48 conectores esenciales del inglés para escribir y hablar con coherencia
Los conectores son el pegamento del inglés. Enlazan ideas, muestran relaciones lógicas y transforman frases inconexas en un texto fluido y coherente. Ya sea que estés escribiendo un ensayo, un correo empresarial o hablando en una reunión, el conector adecuado señala exactamente cómo se relacionan tus ideas y suena de inmediato más culto y preciso.
48 items · 6 topics
"Furthermore"
adds a stronger or more important point to what was just said
"The results were positive. Furthermore, the costs were lower than expected."
"Moreover"
introduces an additional fact that reinforces the argument
"She speaks three languages. Moreover, she has lived abroad for five years."
"In addition"
introduces an extra point on the same topic
"The report covers the data. In addition, it includes recommendations."
"Besides"
adds another consideration, often with a slightly informal tone
"I don't want to go. Besides, it's already too late."
"Not only … but also"
emphasises two related points, the second being surprising or stronger
"She is not only talented but also incredibly hard-working."
"What is more"
adds a point that is even more significant than the previous one
"The project was completed on time. What is more, it came in under budget."
"As well as"
joins two elements to show they both apply
"He studies medicine as well as working part-time."
"On top of that"
adds another point, often to build emphasis or complaint
"The flight was delayed. On top of that, our luggage was lost."
"However"
introduces a contrasting statement; very common in formal writing
"The plan looked good. However, the results were disappointing."
"Nevertheless"
concedes a point but then reasserts the main argument
"It was raining heavily. Nevertheless, they decided to continue."
"On the other hand"
presents the opposing side of an argument or situation
"Living in a city offers many opportunities. On the other hand, it can be stressful."
"In contrast"
highlights a clear difference between two things
"The first sample was rough. In contrast, the second was perfectly smooth."
"Although"
introduces a concessive clause before or after the main clause
"Although the film was long, I enjoyed every minute of it."
"Despite"
shows that something happened in spite of an obstacle; followed by a noun or gerund
"Despite the bad weather, the event was a great success."
"Whereas"
compares two contrasting facts in the same sentence
"He prefers coffee, whereas she drinks only tea."
"Even though"
a stronger form of "although", emphasising surprise at the contrast
"Even though she had studied all night, she still felt nervous."
"Therefore"
draws a logical conclusion from the preceding statement
"The data was incomplete. Therefore, the results cannot be verified."
"As a result"
describes what happened because of something else
"There was a power cut. As a result, the meeting was cancelled."
"Consequently"
formal connector indicating a direct and significant outcome
"He missed the deadline. Consequently, the contract was terminated."
"Because"
introduces the reason or cause of the main clause
"She left early because she had a train to catch."
"Due to"
indicates the cause; followed by a noun or noun phrase
"The match was postponed due to heavy rain."
"Hence"
a formal synonym for "therefore"; links cause to consequence
"The sample size was too small; hence the findings are not conclusive."
"Thus"
introduces an outcome or logical conclusion; common in academic writing
"Temperatures rose sharply. Thus, the glaciers began to melt faster."
"Since"
explains the reason or grounds for something
"Since the shop was closed, we went home empty-handed."
"If"
the basic conditional connector introducing a hypothetical or real condition
"If you practise every day, your English will improve rapidly."
"Unless"
means "if not"; introduces a negative condition
"Unless you leave now, you will miss the bus."
"Provided that"
a formal conditional meaning "on the condition that"
"You may borrow the car, provided that you return it by six."
"As long as"
expresses a condition that must remain true for the result to hold
"As long as you keep trying, there is always hope."
"In case"
introduces a precautionary action or reason
"Take an umbrella in case it rains."
"On condition that"
a very formal way of stating a requirement or stipulation
"They agreed to the deal on condition that delivery was guaranteed."
"Assuming that"
introduces a premise that is taken as true for the purpose of argument
"Assuming that the data is correct, the model predicts strong growth."
"Otherwise"
states what will happen if the condition is not met
"Study the vocabulary tonight. Otherwise, the test will be very hard."
"In order to"
introduces the purpose or goal of an action; slightly formal
"She worked overtime in order to meet the deadline."
"So that"
introduces a result or purpose clause with a finite verb
"He spoke slowly so that everyone could understand."
"To"
the simplest and most common way to express purpose with an infinitive
"I went to the library to find a reference book."
"For the purpose of"
a formal expression of intended goal or aim
"This form must be completed for the purpose of registration."
"With the aim of"
states a specific goal or objective; used in formal and academic contexts
"The team met with the aim of finalising the strategy."
"So as to"
a formal alternative to "in order to", often used with negative infinitives
"Speak quietly so as not to wake the children."
"With a view to"
expresses an intention directed towards a future outcome
"They signed the agreement with a view to expanding into new markets."
"Lest"
a very formal connector meaning "in case" or "for fear that"; often negative in feel
"She double-checked the report lest there should be any errors."
"First of all"
signals the very first point or step in a series
"First of all, preheat the oven to 180 degrees."
"Subsequently"
describes something that happens after and as a result of a previous event
"The report was submitted. Subsequently, the board approved the budget."
"Meanwhile"
refers to something happening at the same time as another action
"The engineers worked on the engine. Meanwhile, the designers finished the interface."
"Finally"
introduces the last point or the end of a process
"Finally, allow the mixture to cool before serving."
"Then"
introduces the next step or the result of a previous action
"Mix the ingredients. Then pour the batter into the tin."
"After that"
refers to what comes next in time or process
"We visited the museum. After that, we had lunch by the river."
"At the same time"
indicates two events occurring simultaneously
"She was studying for her exams. At the same time, she was working part-time."
"To begin with"
introduces the first element in a list or argument; slightly more formal than "first"
"To begin with, let us look at the historical context."
Preguntas frecuentes
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre un conector y un marcador del discurso?
Un conector (también llamado palabra de enlace o dispositivo cohesivo) une ideas dentro de las oraciones o entre ellas para mostrar una relación lógica, como adición, contraste o causa. Un marcador del discurso es un término más amplio: incluye los conectores, pero también abarca expresiones que organizan el discurso oral, señalan actitud o gestionan la conversación (por ejemplo, "well", "you know", "right"). Todos los conectores son marcadores del discurso, pero no todos los marcadores del discurso son conectores en el sentido gramatical estricto.
¿Puedo usar el mismo conector repetidamente en un texto?
Debes evitar abusar de cualquier conector. Repetir "however" cinco veces en un párrafo hace que la escritura parezca mecánica. El inglés ofrece sinónimos muy variados: "nevertheless", "nonetheless", "yet" y "that said" expresan contraste con matices ligeramente diferentes. Variar los conectores demuestra riqueza léxica y hace el texto más atractivo para el lector.
¿Se usan los conectores de forma diferente en el inglés formal e informal?
Sí, el registro importa enormemente. "Furthermore", "consequently" e "in spite of" pertenecen a la escritura formal y académica. En el habla coloquial o los correos informales, los hablantes nativos prefieren "also", "but", "so", "because of" y "even though". Usar conectores demasiado formales en una conversación puede sonar afectado, mientras que los informales en un ensayo resultan poco profesionales.
¿Cómo sé si debo poner una coma después de un conector?
Los conectores que introducen una nueva cláusula al inicio de la oración — "However,", "Nevertheless,", "As a result," — van normalmente seguidos de una coma. Los conectores en medio de la oración, como "although", "because" y "since", no requieren una coma antes de ellos, a menos que la cláusula que introducen vaya al principio. Si tienes dudas, lee la oración en voz alta: una pausa natural suele indicar dónde va la coma.
¿Escuchar conectores en vídeos reales en inglés ayuda de verdad a aprenderlos?
Absolutamente. Leer una lista de conectores te da conocimiento pasivo. Escuchar "nevertheless" o "as a result" en un contexto natural — en un documental, una conferencia o una conversación, con la entonación, el acento y el entorno correctos — traslada ese conocimiento al uso activo mucho más rápido. El Input Comprensible, en el que escuchas inglés auténtico a un nivel ligeramente superior al tuyo, es el camino más fiable para interiorizar los conectores de modo que aparezcan de forma automática cuando escribes o hablas.
La forma más rápida de interiorizar los conectores es escucharlos en habla y escritura auténticas.
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