Linking Words & Discourse Markers – English Grammar Exercises for B2
A formal presentation where an employee is pitching a budget increase for a project to their boss. Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each sentence from the presentation.
1 “Investing in this new software will significantly speed up our workflow. ______, it will reduce human error by at least 30 percent.”
(A) However
(B) In addition to
(C) Furthermore
(D) And
2 “We have already secured the best local vendors for this project. ______, we managed to negotiate a 15% discount on all bulk orders.”
(A) Moreover
(B) Moreover that
(C) In addition of
(D) Even though
3 “______ the obvious financial benefits, this initiative will greatly boost overall team morale.”
(A) Beside of
(B) Furthermore
(C) In addition to
(D) In addition
4 “Upgrading the company’s servers will prevent future system crashes. ______, it will allow us to handle double the website traffic during peak seasons.”
(A) On the other hand
(B) Additional
(C) Adding to
(D) Additionally
5 “Approving this budget means we will easily hit our Q3 sales targets. ______, it gives us a massive competitive edge against rival tech firms.”
(A) Beside
(B) Besides
(C) Therefore
(D) In besides
6 “The proposed marketing campaign perfectly targets our core demographic. ______, it taps into a completely new, younger audience.”
(A) What is more
(B) What more
(C) That is more
(D) Nevertheless
7 “______ will this increased budget cover the new hires, but it will also fund their intensive, three-week training program.”
(A) Not just
(B) Only if
(C) As well as
(D) Not only
8 “______ the projected revenue increase, our brand reputation will significantly improve in the European market.”
(A) Alongside
(B) Alongside with
(C) Conversely
(D) Furthermore
9 “Expanding the customer service team is crucial for meeting our strict deadlines. ______, we must acquire better project management tools.”
(A) Even so
(B) In addition to this
(C) In addition this
(D) Moreover of this
10 “Our current financial resources are simply inadequate for a successful global launch. ______, our major competitors are already outspending us in advertising.”
(A) Instead
(B) As a result
(C) Further
(D) Furthermore
11 “We need additional funds for preliminary market research, ______ for the subsequent product development phase.”
(A) as well as
(B) as well
(C) in addition
(D) moreover
12 “The enhanced cyber-security features, ______ the faster processing speeds, completely justify the premium cost of this software package.”
(A) moreover with
(B) coupled to
(C) coupled with
(D) in contrast to
13 “By approving this request, we are significantly reducing long-term operational costs. ______, we are setting a new industry standard for sustainability.”
(A) Moreover
(B) However
(C) Not mentioning
(D) In addition to
14 “______ expanding our market reach, the extra funding will guarantee the procurement of higher quality raw materials.”
(A) Regardless of
(B) Along with
(C) Along
(D) Furthermore
15 “The board must realize that delaying this project will cost us vital clients. It will, ______, severely damage our market position for years to come.”
(A) moreover
(B) in addition to
(C) nonetheless
(D) furthermore to
16 “______ the initial setup costs, there will be ongoing maintenance fees that we must include in the annual budget.”
(A) Above all
(B) On the top of
(C) On top of
(D) Over and above to
17 “By allocating these funds immediately, we secure the industry’s best contractors. ______, we gain exclusive access to their proprietary technology.”
(A) Beside this
(B) Subsequently
(C) By the way
(D) Furthermore
18 “The return on investment for this automated system is projected at 200%. ______, it will eliminate thousands of hours of tedious manual data entry.”
(A) To not mention
(B) Not to mention
(C) Without mentioning
(D) On the other hand
19 “______ my previous points about logistical efficiency, I would like to highlight the massive environmental benefits of this proposal.”
(A) Further of
(B) In spite of
(C) Further to
(D) Furthermore to
20 “We have proven today that the current system is failing. ______, we have provided a highly cost-effective alternative that guarantees long-term success.”
(A) More of that
(B) Despite this
(C) In additionally
(D) What is more
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) Furthermore
- Why it is correct: A formal discourse marker used at the beginning of a new sentence to add a supporting argument. It is followed by a comma.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Meaning Trap: “However” introduces a contrast, but reducing human error is another positive point. (B) Structural Error: “In addition to” must be followed by a noun or gerund, not an independent clause. (D) Common Mistake: Starting a formal sentence with “And” is considered poor style in B2/C1 business English.
2 (A) Moreover
- Why it is correct: Adds another layer of persuasion (a 15% discount) to the previous positive point.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: “Moreover that” does not exist. (C) Common Mistake: The correct phrase is “In addition to”, not “of”. (D) Meaning Trap: Introduces a concession/contrast, which contradicts the stacking of positive arguments.
3 (C) In addition to
- Why it is correct: A prepositional phrase used before a noun phrase (“the obvious financial benefits”) to add information.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Structural Error: “Beside of” is grammatically incorrect. (B) Structural Error: “Furthermore” is an adverb and cannot be placed directly in front of a noun phrase without a comma to start a clause. (D) Common Mistake: Missing the preposition “to”.
4 (D) Additionally
- Why it is correct: A formal conjunctive adverb used to stack a new benefit (handling double traffic) onto the previous one.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Meaning Trap: “On the other hand” introduces an opposing view. (B) Common Mistake: “Additional” is an adjective; the adverbial form “-ly” is required here. (C) Structural Error: Incorrect phrasing.
5 (B) Besides
- Why it is correct: When used as an adverb at the start of a sentence (followed by a comma), it means “in addition” or “moreover.”
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Common Mistake: “Beside” (without ‘s’) is a preposition of physical location meaning “next to”. (C) Meaning Trap: “Therefore” introduces a logical result, but getting a competitive edge is a parallel benefit, not a direct result of hitting Q3 targets. (D) Structural Error: Grammatically invalid.
6 (A) What is more
- Why it is correct: A highly natural, slightly emphatic B2/C1 phrase used to add an even more impressive argument to the stack.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Common Mistake: Missing the verb “is”. (C) Structural Error: Incorrect idiom. (D) Meaning Trap: “Nevertheless” shows contrast.
7 (D) Not only
- Why it is correct: Introduces an inverted clause (“will this increased budget…”) which pairs perfectly with “but it will also” in the second clause to stack two powerful benefits.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Structural Error: “Not just” can be used similarly, but “Not only” is the standard pair for “but also” with this specific inversion structure. (B) Meaning Trap: Changes the meaning to a condition. (C) Structural Error: Cannot be used with this inverted verb-subject structure.
8 (A) Alongside
- Why it is correct: Functions as a preposition meaning “together with” or “in addition to,” followed by a noun phrase (“the projected revenue increase”).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Common Mistake: Adding an unnecessary “with”. (C) Meaning Trap: “Conversely” means in an opposite way. (D) Structural Error: Cannot be used directly before a noun phrase without a comma to start a new clause.
9 (B) In addition to this
- Why it is correct: “In addition” by itself requires a comma. If you want to connect it back to the previous sentence’s concept directly before a comma, “In addition to this,” is the correct formal structure.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Meaning Trap: “Even so” implies a contrast (nevertheless). (C) Common Mistake: Missing the preposition “to”. (D) Structural Error: Incorrect preposition.
10 (D) Furthermore
- Why it is correct: The employee is stacking two negative realities (inadequate resources + competitors outspending) to build a case for needing more budget.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Meaning Trap: “Instead” indicates a replacement. (B) Meaning Trap: Competitors outspending them is not a result of their inadequate resources; it is an additional problem. (C) Common Mistake: “Further” is an adjective/verb; “Furthermore” is the correct conjunctive adverb here.
11 (A) as well as
- Why it is correct: A multi-word preposition used perfectly mid-sentence to link two noun phrases (“preliminary market research” and “subsequent product development phase”).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: Missing “as”. (C) Common Mistake: Needs “to” when followed by a noun phrase. (D) Structural Error: “Moreover” cannot link two noun phrases mid-sentence like a standard conjunction.
12 (C) coupled with
- Why it is correct: A strong B2/C1 phrase meaning “combined with,” used to stack features to justify a cost.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Structural Error: Grammatically invalid. (B) Common Mistake: Incorrect preposition (“to” instead of “with”). (D) Meaning Trap: Shows a contrast rather than an addition.
13 (A) Moreover
- Why it is correct: A standard formal linking word to introduce a secondary, highly impressive benefit (sustainability).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Meaning Trap: Introduces a negative contrast. (C) Structural Error: “Not to mention” is the correct idiom. (D) Structural Error: Must be followed by a noun/gerund, not an independent clause.
14 (B) Along with
- Why it is correct: A prepositional phrase meaning “in addition to,” correctly followed by a gerund (“expanding”).
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Meaning Trap: “Regardless of” means despite, which contradicts the logic. (C) Common Mistake: Missing the preposition “with”. (D) Structural Error: Cannot be followed directly by a gerund without starting a new clause.
15 (A) moreover
- Why it is correct: “Moreover” can be placed mid-sentence between the subject/auxiliary and the main verb, set off by commas, to add sophisticated emphasis to the stacked argument.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: Requires a noun object. (C) Meaning Trap: Means “despite this”. (D) Structural Error: Unnecessary “to”.
16 (C) On top of
- Why it is correct: An idiomatic, widely used phrase in business English meaning “in addition to,” followed by a noun phrase (“the initial setup costs”).
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Meaning Trap: “Above all” means most importantly, not “in addition to”. (B) Common Mistake: Adding the article “the” literally means physically resting on the highest point of an object. (D) Structural Error: Unnecessary “to”.
17 (D) Furthermore
- Why it is correct: Stacks the benefit of securing contractors with the ultimate benefit of accessing their technology.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Common Mistake: Should be “Besides this” or just “Besides”. (B) Meaning Trap: “Subsequently” means happening after in time, but this is a parallel, simultaneous benefit. (C) Meaning Trap: “By the way” is far too casual and off-topic for a formal business pitch.
18 (B) Not to mention
- Why it is correct: A powerful B2/C1 phrase used to introduce an additional, highly persuasive point that makes the argument even stronger.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Structural Error: Incorrect word order for the idiom. (C) Common Mistake: Literal, incorrect translation. (D) Meaning Trap: Introduces an opposing viewpoint.
19 (C) Further to
- Why it is correct: Formal business correspondence and presentation marker meaning “in addition to” or “following up on.”
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Structural Error: Incorrect preposition. (B) Meaning Trap: Means “despite”. (D) Common Mistake: Mixing two different linkers (“Furthermore” and “Further to”).
20 (D) What is more
- Why it is correct: Perfectly caps off the presentation by stacking the ultimate solution onto the identified problem.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) Structural Error: Not a standard English idiom. (B) Meaning Trap: Shows a contrast/concession. (C) Common Mistake: “Additionally” or “In addition” are correct; “In additionally” is a hybrid grammatical error.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
When writing a proposal, giving a presentation, or arguing a point, using the word “and” repeatedly makes you sound unpolished. To elevate your professional tone, use these structures to “stack” your arguments:
- Independent Clause Starters (Followed by a comma):
- Furthermore, / Moreover, / Additionally, / Besides, / What is more,
- Rule: These words start a brand new sentence and are followed by a full subject and verb.
- Example: “The software is fast. Moreover, it is highly secure.”
- Prepositional Phrases (Followed by a Noun or V-ing):
- In addition to… / Along with… / On top of… / Coupled with…
- Rule: These are used to attach a concept to the rest of the sentence without creating a new independent clause.
- Example: “In addition to saving money, we are saving time.” (Notice the V-ing “saving”).
- The “Besides” vs. “Beside” Trap:
- Beside: Physical location (next to). -> “He sat beside me.”
- Besides: Addition (moreover / anyway). -> “Besides, we don’t have the budget.”
- Mid-Sentence Emphasis:
- Advanced speakers often place markers like moreover or furthermore in the middle of the second sentence for a highly formal rhythm.
- Example: “It will, moreover, secure our market dominance.”