What are linking words and phrases?
Linking words and phrases are words connecting ideas together in a text. It shows that two things are related in some way, or that the point you are making has supporting information. Linking words can be found at the start of paragraphs, but also in the middle of sentences to connect two ideas together too.
25% of the IELTS writing score is for coherence and cohesion, in other words, writing clearly. Linking words to join two ideas together are a big part of cohesion to make sure that your writing ‘flows’ well and every sentence makes sense.
Here are some examples of common prepositions, conjunctions and adverbs used in academic writing.
Prepositions/ prepositional phrases (come before noun phrases)
Conjunctions (join two clauses in one sentence)
Adverbs/Adverbial phrases (join two sentences)
Cause/effect because of, due to, because, as a result, therefore
Opposition despite, in spite of, but, although, even though, however
Contrast but, whereas, on the other hand,
Addition and furthermore, in addition, moreover
Example such as, for example
Why is it important to get linking words right?
It’s very common for students to use long words they don’t understand very well in their essays because they have a certain idea of what academic writing should be. Many students believe that academic writing is wordy and convoluted, and uses a lot of jargon. This leads many students to fall into a trap of imagining that the longer the word, the more impressive and intelligent their writing will seem.
We often see long sentences and multisyllabic words where shorter sentences and simpler words would do. Some students even use Microsoft Word’s thesaurus function to replace a common word with a more complicated word. This is a risky move, because unless you’re very careful, the new word may not carry quite the same meaning as the original, even if it’s similar. In short, NEVER try to paraphrase a fixed expression, and many linking phrases are fixed expressions!
The result can range from quite entertaining to confusing, which defeats the purpose of academic writing: to be as clear and concise as possible, using just the right words to convey your argument. Using uncommon words, instead of making your paper seem smarter, generally detracts from your ideas.
To avoid this, using linking or transition words that signpost your arguments can help to clarify your views and show the reader what to expect from certain paragraphs or sentences. These words give structure to the whole, helping you to organise your ideas and assist the reader in understanding them.
Let’s look at an example – Giving a Result
Use: To provide the result of what has been stated or has occurred
Example linking words for giving a result:
- As a result
- Therefore
- Consequently
- For this reason
- Due to
Examples:
- His wife left him. As a result, he became very depressed.
- Many refugees do not have enough money. Therefore they cannot afford good quality housing.
- There has been a great deal of rain and consequently, the reservoirs are full.
- For this reason, they are not a good choice for exterior use.
- Due to a broken wing, this bird can’t fly.
What words will make my writing sound good in IELTS?
Describing similarities
Likewise
Correspondingly
Equally
Not only… but also
In the same way
Similarly
Showing cause and effect
Consequently
As a result
Thus
Hence (never ‘hence why’)
Since (try to avoid ‘as’ when showing cause and effect)
Because
Therefore
Accordingly
This suggests that
It follows that
For this reason
Comparing and contrasting
Alternatively
However
Conversely
On the other hand
Instead
Yet
On the contrary
Showing limitation or contradiction
Despite/in spite of
While (not whilst!)
Even so
On the contrary
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
Although
Admittedly
To illustrate
To clarify
Further (not ‘furthermore’)
First, second and third (not firstly, secondly and thirdly)
For instance
Moreover
Typically
Especially
In fact
Namely
In addition
Concluding (use these phrases at the beginning of your conclusion paragraph)
To summarise
It can be concluded that
As can be seen
Ultimately
Given the above
As described
Finally
How to use linking words with examples
Linking Words to Add more Information
These words simply add additional information to your sentence or paragraph to show that two ideas are connected. Here are some examples:
- It started to rain and I got soaked – ‘and’ is the linking word that connects the two ideas of the individual being in the rain and getting soaked.
- It can’t be the dog’s fault nor the cat’s – ‘nor’ connects the idea that neither the cat or dog was at fault.
- We could go shopping first then get a bite to eat – ‘then’ shows that both ideas are connected, it also adds some sequence to the sentence by showing the order of things.
Linking Words to Contrast a Point
Sometimes you need to link two ideas together that are actually opposites in terms of what you are trying to say. Here are some words that will help you do that:
- Annie could have gone for a run but she decided she was too tired – ‘but’ connects two ideas that are related, but they oppose one another. She could have gone for a run, but she didn’t.
- It’s my turn to make dinner tonight although a takeout might be easier – ‘although’ provides an opposite argument again, so it links the ideas in a contrasting way.
- Carrots seemed to be the bunnies preferred food. On the other hand, lettuce was chosen second most frequently and the difference was marginal – ‘on the other hand’ shows clearly to the reader that a different point of view is coming.
Linking Words to Support a Point
If you’re trying to prove something or say something happened as a result of something else, then you will need words like the following:
- I did badly on my test because I didn’t study – ‘because’ gets the reader ready to learn why somebody didn’t do well on their test.
- I could have done something differently, in fact, we all could have – ‘in fact’ shows that the two ideas are linked together and support one another.
- Jack had been sad since his girlfriend broke up with him – ‘since’ is being used here to explain why Jack was sad, so it links the ideas again.
There are many, many options for linking words but remember, the key to success in IELTS is to only use words and phrases you are confident with. It’s better to use ten linking words accurately and appropriately in your essays than twenty that are incorrect.