Linking words for IELTS Writing Task

Linking Words for IELTS: A Complete Guide with Real Usage

Linking words are powerful tools in both speaking and writing. They help organize ideas clearly, show relationships between them, and keep your language cohesive. In the IELTS exam, this matters a lot — coherence and cohesion make up 25% of your writing and speaking score. Whether you’re giving an example, comparing ideas, showing contrast, or explaining a result, linking words will help you express yourself fluently and logically.

A. Linking Words for IELTS Speaking Task

The IELTS Speaking test includes questions about yourself and a topic cue card you speak about. Linkers in speaking do two important jobs:

  1. They guide your listener through your thoughts.
  2. They give you a moment to think, especially during the cue card task.

We’ve grouped the linking phrases by function, with examples to show how you’d naturally use them in conversation.

1. Simple Connectors

These are common words that hold ideas together.

  • and – I love reading and writing.
  • or – You can take the train or the bus.
  • but – I like pizza, but I don’t eat it often.

2. Adding More Information

Used when giving more reasons or ideas.

  • Another reason is – Another reason is that it helps me relax.
  • Also – Also, it’s good for your health.
  • As well as – As well as cooking, I enjoy painting.

3. Time Phrases

Useful for sequencing or describing when something happens.

  • At the moment – At the moment, I’m studying for IELTS.
  • Nowadays – Nowadays, people rely heavily on technology.
  • When I was younger – When I was younger, I used to play outdoors a lot.

4. Causes and Solutions

Used to explain reasons and how to fix problems.

  • Because – I missed the class because I was sick.
  • It was caused by – The delay was caused by heavy traffic.
  • The best way to solve this is – The best way to solve this is better time management.

5. Expressing Ideas

Helpful when introducing thoughts or comparisons.

  • I think one important thing is – I think one important thing is communication.
  • I guess one difference is – I guess one difference is the weather.

6. Giving Examples

To illustrate your point.

  • For example – For example, I walk 30 minutes every day.
  • Such as – I enjoy outdoor sports such as hiking and cycling.

7. Being Clear

Used to clarify or restate what you mean.

  • What I mean is – What I mean is, people need balance in life.
  • As I was saying – As I was saying, learning languages can open doors.

8. Contrasting/Opposite

Used to show a different or opposite view.

  • On the other hand – I enjoy city life. On the other hand, it can be stressful.
  • Although – Although it’s hard, I enjoy the challenge.

9. Stating an Opinion

  • In my opinion – In my opinion, school uniforms should be optional.
  • From my point of view – From my point of view, it’s better to save early.

10. To Express Agreement

  • Exactly – Exactly! That’s what I was thinking.
  • I quite agree – I quite agree that discipline is important.

11. Signpost Words

These help structure your answer and show what’s coming next.

  • To begin with – To begin with, I’d like to talk about my childhood.
  • Furthermore – Furthermore, it has improved my focus.
  • Nonetheless – It’s expensive. Nonetheless, it’s worth it.

B. Linking Words for IELTS Writing Task 1

In Academic Task 1, you describe visual data (graphs, maps, charts). In General Task 1, you write a letter. In both cases, linking words help make your response clear and well-structured.

Let’s explore them by function with examples:

1. Starting a Paragraph

  • It is clear that – It is clear that sales increased steadily.
  • According to the graph – According to the graph, the population rose in 2005.

2. Contrast Words

  • However – However, the figures dropped in 2010.
  • Whereas – Sales rose in 2005, whereas production declined.

3. Linking Phrases

  • In addition – In addition, the number of users doubled.
  • Overall, it could be seen that – Overall, it could be seen that the trend was upward.

4. Time Expressions

During the period in question – There was a steady increase during the period in question.

  • By 2000 – By 2000, the number had tripled.

5. Describing a Process

  • Firstly – Firstly, the raw materials are collected.
  • Next – Next, they are transported to the factory.
  • The following step is that – The following step is that the goods are packed.

6. Describing a Map

  • Another notable development – Another notable development is the addition of new roads.
  • It is clear that the principal change – It is clear that the principal change was urban expansion.

7. Last Paragraph (Conclusion)

  • To sum up – To sum up, most figures showed growth.
  • In conclusion – In conclusion, employment improved gradually.

C. Linking Words for IELTS Writing Task 2

Task 2 involves writing a formal essay. Your ideas must be clear and logically organized, and linkers play a key role in this.

Here are the essential types:

1. Listing Ideas

Firstly, secondly, finally – Firstly, we must address pollution. Secondly, increase green areas. Finally, enforce laws.

2. Adding More Information

  • Moreover – Moreover, this policy will reduce costs.
  • Besides – Besides being cheap, it’s also eco-friendly.

3. Similarity

  • Likewise – Likewise, developing countries face similar issues.
  • In the same way – In the same way, digital skills are essential.

4. Transitioning to New Points

  • With regard to – With regard to climate change, governments need urgent action.
  • Turning to – Turning to education, there are gaps to address.

5. Summarising

  • Overall – Overall, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
  • In brief – In brief, the solution requires teamwork.

6. Giving Examples

  • For instance – For instance, Japan has implemented this system successfully.
  • Namely – Namely, increasing taxes on harmful substances.

7. Showing Cause and Effect

  • Therefore – Therefore, investment in public transport is essential.
  • Due to – Due to rising temperatures, crops are failing.

8. Making Deductions

If so – If so, we must reconsider our priorities.

  • This implies that – This implies that policies are ineffective.

9. Stating the Obvious

  • Obviously – Obviously, children need proper nutrition.
  • Naturally – Naturally, people want safer environments.

10. Generalising

  • On the whole – On the whole, most students prefer practical learning.
  • In most cases – In most cases, early intervention works.

11. Highlighting

  • In particular – In particular, rural areas need better healthcare.
  • Especially – Especially the elderly benefit from such schemes.

12. Reformulating

  • In other words – In other words, action must be taken quickly.
  • To put it more simply – To put it more simply, less screen time equals better sleep.

13. Expressing Alternatives

  • Alternatively – Alternatively, we could increase subsidies.
  • Another possibility would be – Another possibility would be online learning.

14. Contrast

  • Although – Although it’s expensive, it’s more effective.
  • On the contrary – On the contrary, some argue that it’s too late to act.
  • Despite – Despite the benefits, the law wasn’t passed.