However, therefore, as a result

  • B1 · Intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min
  • linkers

Linking two sentences with however, therefore, as a result and in addition, and punctuating them: Bike use doubled. As a result, the city added new lanes. However, drivers are not happy. From a city report on its bike-share program to a spoken report on a change in your own town.

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However,As a result,In addition,

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Reading: Ride FairviewReading comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find the linkersGrammar exercise
  6. 6Linking two sentencesGrammar rule
  7. 7Right or wrong?Grammar exercise
  8. 8Which linker?Grammar exercise
  9. 9Linker or not?Grammar exercise
  10. 10Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  11. 11Chain reportSpeaking practice
  12. 12About youGrammar exercise
  13. 13Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: which is correct?Grammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: what comes next?Grammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: build the sentencesGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: your reportDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. Did you ride a bike as a kid? Do you still ride one?
  2. Are there shared bikes or scooters where you live? Have you ever used them?
  3. Has your city added anything new for people on foot or on bikes lately? Do people like it?

Grammar rule

Linking two sentences

however, therefore, as a result and in addition are linkers: linking words that join a sentence to the one before it.

MeaningLinkerInside one sentence, we say…Example
contrasthoweverbutThe apartment is small. However, the view is amazing.
resulttherefore, as a resultsoThe power went out. As a result, the trains stopped.
one more pointin additionand alsoThe gym is cheap. In addition, it has a pool.

Punctuation

  • A period, then the linker and a comma: …went out. As a result, the trains…
  • Or a semicolon (;), then the linker and a comma: …went out; as a result, the trains…
  • however (and therefore) can also go after the subject, between two commas: The view, however, is amazing.

A comma alone is not enough

but, so and and can join two sentences with a comma: The power went out, so the trains stopped. These linkers can't: not The power went out, as a result the trains stopped. Use a period or a semicolon.

After the linker: a full sentence

The linker needs a subject and a verb after it: not As a result, no trains. but As a result, the trains stopped.

Watch out

  • One link, one linker: not But however, … or So therefore, …
  • in addition and as a result stand alone, with a comma. in addition to and as a result of need a noun after them: In addition to the pool, the gym has a sauna.
  • These linkers are formal: they belong in reports, work emails and essays. In everyday talk, but, so and also sound more natural.

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