 Hey there and welcome to Speak English with Christina where you'll have fun becoming fluent in American English Do you sometimes feel that your English is a little too basic Like you want to connect your ideas and sound more sophisticated But you're stuck using simple sentences Well, guess what today's episode on link words also called Connectors is going to up your English game and help you sound more sophisticated Let's go Let me share with you the site italki where you can increase your speaking fluency and get lots of real Conversation practice to actually apply today's lesson Plus you'll get ten dollars in italki credit when you buy your first lesson because I have a special partnership with them and The link is below the video. So check it out after today's lesson Now, let's look at link words Just to be sure that we're both talking about the same thing Let's look at some of the useful connectors that we'll learn today. These are expressions like especially however, and What's more? So these can be single words or Expressions and we can use them for lots of different functions like pointing out something specific showing contrast adding more information or other things like giving the consequence of another action in other words Connectors are super useful. We could even say that they're like the super glue that holds ideas together No, I got the glue all over my fingers and Especially the desserts we use especially to add detail or to be more specific in that example I said a general category of things Italian food wanted to be more specific and say that I really really love Italian desserts Mmm Anyway To connect those two ideas and to go from general to specific. I use the link word especially Here are a few more examples. We like working with ambitious clients especially clients in IT and digital industries. We go from general ambitious clients to more specific ambitious clients in the IT and digital industries another example, I Really like California, especially San Francisco and San Diego so California is more general and The two cities are more specific never been to New York City However, I have been to Chicago We use however to show Contrast between two ideas in that example I say that I've never been to New York City. I know sad But true. I give a contrast by saying that I've been to a different big city Chicago however is Similar to the simpler connector, but which you probably already know and I could say I've never been to New York City, but I have been to Chicago What's the difference you ask? Well, however Tends to be a little more formal. We use it more in writing and in more formal speaking But is more conversational and you use it more often now This doesn't mean that you can't use but in formal conversations, of course But here's an example with however that you might read in a business email We can't respond to your request immediately however, we will contact you as soon as possible and Here's the same idea with but which sounds more conversational We can't help you right now, but we'll let you know as soon as we can so two same messages But two different levels of formality and two different connectors however, and but this water bottle will reduce your plastic waste. What's more, it's pretty and easy to carry We use what's more to add information and to emphasize that additional information It's similar to the link words more over in addition and Furthermore, which you perhaps learned, but what's more is more Conversational I hear a lot of students make the mistake trying to use formal link words like more over and furthermore in casual Conversation and it just sounds weird like oh, I like that movie Furthermore, the music was pretty cool Sounds a Little but if you say I liked the movie what's more the music was pretty cool It sounds better because the connector what's more is conversational Here are two more examples. I Really love teaching English. What's more? I help people all over the world feel more confident another There are a lot of cool things to see in the US. What's more the food is good, too Yes, it is So there you have it three super useful link words to level up your English Now what about you? What other link words do you have questions about? Are there any that are? Confusing for you. Tell me in the comments so I can help you better understand these Useful little words that'll make you sound more advanced Would you like three? Essential lessons for easier conversations in English sign up to my top small talk lessons and free worksheets just click the image below and of course Subscribe to my channel so you get a new English lesson each week Thanks for watching speak English with Christina, and I'll see you next time