Why are connectors, or linking words Important?
In IELTS, there are lots of ways to go wrong! Using very short sentences in speaking or writing can fail to convey the meaning accurately, while long and complex sentences can leave your reader or listener confused, and you may end up with a poor band score. So how do we frame sentences to score Band 7 and above?
Linking words, also known as discourse markers, connecting words, or transition words, are particular words and phrases you can use to connect your ideas and sentences while writing or speaking. You can use linking words for giving examples, adding information, summarising, giving a reason, and contrasting ideas. Linkers can also help candidates put forth their opinion comprehensively and display a greater knowledge and variety of vocabulary.
We will focus here on the importance and correct use of linking words for IELTS. We will also give you examples of linking words that you can use while speaking and specific linking words for IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2.
In short:
- They make the paragraph clear
- They provide cohesion to the written piece
- Help in illustrating how the parts or clauses of a text are connected
- They add more information to a point.
- Help in expressing opinion or purpose
- They help in constructing a suitable conclusion
- Linking words are excellent grammatical and stylistic tools that make your writing or speech clear and keep it fluent and cohesive.
The significant difference between linkers in the speaking and the writing task is that the writing linkers are more formal.
Similarly, in the Writing Task, 25% of marks are given for coherence and cohesion. You will be assessed on your range, accuracy, and flexibility of using linking words in various contexts throughout your report and essay.
Though there is a wide range of linking words to choose from, you must not go overboard with these words and try to use them in moderation. Therefore, in our next section, we will tell you how to use connecting words for IELTS.
How To Correctly Use Connecting Words For IELTS
It is essential to know that linking words, also known as connecting words, cannot be used everywhere. Also, the usage of linking words for IELTS speaking is quite different from IELTS writing linking words. For e.g., you can use the linker ‘like’ in the speaking test, but words like therefore, hereby, and notwithstanding work better in writing. In most cases, linking words are used as conjunctions followed by a comma. Remember that the linking words should come naturally to you while speaking and not give the examiner an impression that you have plugged them intentionally. Some of the key factors to remember while using the linking words for IELTS are:
- Avoid overuse – This is perhaps one of the most common mistakes students make, using linkers for IELTS in every sentence. Though the grammar may be correct, using such words excessively will make you sound robotic. Therefore, the first suggestion is to avoid using these words if you don’t need them.
- Use them accurately – As already mentioned, there are hundreds of options to choose from. Therefore, you must connect your ideas using the right words or phrases.
- Have variety – There may be a particular linker that you frequently use in your writing or speech. Even if it fits perfectly in every context, it will not fetch you higher marks. Therefore, get in the habit of using a variety of linkers for IELTS. The more you highlight practice and test, the better you will get at using connecting words.
- Replace ‘ahhs’ and ‘umms’ with linkers – Using ‘Ummm or ‘aaa’ in your speaking test will signal that you are not fluent in English. If you do not want to lose out on your score, try using linkers when you are stuck in the middle of your speech.
Linking Words For the IELTS Speaking Task
When you use linking words for IELTS speaking test, as well as making your shorter answers sound more polished, they can help you continue in the Speaking Cue Card Task until the examiner asks you to stop. It will demonstrate your vocabulary range and buy you more time to think and continue speaking for 2 minutes. Using the right amount of linkers words in the IELTS speaking test can help you score 25% marks for cohesion and fluency.
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 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.
Simple Connectors to use in most questions:
- 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
- At present
- Now
- These days
- Nowadays
- Before
- Back in the day
- Years ago
- At that time
- Then
- When I was little
3. Causes And Solutions
- Because
- I suppose the best way to deal with this problem is
- The main reason is
- It was caused by
- One way to solve this could be
4. Expressing Ideas / stating an opinion
- I think one important thing is
- I suppose the main difference is
- In my view, the key point is
- I believe that
5. Giving Examples
- For instance
- Like
- For example
- Such as
6. Contrasting/Opposite
- But
- While
- On the other hand
- Although
- Or
7. To Agree or Express Disagreement
- I couldn’t disagree more
- I can’t agree with that
- I quite agree that
- Well, exactly
8. Signpost Words
Signposting words and phrases will help guide the examiner through the information, especially for longer answers.
- To begin with
- However
- Unfortunately
- Similarly
- Nonetheless
- Fundamentally
- Incidentally
- Furthermore
Linking Words For IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
In Academic Writing Task 1, you analyse and report the data given in the tables, charts, graphs, diagrams, and make comparisons. You need to demonstrate solid paragraphing and essay skills, for which you will need IELTS writing linking words.
Here are a few examples to help you in IELTS Academic Writing task 1
Starting a paragraph
- According to the graph/figures
- Overall, it is clear that
- It can be seen that
- It is noticeable that
- In contrast, ________ does not follow this trend.
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 was
- According to the map,
- One more striking change is
- Another notable development was
Linking Words For IELTS Writing Task 2
Writing Task 2 for Academic and General IELTS requires students to write a formal essay. The 5 categories of essays include
- Agree/Disagree
- Discussion
- Problem-Solution
- Advantage/Disadvantage
- Two-part question.
Linking words for IELTS gives 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.
Some examples 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
3. Similarity
- Equally
- Likewise
- Similarly
4. Giving examples
- For example
- For instance
- As follows:
- That is
5. Cause and consequence
- Because of
- Due to
- On account of
- Hence
- For this/that reason
- So that
- In that case
6. Generalizing
- In general
- Generally
- On the whole
- As a rule
7. Expressing An Alternative/contrast
-
Alternatively
- Rather
- On the other hand
- The alternative is
- Another possibility would be
- However
- Nevertheless
- In spite of
- Despite
8. Conclusion
- In conclusion
- To conclude
- In brief
- To summarise
- Overall
- Therefore
Linking Words Mastery: Try Our Online IELTS Essay Checker
Using the right linking words is key for a good IELTS essay. But sometimes, it’s hard to be sure if we are using them right. Is there a way to check? Yes, there is! We have a special tool just for you. It’s called the online IELTS essay checker.
This tool is very helpful. You write your essay and put it in the tool. It then tells you what is good and what you can improve. This way, you get better faster. The best part? Our tool can help you save money.
Many people spend a lot on classes or books to improve their writing. But our online IELTS essay checker doesn’t cost much and helps you right away. After learning linking words on this page, use our online IELTS essay checker. It will show you how to use the words correctly in your essays.
In short, if you want to write good essays and save money, our online IELTS essay checker is for you. It’s easy to use and very helpful. We wish you all the best with your IELTS writing. Keep practicing and good luck!
Final Tips
- Avoid using formal linking words when speaking about yourself in the IELTS Speaking Test.
- Do not use the linking word ‘like’ in the writing tasks. You should only use it (occasionally!) in your speaking test to give examples.
- You will not get high scores for using a range of linking words if they do not fit the context so make sure you don’t use speaking linkers in writing task 1 or 2.
- Don’t worry too much about repeating some linking words while speaking. However, this will not be the case in the writing task. For the writing task, you need to show your proficiency in using different formal linking words.
- As mentioned earlier, connecting words for IELTS should fall in place naturally during your speaking test.
- In short, the more you practice speaking and writing, the more natural you will sound and the higher you will score.
