Signposts usually found at the beginning of the sentence

Function
Signpost
Introduce a new subject
Regarding
With regard to
As regards
Concerning
Turning to
Sequence ideas
Firstly
The most important reason
Another reason
Finally
Introduce a contrasting idea
However
In contrast
On the other hand
Nevertheless
Although
Yet
Introduce a similar idea
Likewise
Similarly
Add another idea
Also
Moreover
Furthermore
In addition
Besides
Give an example
For example
For instance
Give the cause
Because of
Due to
Give the effect
Therefore
As a result
As a consequence
Consequently
For this reason
Conclude your essay
In conclusion
To sum up
In summary
Signposts usually found within a sentence (conjunctions)
Function
Signpost
Introduce a contrasting idea

Cities are polluted, but/while/whereas the countryside is not.

Give an example

Urbanisation causes a lot of pollution such as air, noise and water

pollution.

Add another idea.

Air pollution is caused by smoke from factories and/as well as cars.

Air pollution is caused by smoke from factories too/also.

Give the cause

Cities are polluted because/as there is so much smoke.

Give the effect

There is a lot of smoke in cities so/so that they become polluted.

Academic phrases are used to:
Give your opinion

I think
I feel
I believe
I am of the opinion that

It is my belief that

smoking should be banned in all

restaurants.

Show to what extent you agree/disagree with a statement

I firmly agree/disagree
I partially agree/disagree

I totally agree/disagree

that smoking should be banned in all

restaurants.

Give the opposite side of an argument

However, I would argue

To counter this, I would say

that everyone should be allowed to make

their own decision.

Give the opinion of others

Some people say

Many people would argue

that smoking in restaurants affects nonsmokers as much as smokers.

Give a solution to a problem

I would recommend

A good solution would be

that all restaurants have a special smoking

area.

Show the cause followed by the effect

Smoking

causes
is the cause of
results in

is the reason for

cancer.

Show the effect followed by the cause

Cancer

is caused by
is due to
is the result of

is the consequence of

smoking.

Make a prediction

I feel confident
I am certain

I am sure

that restaurants will be forced to ban

smoking in the future.

Quantifiers

innumerable

countless

much (of)
many (of)
a great deal of
a large number of

a large proportion of

a few
some

several

few
little
not many
a small number of

a small proportion of

Very large quantities

Large quantities

Small quantities

Very small quantities

Conjunctions of contrast:

although, though, even though, while, whereas

Conjunctions of cause and effect: as, since, because, in order that

Conjunctions of condition:

if, unless, only if, even if, in case (that), whether or not

Conjunctions of time:

until, after, before, while, since, when

Relative pronouns:

which, that, who, whose, whom

SIGNPOSTS

To introduce a trend that is the same

Similarly, also, likewise, followed by

To introduce a trend that is different

However, on the other hand, in contrast, whereas, although,

nevertheless, while

To introduce a new category or a new graph

With regard to, regarding, with respect to, with reference to,
as for, turning to, ...commenced at

To incorporate data

...respectively, correspondingly, ...the former...the latter,

being recorded, with x number at, constitutes, consists of,
makes up, accounts for

Comparing

The more/least likely, marks the biggest change, more than, x

times as many as..., fewer than ,

To contrast data

But, besides, it is however interesting

Connectors

In addition, furthermore, moreover, more and more, finally,

as well as, firstly, secondly, over a period of, throughout this
period, in the late 1950s, between 19xx and 19yy, by the end
of 19xx,

Emphasize

most significantly/importantly, considerably, by far

Words to describe quantity

to show less than

to show similar quantity

to show more than

just under
well under
less than

around
approximately
about
roughly
nearly
similar to
equal to
almost the same
there is not a great deal of difference

just over
far greater
well over
more than

Alternative ways of writing about the different parts of an object or machine

has

a number of

main

parts:

a ____,

is made up of

several

distinct

sections:

a ____,

consists of

four

separate

An [object name]
a ____.

is comprised of

Upwards trends
Increase
Rise / to rise
Peak
Growth
Jump to
Grow

TREND DESCRIPTORS
Downwards trends Max
little or no change
Decrease
Maximum
Stabilize
Fall
Reach a peak
Reach a plateau
Drop
Highest
Remain the same
Hit the highest point Remain stable
Decline
Dip
High
Stay constant
Diminish
Finish at a high
Level out
Tail off
Remain steady
Fluctuation

and a ____.

Min
Minimum
Low
Lowest
Fall to the lowest point

How much
Sharp
Rapid
Substantial
Dramatical
Considerable
Steep
Major
Significant

Fluctuate

Moderate
Steady
Gradual
Marginal
Slight
Gentle
Feeble
Negligible