In this mini-series we're going to look at simple steps that we can take to improve our
spoken fluency. I want to show the things in English that you can focus on to help you
to communicate your ideas as clearly as possible. Today we're starting with linking words. Don't
go anywhere!
Hello, if you haven't met me, my name is Tom and I teach fresh modern British English so
that you can take your English to the next level and achieve your life goals. Today we're
looking at linking words and specifically linking words that are going to help us to
contrast our ideas. Linking words are the words that we use to connect our ideas. They
also help the listener to follow our thoughts and what we are trying to say. And because
they help us to join our thoughts and our ideas they are a great way to make us sound
more fluent.
Ok, I've got two sentences, let's see what you think. 'My holiday was really expensive.
I had a good time.' Ok, two sentences not very connected though are they? Two sentences
relating to the same subject but they don't feel very connected. So what words can we
use to connect them? Well, we've got a couple of words. Let's have a look. 'My holiday was
really expensive but I had a good time' 'but I had a good time'. Alright, so we've got
but, nice informal word. I'm sure most of you have used it before. But I had a good
time. How about this one? 'My holiday was very expensive however I had a good time'
'however I had a good time'. Alright, so the same thing, contrasting two ideas. It's the
same meaning as but, but maybe not quite so informal. Ok, what about slightly more formal
again? 'My holiday was very expensive nevertheless I had a good time' 'nevertheless i had a good
time.' So there, same meaning as however but it's slightly more formal, ok? So fantastic,
we've got three words that are connecting these two ideas. In terms of the position
in a sentence usually we don't put but at the beginning of a sentence, certainly not
in written English, in spoken English you might start with but. However can go at the
beginning or in the middle, sometimes at the end as well. nevertheless also can go in the
middle, at the beginning, at the end, depending on the situation. If we want to make something
that we have already said sound less strong then we use these two words 'mind you' and
'still'. They are both quite informal, usually in spoken English. 'He's always late. Mind
you so am I' So I'm trying to contrast these two things. He's always late. I'm trying to
soften that by saying well ok me too. So maybe trying to not sound so strong or I don't want
to sound mean so yeah he's always late, ok mind you so am I. Maybe we're trying to provide
some balance to what we are saying here. He's always late but ok mind you so am I. 'I don't
like my flat. Still the location is pretty good.' So again I'm trying to soften that
first thing by saying well ok, it's not a nice flat but the location is ok. So I'm trying
to soften it and balance out what I'm trying to say. Now a great linking word is although
and we use this to contrast one clause with another clause. Often when maybe there's a
surprising fact or something unexpected then we'll use although. 'Although I'm shy, I still
like to meet new people.' So although is contrasting the fact that although I'm shy but surprisingly
I like to meet new people. So again contrasting two things. So maybe something is slightly
unexpected or a bit surprising we'll contrast it in that way. 'They really love each other
although i don't think they are going to get married yet.' Again, contrasting these two
things. They really love each other but I don't think they'll get married yet. So you
kind of balance out these two things. We can also use even though in place of although,
they are synonyms in this situation. 'Even though I'm shy, I like to meet new people.'
It's the same meaning as although in this situation. If you want to compare two things
and show that there is a big difference you can use the word 'whereas'. 'Bankers get paid
millions whereas nurses and teacher get paid nearly nothing.' So whereas is contrasting
these two ideas and showing how big a difference there is. Millions of pounds for the bankers,
not a lot of money for the teachers and nurses for example. 'My brother is amazing at football
whereas I'm terrible.' Again, contrasting the difference between our abilities to play
football. If we want to show surprise at two contrasting things we can use yet, still or
in spite of. For example 'I woke up super late today and yet i still managed to get
to work on time.' So there, it's quite a surprising
thing, I woke up really late, super late and the surprising thing is that I got to work
on time. So with yet or still or in spite of we can show that surprise. Let me add in
spite of to show you how I'd use that. So I'd put that at the beginning and I'd use
it with an -ing form, ok? So 'In spite of waking up late I got to work on time.' So
you see it's in spite of and then waking with the -ing form there. 'In spite of waking up
late I got to work on time.' Alright, so those are some really great linking words to join
your ideas together and create more fluent sentences. I want to say a particular thank
you to Ellen and Urara who asked their question about how they can make more fluent sentences
and sentences that are a little more complicated so not just short sentences but using words
to join up their sentences to create longer structures. So a little thank you to Ellen
and Urara who asked that question, I hope you found that useful. I will do more videos
on linking words because I think they are really useful. We will look at different categories
of linking words and how best to use them. But today I just wanted to focus on words
that helped us to contrast different ideas. Alright guys, thank you so much for hanging
out with me. Remember I've got new videos every Tuesday and every Friday bringing you
fresh modern British English. This is Tom, the Chief Dreamer, saying goodbye.