Linking words are excellent grammatical and stylistic tools that make your writing or speech clear and keep it fluent and cohesive covering 25% of your task. They help you structure your sentences and convey clearly how two parts of a text are related to each other. Linking words for IELTS comes in handy for adding extra information to your main points, such as giving examples, making a comparison, or emphasizing an idea. Such words also help to express your opinion or purpose lucidly.
A. Linking Words For IELTS Speaking Task
In the IELTS speaking section, you will be answering some questions about yourself and given a task card to speak on a topic. The linkers for the IELTS speaking section have two roles. Firstly, they will provide a direction for your thoughts. For e.g., words like ‘although’ or ‘on the other hand’ will signal the listener that you will now be giving an opposite view for a statement.
Secondly, linking words will give you time to think while bridging ideas for the second part of the speaking section – the speaking cue card.
Now let us look at the linking words for IELTS that we have put under different categories depending on their purpose.
Simple Connectors (Conjunctions):
- and
- or
- but
Complex Connectors:
1. Adding More Information
- Another reason is
- Also
- And
- As well as
2. Time Phrases
If you need to describe ‘time’ in your speaking task, you can use any of the following linkers.
- At the moment
- Right now
- At present
- Now
- These days
- Nowadays
- Before
- In the past
- Years ago
- At that time
- Then
- When I was younger
3. Causes And Solutions
- Because
- I guess it is because of
- I suppose the best way to deal with this problem is
- The main reason is
- It was caused by
- The best way to solve this is
4. Expressing Ideas
- I think one important thing is
- I suppose the main difference is
- I guess one difference is
5. Giving Examples
- For instance
- Like
- For example
- Such as
6. Being Clear
- What I want to say is
- As I was saying
- What I mean is
7. Contrasting/Opposite
- But
- While
- On the other hand
- Although
- Or
8. For Stating An Opinion
- As far as I am concerned
- In my opinion
- I believe that
- From my point of view
9. To Express Agreement
- I am in agreement
- I quite agree that
- I accept that
- Exactly
10. Signpost Words
Signposting words and phrases will help you tell the examiner what just happened and what will happen next. Simply put, it will guide the examiner through the information.
- To begin with
- However
- In the same way
- Unfortunately
- Likewise
- Similarly
- Nonetheless
- Fundamentally
- Incidentally
- Furthermore
B. Linking Words For IELTS Writing Task 1
In Academic Writing Task 1, you analyze and report the data given in the tables, charts, graphs, diagrams, etc. Whereas in General Writing Task 1, you need to write a formal, semi-formal, or informal letter. In either case, you need to demonstrate solid paragraphing and essay skills, for which you will need IELTS writing linking words. The significant difference between linkers in speaking and the writing task is that the writing linkers are more formal.
Mentioned below are the categories of linking words for IELTS Writing Task 1 and a few examples under each category.
Starting A Paragraph
- According to the graph/figures
- It is clear that
- It can be seen that
- It is noticeable that
Linking Words That Will Help You To Connect Your Ideas:
1. Contrast Words
- In contrast
- However
- whereas/while
- On the other hand
2. Linking Phrases
- In addition
- Furthermore
- Overall, it could be seen that
- According to the data
- It is clear that
3. Time Expressions
- in the year 2000
- at the end/beginning of the period
- over/throughout/during the period in question
- by 2000
- between 1998 and 2000
4. The Last Paragraph
- To conclude
- To sum up
5. Describing A Process
- After this,
- Next,
- The first step is that
- Following this
- Firstly, Secondly, Finally
- The following step is that
- The next step is that
- At the first stage
6. Describing A Map
- It is clear that the principal change
- According to the map,
- One more striking change
- Another notable development
Linking Words For IELTS Writing Task 2
Writing Task 2 for Academic and General IELTS requires students to write a formal essay. The categories of essays include Agree Disagree, Discussion, Problem-Solution, Advantage/Disadvantage, or Two-part question. Like Task 1, Writing Task 2 will also be assessed on the basis of cohesion and coherence. You will be marked on your range, accuracy, and flexibility of using linking words for IELTS Writing Task 2.
Here, the role of the linking words for IELTS would be to give a structure to your ideas. They will also help you to introduce and articulate your thoughts in ways that support your argument, which will form the basis of your discursive essay.
Here is an expansive list of linking words for IELTS Writing Task 2.
1. Listing
- Firstly, secondly, thirdly
- First, furthermore, finally
- To begin, to conclude
- Next
2. Adding More Information
- Also
- Furthermore
- Moreover
- What is more
- In addition
- Besides
- Above all
- As well (as)
- In the same way
- Not only … But also
3. Similarity
- Equally
- Likewise
- Similarly
- Correspondingly
- In the same way
4. Transition To A New Point
- Now,
- As far as x is concerned
- With regard/reference to
- As for
- It follows that
- Turning to
5. Summary
- In conclusion
- To conclude
- In brief
- To summarise
- Overall
- Therefore
6. Giving Examples
- For example
- For instance
- As follows:
- That is
- In this case
- Namely
- In other words
7. Cause/Result/Consequence
- So
- Because
- Because of
- Due to
- On account of
- Owing to
- Therefore
- As a result,/consequence
- Accordingly
- Consequently
- Because of this/that
- Thus
- Hence
- For this/that reason
- So that
- In that case
- Under these circumstances
8. Deduction
- Then
- In other words
- In that case
- Otherwise
- This implies that
- If so/not
9. Stating The Obvious
- Obviously
- Clearly
- Naturally
- Of course
- As can be expected
- Surely
- After all
10. Generalizing
- In general
- Generally
- On the whole
- As a rule
- For the most part
- In most cases
- Usually
11. Highlighting
- In particular
- Particularly
- Especially
- Mainly
- Reformulation
- In other words
- Rather
- To put it more simply
12. Expressing An Alternative
- Alternatively
- Rather
- On the other hand
- The alternative is
- Another possibility would be
13. Contrast
- Instead
- But
- Although
- Though
- Alternatively
- Conversely
- On the contrary
- In contrast
- On the other hand
- In comparison
- Even though
- However
- However much
- Nevertheless
- Still
- Yet
- In spite of
- Despite