How beautiful to start your thought? Unfortunately, many people misuse the phrase I think turning speech into an endless stream of "thinking". What can be done to avoid this catastrophe? Yes, just learn common introductory words in English, choose a dozen of the most interesting for you and start using it during discussions in English! A well-chosen introductory phrase is already half of a successful conversation.

Introductory words in English. List of the most popular

Conventionally, I would divide all introductory words in English into several categories:

1. Phrases that can be a great start to a conversation or building a competent answer to a question.

To tell the truth- frankly speaking

First of all- first of all, in the first place

By the way- by the way, by the way

As far as I know- as far as I know

I'm convinced- I'm sure, I'm sure

I would like to stress - I would like to point out

I suppose\believe\consider\ guess- I suppose that…

if you ask me- if you ask me

To my way of thinking- in my opinion, it seems to me

As a matter of fact- in fact

It goes without saying - it goes without saying

To begin with- to start, at first; let's begin with

2. Introductory words that make the transition from one thought to another smoother and help keep the interlocutor's attention.

In other words- in other words, in other words

As I have already mentioned- as I already said

On the one hand- On the one side

On the other hand- on the other side

moreover- moreover, besides

In addition- Besides

As to- concerning

However- however

In this case- in this case

Although- Although

Nevertheless- nevertheless, however

3. Phrases that lead you to a beautiful end to the conversation.

To make a long story short \ In a nutshell - in short, in a nutshell

That is why- That's why

Introductory words in English (introductory words) are used to make oral or written speech more vivid. There are a large number of such words in English, as in Russian. Such techniques are used in oral speech when there are pauses or giving harmony to sentences, and in writing - to write a beautiful and emotional essay or letter.

Introductory words are named so because they are used at the beginning of a sentence construction. They do not carry any semantic and grammatical load. Introductory phrases in English give expressiveness to the conversation, but if they are discarded, the meaning of the conversation will not change in any way.

When the weather is fine we can go to the sea or friends and at last stay at home.- When the weather is good, we can go to the sea or to friends, or, finally, stay at home. (finally = and more)

Also, the construction in question can be at the end of the sentence. In this case, one speaks of "final words". They help not only to express the speaker's attitude to the conversation or the events in question, but also to direct the dialogue in the right direction.

The use of constructions with introductory words

Using introductory expressions, the speaker can express almost any of his emotions and show his attitude to an object or object. So, why are introductory phrases used in letters and in conversation in English:

1. To indicate a positive attitude

For example,

Doubtless, you can take this exam. Surely you can pass this exam

1. To express one's own opinion

For example,

I am convinced, there are not people who can speak English, there are people who don't want.- I am convinced that there are no people who cannot speak English, there are people who do not want to.

1. To reflect emotion

Eg,

Unfortunately, I can't visit my sick friend today. Unfortunately, I cannot visit my sick friend today.

1. To show disagreement

For example,

Actually, it is not difficult to study 15 new English words every day. Actually, it is not difficult to learn fifteen new words in English every day.

1. To indicate the time

Eg,

Until now it was easy to do laboratory work, but the final stages are more difficult that I thought.“So far, it has been easy to do the lab, but the final steps are more difficult than I thought.

1. To structure thoughts

For example,

Firstly, I would like to discuss the problems related to reproductive health.– Firstly, I would like to discuss problems related to reproductive health.

1. To indicate the cause and condition

Eg,

I will say you my secret, on the condition you should never say to someone about it."I'll tell you my secret, on the condition that you don't have to tell anyone about it."

1. For conclusion or conclusion

For example,

All things considered, I can say that smoking should be banned in public places.- Taking everything into account, I can say that smoking should be prohibited in public places.

Introductory words in English for all occasions

Phrases to start a conversation with:

As a matter of fact - in fact

It goes without saying - goes without saying

To begin with - to start, first; let's begin with

To tell the truth - speaking the truth

First of all - first of all, first of all

By the way - by the way, by the way

As far as I know - as far as I know

Phrases to help you move smoothly from one thought to another:

In this case - in this case

Although - although

Nevertheless - nevertheless, however

As I have already mentioned

On the one hand - on the one hand

On the other hand - on the other hand

moreover - moreover, besides

Phrases to help end the conversation beautifully:

To sum it up - in the end

To draw the conclusion - summing up

To top it off - finally, at the end of everything

That is why - therefore

In conclusion \ To conclude - in conclusion

As a result of - as a result.

As you can see, this topic of introductory words is nothing complicated. Now try to learn at least the most common words and phrases, and then you can support any conversation, discuss in English on any topic, express your point of view. And also beautifully write an essay or a letter. We wish you success in learning English.

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Introductory and connecting phrases in English are exactly what, without which, live colloquial speech turns into memorized dialogues from textbooks. When communicating in our native language, we do not even notice how we use linking phrases.

Introductory phrases help express opinions and emotions. Linking words give speech and text flow, linking thoughts and sentences together.

Emotions are what is important in colloquial speech. Even if your accent is not perfect, even if mistakes sometimes happen, but without emotions, speech becomes dull, and the interlocutor quickly loses interest.

Introductory phrases for expressing opinions as a lifeline, use them if you do not know where to start. I have prepared several expressions with examples of their use in conversation.

I believe / I guess / I think - I believe / I believe / I think

Example: I guess it will rain today / I think it will rain today.

In my opinion - In my opinion

Example: In my opinion Johnny is wrong

Frankly speaking / To tell the truth - Frankly speaking / Honestly

Example: To tell the truth today's dinner was awful

As far as I know - As far as I know

Example: As far as I know Madlin is going to spend weekend in Belfast. / As far as I know, Madeline is going to spend the weekend in Belfast.

Firstly - firstly

Secondly - secondly

After all - In the end

finally - finally

In a word - In a word

By the way - By the way / By the way

Example: By the way you look very cute in this hat. / By the way, you look really cute in that hat.

In fact / Actually - In fact

Example: In fact he is boring to read this book. / In fact, he is bored reading this book

Most of all

Example: Most of all Sandy likes strawberry icecream. / Sandy's favorite thing is strawberry ice cream.

Moreover / Furthermore - Moreover

Example: Desktop computers are cheaper and more reliable than laptops; furthermore, they are more flexible. / Desktops are cheaper and more reliable than laptops. Moreover, they are more flexible.

From time to time — From time to time

Example: From time to time Peter has to visit his doctor. / From time to time, Peter must visit his doctor.

It may seem that - It may seem that

Example: It may seem that I like Anny's brother but it is not true. / It may seem that I like Annie's brother, but I don't.

In other words - In other words

It is not surprising that - It is not surprising that

Obviously - Obviously

In short / In a nutshell - In short / In short

Besides / besides that - In addition

Meanwhile / Meantime - Meanwhile

It turned out that - It turned out that

usually - usually

According to - According to

Example: According to the rules Paul was excluded from the team. / In accordance with the rules, Paul was excluded from the team

On the whole

In conclusion / To conclude with - In conclusion

You will find more introductory and connecting phrases. There is also an exercise to reinforce the use of introductory and linking phrases.

Introductory phrases and insert words exist in any language. Such phrases help start a conversation, link parts of a conversation, parts of a sentence, thoughts and ideas to each other. Introductory phrases and words in English help to give emotional and semantic coloring to speech, make speech more expressive and rich. Such expressions can convey the attitude of the speaker to the statement. Examples of using introductory words and phrases in English

Knowing the introductory phrases and interjections in English will be very useful for those who are learning this language, because it will help the beginner to improve his language skills. Today we will look at the most common and frequently encountered introductory phrases in English, the so-called clichés, and their use in speech.

What are these English introductory phrases?

Introductory phrases are called introductory phrases because the sentence begins with them, and they do not play any grammatical or semantic role in the sentence. Such expressions enhance the emotionality and expressiveness of the statement, but if they are discarded, then the meaning of the sentence will not change in any way.

Here are the main clichés with examples that will help you diversify your English speech:

• Moreover, …- Moreover…
  Tom is absent today, moreover, he is ill. Tom is absent today, moreover, he is ill.
• Most of all, …- Most…
  Most of all I like ice-cream. - Most of all I like ice cream.
• It is important to know that … It's important to know that...
  It is important to know that this question needs an urge decision. It is important to know that this issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible.
• It is important to remember that … It's important to remember that...
  It is important to remember that we have no time to be late, nobody will wait for us. — It is important to remember that we do not have time to be late, because no one will be waiting for us.
• In conclusion… In conclusion... As a conclusion...
  In conclusion I'd like to say that you've done a great job. In conclusion, I would like to say that you have done an excellent job.
• After all, …- In the end…
  I am sick and tired of this conversation, and after all, it's late, it's time to go home. - I'm tired of this conversation, and in the end, it's already late, it's time to go home.
• In any case, … / Anyway, … / Either way, …“In any case…, still…
  In any case, we should prevent him. Anyway he must know about the problem. “Anyway, we should warn him. Still, he should be aware of the problem.
• Actually,…“Actually…
  Actually Tom didn't know about the problem, so he isn't guilty. Actually, Tom didn't know about the problem, it's not his fault.
• Happy…- Fortunately…
  Tom is late. Fortunately, we didn't manage to begin the conference. Tom is late. Fortunately, we have not started the conference yet.
• Unfortunately…- Unfortunately…
  Unfortunately, I didn't finish my homework. Unfortunately, I didn't finish my homework.
• Firstly…“First, first…
  Let's begin. Firstly, I want to ask you some questions. - Let's start. First I would like to ask you a few questions.
• Instead of…- Instead of…
  Instead of watching TV now, you'd wash up. Instead of watching TV now, you should wash the dishes.
• In the first place, …- At the first place…
  In the first place we must finish our work for today. “First of all, we must finish our work for today.
• From time to time, …- Occasionally…
  Do you often see Alex? Yes, from time to time he visits me. Do you see Alex often? Yes, he visits me from time to time.
• As a result of …- As a result of...
  As a result of what is done, we have a great job. “As a result of what has been done, we have done a good job.
• Indeed, …“Actually, actually…
  Indeed, I need you. “Actually, I need you. Also in the proverb A friend in need is a friend indeed. - A friend in need is known (literally: a friend in need is really a friend).
• In order to …- In order to, in order to ...
  In order to manage everything, you should plan your day. To be successful, you must plan your day.
• In other words, …- In other words…
  She doesn't want to finish her task, in other words, she is lazy. She doesn't want to finish her work, in other words, she's lazy.

More English introductory clichés

Of course, there are a lot of expressions in the English language that do not play any grammatical role in the sentence, but lexically enrich and decorate speech:

• It seems that…- It seems that…
  It is cloudy and windy outside. It seems to me that it will rain. — It is cloudy and windy outside. I think it will rain.
• In short, …- Briefly speaking…
  I am not sure he understood the problem. In short, he didn't understand anything. I'm not sure he understood what the problem was. In short, he did not understand anything.
• Besides, …- Besides…
  I am very tired; besides, I think that I've caught a cold. I'm very tired, besides, I think I've caught a cold.
• In addition,…“Besides, besides…
  We have a lot of work. In addition, we must finish it till Sunday. — We have a lot of work. Besides. we have to finish it by sunday.
• By the way, … By the way, by the way...
  By the way, did you pay for the internet? By the way, did you pay for the Internet?
• However,…“Nevertheless, still…
  I've finished my article; however, I have some details. - I have finished my article, however, there are still some details left.
• Frankly speaking, …- Honestly…
  Frankly speaking, I don't believe him. “Honestly, I don't believe him.
• In my opinion, … In my opinion, in my opinion...
  In my opinion, Alex is a very sincere man. — In my opinion, Alex is a very sincere person.
• At first, ... / First, ...- First, first...
  Can I take your car? At first, I must speak with my parents. — Can I take your car? First I have to talk to my parents.
• First of all, …- First of all…
  I want to be a doctor. But first of all, I must finish the school. - I want to be a doctor. But first of all I have to finish school.
• Let us/Let's/Let me…- Allow me, let's...
  Let me see your documents. Let me see your papers.
• On the one hand, …, on the other hand, …- On the one hand on the other hand…
  On the one hand this question is very important, but on the other hand it can wait.- On the one hand, this question is very important, on the other hand, it can wait.
• Also, …- Also…
  I've bought some dresses for my daughter; also I've bought a skirt for me. — I bought some dresses for my daughter, I also bought a skirt for myself.
• Nevertheless, …“Nevertheless, despite…
  Nevertheless, Ann is late, we'll begin without her. Even though Anna is late, we will start without her.
• I would rather…- I would prefer…
  I would rather finish this exercise. — I'd rather finish this exercise.
• I would like to…- I would like…
  I would like ice cream with fruits. — I'd like ice cream sundae.
• I think, … / I believe, … / I guess, …/I consider… I think, I think, I guess...
  I consider that our planet needs protection. “I think our planet needs protection.
• Maybe...- May be…
  Tom didn't come to our party. Maybe he is ill. Tom didn't come to our party. Maybe he got sick.
• Probably...- Maybe…
  Probably Kate will win the contest. - Probably, Katya will win this competition.
• It's possible that…- It is possible that...
  I can't connect the internet. It's possible that our computer is broken. I can't access the internet, maybe our computer is broken.

So, these were the main introductory phrases and plug-in constructions in English. We hope that these simple clichés and expressions will help you connect sentences as you speak.

The natural speech of each person is not limited to simple sentences. To express our attitude to what is happening, to clarify information and evaluate someone or something, we use auxiliary words - introductory words, as well as linking words. We wrote about them earlier -! But what are introductory words, we will tell you today. Like linking words, introductory phrases in English help to combine parts of a complex sentence, to make speech coherent and whole. Introductory words in English are used in the same way as in Russian. Let's find out what introductory words are and how to use them.

Introductory constructions in English

Introductory words are auxiliary elements used in a sentence. They are not a single part of speech and cannot be questioned. Introductory constructions in English, as in other languages, are distinguished by intonation. To find out if the introductory word is in the text, for example, just try to remove it from the sentence. If the meaning does not change without it, this is it!

Remembering the meaning of introductory words is easy, because in Russian they have their own analogue. The introductory words of the English language are divided into categories. Let's consider them in detail.

1. Enumeration

In a sentence for a list of ideas, for example, or your thoughts, use these introductory words:

• firstly - first, firstly [ˈfɜːrstli]
• secondly - second [ˈsekənd], secondly [ˈsekəndli]
• thirdly - third [θɜːrd], thirdly [ˈθɜːrdli]

There are two reasons why we can't do it. Firstly, we don't have enough money, and secondly, we don't have enough time. There are two reasons why we cannot do this. Firstly, we do not have enough money, and secondly, we do not have enough time.

2. Adding information

There is always something to add to the mainstream opinion. English introductory words with which you can do this:

• also - also [|ˈɔːlsoʊ]
• moreover - moreover, furthermore [ˌfɜːrðərˈmɔːr]
• in addition - in addition [ɪn əˈdɪʃn]

He enjoys selling and, moreover, is good at it. He enjoys selling and what's more, he's good at it.

3. Adding examples

To reinforce what has been said, examples will not be superfluous. Introductory words in English for a specific explanation:

• for example - for example , for instance
• namely - namely [ˈneɪmli]
• such as - such as

I learned an important lesson when I lost my job, namely that nothing is a hundred percent guaranteed. “I learned an important lesson when I lost my job, which is that nothing is 100% guaranteed.

4. Comparison

You can compare several ideas or the same examples using special introductory words in English in speech:

• like - similarly [ˈsɪmələrli], like
• just like - just as, just like
• in the same way as - same as
• compare(d) to / with

When I saw that Bosch appliances were similarly priced to Zanussi, I got suspicious. – When I saw that Bosch devices were similar in price to Zanussi devices, I was surprised.

5. Highlighting the main idea

To focus on the main theses, use the introductory phrases in English below:

• certainly - undoubtedly [ʌnˈdaʊtɪdli]
• obviously - obviously [ˈɑːbviəsli]
• in general - generally [ˈdʒenrəli]
• especially - especially [ɪˈspeʃəli]
• important - importantly

I love Italian wines, especially the white wines. I love Italian wines, especially white wines.

6. Expression of personal opinion

• I think - I think
• I guess - I suppose
• I guess - I guess
• I believe - I believe
• I am convinced - I am convinced

I guess she is your sister. I believe she is your sister.

7. Expression of positive evaluation

When you agree with the statements, express your approval using the following introductory English words:

• definitely - definitely [ˈdefɪnətli]
• exactly like that - exactly [ɪɡˈzæktli]
• certainly - certainly [ˈsɜːrtnli]

Are you going to have children? — Oh, definitely! Are you going to have children? - O, sure!

8. Expression of negative evaluation

If you do not agree with the statements and wish to declare it, confidently pronounce the following introductory phrases in English:

• I disagree - I disagree
• I doubt - I doubt
• not very similar to that - most unlikely

I doubt if this is true. - I doubt that's true.

9. Time indication

If it is necessary to determine any time period, introductory words in English will come in handy:

• once - once
• now - now
• since then
• until now - until now [ənˈtɪl naʊ]
• before, before - before
• sooner or later - sooner or later [ˈsuːnər ɔːr ˈleɪtər]
• meanwhile - meanwhile [ˈmiːnwaɪl]

Something like that was bound to happen sooner or later. “Something like that was bound to happen sooner or later.

10. Conclusions

And finally, summarize using various introductory constructions in English that are ideal for completing the statement:

• so - so / well
• in the end - finally [ˈfaɪnəli] / after all [ˈæftər ɔːl]
• in short - to cut it short
• honestly - to tell the truth
• in other words - in other words [ɪn ˈʌðər ˈwɝːdz]
• in any case - in any case [ɪn ˈeni keɪs] / anyway [ˈeniweɪ]
• nevertheless, after all - nevertheless [ˌnevərðəˈles]

Her date was a bit of a slob, but she had fun nevertheless. Her date was a little boring, but she still had fun.

We have given as an example a list of introductory words, the most basic ones. Introductory words in English will quickly be remembered if you use them daily. Make your speech beautiful and casual. Come to Native English School for conversation classes with native speakers in Kyiv. We are interesting and fun!