口语常用连接词

1． 表示对比、轻微转折关系

on the other hand

I can‟t decide which country to study in. Britain has many universities and a long history, so it would be interesting to study there. On the other hand, Australia has a nicer climate. It‟s a difficult decision.

then again

We might get married this year. Then again, we might delay it for a year or two – we haven‟t decided yet.

having said that

Learning English is not easy; it takes hard work and practice. Having said that, many people do become quite fluent after a few years of study.

at the same time

I think good teachers have to be quite strict in order to keep the class under control. At the same time, teachers should be warm and friendly so the students can relate to them as human beings.

all the same

Studying overseas can be wonderful experience for students. All the same, they have to work very hard to make up for their language deficiencies.

2. 强调对比

however

I‟m interested in science and computers. However, my sister‟s more interested in art and music.

nevertheless (a little formal)

I wouldn‟t say that all advertisements are a bad influence on children – some of them are quite informative and entertaining. Nevertheless, I think some advertisements are detrimental to children. For example, …

mind you (informal but good to use!)

To tell you the truth, I don‟t really like my job very much. Mind you, the salary‟s quite good!

still

It‟s going to take me a few years and quite a lot of money before I get my doctorate. Still, I think it‟ll be worth it in the end because …

yet

He does the least study of any of us, yet he almost always gets the best grades! in spite of (this)/despite this

The other hotel was more expensive than the first one, about double the room rate, in fact. In spite of the cost, we chose to stay at that one because we wanted a taste of luxury for a night.

even so

Studying a foreign language overseas is much more expensive than studying it at home but, even so, it‟s definitely the best way to learn a language.

3. 表达对立的观点

on the contrary

Note: Many students incorrectly think that this means the same as “On the other hand.” It does not. There are two usages of „on the contrary‟.

a) The most common meaning is: “That‟s untrue and I‟ll tell you the true situation.” Or, “I disagree and this is what I think.”

Examples:

A: “I guess you play a lot of computer games.”

B: “On the contrary, I rarely play computer games.”

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A: “But it was completely unexpected.”

B: “On the contrary, it was planned to happen that way.”

b) „On the contrary‟ is also used to emphasize a negative thing you just said (or wrote). Example:

“Eventually, I came to believe that I wouldn‟t fail. On the contrary, I became convinced that I would succeed very well.”

5．强调肯定的观点

These beginning words can be used to concede that the other speaker is correct. of course; admittedly; naturally; obviously; clearly; undeniably; undoubtedly Of course, there‟s always an exception to the rule but, in general, I still stand by what I said.

Admittedly, some people do waste money but I think the majority of people are pretty careful with their money.

6．试图说服对方

after all

Most Chinese people about the age of twenty make their own decisions about important things in life. After all, they‟re adults at that age.

7. Dismissal of Previous Discourse

anyway = anyhow = at any rate = in any case

Anyway, I eventually got there and nobody noticed that I was late! (After telling a story about being late.)

at least

At least I got there before the main part of the ceremony. (After telling a story about being late.)

8．表示递进关系

in addition (a little formal)

Reading allows people to become aware of their society and, in fact the whole world. In addition, reading is the main way that people increase their education and we all need to continually learn in order to make progress in our careers.

what’s more (This sounds a little formal if not spoken in the contracted form)

Yes, I think the internet has changed people‟s reading habits – for the better. I say that because now we can tap into a much larger range of, and volume of reading material than we could when we just relied on our collection of books at home. What‟s more, topics such as current events are being updated daily so we can always be up to date with the news.

as well as that

Art classes for, say, primary school children encourage the development of the imagination, creativity and self-expression. As well as that, these art classes provide an opportunity for those who have special artistic talent to become aware of this talent; they might never have known they had this talent if they had never had the opportunity to attend an art class.

on top of that (informal)

Well, firstly, emails are much faster and cheaper than handwritten letters. On top of that, they‟re much more convenient – you can read or write emails with just a few strokes of the keyboard, without worrying about paper, envelopes and stamps and going out to mail your letters.

another thing is

I think the latest video technology is in many ways superior to books in educational value because this technology has written words but also has information in audio and video form. Another thing is, it‟s easier to store and carry around a disc than a book that holds the same amount of information.

besides = in any case

There‟s a restaurant near my home but I don‟t often go there because it‟s too expensive and, to be quite frank, I don‟t like their service – they‟re much too slow. Besides, right now I‟m too busy to eat out very often.

for that matter

I‟m not interested in basketball. For that matter, I‟m not very interested in any sport.

9．举例说明

for example; for instance; as an example; in particular; to begin with; to start with; for a start

10. 解释说明

I mean; actually; that is to say (formal especially if not spoken using the contracted form); in other words; in fact; in actual fact; as a matter of fact

11. 归纳总结

basically; fundamentally; generally

12．解释原因

In the first place; for one thing; the main reason why …; one of the reasons why …; one reason why …

13. 表达结果

therefore; as a result; as a consequence; consequently; so; because of this; In this/that way

14．改变话题

by the way; incidentally

15. 回到上一个话题

as I was saying; as I mentioned before