The rule, as people use it

Some linking words connect one full sentence to the next, rather than joining two parts inside one sentence. However, therefore, besides, otherwise, instead, meanwhile, anyway and actually all do this. Each one tells the listener how the next sentence relates to the last one.

"However" means but, and it sounds careful, so you'll hear it more in meetings and presentations than with friends. Between friends, people say "but", or put "though" at the end: "The food was great. The service was slow, though." "Therefore" means so, and it's even more formal. In conversation, "so" does the same job.

The ones people use constantly in speech are different. "Anyway" closes a topic or brings the talk back to the point: "Anyway, what were we saying?" "Actually" gently corrects: "Actually, it's on Thursday, not Friday." "Otherwise" means if not: "Leave now, otherwise you'll hit traffic." "Instead" means in place of that: "The café was closed, so we got pizza instead." "Besides" adds one more reason, often the real one: "It's too far. Besides, I'm tired."

The slip to watch is using "however" like "but" inside one sentence, with a quick comma: "I like it, however it's expensive." When you say it, stop before "however", as if you're starting a new sentence. In writing, use a period or a semicolon before it.

Examples

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Fill the gap

Type the missing words, then check. The full sentence plays when you get it.

  1. 1

    The idea is good. (However / Instead), it's too expensive right now.

  2. 2

    Hurry up, (otherwise / besides) we'll miss the start.

  3. 3

    The bus didn't come, so we walked (instead / anyway).

  4. 4

    (Anyway / Otherwise), let's get back to the main question.

  5. 5

    I don't like horror movies. (Besides / Instead), it's getting late.

  6. 6

    (Actually / Therefore), it was Ananya who called, not Jun.

  7. 7

    The room was small. It was really clean, (though / otherwise).

  8. 8

    Marcus was cooking. (Meanwhile / Otherwise), the kids set the table.

Practice · 3 min

Write a short message to a friend about a plan that changed, in five or six sentences. Use "instead" for what you did in place of the plan, "otherwise" for a warning, "besides" for an extra reason, and "anyway" to change the subject at the end. Add one sentence with "however" as if you were saying it at work. Read it out loud and pause before every linking word.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.