CDS English · Sentence Rearrangement
Linkers: but and however turn; also, so and therefore carry on
A linker at the start of a sentence says how it relates to the sentence before: a turn (but, however) or a carry-on (also, moreover, so, therefore). Find the sentence it relates to.
Why this matters
A linker is a signpost the examiner leaves in the sentence. Once you know what kind of sentence it needs before it, many options fall away at once. The commonest mistake is to treat all linkers alike: a turn word needs the opposite idea before it, a result word needs the cause, and 'also' needs a first point of the same kind.
Concept 1 of 2: A turn word needs the opposite idea just before it
'But the bridge held.' You expect, just before, something that made you think it would not hold. A turn word changes direction, so the sentence before it must point the other way.
Definition
The terms:
- Linker: a word or phrase that joins a sentence to the one before and shows how they relate.
- Turn linker: a linker that sets a sentence against the one before: but, however, yet, still, nevertheless, even so, on the other hand, in spite of that.
The method:
- When P, Q, R or S starts with a turn linker, say in your own words what it turns from.
- Find the sentence that gives that opposite idea. Put it just before.
- 'On the other hand' needs a first side stated just before; 'Still' and 'Nevertheless' need a difficulty or a reason to stop.
- A turn sentence cannot come straight after S1 unless S1 itself gives the idea it turns from.
Worked example
S1: Rahul had trained for the 10 km race for six months.
P: However, on the morning of the race he woke with a fever.
Q: He was confident of finishing in the top ten.
R: Still, he decided to run.
S: He finished twenty-third, well behind his usual time.
S6: Even so, his coach called it the bravest run of the day.
(a) QPRS (b) PQRS (c) QRPS (d) PRSQ
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
CDS · 2017 · CDS (II) 2017 — English · Q18Hard
Example 1 · Sentence Rearrangement · Linkers in Paragraphs
Directions: order six-sentence passage; S1 and S6 fixed, order P,Q,R,S
S1: The bus sped along the road.
S6: The dog wailed for a long time.
P: But the bus could stop only after covering a few yards.
Q: It injured the dog in the leg.
R: The driver applied the brake.
S: Suddenly a stray dog ran on to the middle of the road.
A turn word in first place
A sentence starting with 'But' or 'However' cannot sit right after S1 unless S1 gives the idea it turns from. Options that open with such a sentence are often the first to strike.
Turning from the wrong sentence
'Still, he decided to run' turns from a reason not to run. If the sentence before it gives a reason to run, the turn makes no sense, however smooth it sounds.
Reading 'still' as 'even now'
At the start of a sentence, followed by a comma, 'Still' means 'in spite of that'. It is a turn word and needs a difficulty before it. Inside a sentence ('he is still there') it means 'even now' and points at nothing.
Concept 2 of 2: Linkers that add, conclude or sum up
Carry-on linkers keep the passage moving in the same direction. Some add a second point (also, moreover, in addition, besides, as well). Some draw a result (so, therefore, thus, hence, as a result). Some say the same thing again (in other words). Each one tells you what must come before it.
Definition
The terms:
- Adding linker: brings in a second point of the same kind. It needs the first point before it.
- Result linker: draws a result or a conclusion. It needs the cause or the facts before it.
- Restating linker: says an idea again in other words. It needs that idea just before it.
How to use them:
- 'also' and 'as well' often sit inside the sentence ('They also...', '...as well'). They still mark a second point.
- A result sentence comes after its cause, never before it.
- When S6 starts with a carry-on linker, the fourth sentence must give what it needs.
| Linker | Job | Needs just before it | In the passage | Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| also | Adds | A first fact about the same subject | They also provide a sense of order and predictability. | 2019 (II) |
| also | Adds | The first point of disagreement, and the questions 'such matters' refers to | They also disagree about how such matters should be resolved ... | 2020 (II) |
| also | Adds | A first step taken by the same companies | They have also adopted new management approaches ... | 2023 (I) |
| also | Adds | The scheme's main aim | It also aims to spread insurance awareness among the rural population. | 2024 (I) |
| also | Adds | The biggest influence, named first | Circadian rhythms are also affected by food intake, stress ... | 2026 (II) |
| as well | Adds | A first loss (the pond shrinking) | ... led to a rapid drop in the groundwater table as well. | 2026 (II) |
| In addition | Adds | Earlier points about idioms | In addition, idioms often have a stronger meaning than non-idiomatic phrases. | 2019 (II) |
| Moreover | Adds | A first protection the law gives | Moreover, the law protects me from robbery and violence. | 2018 (I) |
| Moreover | Adds | A first reason for his dislike | Moreover, with his profound pedagogic sensitivity he could see the damaging effect of colonial education. | 2022 (II) |
| moreover | Adds, and goes further | A short-term harm named first | Prolonged disruption, moreover, can cause long-term damages ... | 2026 (II) |
| Besides | Adds one more | Objections already listed | Besides, with this kind of education, one could not appreciate the dignity of manual labour. | 2022 (II) |
| At the same time | Adds a second point running alongside | A first change in the same period | At the same time there has been a significant reduction in product life cycles ... | 2023 (I) |
| At the same time | Adds the reverse direction | What institutions do to people | At the same time, institutions themselves can be transformed by the politics they produce ... | 2019 (II) |
| In other words | Restates | The idea it says again | In other words, you have to be the perfect teacher to create a new society ... | 2018 (II) |
| So | Result | The reason: he was in a hurry | So he forgot to look to the left or right as he always did. | 2017 (I) |
| As a result of this | Result | The cause it names: his carelessness | As a result of this carelessness, he met with an accident. | 2017 (I) |
| therefore | Result: an action | The problem that led to the action | He therefore decided to go on a pilgrimage to India to collect further material. | 2017 (II) |
| Therefore | Conclusion | The general truth it draws a duty from | Therefore you, who are the seeker of truth, have to be both the pupil and the teacher. | 2018 (II) |
| Thus | Sums up | The example it sums up | Thus in disputes between man and man, right has taken the place of might. | 2018 (I) |
| Therefore | Conclusion (in S6) | The fact it concludes from | Therefore, various schemes of PLI and RPLI are very popular amongst eligible clients. | 2024 (I) |
| Hence | Conclusion | The facts that lead to it | Hence, land is of great significance for all nations. | 2025 (I) |
| therefore | A further result | The conclusion just drawn | It is therefore an important asset that needs to be used with care ... | 2025 (I) |
| In consequence | Sums up all the results | All the points before it | In consequence to all of these, careful planning of land use assumes the utmost significance. | 2025 (I) |
Adding linkers need a first point; result linkers need the cause; restating linkers need the idea they repeat.
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
CDS · 2025 · CDS (I) 2025 — English · Q68Moderate
Example 2 · Sentence Rearrangement · Linkers in Paragraphs
Directions: In this section each item consists of six sentences extracted from a passage. The first and sixth sentence are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The sequence of the middle four sentences in each has been jumbled up and labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences and mark your response accordingly on the Answer Sheet.
S1: Land is a very important resource.
S6: India has a vast landmass but it is important to ensure careful planning in the utilization of its land resources.
P: It is therefore an important asset that needs to be used with care and concern because it is finite in nature.
Q: All over the world, land supports natural vegetation, wildlife, human life, economic activities, and communication and transport systems.
R: Hence, land is of great significance for all nations.
S: In consequence to all of these, careful planning of land use assumes the utmost significance.
'Also' in the first point
A sentence with 'also' or 'as well' adds a second point. It cannot be the first thing said about its subject. Find the first point and put it earlier.
Result before cause
'So', 'therefore', 'hence' and 'as a result' come after the cause. An option that puts the result sentence before the sentence that causes it fails, even if every other link is fine.
Moreover is not however
The two look alike but do opposite jobs. 'Moreover' adds a point that pulls the same way; 'however' turns. Read the sentence before and check which way it pulls.
Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance
A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.
Reference tables (1)
Linkers that add, conclude or sum up23 rows
| Linker | Job | Needs just before it | In the passage | Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| also | Adds | A first fact about the same subject | They also provide a sense of order and predictability. | 2019 (II) |
| also | Adds | The first point of disagreement, and the questions 'such matters' refers to | They also disagree about how such matters should be resolved ... | 2020 (II) |
| also | Adds | A first step taken by the same companies | They have also adopted new management approaches ... | 2023 (I) |
| also | Adds | The scheme's main aim | It also aims to spread insurance awareness among the rural population. | 2024 (I) |
| also | Adds | The biggest influence, named first | Circadian rhythms are also affected by food intake, stress ... | 2026 (II) |
| as well | Adds | A first loss (the pond shrinking) | ... led to a rapid drop in the groundwater table as well. | 2026 (II) |
| In addition | Adds | Earlier points about idioms | In addition, idioms often have a stronger meaning than non-idiomatic phrases. | 2019 (II) |
| Moreover | Adds | A first protection the law gives | Moreover, the law protects me from robbery and violence. | 2018 (I) |
| Moreover | Adds | A first reason for his dislike | Moreover, with his profound pedagogic sensitivity he could see the damaging effect of colonial education. | 2022 (II) |
| moreover | Adds, and goes further | A short-term harm named first | Prolonged disruption, moreover, can cause long-term damages ... | 2026 (II) |
| Besides | Adds one more | Objections already listed | Besides, with this kind of education, one could not appreciate the dignity of manual labour. | 2022 (II) |
| At the same time | Adds a second point running alongside | A first change in the same period | At the same time there has been a significant reduction in product life cycles ... | 2023 (I) |
| At the same time | Adds the reverse direction | What institutions do to people | At the same time, institutions themselves can be transformed by the politics they produce ... | 2019 (II) |
| In other words | Restates | The idea it says again | In other words, you have to be the perfect teacher to create a new society ... | 2018 (II) |
| So | Result | The reason: he was in a hurry | So he forgot to look to the left or right as he always did. | 2017 (I) |
| As a result of this | Result | The cause it names: his carelessness | As a result of this carelessness, he met with an accident. | 2017 (I) |
| therefore | Result: an action | The problem that led to the action | He therefore decided to go on a pilgrimage to India to collect further material. | 2017 (II) |
| Therefore | Conclusion | The general truth it draws a duty from | Therefore you, who are the seeker of truth, have to be both the pupil and the teacher. | 2018 (II) |
| Thus | Sums up | The example it sums up | Thus in disputes between man and man, right has taken the place of might. | 2018 (I) |
| Therefore | Conclusion (in S6) | The fact it concludes from | Therefore, various schemes of PLI and RPLI are very popular amongst eligible clients. | 2024 (I) |
| Hence | Conclusion | The facts that lead to it | Hence, land is of great significance for all nations. | 2025 (I) |
| therefore | A further result | The conclusion just drawn | It is therefore an important asset that needs to be used with care ... | 2025 (I) |
| In consequence | Sums up all the results | All the points before it | In consequence to all of these, careful planning of land use assumes the utmost significance. | 2025 (I) |
Adding linkers need a first point; result linkers need the cause; restating linkers need the idea they repeat.
Watch out for (6)
- A turn word in first place→ A turn word needs the opposite idea just before it
- Turning from the wrong sentence→ A turn word needs the opposite idea just before it
- Reading 'still' as 'even now'→ A turn word needs the opposite idea just before it
- 'Also' in the first point→ Linkers that add, conclude or sum up
- Result before cause→ Linkers that add, conclude or sum up
- Moreover is not however→ Linkers that add, conclude or sum up
Test yourself on Sentence Rearrangement
20 past CDS questions from this chapter, timed at 20 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.