Linking words for IELTS Writing, and when not to use them

Most linking-word lists make the same mistake: they encourage you to use more. The band descriptors point the other way. At band 6, cohesion can be “faulty or mechanical due to misuse, overuse or omission”. At band 9, it is used “in such a way that it very rarely attracts attention”. The goal is linking that works, not linking you can see.

Linking words by job

Choose a linker for the relationship it shows, never for variety alone.

• Adding: also, in addition, moreover, furthermore, what is more
• Contrast: however, although, while, whereas, on the other hand, nevertheless
• Cause: because, since, as, due to, owing to
• Result: so, therefore, as a result, consequently, this means that
• Example: for example, for instance, such as, in particular
• Concession: admittedly, it is true that… but, even so
• Conclusion: in conclusion, to sum up, overall, on balance

The overuse problem

Free tuition helps more students to study. Moreover, it costs a lot of money. Furthermore, the government has to pay.

“Moreover” here introduces a point that argues against the first sentence, so it is wrong as well as mechanical. Compare:

Free tuition would let more students study. However, it would cost the government a great deal, so taxes might need to rise.

One linker, chosen for its meaning, does more than two used as decoration.

A quick test: delete the linker. If the sentence still connects clearly to the last one, you probably did not need it.

Better than linkers: reference words

Band 7 and above rely on reference and substitution to connect ideas, which the descriptors name directly.

• this / these / such: “Fees deter poorer students. This reduces the pool of future doctors.”
• which / who: “Many graduates start work in debt, which shapes the jobs they accept.”
• one / the latter / the former: “Of the two solutions, the latter is cheaper.”

These connect sentences through meaning, so the reader follows your argument without noticing the joins.

Linkers to use with care

• Firstly, secondly, lastly at the start of every paragraph: acceptable, but mechanical if they are your only structure.
• Last but not least and First and foremost: memorised phrases examiners recognise.
• Besides to add a formal point: it is informal in tone.
• On the other hand without “on the one hand” nearby: fine, but it must introduce a genuinely opposite point.

Check your own essay

Paste an essay into the word counter to see how many sentences start with a linking word and which ones you repeat, or run it through the essay checker for full feedback on Coherence and Cohesion.