blue moon is an idiomatic expression that means «muy rara vez» or «casi nunca»:

🇬🇧 I used to play tennis regularly, but now I only play once in a blue moon.
🇪🇸 Solía jugar al tenis regularmente, pero ahora solo juego muy de vez en cuando.

🇬🇧 She goes to the cinema once in a blue moon; she prefers watching films at home.
🇪🇸 Va al cine muy rara vez; prefiere ver películas en casa.

On a daily basis, on a weekly basis, etc., are formal expressions meaning «a diario», «semanalmente», etc.:

🇬🇧 The team meets on a weekly basis to discuss progress and address any issues.
🇪🇸 El equipo se reúne semanalmente para discutir el progreso y abordar cualquier problema.

🇬🇧 The company monitors its performance metrics on a daily basis.
🇪🇸 La empresa monitorea sus métricas de rendimiento a diario.

On and off means «de vez en cuando» or «intermitentemente»:

🇬🇧 I’ve been learning Spanish on and off for several years.
🇪🇸 He estado aprendiendo español de forma intermitente durante varios años.

🇬🇧 It rained on and off throughout the day.
🇪🇸 Llovió de vez en cuando durante todo el día.

Expressing Probability

Might expresses a possibility, but with less certainty than may or could:

🇬🇧 The meeting might be postponed if the CEO is unavailable.
🇪🇸 La reunión puede que se posponga si el director general no está disponible.

🇬🇧 We might consider expanding into new markets next year.
🇪🇸 Podríamos considerar expandirnos a nuevos mercados el año que viene.

To be likely to or to be unlikely to express probability or improbability:

🇬🇧 The company is likely to announce significant changes in the coming weeks.
🇪🇸 Es probable que la empresa anuncie cambios significativos en las próximas semanas.

🇬🇧 Given the current economic climate, a recession is unlikely to be avoided.
🇪🇸 Dado el clima económico actual, es poco probable que se evite una recesión.

There is a high likelihood (that) or there is a strong possibility (that) are formal expressions for indicating high probability:

🇬🇧 There is a high likelihood that interest rates will rise next quarter.
🇪🇸 Hay una alta probabilidad de que los tipos de interés suban el próximo trimestre.

🇬🇧 There is a strong possibility that the project will be completed ahead of schedule.
🇪🇸 Existe una fuerte posibilidad de que el proyecto se complete antes de lo previsto.

Sophisticated Linking Words That Will Impress at C1

These advanced connectors demonstrate a truly sophisticated command of English. Use them sparingly and in the appropriate context to really impress examiners or your audience.

1. Be that as it may

This very formal expression means «sea como fuere» or «aun así» and is used to acknowledge a point but continue with your argument:

🇬🇧 The evidence is not entirely conclusive. Be that as it may, we must make a decision based on the information available.
🇪🇸 La evidencia no es totalmente concluyente. Sea como fuere, debemos tomar una decisión basándonos en la información disponible.

🇬🇧 The cost is higher than anticipated. Be that as it may, the investment is necessary for long-term growth.
🇪🇸 El coste es mayor de lo previsto. Aun así, la inversión es necesaria para el crecimiento a largo plazo.

2. That said / That being said / Having said that

These expressions mean «dicho esto» or «habiendo dicho eso» and are used to introduce a contrast or nuance after making a statement:

🇬🇧 The report highlights several positive developments. That said, there are still significant challenges to overcome.
🇪🇸 El informe destaca varios desarrollos positivos. Dicho esto, todavía hay desafíos significativos que superar.

🇬🇧 Technology has transformed education. Having said that, traditional teaching methods still have their place.
🇪🇸 La tecnología ha transformado la educación. Habiendo dicho eso, los métodos de enseñanza tradicionales todavía tienen su lugar.

3. All things considered

This expression means «teniendo todo en cuenta» or «considerándolo todo»:

🇬🇧 All things considered, the project was a success despite the initial setbacks.
🇪🇸 Teniendo todo en cuenta, el proyecto fue un éxito a pesar de los contratiempos iniciales.

🇬🇧 All things considered, moving to a new city was the right decision for my career.
🇪🇸 Considerándolo todo, mudarme a una nueva ciudad fue la decisión correcta para mi carrera.

4. By the same token

It means «del mismo modo» or «por la misma razón» and is used to show that a point applies in the same way to another situation:

🇬🇧 If we expect employees to respect company policies, by the same token, management must lead by example.
🇪🇸 Si esperamos que los empleados respeten las políticas de la empresa, del mismo modo, la dirección debe predicar con el ejemplo.

🇬🇧 You can’t expect to succeed without effort. By the same token, hard work alone doesn’t guarantee success.
🇪🇸 No puedes esperar tener éxito sin esfuerzo. Por la misma razón, el trabajo duro por sí solo no garantiza el éxito.

5. In the light of / In light of

This formal expression means «a la luz de» or «teniendo en cuenta»:

🇬🇧 In the light of recent developments, we need to reconsider our strategy.
🇪🇸 A la luz de los acontecimientos recientes, necesitamos reconsiderar nuestra estrategia.

🇬🇧 In light of the evidence presented, the committee reached a unanimous decision.
🇪🇸 Teniendo en cuenta la evidencia presentada, el comité llegó a una decisión unánime.

6. For all intents and purposes

It means «a todos los efectos» or «prácticamente»:

🇬🇧 For all intents and purposes, the project is complete; we’re just waiting for final approval.
🇪🇸 A todos los efectos, el proyecto está completo; solo estamos esperando la aprobación final.

🇬🇧 The company is, for all intents and purposes, bankrupt.
🇪🇸 La empresa está, prácticamente, en bancarrota.

7. As it stands / As things stand

These expressions mean «tal como están las cosas» or «en la situación actual»:

🇬🇧 As it stands, we don’t have enough funding to complete the project.
🇪🇸 Tal como están las cosas, no tenemos suficiente financiación para completar el proyecto.

🇬🇧 As things stand, the deadline is unrealistic and will need to be extended.
🇪🇸 En la situación actual, la fecha límite no es realista y tendrá que ampliarse.

8. Not least (because)

This expression means «especialmente» or «no menos importante (porque)»:

🇬🇧 The proposal has several advantages, not least its cost-effectiveness.
🇪🇸 La propuesta tiene varias ventajas, especialmente su rentabilidad.

🇬🇧 The project is important, not least because it will create hundreds of new jobs.
🇪🇸 El proyecto es importante, especialmente porque creará cientos de nuevos empleos.

9. Granted (that)

It means «es cierto que» or «admito que» and is used to acknowledge a point before counter-arguing:

🇬🇧 Granted, the initial investment is substantial, but the long-term returns will be significant.
🇪🇸 Es cierto que la inversión inicial es sustancial, pero los rendimientos a largo plazo serán significativos.

🇬🇧 Granted that the evidence is limited, we still need to take precautionary measures.
🇪🇸 Admitiendo que la evidencia es limitada, aún necesitamos tomar medidas de precaución.

10. By no means / Not by any means

These emphatic expressions mean «de ninguna manera» or «en absoluto»:

🇬🇧 The task is by no means easy, but it is achievable with the right approach.
🇪🇸 La tarea no es en absoluto fácil, pero es alcanzable con el enfoque adecuado.

🇬🇧 This is not by any means the end of the matter; further investigation is required.
🇪🇸 Esto no es de ninguna manera el fin del asunto; se requiere más investigación.

Comparison: How to «Level Up» Your Connectors from B1 to C1

One of the most effective ways to improve your English from B2 to C1 is by substituting basic linking words for more sophisticated ones. Here is a comparative table showing the progression of connectors according to their level of sophistication:

Tips for «Levelling Up» Your Linking Words:

1. Variety is key: Do not limit yourself to always using the same advanced connector. Alternate between different options to demonstrate lexical richness.
2. Appropriate context: Very formal connectors (like notwithstanding or be that as it may) are perfect for essays and reports but can sound artificial in more informal contexts.
3. Practice position: C1 linking words often require specific punctuation. Practice where to place them in the sentence and which punctuation to use.
4. Quality over quantity: It is better to use 5-6 varied and sophisticated connectors correctly than to saturate your text with unnecessary linking words.
5. Read authentic texts: Observe how native speakers use these linking words in newspaper articles, academic essays, or non-fiction books.

How to Use Linking Words in C1 Writing

In Cambridge C1 Advanced Writing, linking words are a fundamental tool for demonstrating coherence and cohesion. However, not all linking words are appropriate for all types of text, and correct use depends both on the textual genre and the register required by each task.

Formal vs. Informal Register in C1

One of the key skills at C1 level is knowing how to adapt your linguistic register to the context. Formal linking words such as moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, or consequently are perfect for academic texts like essays and reports. Informal or neutral linking words like so, anyway, by the way, or well are more suitable for informal emails or articles with a more personal tone.

For example, if you are writing an essay on the advantages and disadvantages of technology, you should use connectors like:

• On the one hand… on the other hand…
• Moreover / Furthermore
• However / Nevertheless
• In conclusion / To sum up

On the other hand, if you are writing an informal email to a friend, you could use more relaxed linking words such as:

• To be honest…
• What’s more / Besides
• Anyway / By the way
• So / That’s why

The «Organisation» Criterion in Cambridge C1 Advanced

In the Cambridge C1 Advanced, one of the four Writing evaluation criteria is «Organisation». This criterion evaluates how you structure your text and how you connect your ideas. To obtain a high score (Band 5), you need to demonstrate that your text is «well-organised, coherent throughout, using a variety of cohesive devices and organisational patterns with flexibility».

Cohesive devices include:

• Linking words: words and phrases that explicitly connect ideas.
• References: pronouns (she, theirs, etc.), demonstratives (this, that, etc.).
• Substitution: using different words to refer to the same thing (the last one, this approach, etc.).
• Ellipsis: omitting words that are understood through context.
• Synonyms and paraphrasing: varying vocabulary instead of repeating the same words.

Organisational patterns are ways of structuring your paragraphs and sentences, such as:

• Starting a new paragraph with a rhetorical question to the reader.
• Ordering sentences so that ideas flow from simple to complex.
• Using parallel structures for emphasis.
• Contrasting ideas within the same paragraph.

It is important to understand that it is not just about using many linking words, but about using them naturally, varyingly, and appropriately. A text overloaded with linking words can sound artificial and forced, whereas a text with few linking words but well-structured can obtain a good score if the ideas flow naturally.

This «Organisation» criterion is not exclusive to Cambridge; other C1 exams like IELTS («Coherence and Cohesion» criterion) or TOEFL («Organization» criterion) evaluate similar aspects, although with different names.

Before & After Example: Transform Your Paragraph with C1 Linking Words

Let’s see how C1 linking words transform a basic paragraph into an advanced level one. Note especially the use of varied cohesive devices, not just explicit connectors.

❌ BEFORE (B2 level, basic linking words):

Problems with this paragraph:

• Very short and simple sentences.
• Basic and repetitive linking words (however, therefore).
• Simple vocabulary («a lot», «bad», «more important»).
• Lack of variety in cohesive devices.
• No sophistication in sentence structure.

✅ AFTER (C1 level, sophisticated linking words):

Improvements in this C1 paragraph:

• Sophisticated vocabulary: «revolutionised», «educational landscape», «unprecedented flexibility», «balancing commitments».
• Advanced linking words: Moreover (addition), That said (sophisticated contrast), Notwithstanding (formal contrast), Consequently (formal result), whilst (simultaneous contrast).
• Variety of cohesive devices: pronouns (which, those, these), substitution (the advantages, the drawbacks).
• Complex structures: well-connected long sentences, use of relative clauses and participles.
• Appropriate register: formal and academic tone suitable for an essay.

Analysis of Linking Words Used:

• «Moreover» (además): adds relevant information about the flexibility of online platforms.
• «That said» (dicho esto): introduces a contrast in a sophisticated way, acknowledging the criticism before counter-arguing.
• «Notwithstanding these concerns» (a pesar de estas preocupaciones): formal contrast showing that, despite critics, the main argument holds.
• «Consequently» (en consecuencia): introduces the logical conclusion of the argument.
• «Whilst» (mientras que): shows two simultaneous actions, adding nuance to the final proposal.

As you can see, the second paragraph not only uses more sophisticated connectors but also demonstrates a deep understanding of how to structure complex arguments coherently and cohesively.

How to Use Linking Words in C1 Speaking

In C1 Speaking, linking words are just as important as in Writing, but you must choose connectors that sound natural in conversation. Do not use excessively formal linking words like moreover, furthermore, or notwithstanding when speaking, as you will sound unnatural and artificial.

Natural Linking Words for Advanced Conversation

When speaking English at C1 level, you need connectors that sound spontaneous and natural, but at the same time demonstrate sophistication. These are some perfect linking words for Speaking:

To gain time while you think:

• Well… (Bueno…)
• Let me think… (Déjame pensar…)
• Actually… (En realidad…)
• You know… (Sabes…)
• I mean… (Quiero decir…)
• To be honest… (Para ser honesto…)
• The thing is… (La cuestión es…)

Example in conversation:

🇬🇧 «What do you think about working from home?» — «Well, to be honest, I think it has both advantages and disadvantages. Let me think… I mean, it’s definitely convenient, but you know, some people find it hard to concentrate at home.»
🇪🇸 «¿Qué opinas de trabajar desde casa?» — «Bueno, para ser honesto, creo que tiene tanto ventajas como desventajas. Déjame pensar… Quiero decir, es definitivamente conveniente, pero ya sabes, a algunas personas les resulta difícil concentrarse en casa.»

To add information:

• Also / As well (También)
• Besides / What’s more (Además)
• On top of that (Además de eso)
• Not to mention (Sin mencionar)
• Plus (Además, y)

To contrast ideas:

• On the other hand (Por otro lado)
• Having said that / That said (Dicho esto)
• Still / Yet (Aun así)
• At the same time (Al mismo tiempo)

To give examples:

• For example / For instance (Por ejemplo)
• Like (Como, por ejemplo)
• Say (Digamos, pongamos)

Linking Words for Structuring Long Discourses

When you have to speak for an extended period (such as in Part 2 of the Cambridge C1 Advanced Speaking, the «Long Turn»), linking words help you organise your discourse clearly and structuredly:

To start:

• First of all / To start with (En primer lugar, para empezar)
• Initially (Inicialmente)
• The first thing I’d like to mention is… (Lo primero que me gustaría mencionar es…)

To continue:

• Then / Next (Luego, después)
• Moving on to… (Pasando a…)
• Another point worth mentioning is… (Otro punto que vale la pena mencionar es…)
• As well as that (Además de eso)

To conclude:

• So / Overall (Así que, en general)
• All in all (En conjunto, en general)
• To sum up (Para resumir)
• In the end (Al final, en definitiva)

Example of structured discourse:

🇬🇧 «Tell me about an important decision you made recently.» — «Well, first of all, I should mention that I recently decided to change my career path, which was quite a significant decision for me. Initially, I was working in finance, but I wasn’t really satisfied with what I was doing. The thing is, I’d always been interested in education, so I started looking into teaching qualifications. Moving on to how I made the decision, I spoke to several people working in education and did a lot of research online. What’s more, I even volunteered at a local school to see if teaching was right for me. In the end, I decided to take the leap and enrol in a teacher training programme. Overall, I’m really happy with my decision, even though it meant taking a pay cut.»
🇪🇸 «Cuéntame una decisión importante que hayas tomado recientemente.» — «Bueno, en primer lugar, debería mencionar que recientemente decidí cambiar mi trayectoria profesional, lo cual fue una decisión bastante importante para mí. Inicialmente, trabajaba en finanzas, pero no estaba realmente satisfecho con lo que hacía. La cuestión es que siempre me había interesado la educación, así que empecé a buscar cualificaciones para la enseñanza. Pasando a cómo tomé la decisión, hablé con varias personas que trabajaban en educación e investigué mucho en internet. Además, incluso fui voluntario en una escuela local para ver si la enseñanza era adecuada para mí. Al final, decidí dar el salto e inscribirme en un programa de formación de profesores. En general, estoy muy contento con mi decisión, aunque significara aceptar un recorte salarial.»

To gain time and maintain fluency:

• Well… (Bueno…)
• Let me see… (Veamos…)
• How can I put it… (Cómo puedo decirlo…)
• That’s a good question… (Esa es una buena pregunta…)
• Let me think about that for a moment… (Déjame pensar en eso un momento…)
• I haven’t really thought about that before, but… (No había pensado realmente en eso antes, pero…)
• What I mean is… (Lo que quiero decir es…)
• In other words… (En otras palabras…)

Example of how to gain time naturally:

🇬🇧 «Do you think technology has improved our quality of life?» — «Well, that’s a good question. Let me think about that for a moment… I’d say on the whole, yes, technology has definitely improved many aspects of our lives. I mean, just think about how easy it is now to communicate with people on the other side of the world. Having said that, the thing is, we’ve also become quite dependent on technology, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. So, to put it differently, technology has brought both benefits and challenges.»
🇪🇸 «¿Crees que la tecnología ha mejorado nuestra calidad de vida?» — «Bueno, esa es una buena pregunta. Déjame pensar en ello un momento… Yo diría que en general, sí, la tecnología definitivamente ha mejorado muchos aspectos de nuestras vidas. Quiero decir, piensa en lo fácil que es ahora comunicarse con personas al otro lado del mundo. Dicho esto, la cuestión es que también nos hemos vuelto bastante dependientes de la tecnología, lo cual no es necesariamente algo bueno. Así que, para decirlo de otra manera, la tecnología ha traído tanto beneficios como desafíos.»

Tips for using linking words in Speaking:

1. Avoid overly formal connectors: Moreover, furthermore, notwithstanding sound unnatural in conversation.
2. Vary your connectors: Do not always use «and then», «and then», «and then»… Alternate between different options.
3. Practice out loud: Connectors that work well in Writing do not always sound natural when speaking. Practice saying phrases out loud.
4. Listen to native speakers: Pay attention to how they use linking words in podcasts, interviews, or natural conversations.
5. Do not overuse linking words: Too many connectors can make your speech sound rehearsed and unnatural.

Common Mistakes When Using C1 Linking Words (and How to Avoid Them)

Even students with a high level make mistakes when using advanced linking words. Here I show you the most common ones and how to avoid them to ensure that your C1 connectors truly improve your English rather than hinder it.

Using Too Many or Excessively Formal Connectors

Mistake: Saturating the text with linking words in every sentence, making it sound forced and artificial.

❌ Incorrect Example:

🇬🇧 «Firstly, I love reading. Moreover, I enjoy writing. Furthermore, I like poetry. In addition, I write short stories. Besides, I also read novels.»
🇪🇸 «Primero, me encanta leer. Además, disfruto escribiendo. Es más, me gusta la poesía. Adicionalmente, escribo relatos cortos. Además, también leo novelas.»

Problem: Too many formal connectors in a row make the text sound like a mechanical list. It is not natural or fluent.

✅ Correction:

🇬🇧 «I’m passionate about literature in all its forms. I particularly enjoy reading novels and poetry, and I’ve recently started writing short stories myself.»
🇪🇸 «Me apasiona la literatura en todas sus formas. Disfruto particularmente leyendo novelas y poesía, y recientemente he empezado a escribir relatos cortos yo mismo.»

Solution: Use between 6-8 varied and sophisticated linking words in an essay of 220-260 words (what is required for Cambridge C1 Advanced). Let some sentences flow naturally without the need for explicit connectors. Use other cohesive devices like pronouns, synonyms, and references.

Additional Mistake: Using overly formal connectors in inappropriate contexts.

❌ Incorrect Example in an informal email:

🇬🇧 «Dear Sarah, I hope this email finds you well. Notwithstanding the inclement weather, I trust you are in good spirits. Furthermore, I would like to invite you to a gathering at my residence…»
🇪🇸 «Querida Sarah, espero que este email te encuentre bien. A pesar del tiempo inclemente, confío en que estés de buen humor. Además, me gustaría invitarte a una reunión en mi residencia…»

Problem: Notwithstanding, furthermore, and expressions like «I trust you are in good spirits» are far too formal for an email to a friend.

✅ Correction:

🇬🇧 «Hi Sarah! How are you? Despite the terrible weather, I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to invite you to a party at my place…»
🇪🇸 «¡Hola Sarah! ¿Cómo estás? A pesar del tiempo terrible, espero que estés bien. Quería invitarte a una fiesta en mi casa…»

Confusing Grammatical Structures (despite vs although)

Mistake: One of the most common mistakes is confusing despite/in spite of with although/though, as they have similar meanings but different grammatical structures.

❌ Incorrect Examples:

• «Despite it was raining, we went out.» ❌
• «In spite of the weather was bad, we enjoyed the picnic.» ❌
• «Although the rain, we continued walking.» ❌

Rule:

• Despite / In spite of + noun / -ing verb / the fact that + clause.
• Although / Though / Even though + complete clause (subject + verb).

✅ Corrections:

• «Although it was raining, we went out.» ✅
• «Despite the rain, we went out.» ✅
• «Despite it raining, we went out.» ✅
• «Despite the fact that it was raining, we went out.» ✅
• «In spite of the bad weather, we enjoyed the picnic.» ✅
• «Although the weather was bad, we enjoyed the picnic.» ✅

Other Common Structural Mistakes:

🇬🇧 «I studied hard so as to I could pass.» (Incorrect)
✅ «I studied hard so as to pass the exam.» (Correct: so as to + infinitive without to)
✅ «I studied hard so that I could pass.» (Correct: so that + complete clause)

🇬🇧 «Because of it was late, we left.» (Incorrect)
✅ «Because it was late, we left.» (Correct: because + clause)
✅ «Because of the late hour, we left.» (Correct: because of + noun)

🇬🇧 «She left early so that avoid the traffic.» (Incorrect)
✅ «She left early so that she could avoid the traffic.» (Correct: so that + complete clause)
✅ «She left early in order to avoid the traffic.» (Correct: in order to + infinitive)

Mixing Registers Inappropriately

Mistake: Combining formal and informal linking words in the same text, creating an inconsistent register.

❌ Incorrect Example in an essay:

🇬🇧 «Technology has revolutionised education. Anyway, it helps students learn better. Moreover, you know, teachers can use loads of cool tools now. But on the other hand, some reckon it’s a bit dodgy for concentration.»
🇪🇸 «La tecnología ha revolucionado la educación. De todos modos, ayuda a los estudiantes a aprender mejor. Además, ya sabes, los profesores pueden usar un montón de herramientas geniales ahora. Pero por otro lado, algunos estiman que es un poco sospechoso para la concentración.»

Problem: Mixes formal linking words (moreover, on the other hand) with very informal language (anyway, you know, loads of cool tools, reckon, dodgy).

✅ Correction (Consistent Formal Register):

🇬🇧 «Technology has revolutionised education, enabling students to enhance their learning experience. Moreover, teachers now have access to a wide range of digital resources. On the other hand, some argue that excessive screen time may negatively affect concentration.»
🇪🇸 «La tecnología ha revolucionado la educación, permitiendo a los estudiantes mejorar su experiencia de aprendizaje. Además, los profesores tienen ahora acceso a una amplia gama de recursos digitales. Por otro lado, algunos sostienen que el tiempo excesivo frente a la pantalla puede afectar negativamente a la concentración.»

Another common mistake: using Speaking connectors in formal Writing

❌ Incorrect Example in a report:

🇬🇧 «The project was successful. I mean, we completed everything on time. Plus, the budget was respected. So, yeah, overall it went really well.»
🇪🇸 «El proyecto fue exitoso. Quiero decir, completamos todo a tiempo. Además, se respetó el presupuesto. Así que, sí, en general salió muy bien.»

Problem: I mean, plus, and so yeah are perfect for Speaking but too informal for a written report.

✅ Correction:

🇬🇧 «The project was completed successfully. All deliverables were finished within the agreed timeframe. Furthermore, the budget was adhered to. Overall, the project met all its objectives.»
🇪🇸 «El proyecto se completó con éxito. Todos los entregables se finalizaron dentro del plazo acordado. Además, se cumplió con el presupuesto. En general, el proyecto cumplió con todos sus objetivos.»

Tips for Avoiding Mistakes:

1. Learn the structure of each linker: It is not enough to know the meaning; you must know what follows it (noun, -ing verb, complete clause, etc.).
2. Read examples in context: Observe how connectors are used in authentic texts.
3. Practice writing sentences: Create your own examples with each linker to internalise them.
4. Review your Writing: Before handing in a text, verify that all linking words are correctly used structurally and stylistically.
5. Keep the register consistent: Decide if your text is formal or informal and choose appropriate connectors for that register.

Text Analysis: C1 Linking Words in Action

The best way to understand how linking words work in practice is by analysing real paragraphs. Below, you will find three examples of C1 level paragraphs with a detailed analysis of how connectors improve the cohesion and coherence of the text.

Example 1: Argumentative Paragraph (Essay)

Analysis of Linking Words Used:

• «On the one hand»: Introduces the first point of view in a balanced argument. It is a perfect formal connector for essays.
• «Moreover»: Adds relevant additional information about the advantages of remote work, reinforcing the previous argument.
• «On the other hand»: Introduces the contrary point of view in a balanced way, demonstrating the ability to consider multiple perspectives.
• «Notwithstanding these concerns»: A very formal connector that acknowledges criticism but indicates that the main argument holds. It is a sophisticated C1-typical contrast connector.
• «Consequently»: Introduces the logical conclusion of the argument, showing the cause-effect relationship between the ideas presented.

Why it works well: The paragraph presents a balanced argument using a variety of formal connectors. The progression is logical: it introduces the topic, presents arguments in favour, arguments against, refutes criticism, and concludes with a prediction. Linking words are not overloaded, and the text flows naturally.

Example 2: Descriptive-Explanatory Paragraph (Report)

Analysis of Linking Words Used:

• «Whilst»: Contrast connector showing two simultaneous situations. It is more formal than while and typical of formal British English.
• «This was largely attributable to»: Formal cause expression perfect for reports. More sophisticated than simply saying because of.
• «Furthermore»: Adds additional positive information about the company’s performance.
• «Which in turn»: Shows a sequential cause-effect relationship (customer satisfaction → higher retention). It is a sophisticated cohesive device.
• «That said»: Introduces a contrast or nuance elegantly, typical of formal C1 texts.
• «In particular»: Specifies a concrete example of the mentioned challenges.
• «Nevertheless»: Despite the mentioned challenges, the general conclusion remains positive.
• «Provided that»: Formal conditional connector meaning «siempre que» or «con tal de que».

Why it works well: The paragraph combines explicit connectors with more subtle cohesive devices like relative pronouns (which) and references (this, certain challenges). The tone is consistently formal and appropriate for a business report. Linking words guide the reader through complex information clearly.

Example 3: Narrative-Reflective Paragraph (Article)

Analysis of Linking Words Used:

• «Initially»: Temporal connector that introduces the beginning of the narrative experience.
• «What’s more»: Adds another obstacle to the list of difficulties, reinforcing the sense of challenge.
• «However»: Marks the turning point in the narrative, introducing a change of direction.
• «And gradually»: Shows temporal progression. The use of and + adverb is natural in narrative.
• «By practising regularly»: Gerund functioning as an implicit cause-effect connector.
• «Eventually»: Indicates the final result after a long process.
• «Looking back»: Participle introducing retrospective reflection, very appropriate for personal articles.
• «Rather»: Contrast connector that corrects or nuances the previous idea.
• «In hindsight»: Sophisticated expression meaning «en retrospectiva» or «mirando atrás».

Why it works well: This paragraph naturally combines temporal, contrast, and reflective connectors. The tone is more personal than the previous examples, appropriate for an article, but maintains sophistication through the use of varied connectors. The narrative progression is clear: initial challenge → perseverance → success → reflection.

Key Lessons from These Examples:

1. Variety is essential: None of the paragraphs repeat the same connector. Each uses a mixture of different types of linking words.
2. Appropriate register: The essay and report use more formal connectors (notwithstanding, consequently), whereas the article allows for more personal ones (what’s more, looking back).
3. Not just explicit connectors: All three examples also use relative pronouns, references, participles, and gerunds as cohesive devices.
4. Clear function: Each connector has a specific purpose and helps the logical progression of the text.
5. Balanced quantity: No paragraph is overloaded with connectors. There are enough to guide the reader but not so many that the text sounds artificial.

Summary Table: Essential C1 Linking Words

Here is a complete table with all the essential C1 connectors organised by type, with an example of use for each. This table will serve as a quick reference when you are writing or preparing for your Speaking.

Frequently Asked Questions About C1 Linking Words

How many linking words should I use in a C1 Writing task?

There is no exact number, but I recommend using between 6 and 8 varied connectors in an essay of 220-260 words (the length required for Cambridge C1 Advanced). What matters is not the quantity, but the quality and variety. It is better to use a few well-chosen connectors than to saturate your text with unnecessary ones. Furthermore, remember to combine explicit connectors with other cohesive devices like pronouns, references, and synonyms to achieve natural cohesion.

What is the difference between «however» and «nevertheless»?

Both connectors express contrast and mean «sin embargo» or «no obstante», but nevertheless and nonetheless are more emphatic and formal than however. When you use nevertheless or nonetheless, you are suggesting that, despite a significant obstacle or problem previously mentioned, the second idea remains valid or important. However is more neutral and simply introduces a contrast without that additional emphasis. For example: «The evidence was overwhelming. Nevertheless, the jury acquitted him» sounds more dramatic than if you used however.

Can I use «moreover» and «furthermore» interchangeably?

Yes, in most contexts moreover and furthermore are interchangeable and mean the same: «además» or «es más». Both are formal connectors perfect for essays, reports, and academic texts. The only minimal difference is that furthermore can sound slightly more formal than moreover in some contexts, but this distinction is so subtle that you do not need to worry about it. What matters is varying your use of connectors in general, so if you have already used moreover, next time use furthermore, what’s more, or besides to demonstrate lexical richness.

How do I know if a connector is too formal for my text?

The key lies in identifying the register and textual genre that your task requires. Very formal connectors like notwithstanding, albeit, hitherto, or be that as it may are perfect for formal essays, business reports, or academic texts, but they would sound artificial and pretentious in an informal email to a friend or an article with a personal tone. As a general rule: if the text is formal (essay, report, proposal), use formal connectors; if it is informal or semi-formal (email to a friend, personal article), opt for more neutral or informal ones like besides, what’s more, anyway, or so.

What is the difference between B2 and C1 linking words?

The main difference is in the sophistication, variety, and precision. At B2, you use effective but more common connectors like however, moreover, therefore, or although. At C1, you are expected to use more advanced, formal, and varied linking words such as nevertheless, what’s more, consequently, notwithstanding, or be that as it may. Additionally, at C1 you must demonstrate that you not only know many connectors but you know when to use each one according to the register, context, and textual genre. You are also expected to combine explicit connectors with other more subtle cohesive devices, such as the use of pronouns, references, and paraphrasing.

Are C1 linking words different according to the exam (Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL)?

No, C1 level linking words are universal and applicable to all official exams that evaluate this level (Cambridge C1 Advanced, IELTS Band 7-8, TOEFL 95-120, etc.). What changes between exams is not the connectors themselves, but the evaluation criteria and nomenclature. For example, Cambridge evaluates «Organisation», IELTS evaluates «Coherence and Cohesion», and TOEFL evaluates «Organization», but they are all looking for the same thing: your ability to structure ideas coherently using appropriate cohesive devices, including linking words. The key is to master a wide variety of C1 connectors and know how to use them naturally and appropriately, regardless of the exam you take.

Practical Exercises with C1 Linking Words

And if you prefer a version that you can copy, download and edit to your liking, here it is 👇

Mastering C1 English linking words is a process that requires time, practice, and constant exposure to the language. As you have seen throughout this article, it is not simply about memorising lists of connectors, but about understanding when and how to use them naturally, appropriately, and sophisticatedly. Linking words are just one piece of the puzzle of textual cohesion; combine them with other cohesive devices like pronouns, references, synonyms, and varied grammatical structures to create truly fluent and coherent texts.

Remember that the key to success is not in using the most complicated connectors possible, but in using a variety of connectors appropriate for the register and context of your text. Read widely in English (newspaper articles, academic essays, novels), pay attention to how native speakers use connectors in real contexts, and above all, practice writing and speaking using these connectors actively.

If you already master B1 linking words and B2 linking words, this jump to C1 connectors will allow you to express yourself with the sophistication and precision that characterise a truly advanced speaker of English. Whether you are preparing for the C1 Advanced Writing, the C1 Expert from LanguageCert, IELTS, or simply want to improve your professional or academic English, these connectors will be an invaluable tool in your linguistic arsenal.

Now it’s your turn: start incorporating these linking words into your texts and conversations. You will see how, little by little, your English sounds increasingly natural, fluent, and sophisticated. The effort is worth it!

And until the next article, don’t forget to keep smiling! 😊