Linking Words And Phrases In English (List With Examples)

In this study guide, you will learn how to use linking words in English. You will discover the meaning of common linking words and learn how to use them in a sentence. Examples are provided to show you the sentence position and use of common linking words in English. Check out the exercises at the end to test your understanding!

linkers essay

What are linking words?

  • Meanings & uses
  • List with examples

10 Tips to Prepare Your Academic English for University

What you will learn:

Discourse markers (‘linkers’) are words or phrases that we use to make links between words in a sentence. These discourse markers are used in both spoken and written English.

Here we will focus on discourse markers in writing and formal spoken English – commonly known as ‘linking words’. Linkers are a way of making connections between ideas and sentences.

Formal and informal linkers

Informal linking words are used in spoken English. You can link your ideas with words and phrases like: I mean , honestly , after all , besides and in any case . It is useful to learn which linking words are most appropriate in formal and informal situations. In an email, you might choose linking words such as so , but , and because . These should already be familiar.

In an essay, you are more likely to choose formal linkers, such as therefore , however , consequently, on the contrary and moreover . There are some linking words that are so formal that you may choose not to use them at all in your writing. Examples include: thus , hence and nonetheless .

Linking words and sentence position

Many linking words are used at the beginning of a sentence, while others can be used in the middle or at the end. Words and phrases connected with sequencing and structure appear at the start of a sentence. Examples include: first , secondly , finally and in conclusion . Adverbs, which express the writer’s opinion, also occur at the start of a sentence, for example evidently and obviously .

Linking words can be used between clauses, in the middle of the sentence. Examples include: words that contrast ideas ( however , although), show consequence ( therefore, as a result), and phrases that add more information ( moreover, furthermore) . A few linking words can be placed at the end of the sentence. Look at the following example: Learning a second language is motivating. It can be very difficult, however .

Punctuation

The use of punctuation with some linking words and phrases is important. Some grammar books provide you with specific rules about punctuation and clauses in a sentence. The most important reason for using punctuation in a sentence is so the reader can understand your intended meaning.

Punctuation, particularly commas , should help the reader to identify clauses in your writing and lead to a clearer understanding of the text. Look at these two example sentences – which is easier to understand?

A: To conclude the cars of the future are likely to be more environmentally friendly however this change may take many years to implement and moreover will require the support of the general public.

B: To conclude, the cars of the future are likely to be more environmentally friendly, however, this change may take many years to implement and, moreover, will require the support of the general public.

Linking words are very important in written texts. Without them, your writing may be disconnected and difficult to read. In English examinations, students are often graded on their ability to write cohesive sentences. Therefore, learning how to use linking words correctly is an important skill in learning English as a second language. The examples below will help you to understand the meaning of linking words in written texts and to improve your own linking skills!  

Linking words: meanings and uses

Conjunctions are a familiar group of linking words, which join two clauses in a sentence, such as but , because or however.  In fact, linking words have many different functions in a sentence and range from single words to phrases of up to four words. The categories below show the most common types of linking words.

Sequencing First, secondly, subsequently, finally

Words like first , second and finally appear at the start of a sentence. They help the reader to navigate their way through the text. They are used in essays but also in instructions, for example recipes.

Adding information In addition, also, furthermore, what is more

These linking words are used to give additional information or to strengthen our argument.

Comparison Similarly, equally, likewise

We use these linking words to add further examples or to make connections between ideas.

linkers essay

Giving examples For example, for instance, e.g., such as

Use these linking words to give examples.

Consequence Consequently, therefore, as a result, hence

These linking words can be used to describe how one idea logically follows another.

Generalisation On the whole, generally, in general

These linking words are usually positioned at the start of a sentence. They are used before a general statement.

Summing up To sum up, in summary, to summarise, to conclude, in conclusion

These types of phrases are commonly used to start the final section of an essay. They are also used in formal spoken English, for example a speech or the TV news, to signal to the listener that the speech is coming to an end.

Contrasting However, on the other hand, conversely, in contrast, rather, while, whereas

These linking words are used to introduce an idea or argument that contrasts with what has been said before. In an essay, they are useful for introducing, for example, the disadvantages in an advantages and disadvantages essay. The use of rather in this context is very formal.

Stating fact In fact, as a matter of fact, actually

These types of linking words can be used to signal to the reader that the writer’s meaning is different to what the reader expects.

Concession Although, despite, in spite of, even though

These linking words are used to show that we acknowledge another person’s opinion, even if we may not agree with it.  

A-Z List of common linking words with examples

The list below includes all the commonly used linking words in written English. Example sentences are also provided to help you understand them in context.  

Additionally Additionally , students should complete at least 3 hours of homework per week.  

As a result In recent years, few students have studied languages at school. As a result , the number of people taking language courses at degree level has decreased.  

But It is important to adjust your mirrors, but do not do this while driving your car.

Consequently John did not study hard for his exams. Consequently , his grades was disappointing.

Conversely People who have no savings often have trouble when applying for bank loans. Conversely , those who already have savings find it much easier to get credit.

Equally Studying languages face-to-face has a positive impact on learning. Equally , online learning can allow students to progress quickly.

Firstly, secondly, etc. Firstly , we’d like to say a warm welcome to all our new undergrads. Secondly , we’d like to remind you that students should attend all lectures on time for the duration of the semester.

For example You should wear suitable clothing for this trip. For example , a waterproof coat and a warm hat.  

For instance You can substitute some ingredients in this recipe. For instance , honey can be used instead of sugar.

Furthermore In my opinion, the government should provide adequate guidance on physical exercise. Furthermore , I believe it has a duty to advise the public on health and diet.

Generally (speaking) Generally , working from home is less stressful and more productive than working in a noisy office.

Hence Mark had inherited a lot of money from his grandmother; hence the large house.  

However Sports facilities, such as gyms and swimming pools, help people to keep fit. However , people also need motivation to help them improve their health.

In addition As a community, we should do more to improve our wellbeing. In addition , the government should start a new advertising campaign to promote health and fitness nationwide.

In conclusion In conclusion , the advantages of tourism outweigh the disadvantages.

linkers essay

In contrast Working from home can save time and money. In contrast , commuting long distances to work every day can be time-consuming and expensive.  

In fact We didn’t enjoy the film. In fact , it was pretty terrible!

In general In general , working from home is more convenient than travelling to the office.

In particular Young children are influenced by the people around them, in particular their parents.  

In spite of this Tony was not offered a place at his chosen university. In spite of this , he achieved a first class degree and went on to have a successful career.

Likewise Squirrels feed on hard grains and nuts, using their sharp front cutting teeth to break up their food. Likewise , rats are able to gnaw through hard materials.

Moreover Children from less affluent households were reported to read less. Moreover , children who did not have books in the house were found to be much more likely to have a low reading age.

Nevertheless You should try to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and reduce your fat intake. Nevertheless , any changes you can make to your diet will have a positive effect.  

Nonetheless The disadvantages of living in a city include noise and pollution. Nonetheless , the majority of people still choose to live in urban areas.

On the contrary On the contrary , many students chose universities that showed a good standard of teaching rather than a high ranking.

On the other hand Tourism can have a positive effect on the wealth of a country. On the other hand , it can also have a negative impact on the environment.

On the whole On the whole , most students prefer informal tutorial groups to large group lectures.  

Rather Rob wasn’t successful in the interview, rather he was given some advice on improving his application.

So I really love Spanish culture, so I’m looking forward to my trip to Madrid next month.

Such as Stringed instruments, such as the violin and the cello, are among the most difficult to learn.

Therefore Sue broke her leg. Therefore , she was unable to attend work for a month.

Thus The availability of high-sugar and high-fat foods has had an impact on people’s health; thus , the rate of obesity is increasing.

To conclude To conclude , a child’s home background has a dramatic effect on their educational achievement.

Positive excited multi-ethnic students in casual clothing lying on floor in campus library and laughing while watching curious video on laptop

To summarise To summarise , consumer habits are changing: there has been a marked increase in the amount of clothing and technology sold online during the pandemic.

To sum up To sum up , learning a new skill, like a language, can be challenging, but it is also rewarding.

Similarly Similarly , increasing the price of fuel and raising parking charges may discourage people from driving into city centres.

Still Digital technology has made working from home easier. Still , many people prefer the social contact of going to their workplace.

What is more Too much screen time may affect children’s activity levels. What is more , extended time spent using electronic devices may have a negative impact on their eyesight.

Whereas Boys tend to develop physical skills, such as jumping, at a young age, whereas girls tend to develop fine motor skills.

While While men still make up the largest proportion of students on science courses, the number of women is steadily increasing.

Yet The penalties for breaking the law are high, yet some people continue to commit crimes.  

Linking words: exercises

  • Which of these groups of linking words show consequence? a. however, although, but b. therefore, so, as a result c. for example, such as d. to conclude, in summary, to sum up
  • Which of these groups of linking words are used to contrast ideas? a. however, although, but b. therefore, so, as a result c. for example, such as d. to conclude, in summary, to sum up
  • Which linking word does not belong in this group? a. on the whole b. in general c. as a result d. generally
  • Which statement is correct? a. Linking words can be positioned at the start, middle or end of a sentence. b. Linking words can be positioned at the start or end of a sentence. c. There are no rules about where linking words can be positioned in a sentence. d. Linking words can be positioned at the middle or end of a sentence.
  • Which word is spelled incorrectly ? a. nonethemless b. consequently c. similarly d. likewise
  • Which word has a similar meaning to ‘sum up’? a. in conclusion          b. in addition          c. in contrast
  • I eat lots of vegetables, _______________ carrots, broccoli and peppers. a. such as b. similarly          c. therefore
  • Jason’s income has decreased in recent months, ________ he needs to be careful with money. a. although b. therefore          c. however
  • The weather here reaches around -10ºC in winter, ________ the summer is quite warm. a. whereas    b. so c. in addition
  • _____________ measure the dry ingredients and put them in a bowl. a. in spite of this      b. first          c. hence
  • You can use a paper dictionary to check vocabulary. _________, you can use an electronic dictionary. a. in any case b. subsequently c. equally d. for instance
  • Eating healthy food can have an impact on your weight and your health. ____________, you should try to limit your consumption of fatty food. a. rather b. in particular c. despite this d. while
  • There are many ways to read a book electronically. _________, many people still choose to buy paperback books. a. to sum up          b. yet      c. for example        d. what is more
  • Many people like the convenience of working solo from home. _____________, working with other people can be more motivating. a. for instance      b. therefore        c. nonetheless        d. conversely
  • Which word does not fit in this group of linking words? a . on the other hand b. nevertheless c. however      d. finally
  • Which word does not fit in this group of linking words? a. as a matter of fact b. in fact    c. whereas    d. actually  
  • Which linking words are used to add information? a. similarly, equally, likewise b. to conclude, in conclusion, in summary c. on the other hand, whereas, however d. in addition, furthermore, what is more
  • Which linking words are used to make comparisons? a. similarly, equally, likewise b. to conclude, in conclusion, in summary c. on the other hand, whereas, however d. in addition, furthermore, what is more
  • Which linking words are used for summing up? a. similarly, equally, likewise b. to conclude, in conclusion, in summary c. on the other hand, whereas, however d. in addition, furthermore, what is more
  • Which linking words are used to contrast ideas? a. similarly, equally, likewise b. to conclude, in conclusion, in summary c. on the other hand, whereas, however d. in addition, furthermore, what is more

————————————————————————————————————–

  • nonetheless

linkers essay

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  • Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Published on May 29, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 23, 2023.

Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.

The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.

For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.

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Table of contents

When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words, other interesting articles.

Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.

Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.

Example text with and without transition words

The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.

If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently , France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However , Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.

Don’t overuse transition words

While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.

In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.

The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.

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linkers essay

There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.

Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.

Additive transition words

Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.

Adversative transition words

Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.

Causal transition words

Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.

Sequential transition words

Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.

Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.

Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.

Confused use of therefore

“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.

  • We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. Therefore , the average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”

  • We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. The average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

Starting a sentence with also , and , or so

While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.

  • Also , a second round of testing was carried out.

To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.

  • A second round of testing was also carried out.
  • Additionally , a second round of testing was carried out.

Transition words creating sentence fragments

Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions . This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.

The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.

  • Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. Although other researchers disagree.

We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”

  • Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed, although other researchers disagree.
  • Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. However , other researchers disagree.

And vs. as well as

Students often use the phrase “ as well as ” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.

  • Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf, as well as presenting my analysis of To the Lighthouse .

In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before “as well as” but not before “and.”

  • Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf and presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse .
  • Chapter 1 presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse , as well as discussing some background information on Woolf.

Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”

  • Both my results as well as my interpretations are presented below.
  • Both my results and my interpretations are presented below.

Use of and/or

The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.

First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.

  • Participants were asked whether they used the bus and/or the train.
  • Participants were asked whether they used the bus, the train, or both.

Archaic transition words

Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.

  • Poverty is best understood as a disease. Hereby , we not only see that it is hereditary, but acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.

  • Poverty is best understood as a disease. Understanding it as such , we not only see that it is hereditary, but also acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

Using a paraphrasing tool for clear writing

With the use of certain tools, you can make your writing clear. One of these tools is a paraphrasing tool . One thing the tool does is help your sentences make more sense. It has different modes where it checks how your text can be improved. For example, automatically adding transition words where needed.

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75 linking words for academic writing (+examples)

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Linking words play an important role in academic writing: They connect different paragraphs, sections or ideas in a text. Therefore, they considerably improve the readability and argumentation of academic texts such as a thesis, dissertation, essay or journal publication. This list of 75 linking words includes examples of how they can be used in academic writing.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase using the links below at no additional cost to you . I only recommend products or services that I truly believe can benefit my audience. As always, my opinions are my own.

Linking words expressing order and sequence in academic writing

Linking words expressing additions in academic writing, linking words expressing cause and effect in academic writing, linking words expressing contrasts and comparisons in academic writing, linking words expressing emphasis in academic writing, linking words expressing illustrations in academic writing, linking words expressing summaries and conclusions in academic writing, linking words expressing conditionality in academic writing, linking words expressing generalisations in academic writing, linking words expressing concessions in academic writing.

1. First(ly), second(ly), third(ly)

Example: First, I review the existing literature on cross-border collaboration. Second, I explain the methodology …

Example: The thesis starts with a literature review. Next, I describe the case study design.

Example: Finally, recommendations for future research are presented.

4. Subsequently

Example: Study participants underwent several experiments and were subsequently examined.

5. Afterwards

Example: The event increased public awareness of this issue. Afterwards, politicians debated it more openly.

6. Eventually

Example: Eventually, this led to the creation of a social movement.

Example: Before scientists discovered the role of neurons in information processing, they assumed that…

8. Previously

Example: Previously, scholars believed that nurture was the most important factor in a child’s development.

linkers essay

Example: Scholars examine the causes and effects of poverty.

10. Furthermore

Example: Furthermore, the data illustrates the number of chemicals that can be found in drinking water.

11. Additionally

Example: Additionally, the interviewee lamented a lack of attention to his work.

12. As well as

Example: Scholars utilise qualitative as well as quantitative methods to study this phenomenon.

13. Besides

Example: Besides the public outreach component, we wrote a handbook to disseminate the research results in the academic community.

Example: The financial compensation was also appreciated by the study participants.

15. Moreover

Example: Moreover, interviewees were asked to describe their own experiences.

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16. Because

Example: This theory was ultimately rejected because it was built on a flawed dataset.

Example: The outcomes improved since different parties joined forces.

Example: As the number of studies increases, better conclusions can be drawn.

Example: Scientists realised that the data analysis had flaws. So they decided not to run the same data analysis again.

20. Therefore

Example: Many researchers have conducted this experiment with similar results. Therefore, this theory can be debunked.

21. Consequently

Example: The literature highlights the importance of age and physical fitness. Consequently, these factors will be investigated further.

Example: Due to a low response rate, the study’s validity is low.

23. Nevertheless

Example: One academic study found the opposite results. Nevertheless, it can be argued that…

Example: Many scholars have explored this issue. Yet, to date, no inclusive framework exists to explain…

25. Although

Example: Although a confidentiality agreement was provided, study participants were hesitant to disclose private information.

26. In spite of

Example: In spite of the different study contexts, all experiments pointed to similar results.

27. Whereas

Example: People often stated that they are aware of the rules whereas they behaved as if they did not.

Example: While older studies often emphasise structural effects, newer ones tend to highlight the role of agency.

29. In contrast

Example: In contrast to previous findings, my analysis shows that…

30. Similarly

Example: One study found that the majority of residents in disadvantaged areas do not have access to sufficient resources. Similarly, my research revealed that most residents live too far away from the services and resources they would need to climb the social ladder.

31. Equally

Example: E qually important, however, is the role of personal beliefs in decision-making processes.

32. Likewise

Example: The interviewee considered this issue important and expected his colleagues to do likewise.

33. On the other hand

Example: On the one hand, research in this field advanced considerably in the last 20 years. On the other hand, a lot remains unclear.

Example: Unlike social scientists, physical scientists often conduct laboratory examinations.

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35. Particularly

Example: Particularly relevant for this study is the molecular orbital theory.

36. Especially

Example: Especially younger interviewees expressed dissatisfaction with the status quo.

37. Above all

Example: Above all, this method can generate better insights into the physical processes at hand.

Example: Indeed, motivation turned out to be a defining factor of academic success.

38. Clearly

Example: Clearly, these scholars were not aware of recent advances in medical sciences.

39. Definitely

Example: This was definitely the most important event of the year.

40. Importantly

Example: More importantly, the findings underscore the importance of conflict resolution.

41. Undoubtedly

Example: Undoubtedly, all stakeholders had good intentions.

42. Obviously

Example: Obviously it is too early to draw final conclusions.

43. Of course

Example: Of course, this study should be replicated in a different context.

44. Surprisingly

Example: Surprisingly, all results were unambiguous.

45. Such as

Example: Scientists have explored different parts of the problem, such as CO2 emissions and hydrological processes.

46. For example

Example: Many interviewees were nervous. For example, when asked to describe the event, some of them started to stutter.

47. For instance

Example: Scholars have criticised this approach for different reasons. For instance, they argued that qualitative methods are insufficient to draw generalisable conclusions.

48. In this case

Example: Difficulties arise when no study participants can be found. In this case, alternative methods should be considered.

50. To conclude

Example: To conclude, the empirical analysis supports previous research findings.

51. In conclusion

Example: In conclusion, the reviewed literature highlights a clear research gap.

52. To sum up

Example: To sum up, a mixed methods approach is a better choice than a purely quantitative one.

53. In summary

Example: In summary, it is my opinion that conditions should be improved.

54. In short

Example: In short, scholars call for more research on climate change mitigation.

55. Altogether

Example: Altogether, these examples support the main argument.

Example: Energy supply became a growing problem. Thus, new policies were implemented.

Example: The first dataset was incomplete. Hence, a new dataset had to be developed.

Example: Unless stated otherwise, I refer to the concept as…

59. As long as

Example: As long as the conditions do not change, the results should remain stable.

Example: If scientists study this phenomenon in the future, they should pay attention to structural drivers.

61. Provided that

Example: Provided that nothing changes, the effects on society will be negative.

Example: Should the distribution change, it is fair to expect…

63. Even if

Example: Even if more experiments are conducted, human behaviour remains hard to predict.

Example: Often, this issue was flagged by interviewees themselves.

65. Commonly

Example: Commonly, this criterion is used for categorising plants.

66. Overall

Example: Overall the data confirmed the hypothesis.

67. Typically

Example: Typically emotions run high in such situations.

68. Generally

Example: Generally speaking, scholars address this issue from two angles.

Example: Mainly researchers in the global North discuss this phenomenon.

Example: Mostly, these results cannot be replicated outside of the lab.

71. Even if

Example: This is hard to prove. Even if the study sample is large enough.

72. Regardless of

Example: Regardless of their genetic makeup, mice showcased the same symptoms.

Example: Albeit experiencing setbacks, successful students do not get discouraged.

74. Admittedly

Example: Admittedly, the validity of this study should be increased.

75. Nonetheless

Example: Nonetheless, this study can be seen as a valuable contribution to the international literature.

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ESLBUZZ

Useful Linking Words and Phrases to Use in Your Essays

By: Author Sophia

Posted on Last updated: October 26, 2023

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Linking words and phrases are used to show relationships between ideas. They can be used to join two or more sentences or clauses.

We can use linking words to give a result , add information , summarize , give illustrations , emphasize a point , sequence information , compare or to contrast idea .

Useful Linking Words and Phrases

In this article, you will learn about the most common linking words and phrases:

Useful Linking Words and Phrases

Giving a Result

Usage : To provide the result of what has been stated or has occurred

Linking W ords :

  • As a result
  • As a consequence
  • Consequently
  • For this reason
  • His wife left him.  As a result , he became very depressed.
  • She has lived in France, and  as a consequence  she speaks French fluently.
  • We do not have enough money.  T herefore  we cannot afford to buy the new car.
  • We do not own the building.  Thus , it would be impossible for us to make any major changes to it.
  • There has been a great deal of rain and  consequently  the reservoirs are full.
  • The customer was displeased with her meal,  hence  the chef prepared a replacement.
  • For this reason , they are not a good choice for exterior use.
  • Due to  a broken wing, this bird can’t fly.

Useful Linking Words and Phrases

Adding Information

Usage : To add to what has been previously stated

Linking Words:

  • Additionally / an additional
  • Furthermore
  • As well as that
  • In addition
  • In addition to this
  • Apart from this
  • Additionally , the bus service will run on Sundays, every two hours.
  • He said he had not discussed the matter with her.  Furthermore , he had not even contacted her.
  • We are unable to repair this watch.  Also , this is the fourth time this has happened.
  • I love wearing earrings. I design and make them  too .
  • We went to the park today.  As well as that , we did some shopping.
  • Along with  parties and parliaments, elections have lost their charm.
  • I can’t afford to go to the concert.  Besides , I don’t really like classical music.
  • You haven’t paid the rent yet.   In addition , you owe me money.
  • The report is badly presented.  Moreover , it contains inaccuracies.
  • John’s grades are terrible because he has been so lazy these days.  In addition to this , his relationship to his parents got worse.
  • Apart from this  paragraph, the report contains a number of sensible initiatives.

Adding information

Summarizing

Usage : To sump up what has been previously stated

Linking words :

  • In conclusion
  • To summarize
  • To conclude
  • In conclusion , walking is a cheap, safe, enjoyable and readily available form of exercise.
  • To summarize , this is a clever approach to a common problem.
  • The food was good and we loved the music.  Altogether  it was a great evening.
  • His novels belong to a great but vanished age. They are,  in short , old-fashioned.
  • To sum up , there are three main ways of tackling the problem…
  • In summary , this was a disappointing performance.
  • Briefly , our team is now one of the best in the world.
  • To conclude , I want to wish you all a very happy holiday season.

Giving Examples

Usage : To provide examples

Linking words:

  • For example/ For instance
  • In this case
  • Proof of this
  • There are many interesting places to visit in the city,  for example / for instance , the botanical garden or the art museum.
  • I prefer to wear casual clothes,  such as  jeans and a sweatshirt.
  • Including  Christmas Day and Boxing Day, I’ve got a week off work.
  • We need to concentrate on our target audience,  namely  women aged between 20 and 30.
  • I think I would have made a difference  in this case .
  • This building are a living  proof of this  existence, so we must preserve it.
  • I also make other jewellery  like  rings and bracelets.

Emphasizing a Point

Usage : To put forward a point or idea more forcefully

  • Undoubtedly
  • Particularly / in particular
  • Importantly
  • Without a doubt
  • It should be noted
  • Unquestionably
  • Undoubtedly , the story itself is one of the main attractions.
  • I don’t mind at all.  Indeed , I would be delighted to help.
  • Obviously , we don’t want to spend too much money.
  • I love silver earrings,  in particular  ones from Mexico
  • The car is quite small,  especially  if you have children.
  • Clearly , this will cost a lot more than we realized.
  • More importantly , can he be trusted?
  • He’s an  absolutely  brilliant cook.
  • I  definitely  remember sending the letter.
  • We still believe we can win this series  without a doubt .
  • I’m  neve r  surprised at what I do.
  • It should be noted  that   if you have something to note, then note it
  • Unquestionably , teaching has been a paramount part of his career.
  • Above all , this forest is designed for wear and tear.
  • This is  positively  the worst thing that I can even imagine.

Useful Linking Words and Phrases

Sequencing Ideas

Usage : To indicate the order of what is being said

  • First/ firstly (Second/ secondly, Third/ thirdly, Finally)
  • At this time
  • Subsequently
  • Lastly and most importantly
  • Last but not least
  • First and foremost
  • Firstly , I prefer the train because I can see the landscape.
  • At this time , the young man leapt into the air and flew off towards sunset.
  • They arrived on Monday evening and we got there the  following  day.
  • I had visited them three days  previously .
  • Your name is  before  mine on the list.
  • Subsequently , new guidelines were issued to all employees.
  • Above all , keep in touch.
  • Lastly, and most importantly , you should be optimistic.
  • Last but not least , I find I seriously cannot relate to women.
  • We will continue to focus on our players  first and foremost .

Sequencing Ideas

Comparing Ideas

Usage:  To show how things are similar

  • Compare / compare(d) to(with)
  • By the same token
  • In the same way
  • Correspondingly
  • Similarly , the basketball and hockey games draw nearly full attendance.
  • Equally , not all customers are honest.
  • Her second marriage was  likewise  unhappy.
  • She’s  just as  smart as her sister.
  • Working with housecats is  just like  working with lions or tigers.
  • Some people say I have a running style  similar to  him.
  • Having a power is not  the same as  using the power.
  • He gets the ball off quickly  compared to  two years ago.
  • Teenagers should be more respectful;  by the same token , parents should be more understanding.
  • Alex enjoys telling jokes;  in the same way/similarly/likewise ,his son adores funny stories.
  • Correspondingly , the roles each of them played were soon different.

Contrasting Ideas

Usage : To show how things are different

  • Nevertheless
  • On the other hand
  • Nonetheless
  • Despite / in spite of
  • In contrast (to)
  • Alternatively
  • Differing from
  • Contrary to
  • Unlike  most systems, this one is very easy to install.
  • There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law.  Nevertheless , it is important that we try.
  • Laptops are convenient;  O n the other hand , they can be expensive.
  • The problems are not serious.  Nonetheless , we shall need to tackle them soon.
  • Despite/ In spite of  the rain, I went for a walk.
  • In contrast to  the diligent bee, the butterfly flies hither and yon with no apparent purpose.
  • The agency will make travel arrangements for you.  Alternatively , you can organize your own transport.
  • Northern European countries had a great summer.  On the contrary/conversely , Southern Europe had poor weather.
  • Even so , many old friends were shocked at the announcement.
  • Differing from  his white colleagues, he preferred instructing his scholars to the ambition of acquiring personal renown.
  • The situation in Ireland is quite  contrary to  this principle.

Useful Linking Words and Phrases

Linking Words for Essays | Images

Below is a handy list of words that are both useful and appropriate to academic language:

Linking Words for Essays

Other linking words to give an example or an illustration:

  • In  this  case,
  • In  another  case
  • Take  the  case  of
  • To  illustrate
  • As  an
  • Illustration
  • To  take  another  example
  • That  is
  • As  shown  by
  • As  illustrated  by
  • As expressed by

Linking Words for Essays

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IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2 – Linking Words (with PDF)

IELTS linking words PDF - image by Magoosh

Just how important are linkers for IELTS? When it comes to Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2, connecting words for IELTS are incredibly important. Overall, they’ll have a significant impact on your band descriptor—in other words, on your IELTS scores. So how do you use IELTS writing linking words well? I’ll show you how in this IELTS linking words PDF!

IELTS Linking Words PDF

Magoosh IELTS Linking Words - Get the PDF

Once you’ve downloaded the IELTS linking words PDF , come back to this post to read on. In this post, we’ll look at linkers for IELTS and how you can use connecting words for IELTS tasks to boost your score.

Table of Contents

How to use linking words for ielts writing task 1, how to use linking words for ielts writing task 2, connecting words for both ielts tasks.

  • Comparison/Opposition
  • Consequence/Result
  • Practice with Linking Words for Writing Task 1

Practice with Linking Words for Writing Task 2

Using the ielts linking words pdf, the function of linking words in ielts writing.

The IELTS Writing exam is marked on four criteria : grammar and sentence structure; vocabulary usage; answering the task response; and coherence and cohesion. Each makes up 25% of the overall score. Often, when I read an essay by an ESL student, I’m impressed by their range of vocabulary and their expert grammar use, but disappointed about how incoherently one sentence flows to the next.

In other words? They need more connecting words for IELTS’s higher band descriptors!

To develop coherence and cohesion, we need to use a variety of phrases to link one idea to the next, so that the reader can follow your thinking. How you’ll do this should vary according to the task type that you’re approaching. Take a look at IELTS band descriptors 1 and 2 , then see how to use linkers for IELTS below!

On IELTS Task 1 , you’ll write a report based on two visuals (think: charts and graphs ). You’ll need connecting words for IELTS Task 1 to:

  • Transition from a description of one visual to a description of the other
  • Compare and contrast key features of the visuals
  • Point out and highlight data or details of the visuals

For IELTS Task 2 , you’ll write an extended response to a prompt. In this case, you’ll need linkers for IELTS Task 2 to:

  • Present your opinion
  • Move between paragraphs
  • Provide reasons
  • Give examples
  • Explain conditions and consequences of different scenarios

IELTS Back to Top button-Magoosh

Even though the two IELTS Writing tasks are very different, you’ll still need to structure your responses with an introduction in either case. And a conclusion could potentially be used in both tasks as well, although conclusions are optional in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. (See our article on Writing Task 1 Academic paragraph structure for details.) Because of this, IELTS Writing linking words that will help you on both tasks are those that:

  • Connect your introduction to your summary of the visuals
  • Move from your main discussion to your conclusion.

Categories of Linkers for IELTS Writing

With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at several series of linking words to help you on test day! You can also download these in the IELTS linking words PDF to return to for reinforcement.

While most of these words can be used in either task, I’ve put asterisks (*) by different words that are particularly good for Task 1 or Task 2. Here’s the key:

* Especially good linking words for IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic) ** Especially good IELTS Writing Task 2 linking words (Note, however, that any of these phrase categories can be pretty useful in either essay!)

  • I think/feel/believe that…
  • Personally, I feel that…
  • As far as I am concerned…
  • From my point of view…
  • I admit that….
  • I concur that…
  • I agree that….
  • Furthermore,…
  • In addition,…
  • Additionally,…
  • On top of that,…
  • Especially,…
  • In particular,…
  • Particularly,…
  • Without a doubt,…
  • Obviously,…
  • Importantly,…

Comparison/Opposition*

  • In contrast,…
  • By contrast…
  • In comparison,…
  • Meanwhile,…
  • On the other hand,…
  • Alternatively,…
  • Nevertheless,…

Condition**

  • Unless…
  • On the condition that…
  • Provided that…
  • As long as…
  • Supposing that…

Concession**

  • Admittedly,…
  • Even though…
  • In spite of…
  • For instance,…
  • For example,…
  • A very good example is…
  • The best example is…
  • To illustrate,…
  • First of all,…
  • To start with…
  • Thirdly/fourthly/etc.,…

Consequence/Result**

  • As a result,…
  • As a consequence,…
  • Consequently,…
  • Accordingly,…
  • Therefore,…
  • On that account,…
  • For that reason,…

Conclusion**

  • In conclusion,…
  • To conclude,…
  • In the end,…
  • To summarize,…
  • To sum up,…

Ready to put your knowledge from the IELTS linking words PDF to the test? Here are some exercises you can use to practice using linkers for IELTS!

Practice with IELTS Linking Words for Writing Task 1

You can find the prompt for this question here !

These graphics highlight several key trends. (1) ________, in general terms, slightly more than half the population owned computers in 2002. (2) ________, that number rose to roughly 75% over the next eight years. (3)________, these numbers varied by group. (4)________, postgraduates were always ahead of the general population: roughly three-quarters of postgraduates owned computers in 2002, that figure rose to nearly 95% by 2010. (5)________, those who had not finished high school began with only a 15% computer ownership rate, which increased to about 45% after eight years.

(1) Firstly/First of all/To start with

(2) However/But/Nevertheless

(3) On the other hand/However/But/Nevertheless

(4) Any example linking word would work here except “such as,” because this is the beginning of a sentence.

linkers essay

(1)________, young people need freedom to make choices, especially when it comes to their careers. Deep down, some parents may want their children to choose prestigious careers, or jobs that will impact society in some way. These wishes are normal and not necessarily harmful. (2)________, it can be problematic if these desires turn into firm expectations. (3)________, offering a child freedom does not imply that parents should be absent. Parents should strive to foster open communication about career decisions. (4)_______, if Tim’s aspirations do not line up with his parents’ wishes, he may, (5) _______ fear that approaching them could lead to judgement and confrontation.

(1) Any opinion linking word or phrase would work here except for “I concur that” or “I agree that,” because this is the first idea introduced in the essay.

(2) Admittedly,

(3) However,/But/On the other hand,/Nevertheless,

The best way to improve your use of IELTS Writing linking words is to practice repeatedly, checking your work thoroughly each time. With the IELTS Linking Words PDF, we’ve made this easy for you!

In the IELTS linking words PDF, you’ll find the key information from this post. This includes the lists of linking words, which task(s) each word is best for, and practice using linking words using the exercises below!

Incorporating IELTS Writing linking words into your practice by using the PDF regularly will help you achieve greater fluency for test day–and help you boost your band score. Make it a regular part of your practice! And be sure to read up on the whole IELTS Writing section, so you can study for the test effectively. Magoosh has a complete guide to IELTS Writing that can help.

Eliot Friesen

Eliot Friesen-Meyers is the Senior Curriculum Manager for Magoosh IELTS and TOEFL. He attended Goshen College (B.A.), New York University (M.A.), and Harvard University (M.T.S.), gaining experience and skills in curriculum development, ESOL instruction, online teaching and learning, and IELTS and TOEFL test prep education. Eliot’s teaching career started with Literacy Americorps in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later, taught ESL programs at Northeastern University, University of California-Irvine, and Harold Washington College. Eliot was also a speaker at the 2019 TESOL International Conference . With over 10 years of experience, he understands the challenges students face and loves helping them overcome those challenges. Come join Eliot on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram . Recent blog posts Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 1 Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 2

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11 responses to “IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2 – Linking Words (with PDF)”

bijan heidarnejad Avatar

Hi, Thanks a million. It is very useful.

Mir Danish Avatar

I wrote IELTS for getting Canadian PR however I got less in “Writing”. My score was “6.5” and “7” in “listening”. My overall band was “7” and the total score as 370. Could anyone share a few tips? Initially I strongly believed that IELTS apart from being a competitive exam, was a source of business as well as they deliberately made us fail but I slowly started feeling that perhaps I could have done errors. Anyways encapsulating my words, “Any tips”?

gigi Avatar

Thank you. I really found this post useful because I have been struggling to start my body paragraph and have no idea what to write.

Magoosh Expert

Glad you enjoyed it, Gigi!

khaled Avatar

Hallo there

Is it possible to know one type of writting an easy so it can cover deffrent subject and deferent varaity of topic ensteed I read each topic and subject endevsoual. Best regards Khleed

I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you are trying to ask here! Can you please ask in a different way or provide some more details or an example of what you are looking for? Thanks!

Jharanaa Avatar

Yeay 👏 it’s so helpful ❤️

Yeay 👏 it’s so helpful and now I’ll prepare using your ideas

So glad to hear it! 😀

Malakpreet kaur Avatar

I believe that this will help me to achieve what I really want to claim in my life….. I HOPE SO.

Hi Malakpreet,

We hope so too! Best of luck to you! 😀

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AllAssignmentHelp.com

Linking Words To Use In An Essay

linkers essay

Table of Contents

Concerned that your essay isn’t logical or has enough structure? You can include linking words, or transition words to make it stronger.

An essay is a crucial type of academic paper. It needs to have a clear flow so that the readability is perfect. Precisely stated, the sentences you create should naturally flow into one another. However, using linking words helps ensure that the sentences in your essay make sense. The words serve as the perfect linkers and overpasses to break up sentence segmentation. Additionally, these words can be used to present a conclusion, provide details, summarise, highlight a point, arrange material, compare and contrast ideas, and give illustrations. You might not be aware of these words and how to use them in your essay writing. Don’t worry. We are here to help you! This blog of All Assignment Help will let you know all about linking words and how you can use them in your essay writing to make it more effective and readable.

What are Linking Words?

Linking words are those words that showcase a connection between sentences. They help in forming the uniformity in the essay. Often referred to as transition words, these words serve to establish a connection between paragraphs or other essay sections. Linking words serves as a means of connecting the ideas or thoughts expressed in essays.

Moreover, the use of linking words makes your writing look more logical. Thus, you should use proper linking words to reduce the reading efforts of the readers. Your essay shouldn’t cause readers mental strain to understand it. Therefore, it is essential to make things simple for them.

Essays commonly use linking words in the following places:

  • The beginning of a paragraph
  • Beginning of a statement that expands on an argument or presents something new
  • At the start of a concluding statement

However, you need to use the right to link it from one another sentences or paragraphs. For example, when you are writing an argumentative essay , you need to make sure the flow of linking words is correct and logical so that the argument you are presenting sounds accurate.

Read Here: Words You May Find Confusing

The Reasons Behind Using Linking Words in Essays

Essay sentences that link is a crucial component of academic writing. To put it another way, you cannot write a paper without using them. Otherwise, readers will not understand what you have written. Linking words in the essay are used to:

  • Link concepts in your writing
  • Organize your ideas and arguments so that readers can follow along and grasp what you are trying to communicate.
  • Lead readers from one concept to the next while highlighting their connections.
  • Draw readers in and encourage them to continue reading the following sentence or paragraph
  • Provide more details
  • Strengthen or disprove an argument
  • Show the outcome, draw a conclusion, and illustrate how this or that point is affected

Every phrase and paragraph in an essay must lead the reader to the next one using essay maker and connecting words. The purpose of these transitional words is to help readers move from one idea or point to the next.

Three Main Types of Linking Words

There are three main types of linking words i.e. coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and correlative conjunctions. Let’s discuss these three more briefly.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are utilized to join two or more equally important items. Another name for them is FANBOYS, which is a shorthand for For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So.

For example, she is putting a lot of effort into her studies to gain admission to a reputable university.

Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinate clause is joined to a main clause by a subordinating conjunction. However, the supporting clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and is of lesser significance than the main clause.

For example, she stayed home from work because she felt sick.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are utilized in pairs to connect two things of equal value. They are used to illustrate the connection between two concepts.

For example, not only did she finish her work, but she also helped her colleagues.

You can learn about the types of linking words by taking an online course. You can also hire someone to take your online class for you to get professional assistance which will help you in acing your online course with great credits.

Useful Linking Words for Essay Writing

It is not an easy task to compose a compelling essay. If you want to make your essay more appealing and expressive, focus on research, presentation, and persuasion. However, if you don’t have a knack for writing, then you will fail miserably in forming a logical essay with judicial use of linking words.

There are various categories of linking words one can use while writing an essay. Here, you will share the main categories and word lists to be used while framing an essay.

linking words

Linking Words List for Agreement/Addition/Similarity

Using linking words can help the reader understand further remarks or concepts in a statement. They might also convey agreement or similarities. These words are also known as additive transition words, which are often utilized in narrative and explanatory essay writings. The words used to link in such context are:

  • In the first place
  • As a matter of fact
  • In like manner
  • In addition
  • Not only, but also
  • In the same manner
  • First, second, third
  • Not to mention
  • In the light of
  • Furthermore
  • Comparatively
  • At the same time
  • Together with
  • Identically

List Of Linking Words for Sequence/Order

Any kind of essay needs to have flow. Your essay will lose its brilliance if there is a lack of consistency or logical flow of ideas. Here is a linking word list that helps by showing a sequence order in the essay.

  • First/ Second/ Third or Firstly/ secondly/ Thirdly
  • Primary/ Secondary
  • At this point of time
  • Concurrently
  • First of all
  • Following this
  • The next step
  • In the beginning
  • It all started when
  • Once upon a time
  • To begin with/ To start with

Linking Word List for Opposition/Limitation/Contradiction

However, certain linking words provide additional information, these transitional words and phrases convey opposing concepts in writing. These are:

  • Although this may be true
  • In contrast
  • Different from
  • On the other hand
  • On the contrary
  • Nonetheless
  • Even so/though
  • Nevertheless

List Of Words for The Conclusion

An essay with a strong conclusion is considered to be excellent. Unfortunately, most students conclude their essays with nearly the same words, but you have the opportunity to do so here. Look at the linking words list for an excellent conclusion:

  • To conclude
  • In conclusion
  • On the whole
  • Summarising
  • By and large
  • All things considered
  • In the long run
  • For the most part
  • By the large
  • Consequently
  • As a result

Linking Word List to Give Place/Location/Geographical Area

They can be used alone or in combination with words from other categories. They are almost often used together with other terms from the aforementioned groups. They are used to define, limit, or restrict space like the time ones. However, students often face difficulties when using linking words to write about a place and location, which ultimately leads them to buy online essay writing help from professionals. Here is your list of words that you can use to give a location or place.

  • in the background
  • in the center of
  • adjacent to
  • opposite to
  • to the left/right
  • on this site

List of Linking Words for Examples/Support/Emphasis

Transition words that provide examples or strengthen an idea might be used in your essay writing. Here is a list of words that can be used to improvise such contexts:

  • In other words
  • To put it differently
  • For one thing
  • In particular
  • As an illustration
  • In this case
  • For example
  • For instance
  • For this reason
  • To put it another way
  • To demonstrate
  • That is to say
  • With attention to
  • By all means
  • To emphasize

Words for Reason/Reference

You can use these linking words to explain connections between concepts and give explanations for what has started or happened.

  • for the purpose of
  • seeing that
  • with this in mind
  • as applied to
  • the fact that
  • granted that
  • in order to
  • with this purpose
  • considering
  • in connection to
  • with regards to
  • provided that

Linking Words for Time/Chronology/Sequence

Another function of linking words in literature is to illustrate chronology or sequence. These expressions give time a meaning that is included in the time category. These are the types of words that appear in the introduction of an essay when a writer outlines the structure of the work.

  • Sooner or later
  • Up to the present time
  • To begin with
  • Straightaway
  • In the meantime
  • In a moment
  • Without delay

Linking Words for Outcomes/Impacts/Repercussions

These particular words are used to demonstrate how one item affected another, to illustrate the outcomes of an action, or to demonstrate how something affected something else. A short list of transitions that work well for this specific category is shown below.

  • consequently
  • for this reason
  • in that case
  • as a result

Also Read: Your Guide Towards Writing An Outstanding Short Essay!

Final Thoughts!

The importance of linking words in essay writing cannot be overstated. These words are crucial for connecting concepts and making your essay read as a cohesive whole. Your essay will flow more naturally the more well-organized your thoughts are. Additionally, your writing will have a logical framework and an engaging read when you make use of linking words correctly.

However, to learn more about these words, you can choose to sign up for an online English class. An online English class will help you boost your knowledge about linking words and how you can use them in your writing. Furthermore, whenever you find yourself struggling with your English class and want to pay someone to take my online English class for me, you can hire an online class helper who will be there to take your worries aside.

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Practice with Linking Words

In IELTS writing task 2, you will need to use a range of linking words to connect your sentences and to make your essay coherent. If you are aiming for band score 6 and above, it is important to show the examiner that you can use a good range of linkers. This lesson is aimed at intermediate to upper intermediate levels.

Below are some sentences which relate to the topic of work. Fill in the gaps to complete the sentences by choosing the appropriate linking word. Please note that you will need to consider the grammatical structure of each sentence to choose the correct linking word.

1. It is generally agreed that professional people doing shift work, …………………. ( like / such as / take for example ) nurses, doctors and police, should be given compensation for unsociable hours in the form of better benefits and higher pay.

2. Working overtime has its compensations ……………… ( therefore / but / although ) can have a detrimental effect on the family.

3. ……………..( However / Although / But ) women have equal employment rights to men, there still exists a glass ceiling, in many countries, which can prevent them from reaching the upper levels of a company.

4. Juvenile delinquency, which is a growing issue in many countries, should be addressed by both schools and parents ……………………( consequently / so as to / so ) get to the root of the problem.

5. Technology has had a great impact on the way people work …………..( but / and / consequently )  will no doubt continue to do so in the future.

  • such as (‘like’ is not appropriate to use /  ‘take for example’ would require a different sentence structure to be used)
  • but (‘although’ would require a different sentence structure to be used)
  • so as to (this means ‘in order to’)
  • Don’t just learn the meaning of linking words, learn how to use them correctly.
  • Never use ‘like’ as a linking word in an academic essay.
  • Don’t forget to use the linker ‘and’ – it is easy to use and still able to give you a high score.
  • If you make mistakes with your linkers, you will struggle to get over band score 7 in Coherence and Cohesion, which is 25% of your marks.

IELTS Teachers and students can download this lesson for free on pdf file:  linking-words-practice

Recommended

Conclusion Linkers: Video Tutorial

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Thank you for your enormous help . IELTS preparation is not an easy examinations .I must admit .

Regards, Mika

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I’m glad you are finding my site useful 🙂

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Hi Liz, To be honest, I have thinking of taking the general training IELTS module for more than a year, but I was so reluctant to do so until I came accoss your amazing videos concerning IELTS prepration lessons. You somehow boosted my self confidence guiding me step by step to hit the band score I have been dreaming of.

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i brought you advanced videos, they are very helpful and finally i was able to write one essay my own because i was really struggling how to start n end the essay. i learnt all the techniques and patterns of writing essay. but i am still unable to get brainstormimg/ideas/points for writing an essay. can you please guide me for this? one question, i cannot follow my answer when i make a post on your blog. even if i click notify me i cant find.

When you comment on my site, you need to remember the page that you commented on.

For ideas in writing, you will need to start developing your own ideas as part of your preparation. You will need to research ideas online that you can use for various topics. I am currently writing an ideas book and I hope to have it ready for January or February. Sorry it can’t be sooner. I’ll put it with my other advanced lesson when it is ready to be bought.

thank you so much for your reply, surely will work on your advice.

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I am planning to buy your advanced writing video, hope it gets me above 7 band

Regards, Prabhu.S

The lessons will teach you the right techniques for band 7 and above. However, you need to produce English at the right level to hit that band score.

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Hi Liz, Thank you for your painstaking work (as regards the first sentence…is it ‘unsocial hours’ the collocation which must be used? )

Thank you so much for everything 🙂 mite

You can use both “unsocial” and “unsociable”. They have the same meaning. All the best Liz

Your work is amazing and helps thousands of students, including me. Sorry for the above comment, my vocabulary is so limited. You help me to improve it daily.

Best regards, mite

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Linking Words: List of Sentence Connectors in English with Examples!

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Struggling to connect ideas? ‘Connectors in English’ have your back. Connect, express, and impress – all with Connectors in English!

Connectors Definition

Linker Words or Word Connectors are used to link large groups of words: phrases and sentences . You can also use them to connect paragraphs to give them coherence. Sentence connectors are usually placed at the beginning of a sentence and may be categorized as follows:

  • This restaurant has the best kitchen in town. However, their staff are quite rude.

2. IN CONTRAST

  • House prices have gone up this year. In contrast, car prices seem to be stagnating.

3. NEVERTHELESS

  • I was in so much pain I didn’t want to get up in the morning. Nevertheless, I went to football practice as usual.

4. NONETHELESS

  • I don’t think Sean has serious behavioural problems. Nonetheless, I’ll talk to him first thing in the morning.
  • I’ve asked you a thousand times not to leave your dirty socks on the floor. Yet, you keep doing it.

6. ON THE OTHER HAND

  • England has the best language schools. On the other hand, it has the worst weather.

7. BY COMPARISON

  • Going out with Jim has its risks. By comparison, being with Tim is as easy as falling off a log.

8. ON THE CONTRARY

  • I don’t hate Jim. On the contrary, I’m rather fond of him.
  • I didn’t want to take a side in the argument. Instead, I put my headphones on and listened to some smooth jazz.

10. IN ANY CASE

  • I was thinking of going round Jim’s place. In any case, I haven’t been invited.

11. ALL THE SAME

  • Yes, he’s very good-looking. All the same, I don’t think you should go out with him.

Read more: Other ways to say ON THE OTHER HAND!

transition in a sentence

👉 SIMILARITY

1. LIKEWISE

  • You can’t give your phone number to every man who asks for it. Likewise, you can’t go out with everyone who fancies you.

2. SIMILARLY

  • You’re not allowed to use your phone here. Similarly, you have to switch it off when you’re in the library.

3. CORRESPONDINGLY

  • She’s an excellent photographer. Correspondingly, her paintings are works of art.

4. IN THE SAME WAY

  • Cutting down on sugar will help you lose weight. In the same way, doing more exercise will help you get rid of a few kilos.
  • I want to talk to Prince Harry when I’m in England. Also, I want to meet his sister-in-law.

Read more: Difference between COMPARED TO and COMPARED WITH

linker words

1. AS A RESULT

  • I’ve done a pranic healing course. As a result, I’ve been able to cure my neighbour’s sick cat.

2. AS A CONSEQUENCE

  • Zack has skipped school on many occasions. As a consequence, he’s failed his French test.

3. THEREFORE

  • We’re going to experience some meteor showers in the next few days. Therefore, the number of miraculous self-healings will rise.
  • You didn’t tell me you wanted to come. Thus, we won’t be taking you with us.

5. ACCORDINGLY

  • Plenty of tourists visit the area in summer. Accordingly, selling hand-made objects is the main source of income for locals.

Read more: 6 Ways to Improve Your English Writing Skills

connectors-of-sequence

👉 SEQUENCING

1. FIRST, FIRSTLY, FIRST OF ALL, IN THE FIRST PLACE

  • First of all, I’d like to talk about the benefits of having a pet pig.

2. TO BEGIN WITH

  • To begin with, pet pigs are cleaner than dogs.

3. FOR ONE THING

  • For one thing, they’re completely loyal to their owners.

4. SECOND, SECONDLY, IN THE SECOND PLACE

  • Secondly, their impressive numeracy skills must be mentioned.

5. FOR ANOTHER THING

  • For another thing, you might want to consider how cute they look in pyjamas.

6. THIRD, THIRDLY, IN THE THIRD PLACE

  • In the third place, you can always count on your pet pig to perform some tricks for you when you’d like to impress a pretty girl.
  • Also, they don’t eat much.
  • Besides not eating much, they won’t ever chew on your electric cords.

9. IN ADDITION

  • In addition, they can be taught to feed themselves if you allow them access to your pantry.

10. FURTHERMORE

  • Furthermore, they make wonderful walking buddies.

11. MOREOVER

  • Moreover, they’ll show you the way home when you’re drunk.

12. FINALLY

  • Finally, pet pigs are fantastic guards. No burglar would ever have the heart to hurt a pet pig.

13. LAST, LASTLY, LAST OF ALL

  • Lastly, your reputation as an eccentric will rapidly grow in the neighbourhood if you’re seen walking a pet pig on a leash every morning.

Read more: 18 Powerful Websites to Improve Your Writing Skills in English

connectors

👉 ORDER OF IMPORTANCE

1. MOST IMPORTANTLY

  • I’d like to talk to you about how to keep calm at your workplace. Most importantly, never go to the canteen while your boss is there.

2. PRIMARILY

  • You’ll have to focus on your immediate surroundings. Primarily, on your computer screen.

3. ABOVE ALL

  • Above all, don’t ever look up from your notes when people are around.

4. MOST SIGNIFICANTLY

  • Most significantly, avoid eye-contact at all costs.

5. ESSENTIALLY, BASICALLY (usually spoken)

  • How can I put this? Essentially, having an affair with one of your colleagues should be the last thing on your mind.

Read more: 7 Special Apps To Quickly Improve Your Typing Speed

Sequence-Connectors-and-Example-Sentences

👉 PARTICULARIZATION

1. IN PARTICULAR, PARTICULARLY

  • Nearly a third of marriages end in divorce. In particular, it’s middle-aged couples that yearn for much more from life.

2. MORE SPECIFICALLY

  • Couples tend to argue about financial issues. More specifically, they argue when one of them is out of work.

Read more: How Many Types of Expressions there are in English?

words connectors

👉 EXAMPLIFICATION

1. FOR EXAMPLE

  • To solve this problem, you might want to try making small gestures. For example, making your spouse’s favourite meal for dinner or giving him a massage after a tiring day.

2. FOR INSTANCE

  • Appreciate the small things your spouse does for you. For instance, leave thank-you notes for them every now and then.

3. TO ILLUSTRATE

  • Misunderstandings can be highly destructive. To illustrate, if your spouse sees you with a friend of the opposite sex in a café, he might not understand why he hasn’t been invited and demand an explanation.

Read more: Other ways to say for example?

👉 EXPLANATION

1. THAT IS TO SAY, THAT IS

  • Keep romance alive. That is to say, don’t let your lovelife fall into routine.
  • I have a very good reason for not trusting my ex. Namely, he’s a convicted felon.

3. IN OTHER WORDS

  • Don’t be unsociable. In other words, go out and make some friends.

4. PUT DIFFERENTLY

  • John has managed to get over Jane. Put differently, he’s started seeing other women.

Read more: 10 Common English Expressions with Explanation (Video)

👉 EMPHASISING

1. AS A MATTER OF FACT

  • I love sleeping with my pet pig. As a matter of fact, I can’t fall asleep unless he’s in my bed.
  • I told them not to invite Rachel to the party. In fact, I was the only person who saw what a party pooper she really was.

3. ACTUALLY

  • I think it would be a good idea to send her some flowers. Actually, you should get her a hundred orchids.
  • He may be the best-dressed man around. Indeed, he has a really good taste in fashion.

Read more: Essential Academic Writing Examples and Phrases!

👉 FOCUSING AND LINKING

1. AS FOR (often suggests disinterest or dislike)

  • I’m going to Janet’s party at the weekend. As for Mary’s, I think I’ll pass.

2. WITH RESPECT TO

  • Starting your own IT company may be the one of the best things you can do right now. With respect to opening a pet shop, it’s hard to say the same thing.

3. REGARDING

  • Start your day with making the most important phone calls. Regarding emails, you might put them off until later.

4. WITH REGARD TO

  • With regard to handling complaints, you might want to keep in mind that your customers are always right.

5. AS REGARDS

  • Working from home has many advantages. As regards disadvantages, it might be difficult to keep your cat off your keyboard.

6. TALKING OF

  • Talking of cats, you can’t trust them to keep you company when you need it. They’re quite selfish creatures.

7. AS FAR AS … CONCERNED

  • As far as dogs are concerned, they might give you a chance to get up from your desk and get some exercise during the day.

Read more: English Grammar: Sentence Structure in English

👉 CONCLUSION

1. IN CONCLUSION

  • In conclusion, it may be said that pigs make the best pets.

2. IN BRIEF

  • Meeting my boss at the pub was an interesting experience. In brief, it was a disaster.

3. IN SUMMARY

  • In summary, it may not be the best idea to frequent the same pubs as your boss.

4. TO SUM UP

  • To sum up, some people are better suited to working from home than others.

5. ALL IN ALL

  • All in all, you have to make sure both you and your customers are satisfied with your work.

Read more: What are the other ways to say in conclusion ?

👉 CORRECTION

  • I thought it was a good idea to get a ferret. Rather, it had always been my dream to get one.

2. TO BE MORE PRECISE

  • You might want to change a few things. To be more precise, I think you should start again from scratch.

Read more: Best English Grammar and Spelling Checkers Online

1. AT FIRST

  • It wasn’t a piece of cake to learn English. At first, I couldn’t pronounce all the words correctly.
  • Then, I couldn’t spell all the words correctly.

3. AFTERWARDS

  • Afterwards, I had a hard time understanding the tenses.
  • Later, I couldn’t memorize phrasal verbs and idioms.

5. IN THE MEANTIME

  • In the meantime, I was getting some help from MyEnglishTeacher .

6. MEANWHILE

  • Meanwhile, I was enjoying my skype lessons more and more.

Read more: A Visual List of 100 English IDIOMS FOR TIME with Examples

👉 DISMISSAL

(of what was said before)

  • I couldn’t get my head around the Passive Voice. Anyway, I don’t think it’s important to use it all the time.
  • Anyhow, I’ve just decided to learn Russian next.

3. AT ANY RATE

  • At any rate, I don’t want to become a simultaneous interpreter in five languages.

Linking Words Quiz › TEST YOURSELF

  • On the other side
  • To begin with
  • Just as / so too
  • Another / like
  • Likewise / equally
  • As a result
  • All the same
  • At any rate
  • For one thing
  • In the back
  • On top of that
  • Subsequently
  • Furthermore
  • Despite this
  • Accordingly
  • In particular
  • As far as / thinking
  • However / asked
  • As for / treated
  • As far as / concerned
  • Nevertheless
  • In contrast
  • Soon / After
  • Before / After
  • Firstly / Secondly
  • Now / Later
  • In other words
  • Along those lines
  • On the other hand

👉  Connectors Synonyms

Connectors are not only used in grammar . Connectors are things that are used to connect or tether two, or more, things together. There are many different synonyms for connectors:

  • Bond, coupling, joint, link, adapter, clamp, fastener, junction, tie, terminal, plug, fitting, splicing, fastener, sleeve, etc.

👉  Sentence Definition

A sentence is a set of words that forms a coherent and complete thought and message. This means that a sentence says something concrete. It has to be structured and logical in order for the sentence to be correct.

Sentences are made up of various parts , such as: nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, articles, etc. Within a sentence, there are parts that relate the thought and message , such as: subject, predicate, object, phrase, punctuation, etc. Each of these parts is important for a sentence to be complete.

Through sentences we tell other people what we think, feel, or what we want to do . In order to relate those thoughts we string together words into groups. These finally relate our message to other people and the world.

There are four different types of sentences , and each has its own specific goal and structure. These types are: declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory.

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One of the best posts I’ve ever read here. Congrats!!

It’s awesome so useful and practical thanks a million. I’m gonna share it with my friends.

Daniel Deressa

I liked it so much. Thank you Mr/Mrs tutor.

Durga Karki

Indeed, it refreshing our vocabulary

Anom

Thank you very much!! This must be by far one of the greatest post I’ve seen to improve my writing skills and expand the vocabulary of connectors. Therefore 😉 , I will add to my list of resources and share with my friends

So glad! 😃❤️

Avik

Thanks a ton, teacher!

Sure, anytime!

Simran kalsi

Thankyou soo muchhh for this usefull info..

pathmawathy anuratharan

Thank you so much for this useful

Mathew TD

Excellent exercise

My great thanks

It is highly appreciated

alim

Thanks a lot

you are welcome!

Mohan

Helpful post! You have nicely divided all the connectors in group like result, time, explanation, conclusion …. and present them with accurate examples. Everything is easy to grab. Thanks for sharing this rare post.

Thank you so much Mohan! I’m glad you loved it!

Akande Kola

Thanks for this usefull lessons. They are highly educattive.

Thank you so much!

Oscar

So far this is the best post I’ve ever seen. I find it hard to use those connectors in statements. I can speak basic English and sometimes not concise with my statements because I’m not good in using connectors in English. Thank you for this great post. It will help a lot of speakers to become articulate with the language.

Thank you so much Oscar for your feedback!

Nam

Thanks millions for posting the tables of connecting sentences. Have a great life

Mica

I love this array of connectors. Great selections to fit our lesson. Thank you to all who are part of this website and contributors. God bless you all!

MyEnglishTeacher.eu

Thank you so much Mica.

Concept Mastery

Linker words, also known as sentence connectors, play a crucial role in connecting phrases, sentences, and paragraphs for enhanced coherence in writing. In terms of contrast, words like “however,” “in contrast,” and “nevertheless” emphasize opposing ideas. For expressing similarity, “likewise,” “similarly,” and “correspondingly” are effective. Result-oriented connectors include “as a result,” “therefore,” and “accordingly,” signaling outcomes or consequences. These words help create a logical flow within text, ensuring a smooth transition between ideas. Whether highlighting differences, similarities, or results, these connectors contribute to cohesive and well-structured writing, facilitating the comprehension of complex information.

himali

Its very useful , thank you.

Thank you so much Himali!

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Linking words – How to improve your writing

Linking words, also known as linkers, cohesive devices, connectors and transition words, are a vital part of writing. Often when we teach English, we feed vocabulary and phrases to students which, if we’re not careful, can start sounding forced. For me, linking words are the exception to that. I find that a solid lesson with these special words can almost certainly help improve a students writing regardless of the level. It’s not just because it appears in writing marking scales for every official exam there is, it’s because they actually work. Without linking words, texts can feel dull and disconnected. That’s definitely not the image we want to give when trying to prove our level of English.

link

What are linking words?

There are linking words and phrases for different purposes. You can find exhaustive lists of linking words examples all over the web, but the important thing is using them to good effect.

If your writing was like the human body, the content words would be the flesh and the paragraph structure would be the skeleton. Linkers are like the joints of your writing. They help to connect the different parts together and interact with each other. An essay with good cohesive devices will flow and be easy to read. In fact, it’s practically impossible to write without them. You can do a fun writing activity with a consequences game in another post .

Linking words at different levels

Let’s use Cambridge writing scales as a guide for what we should be using at different levels. At B1 Preliminary (PET) candidates are expected to use basic linking words. Basic linking words are essentially and , so , but and because . At B2 First (FCE) level, a variety of linking words should be used. While by C1 Advanced (CAE), candidates are using cohesive devices to generally good effect.

Although the terminology shifts between levels, the concept is the same. An exam candidate’s writing should be connected together in a way that makes it flow from one section to another using words that help to achieve said outcome. Notice that it’s not until C2 Proficiency (CPE) level that candidates should be able to use cohesive devices with flexibility.

For more information about how Cambridge writing is marked, check out the different scales here .

If you’re looking to improve your writing for the Cambridge Advanced exam, consider our book Cambridge Advanced Writing Plus .

Linking words examples

There are so many transition words you can use in your writing, but having a ridiculously long list isn’t the best option in this case (and I’m normally a big fan of lists). When I teach writing, I tend to focus on a selection of common and useful linking words. These can be associated with their purpose. Words similar to and are used to add additional information. Words similar to but are used to contrast ideas. Words similar to so provide result and those similar to because develop reason.

This list is not exhaustive, but it’s enough for 90% of learners who are using linking words in English. These are good cohesive devices for an essay, a formal letter or a report. They can be used in a wide range of styles and contexts. Keep in mind that linking words and phrases are also a strong indication of formality in a text, but they aren’t the only factor.

The other essential factor to consider with linkers is how to use them in a sentence. Different ones need different grammatical structures surrounding them. This is what the activity below focusses on in detail.

The materials

There is little doubt that any exam preparation course will include a lesson on producing cohesive writing. These materials associate complex linkers with simple comparison words before putting them to use. We’ll consider both the meaning and the use of linking words and phrases. The topic focuses on money and wealth, which can pop up anywhere from B1 level onwards. Use them to improve writing skills, especially in formal writings like essays, reports and proposals.

EXAM PART : Writing

EXAM SKILLS : Using cohesive devices to improve organisation

TOPIC: Money

TIME: 60 minutes

PREPARATION: One copy of the worksheet per student

linking words examples linking words activities

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Linking Words for Essay Writing: Useful Paragraph Phrases

Linking Words for Essay Writing: Useful Paragraph Phrases

Importance of Linking Words in Essay Writing

Importance of Linking Words in Essay Writing

An essay is an important piece of writing when a student is seeking college admission. It needs to have a clear flow so that the readability is perfect. Rightly so, the sentences you construct need to flow and lead to each other seamlessly.

Linking or transition words come in handy to make your essay have comprehensible sentences.  The words act as the ideal connectors and bridges that eliminate sentence isolation.

linkers essay

Factually, both writing and speaking need linking words that will help the audience form a clear relationship between ideas. Listeners and readers are able to comprehend responses when the right linking words are in place.

What are Linking Words in Essay Writing?

Linking words are the uniformity basis of an essay. When these words are in an essay, they showcase a connection between sentences. As usual, a typical essay consists of different sections and paragraphs.

linking words+examples

If there are no transition words, the sentences will appear incoherent and messy. The use of linking words clearly show the relationship existing between all sections and paragraphs in an essay.

When writing your essay, make use of linking words as a bridge between the concepts you are writing and ideas in your essay. The readers will enjoy a cohesive piece of essay with texts that are flowing smoothly.

The assessment team has a lot of essays to read and you can make their work easy by using your linking words appropriately. If this is not the case, your professor will have to go through a lot of stress in trying to understand your essay.

Basically, if you want to impress your readers and consequently improve your scores, practice the best linking words skills.

Reasons for Using Linking Words in Essay Writing

Only proper usage of linking words will help you come up with a compelling essay. After toiling to conduct research for your essay, improper structure of sentences will make your efforts go to waste. 

using linking words

Good students endeavor and strive to create an appealing and expressive essay. A thorough use of the right linking words will make your presentation and persuasion of ideas flow perfectly.

Linking words are very crucial in any type of essay . If you do not want your texts to appear clucky, transition words ought to be in place.

 Here are more reasons why you need linking words in your essay:

1. Flow of order and sequence

An essay needs flow of texts, ideas and thoughts otherwise it will lose its quality. Therefore, writers need to make huge efforts and use the right linking words that will bring a sequence of order in the essay.

Such words include next, then, firstly, secondly, afterwards, finally and afterwards. Other transition words to use include concurrently, at the same time, earlier, first of all, following this and for now.

A good sequence order in your essay is also enhanced when you use words such as lastly, in the end, in the beginning or once upon a time.

2. Showcasing comparison        

There are essays that will require the writer to show comparison. Linking words play an important role in contrast and argumentative essays .

If you need to bring out comparison clearly, consider the use of words such as similarly, equally, comparable, in the same time and likewise.

 Apart from same as, other words or phrases to use include just like, just as and comparably.

3. Contrasting

a contrasting sentence

Transition words are the best when you want to bring out contrast in a sentence. In most of the cases, place then at the beginning or in the middle of your sentence to create the right contrast.

However, despite this, yet, whereas and alternatively are some of the words you can use.

4. Illustration of examples

There are places in your essay where you will have to give examples. Obviously, most essays will need illustration of evidence with the use of linking words.

Giving examples without these words will make your text to sound blunt.

Linking words such as for instance, in the case of, and for instance will make it easy to introduce your examples.

5. Including additions

You will also need to use linking words when putting additions in your essays. These words will ensure that you have added a txt with the correct meaning to your essay.

Furthermore, also, secondly, in addition and moreover are some of the linking words to use.

6. Introduction of cause and effects

Cause and effects in an essay can help the writer draw a sensible conclusion. In essence, it helps to bring about good connection of the essay when a conclusion is being added. Therefore, the relationship between cause and effect is better shown using the right linking words.

Owing to, thus, since, as a result of and because are some of the transition words you can use. Other words to use include stems from, leads to, results from, for this reason etc.

7. For conclusion purposes

Starting an impressive essay can only be better if the conclusion is attractive. It is good to bring about the conclusion using appropriate linking words that are not common.

You can conclude your essay using words such as finally, in conclusion, summarizing, in summary and briefly. 

As a writer, you need to bear in mind that adjusting and positioning these words is a must if you are to impress your readers.

Conclusion linking words

Dos of Using Linking Words

  • Adjust and position your linking words properly otherwise the reader will not be impressed.
  • Do mix up the linking words you use.  Using one word several times can be very annoying to the reader. Since the transition phrases are many, mix them up in your essay to avoid repetition.
  • Be accurate in using these words when connecting your ideas in an essay. Know the difference between these phrases to understand the meaning correctly.
  • You can use these words when you want to accentuate a point. In other words, use them to stress something important in your writing.

30 Examples of Linking Words for Essay Writing

  • On the flipside
  • On the contrary
  • By and large   
  • As a consequence of
  • In conclusion
  • Following this
  • At this point of time
  • In the same way
  • As an example
  • In other words
  • To put it differently
  • Under the circumstances
  • That is to say
  • With this intention
  • Subsequently
  • In order to
  • Of less importance
  • What’s more
  • Furthermore
  • Alternatively
  • In spite of
  • To illustrate
  • To demonstrate
  • In the middle of
  • For the avoidance of doubt

Wrapping Up on Linking words on Essay Writing

You can’t overlook the significance of linking words in essay writing. Transition words are important in bringing ideas together so that they appear as a whole in your essay.

All in all, an essay that flows well must incorporate the right transition words to link arguments and actions. The readers will be able to connect an event that took place because of a consequence of a different action.

Essays need to have a flow of ideas with each one building on the other. Yet still, organization of thoughts in essay writing is valuable and this is where linking words play a critical role.

To sum it up, the more your thoughts are in good organization, the smoother your essay will flow. When you use linking words appropriately, your piece will have a logical structure that is appealing to the reader.

Josh Jasen

When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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Formal Linking Words / Cohesive Devices

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IELTS Connectors for Task 1 & Task 2: Linking Words for IELTS Writing 2024

  • Updated On February 6, 2024
  • Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

The IELTS Exam is a globally acknowledged English language proficiency test widely accepted in many countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and others. Every year, over three million people take the IELTS exam, which is growing steadily. It comprises 4 sections- 

Table of Contents

The IELTS Writing Test is different for IELTS Academic and I ELTS General . The Academic test will contain topics suitable for anyone entering a university or professional institution. The General Training test will have topics based on general interest.

The Writing test takes 60 minutes , and there are two tasks to complete:

  • Task 1 : It is recommended to spend 20 minutes on Task 1 , which requires you to write at least 150 words.
  • Task 2 : This task requires at least 250 words and should take about 40 minutes. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to your score.

The IELTS writing section is primarily evaluated based on how well the ideas are organised and connected effectively. You must learn and equip yourself with grammatical resources to score well in this section. IELTS essay linking words or connectors are a grammatical resource that shows the IELTS examiner a firm grasp of the language.

In this blog, we will understand more about connectors for Task 1 and Task 2 and how using them appropriately will boost your overall score in your IELTS Writing Test.

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IELTS Connectors for Task 1 & Task 2: Linking Words for IELTS Writing 2024

Importance of Connectors in IELTS Writing Task

Linking words is a crucial grammatical tool that makes an essay more readable to the examiner. They help in sentence construction and connect two related parts of a text. Linkers can also put forth their opinions comprehensively and display excellent knowledge and a variety of vocabulary. 

Here are a few more reasons to use linkers in IELTS:

IELTS Connectors for Task 1 & Task 2: Linking Words for IELTS Writing 2024

  • They make the paragraph clear.
  • They provide a smooth flow to the written piece.
  • Help in illustrating how the parts or clauses of a text are connected.
  • They add more information to a point. 
  • They help in expressing opinion or purpose.
  • They help in constructing a suitable conclusion.

Using Linking Words in IELTS

You need to know that connecting words cannot be used everywhere. Additionally, linkers for IELTS speaking are used differently from IELTS writing .  For example, one can use ‘like’ while speaking. On the other hand, words like at this moment and therefore work well in writing tasks. Also, remember that linkers must come naturally while forming a sentence. Forcing a connector amid a sentence will result in an awkward sentence composition. 

Linking Words For Academic Writing Task 1 

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you are generally given visual information. Depending upon the information provided, you must write a report of a minimum of 150 words. IELTS Connectors in Task 1 can be helpful in:

  • Outlining transition between the description of one visual to the other.
  • Comparing the key features of the graphs.
  • Pointing out or highlighting important details of the visuals.

Linking Words For General Writing Task 1 

In IELTS General Writing Task 1, you must write a letter responding to a given situation. Linking words for Task 1 is helpful in:

  • Introducing the purpose of the letter.
  • Organising your ideas coherently.
  • Making clear connections between different paragraphs.
  • Highlighting important information in the letter.

IELTS Essay Linking Words For Writing Task 2

The second writing task is the same for academic and general; you must write an essay based on a prompt or a statement. Linking words for task 2 are useful in:

  • Transitioning between paragraphs.
  • Presenting your opinion.
  • Give examples and reasons.
  • Explain the consequences and/or conditions of various scenarios.

Types of IELTS Connectors for Task 1 and Task 2

Examiners evaluate your tasks by assessing linkers and connectors’ accuracy, range, and flexibility. The following list highlights the category of connectors that can help you secure a good grade in the IELTS writing section:

Adding information

Providing examples, stressing and highlighting, consequences and results, causes and reasons, contrasts and concessions, providing opinion.

Below is a comprehensive list of examples of different categories of connectors that you can use in your sentence construction . 

This linker is used to support your major points in the essay. These IELTS essay linking words inform the examiner that additional information is coming up. 

Some of them are mentioned below with examples.

  • Furthermore – The company has decided to expand its operations to Gujrat. Furthermore , they also plan to increase their marketing efforts in the region.
  • Additionally – We have hired a new designer for the project. Additionally , we have also brought in a consultant to provide us with an outside perspective.
  • In addition to the regular benefits, employees are also eligible for a performance-based bonus.
  • Also – The company is launching a new product line next month. Also , they plan to host a launch event to promote the new products.
  • Moreover – The company’s profits have increased significantly this year. Moreover , they have also managed to reduce their operating expenses.
  • And – I need to pick up some groceries after work today, and I also need to stop by the post office to mail a package.
  • As well as – The project requires a team of developers as well as a team of designers to complete the work on time.

Lists are often used to present pointers in a paragraph. Proper use of listing vocabulary in essays makes it more formal and precise.

Here are a few connectors that you can use to list your paragraph.

  • Firstly , I need to wake up early tomorrow to catch my flight.
  • Secondly , I have to finish my presentation before the deadline.
  • Thirdly , I must buy some groceries on my way home from work.
  • Fourthly , I need to call my doctor to schedule an appointment.
  • Lastly , I plan to spend the weekend with my family and friends.

Examples are often helpful in providing support to ideas. You must make sure to use a range of linking words to illustrate your arguments through such words.

Here are some examples of connectors for providing examples to your task. 

  • For instance , many online courses, such as Duolingo and Rosetta Stone, are available for learning a new language.
  • For example , there are many different types of music, such as rock, pop, jazz, and classical.
  • To cite an example , many people believe that climate change is caused by human activity.
  • To illustrate : To illustrate let’s say you are writing an essay about the importance of exercise. You could provide a graph that shows the correlation between exercise and improved health.
  • Namely : There are four seasons in a year, namely spring, summer, fall, and winter.
  • Such as : Many different types of animals live in the ocean, such as sharks, whales, and dolphins.
  • In other words : The government plans to increase the taxes on luxury items. In other words , items considered non-essential and expensive will be taxed more.

It is essential to be clear about the intent of the passage. These IELTS essay linking words help you stress major points so they are not missed:

A few of them are mentioned below with model sentences.

  • Specifically : Specifically , we need to increase our response time to customer inquiries to improve our overall customer service.
  • Especially : I especially love all fruits, especially strawberries and blueberries.
  • In particular : I am interested in learning about the history of art, in particular , the impressionist movement.
  • Particularly : I am not fond of spicy food, particularly dishes that use a lot of chilli peppers.
  • Obviously , we cannot proceed with the project without proper funding.
  • Clearly : The instructions provided in the manual need to be written and can be confusing.
  • Of course : Of course , I would be happy to help you with your project.

These connectors are helpful when you need to explain the consequence or result of something. 

Below are examples of connectors that can be used to explain consequences and results, with sample sentences demonstrating their usage.

  • As a result : He was late to the meeting as a result of heavy traffic.
  • Therefore : She didn’t eat any cake, therefore she didn’t gain any weight.
  • Thus : The company’s profits increased, and thus, they could expand their business.
  • Consequently , The team lost the game, and consequently, they didn’t qualify for the playoffs.
  • For this reason , she didn’t want to go on the rollercoaster, so she waited for her friends on the ground.
  • So : He forgot his keys at home, so he had to call his wife to bring them to him.
  • Hence : The weather was terrible, hence the flight was delayed.

While writing an essay, there may be instances where you would have to provide causes or reasons for a particular statement. These linkers can help do so.

Here are some examples of connectors for causes and reasons for your task. 

  • Due to : Due to the heavy rainfall, the streets were flooded.
  • Because : I couldn’t attend the meeting because I was feeling sick.
  • Owing to the staff shortage, the company had to postpone the project deadline.
  • As it was raining heavily, we decided to stay indoors and watch a movie.
  • Since : Since I am allergic to seafood, I cannot eat sushi.

There is often the need to add opposite ideas to an essay. This is important in discussion essays, where one needs to provide in-depth details. 

The below-mentioned linking words will help you when you are going to introduce an opposing point.

  • Nevertheless, the weather was terrible, so we decided to picnic.
  • However, I studied hard for the exam and didn’t do well.
  • Admittedly – Admittedly , I have not been following the news lately.
  • Although – Although it was raining, we still went for a walk.
  • Even though – Even though she was tired, she continued working on the project.
  • Despite the fact that he was sick, he managed to complete his work on time.
  • But – She wanted to go to the party but had to finish her work first.
  • Still – He failed the test twice, but I would still like to mention that specifically, we need to focus on improving our customer service and not giving up.

These connectors are the most useful in concluding a sentence and lending a final summary of their response.

Some of them are mentioned below.

  • To sum up , we have seen that the company’s sales have been steadily increasing over the past year.
  • To conclude , based on the evidence presented, it can be said that the defendant is guilty of the crime.
  • In conclusion , to improve your overall health, it is recommended that you eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.

You can address their opinion more confidently and concisely using these linkers.

Below is a list of some linking words for providing information.

  • I believe that love is the strongest force in the universe.
  • I admit that I was not paying attention during the meeting.
  • In my opinion , reading is one of the best ways to relax and unwind.
  • I think that exercising regularly is important for maintaining good health.

IELTS Linking Words Practice Question

One of the key skills that the test measures is the ability to use a range of linking words or phrases in writing and speaking tasks. Linking words helps to connect ideas and create coherence between sentences, paragraphs, and overall discourse. Some common examples of linking words include, nevertheless, additionally and more. Practising with linking words can help test-takers improve their writing and speaking skills and achieve better scores on the IELTS exam. Here are some linking practice questions for Writing Tasks.

IELTS Linking Words Practice Question for Writing Task 1

Here is a practice task with IELTS writing connectors that will help you understand the usage and importance of connectors in IELTS writing task 1.

These graphs show several key trends. 1. ____, in general terms, more than 70% of the population owned computers in 2000. 2. ____, this figure jumped to around 78% over the coming eight years.

3. ____, these figures varied as per group. 4. ____, service members were always ahead of the general population. Roughly three-quarters of service members owned computers in 2000. That figure jumped massively to reach 80% by 2008. 5. ____ Non-high school finishers began with only a 12% computer ownership rate, which climbed to around 45% in eight years.

  • To start with, firstly, first of all
  • Nevertheless, however, but
  • Nevertheless, on the other hand
  • Any example connector can be used here, like, for example, for instance, and except ‘such as’ because this is the start of a sentence.
  • Any comparison connector

IELTS Linking Words: Practice Question for Writing Task 2

You can practice IELTS essay linking words through this practice task.

The prompt: Parents must refrain from pressuring their children to pursue a particular career. Young people should be free to choose the professional path that they like. Do you agree or disagree with this sentence?

  • _____ Young people must be free to choose, especially in their professional path. Some parents want their children to take up an exciting profession. These wishes are entirely normal and usually not harmful.
  • 2. ____ It can be harmful if these desires become strong expectations. 3. _____ freedom to a child does not necessarily mean that the parent needs to be absent. Instead, parents should openly communicate with their children about their career decisions. 4. _____, if one’s dreams do not line up with their parents, they may, 5_____, fear approaching them in fear of judgment. 
  • Any opinion connector except ‘I agree’ or ‘I concur’ will work here. This is because it is the introductory line.
  • Nevertheless, on the other hand, however, but
  • Any example connector will fit here except ‘such as’ because this is the starting sentence.
  • Accordingly, as a result, consequently, therefore, for that reason, etc.

In summary, using appropriate connectors in IELTS Writing can significantly enhance your essay’s readability and coherence, demonstrating your firm grasp of the language. With the help of the above mentioned categories and examples of linkers, you can effectively connect your ideas and illustrate your arguments comprehensively to score well in the IELTS Writing section. 

Remember, practice makes perfect, so practice using these connectors in your essays to succeed in your IELTS exam. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. what factors do examiners consider to evaluate the ielts writing tasks.

A. When evaluating IELTS writing tasks, examiners consider several factors, including lexical resource, task achievement, grammar accuracy and range, coherence and cohesion. Lexical resource refers to your ability to appropriately use a wide range of vocabulary. Task achievement assesses how well you have fulfilled the task’s requirements, including the organisation of ideas and coherence. Grammar accuracy and range assess your use of correct grammar and sentence structures. Coherence and cohesion assess how well you can connect and link ideas within and between paragraphs. These factors are crucial in determining your overall writing score.

Q . What are the main topics for the IELTS essay writing task?

A. Some of the most popular topics for this task are related to academics, such as economics, education, business, family, environment, etc. The essay question in the general IELTS writing section responds to an argument on a general topic of common interest. 

Q. What happens if I need to meet the word limit of each section?

A. Writing under the word limit is a penalty, leading to a lower score. You can also be penalised for not using complete, connected sentences.  Therefore, you must always adhere to the given word limit and be mindful of each section’s time mandates.

Q. How do you score well in IELTS Writing?

A. To score well in IELTS Writing, you must improve your grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills. Practice writing essays, letters, and reports within the given time limit. Plan your writing and organise your thoughts effectively. Use a range of linking words and phrases to connect your ideas. Finally, proofread your work for any errors or mistakes before submitting it.

Q. What are the types of questions asked in IELTS Writing Task 2?

A. When it comes to writing essays, there are several different types of questions that you might encounter. Some common ones include Advantage/Disadvantage questions, which ask you to weigh the pros and cons of a particular topic or issue. Problem/Cause questions, on the other hand, ask you to analyse and explain the underlying causes of a problem or issue. Opinion essays require you to express your viewpoint on a specific topic and support it with evidence and reasoning. Other essay questions include Compare/Contrast, Discussion/Argumentative, and so on. 

Q. Can I retake IELTS writing only?

A. IELTS One Skill Retake is a recently introduced feature that allows you to enhance your scores on a specific skill without retaking the entire IELTS exam. If you wish to improve your performance on any of the four skills – Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking – you can redo only that skill. This feature can save you time and money as you won’t need to retake the test.

Q. Is the IELTS Writing Test the same for Academics and General?

A. No, the IELTS Writing Test is different for Academics and General. The Academic Writing Test includes two tasks assessing your ability to describe visual information and write an essay responding to an argument or problem. The General Writing Test consists of two tasks to evaluate your ability to write a letter and an essay on a topic.

Q. What is the duration of the IELTS Writing Test ?

A. The IELTS Writing Test consists of two tasks that must be completed within 60 minutes. Task 1 requires you to summarise, describe or explain a visual representation such as a graph, chart or diagram in 150 words. Task 2 requires you to write an essay responding to a given prompt in 250 words. You should spend approximately 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2.

Q. What are some valuable tips for preparing for the IELTS Writing Test?

A. To prepare for the IELTS Writing test, it is important to practice writing regularly. Familiarise yourself with the test format and timing, and develop your skills in organising and expressing your thoughts clearly and coherently. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and aim to use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures. Seek feedback from a teacher or tutor to identify areas for improvement and practice writing under test conditions.

Q. What is the importance of using connectors in the IELTS Writing Task?

A. Connectors are crucial in IELTS Writing Tasks as they help connect ideas, create coherence and cohesion, and improve the essay’s overall structure. Using connectors also helps to demonstrate a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, which is a key criterion for scoring in IELTS Writing.

Q. How can one use linking words in IELTS writing, and what are some examples?

A. Linking words can connect different parts of the essay, such as sentences, paragraphs, and ideas. Examples of linking words include “moreover”, “however”, “in addition”, “on the other hand”, “therefore”, and “consequently”. By using linking words, the writer can create a clear and logical flow of ideas, which helps to improve the coherence and cohesion of the essay.

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Linking/transition words: Things you need to know...

All assignments are written in formal language.   You need to ensure that you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding alongside your ability to answer the question/solve the problem. 

Below are some ideas to help you to develop your structure and flow.

  • Linking / transition words and phrases join ideas, sentences and paragraphs together. They should be used within sentences and to move from one idea to another (between sentences).   

These words and phrases indicate the direction, order and flow of ideas. Significantly, they strengthen the quality and structure of your work.

  • Redundant Words - less is more.  P articularly when trying to reduce the word count, it is important to look for phrases which can be replaced with a single word.

Linking/Transition Words

Transitions link one main idea to another separated by a semi-colon or full-stop.  When the transition word is at the beginning of the sentence, it should be followed by a comma:

Among other functions, they can signal cause and effect or sequencing (see examples in the table below).

Linking words: conjunctions

Linking words within a sentence  are referred to as coordinating conjunctions.  Do not worry about the term: think about the function.

Conciseness / redundant words

Microsoft Word now has an additional feature within the Edito r - it is called conciseness or wordiness.  

  • If you cannot see the Editor menu a quick tip is to hold down the function (fn key at the bottom left of the keyboard) + F7 (top line of keys).
  • From the Refinements section - select Conciseness - if there are any suggestions a number will appear in the box alongside this option
  • A dotted line will appear under any groups of groups
  • Either select the identified text by clicking with your right mouse button OR click on the down down next to the Conciseness menu.
  • MS Word will display any alternative words which you can either select and they will be replaced in your text or reject if you want to keep the original phrases.

Examples:  try to replace phrases with a single words which mean the same.

Need to know more...

  • Related pages
  • External links
  • Academic writing Illustrates the main features of academic writing so that you are aware of what it is and what it involves
  • Critical Thinking Academic work involves thinking, not just accepting what you read or are told.
  • Terms and Definitions Important words appear in your assignments and examinations. The aim of this factsheet is to help you to fully understand what they mean.

Additional resources to help you to improve your confidence and grades:-

  • Writing Effectively  demonstrates the importance of: clarity, structure, relevance, argument and precision.
  • Writing Mechanics  gives further examples and resources on areas including: sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Linking/Transition words - Scribbr  https://www.scribbr.co.uk/syntax/transition-words-examples/ [Accessed 10 February 2023]

There are many books concerning academic writing, look around Dewey number  808

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B2+ Formal Linkers

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A new worksheet for B2+ students to help them add more cohesion to their writing through the use of formal linkers and connectors. Download the handout and key below:

Lead students through the worksheet. Encourage creativity in the final activity. Set students an FCE or CAE part 1 essay for homework.

Label the groups of linkers (A, B, C, D) with the titles in the box based on their function.

  • ____________________
  • One of the main benefits of research into green energy is the impact it can have on the environment. Furthermore, by switching to renewable energy sources, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels such as oil.
  • The project failed to live up to the expectations of the management team. What is more, it was €100,000 over budget.
  • Construction of the solar farm was finished on time. Moreover, workers were able to increase power output by 15% in the first month.
  • Many parts of the world are being ravaged by extreme weather conditions due to/owing to the impact of climate change.
  • Emissions of harmful greenhouse gases have increased owing to/due to the fact that the world’s population keeps growing.
  • Further research is needed in order to push the boundaries of our scientific knowledge.
  • Governments should provide more funding for green energy projects so as to increase their efficiency.
  • More charging stations for electric cars should be installed so that there are enough to meet demand.
  • Space exploration is undoubtedly an exciting area of research. Even so, is it really the most pressing issue humankind is facing right now?
  • In spite of/Despite recent technological advancements we have seen, we still know very little about the universe.
  • In spite of/Despite the fact that time is running out, we must not give up and accept our fate.
  • Much progress has been made in this field. Nevertheless, there is still a lot to be done.
  • Unless we take steps to combat climate change now, we may be too late.
  • Even if we manage to reduce emissions considerably, there is no guarantee that it will be enough.
  • We are still not sure whether or not we are alone in the universe.

Sentence Structure Rules

  • What do you notice about the way all 4 linkers are used?

Look at the sentences and choose the correct alternative:

  • Due to/owing to + a noun // a clause (subject + verb + object)
  • Due to/owing to the fact that + a noun // a clause (subject + verb + object)
  • In order to + a verb // a clause
  • So as to + a verb // a clause
  • So that + a verb // a clause
  • What do “even so” and “nevertheless” have in common?
  • In spite of/Despite + a noun // a clause (subject + verb + object)
  • In spite of/Despite the fact that + a noun // a clause (subject + verb + object)

Look at the linkers in group D and match them to their meaning

  • “it doesn’t matter if”
  • “If we don’t”
  • “If or not”

Complete the sentences with a linker from the previous exercise, more than one answer might be possible.

  • They brought in extra seats …………. everyone could sit down.
  • ………… you were the only man in the world, I still wouldn’t go out with you.
  • They planted trees in the garden …………… attract more wildlife.
  • His CV is impressive. ………….., I’m still not sure if he’s the right candidate.
  • …………. all their hard work, they weren’t able to complete the project on time.
  • I was unable to attend the meeting ……………. the heavy snowfall.
  • Many people have chosen to move out of the city ……………….. house prices have fallen in the countryside.
  • One benefit of city life is the superior health facilities. ……………….., there are many more job opportunities.
  • It seems like a very tempting offer. ……………….., I feel I must reject it.
  • ……………….. we run, we’re going to miss the last train.
  • I’m still not sure ……………….. we made the right decision.
  • He cancelled all his morning appointments ……………….. spend time with his family.

Creative Practice

Use linkers to upgrade these sentences for use in a C1 essay. You can also upgrade the language in the sentences.

  • Shopping in shops is good, but shopping online is better.
  • We should build more parks because they’re good for people.
  • People got sad because the pandemic was bad.
  • It doesn’t matter if you recycle, big companies are bad for the planet.
  • There are too many cars, that’s why there’s lots of pollution.
  • We should make drivers pay more to make them take the bus.
  • Veganism is good but I don’t think I could do it.
  • Books are good because they help you learn words and you imagine things.

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Home > Essay writing and study advice

  • How to begin a new paragraph. Useful linking words and phrases.

It is a good idea to occasionally use linking words and phrases at the start of a new paragraph. They can help to link what you have said in the previous paragraph to what you are about to say in your new paragraph.

These link words and phrases are often referred to as signposts. This is because they help to indicate to the reader when one point ends and other begins, as well as the relationship between each point.

Used with care, they can help to guide examiners and tutors through your essay. As well as bolster the impression of a coherent, flowing and logical piece of work.

Useful linking words and phrases that can be used at the start of new paragraphs:

A contrary explanation is that, …

Although, …

As a consequence, …

As a result, …

As we have seen, …

At the same time, …

Accordingly, …

An equally significant aspect of…

Another, significant factor in…

Before considering X it is important to note Y

By the same token, …

But we should also consider, …

Despite these criticisms, …it’s popularity remains high.

Certainly, there is no shortage of disagreement within…

Consequently, …

Correspondingly, …

Conversely, …

Chaytor, … in particular, has focused on the

Despite this, …

Despite these criticisms, … the popularity of X remains largely undiminished.

Each of these theoretical positions make an important contribution to our understanding of, …

Evidence for in support of this position, can be found in…,

For this reason, …

For these reasons, …

Furthermore, …

Given, the current high profile debate with regard to, …it is quite surprising that …

Given, the advantages of … outlined in the previous paragraph, …it is quite predictable that …

Having considered X, it is also reasonable to look at …

In addition to, …

In contrast, …

In this way, …

In this manner, …

In the final analysis, …

In short, …

It can be seen from the above analysis that, …

It could also be said that, …

It is however, important to note the limitations of…

It is important to note however, that …

It is important however not to assume the applicability of, …in all cases.

It is important however not to overemphasis the strengths of …

In the face of such criticism, proponents of, …have responded in a number of ways.

Moreover, …

Notwithstanding such criticism, ….it’s popularity remains largely undiminished.

Notwithstanding these limitations, ….it worth remains in a number of situations.

Noting the compelling nature of this new evidence, …has suggested that.

Nevertheless, …remains a growing problem.

Nonetheless, the number of, …has continued to expand at an exponential rate.

On the other hand, critics of, …point to its blindness, with respect to.

Of central concern therefore to, …sociologists is explaining how societal processes and institutions…

Proponents of…, have also suggested that…

Subsequently, …

Similarly, …

The sentiment expressed in the quotation, embodies the view that, …

This interpretation of, … has not been without it’s detractors however.

This approach is similar to the, …. position

This critique, unfortunately, implies a singular cause of, …

This point is also sustained by the work of, …

This counter argument is supported by evidence from, …

The use of the term, …

Therefore, …

There appears then to be an acceleration in the growth of

There is also, however, a further point to be considered.

These technological developments have greatly increased the growth in, …

To be able to understand, …

Undoubtedly, …

While such failures must not be discounted, … there were in comparison small, when compared

Whilst the discussion in the preceding paragraph, …

Whether crime rates were actually lower at this time continues to be a matter of debate. Evidence from…

There are an almost limitless number of linking phrases and words one can use. What is important is that they complement the style of your writing.

Use these examples to arouse your creativity.

Remember that you don’t have to use them all the time. Using words like, ‘therefore’ ‘subsequently’ ‘moreover’ etc. for every new paragraph would probably become repetitive and detract from the key component of most academic work – critical analysis.

Finally, remember to succinctly, identify the key paragraphs and/or sections of your essay during your introductory paragraph. Then restate them along side an unambiguous position in your concluding paragraph. Again this will help to communicate a clear and understandable progression and structure, to those who read or mark your essay.

Best wishes. S J Tonge.

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  • How to write the introduction to an essay
  • 10 things to remember when using paragraphs within your essay
  • The use of the apostrophe: avoid using contractions within your essay
  • On the importance of taking a critical approach in your essay writing
  • Help with understanding essay questions: 21 terms and phrases explained
  • Essay questions: terms & phrases
  • Critical essay writing: a step by step approach
  • The use of the apostrophe: it’s versus its
  • How writing is different from talking
  • Editing your essay. To keep earlier drafts or to discard them?
  • How to write a dissertation: free online resources

How to write your UCAS personal statement

  • The first part of your UCAS personal statement: Your choice of subject.
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  • Anatomy of the UCAS personal statement: what a successful UCAS personal statement should consist of.
  • What should be included in your UCAS personal statement. A concise reminder.
  • Your UCAS Personal Statement: The 70 Essential Questions
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  • 26 Essential study skills...continued
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Oxford House

  • How to write a C1 Advanced Essay

How to write a C1 Advanced Essay | Oxford House Barcelona

  • Posted on 26/02/2020
  • Categories: Blog
  • Tags: C1 Advanced , Cambridge Exams , Writing

The Cambridge C1 Advanced is an excellent qualification to aim for if you’re thinking of studying or working abroad. It’s recognised by universities and governments all over the world and also helps you prove your language skills to future employers.

One of the most demanding parts of the exam is Part 1 of the Writing paper, which includes writing an essay. For many of you, this won’t come naturally… especially in another language.

So, to give you the best chance at success, we’ve created this in-depth guide full of Cambridge C1 Advanced Writing tips and useful language to get you producing excellent essays in no time.

So, pick up your pen, and let’s get started!

If you’d like to get more help with the C1 Advanced, consider our exam preparation class!

C1 Advanced Writing Requirements

The C1 Advanced Writing exam has two writing parts, which you must complete in 90 minutes. Both parts have a word limit of between 220-260 words. We recommend getting lots of writing practice under these conditions!

Part 1 is always a discursive essay . It requires you to think about arguments for and against a topic.

Part 2 is a situationally based writing task. This could be a letter , an email , a report , a proposal or a review and you have three options to choose from.

Today, we’ll be looking at how to do your best in part 1.

Before you begin

When you turn over the paper and begin Writing Part 1, take some time to read the task instructions. Identify all parts of the question, underlining which parts are obligatory and noting which parts are optional.

Let’s take a look at an example question!

How to write a C1 Advanced Essay - Example Question | Oxford House Barcelona

Remember, you don’t have to use the opinions expressed in the box, but they may help you to get the ball rolling . Also, you only have to talk about two of the options given, not all three.

Make a plan

Take ten minutes to lay out your ideas. Make a pros and cons list for each of the three options and then decide which two you feel most confident with. Here’s some things you might come up with, can you think of any more?

How to write a C1 Advanced Essay - Make a Plan | Oxford House Barcelona

Structure your essay

The essence of a good essay is a clear structure.

Introduction

Here you want to introduce the topic in your own words. Your first line should also grab the reader’s attention, then you should paraphrase the question. Finally, try using a statistic or a rhetorical question. This will make them want to read on, right?

Paragraph 1

Discuss the first option you’ve chosen. Include a good topic sentence and remember to give reasons for your answer. Describe some of the advantages, and even some of the disadvantages too. This will give a well-balanced argument.

Paragraph 2

Here’s where you introduce the second option. Again, try to present both sides of the argument and give reasons for your ideas. Gradually work towards the conclusion.

State your final opinion. This should be a summary of the rest of the essay and point clearly to which option you think is the most important. Do not introduce any new arguments at this stage. The conclusion is where you tie-up any loose ends .

This is an advanced piece of writing, so make sure your choice of language reflects it. You will get marked for accuracy, however, occasional errors can still be present as long as they do not impede understanding. So don’t play it too safe . This is your opportunity to show what you can do, so take some risks and have fun with it!

In the writing paper you should use a range of vocabulary, including less common lexis. Brainstorm some vocabulary related to the topic. Take your time to think of nouns and compound nouns that you know at C1 level. Really let your vocabulary sparkle .

How to write a C1 Advanced Essay - Vocabulary | Oxford House Barcelona

No one likes a broken record . Find synonyms for simple words. You want to use a variety of language, and try not to repeat yourself too much. Check out these different ways of saying the same thing:

advantage = benefit, positive, upside

disadvantage = downside, drawback

effect = influence, impact, result, outcome

problem = issue, challenge, difficulty, obstacle, setback, complication

important = valuable, essential, beneficial

expensive = costly, dear, high-priced, extortionate

cheap = inexpensive, affordable, economical

big = great, large, sizeable, considerable, wide, vast

small = slight, tiny, little

Quick tip: Visit Thesaurus.com to study more synonyms!

Experiment with different grammatical forms. At this level you’re expected to have a good grasp on the grammar. You should use a range of simple and complex grammatical forms with control and flexibility. So challenge yourself with some of these…

  • Participle clauses
  • Conditionals
  • Modal verbs
  • Passive with reporting verbs
  • Cleft sentences
  • Comparatives
  • Relative clauses

Useful expressions

To make your essay flow it’s best to use some key phrases. These will link all your ideas together, and help it sound semi-formal. Take a look at the expressions below. Why not use some in your next essay?

Introduction:

It is often said that…

Many people feel that…

We live in an age when..

More and more…

Introducing & Addition:

Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

On the one hand…

In addition…

What is more…

For example…

For instance…

As a case in point…

Contrasting:

In contrast…

On the other hand…

Alternatively…

However…

Conclusion:

All things considered…

As far as I’m concerned…

In light of the above…

What the examiners are looking for

When writing your essay, bear in mind what you’ll be marked on:

Have you answered all parts of the question? Is everything relevant to the question?

Communicative Achievement

Is the style and tone appropriate? Remember it should be semi-formal and neutral.

Organisation

Does it follow a logical order? Have you used paragraphs and linking devices?

Are you using a variety of grammar and vocabulary? Is it accurate?

Now your masterpiece has come together. Remember to take time to check your work. Here’s the official Writing Checklist from Cambridge Assessment English . And our list of the most common mistakes:

  • subject + verb agreement
  • singulars / plurals
  • question formation
  • variety of tenses
  • dependent prepositions

Some final tips

Avoid contractions (I’m, they’re, we’re) as this is a formal writing.

Don’t use first person pronouns (I, my, our, us).

Practise under timed conditions.

Use model answers to practise fixed expressions.

——

Looking for more help with your Cambridge C1 Advanced exam? Here are our other guides from our blog:

C1 Advanced Reading and Use of English – Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3

And if you are not sure if you’re ready for the C1 Advanced, check out our article Am I ready for the C1 Advanced exam? to find out!

Glossary for Language Learners

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.

Get the ball rolling (exp) : to start something.

Lay out (v): to explain something in detail.

Paraphrase (v): to say the same thing in a different way.

Tie-up any loose ends (exp): to resolve issues.

Play it safe (exp): to act cautiously.

A broken record (exp): when someone repeats themself.

Sparkle (v) : to shine.

Good grasp (exp): a good knowledge.

Bear in mind (exp) : to consider.

Masterpiece (n): an incredible work of art.

exp = expression

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Small Talk For Business English

  • By: oxfordadmin
  • Posted on 19/02/2020

Your Guide To Moving To The USA

  • Posted on 04/03/2020

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  • Vocabulario

Linkers and Connectors – Los conectores del inglés

linkers essay

Si queremos escribir un buen texto en inglés, no importa si es un essay , un email , o un artículo de opinión ,  los conectores son esenciales. Por eso, hoy vamos a ver los linkers and connectors que podemos usar al redactar en inglés. 

Los conectores no solo aportan valor al contenido que queremos transmitir, sino que además aportan cohesión al texto. 

Eso sí, es realmente importante estar seguro del conector que queremos usar y qué queremos transmitir con este, ya que un conector erróneo puede alterar el sentido del texto, ¡y eso es lo último que queremos!

Antes de empezar, es interesante saber diferenciar entre linkers y connectors…

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre linker y connector?

La diferencia entre ambos reside en la función que ocupan en la frase.

Por una parte, los connectors son conjunciones que unen palabras o proposiciones (partes de la oración) entre sí. Es decir, normalmente se utilizan dentro de una misma frase.

Por otra parte, los linkers son palabras o grupos de palabras que conectan frases o ideas del texto. Se sitúan al principio de la oración. Aseguran que el texto tenga una conexión lógica y guían al lector a través de él. 

Realmente, conocer la diferencia no es relevante porque el significado que aportan, bien actúen como connector o como linker, es el mismo (siempre que sean iguales).

Así pues, ¡vamos a ver los linkers y connectors más importantes!

linkers essay

Linkers and connectors of contrast

Se utilizan para señalar una idea contraria.

Connectors:

linkers essay

Linkers and connectors of addition

Se utilizan para añadir una idea, frase o palabra.

Linkers and connectors of reason and cause

Se utilizan para indicar la razón o la cause de algo

linkers essay

Linker s and connectors of purpose

Se utilizan para indicar el propósito o la finalidad por la que se hace algo.

Linkers of result

Se utilizan para indicar un resultado.

Linkers and connectors to give examples

Se utilizan para ofrecer ejemplos.

Linkers of sequence

Se utilizan para indicar la secuencia de los hechos.

Linkers of time

Se utilizan para indicar el momento en el que ocurren los hechos.

¡Y eso es todo por hoy!

Si os soy sincera, hay más, pero creo que con estos, ¡vamos genial!

Todos los linkers and connectors de hoy también podéis usarlos sin ningún problema en essays. Pero también nos sirven en el inglés real del día a día. Si los utilizáis (correctamente), ¡estaréis un paso más cerca de convertiros en unos angloparlantes estupendos!

¡Os dejo unos enlaces por si queréis seguir aprendiendo writing keys!

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4 comentarios.

Escribo artículos científicos en inglés y este es un artículo de cabecera para mi, muchas gracias!!!

Tremendo Adela.. vine por una traducción de un linker y voy a salir bilingüe. Mis dieses

[…] aprendeconadela.com/linkers-and-connectors/ […]

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IMAGES

  1. ENGLISH JOINS US!: Composition Linkers

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  2. Useful Linking Words and Phrases to Use in Your Essays

    linkers essay

  3. Useful Linking Words for Writing Essay in English

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  4. ENGLISH with ELENA: 2batx : Writing: linkers and expressions

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  5. How To Write A Linking Sentence In An Essay

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  6. Linking Devices In Essay Writing

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VIDEO

  1. Linkers, PUC second year English EXAM 2024

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  3. LINKERS vs 二子玉スパークス 5回 (2024/3/16 スカイツリーグリーグ戦)

  4. LINKERS vs 二子玉スパークス 6回 (2024/3/16 スカイツリーグリーグ戦)

  5. LINKERS vs 二子玉スパークス 1回 (2024/3/16 スカイツリーグリーグ戦)

  6. LINKERS vs 二子玉スパークス 2回 (2024/3/16 スカイツリーグリーグ戦)

COMMENTS

  1. 50 linking words to use in academic writing

    50 linking words to use in academic writing. academic writing. linkers. essay writing. thesis. ESL. English. It's very common for students to use long words they don't understand very well in their essays and theses because they have a certain idea of what academic writing should be.

  2. Linking Words

    Linking words and phrases are connectors or transitional phrases. They are also part of formal language, so you'll find them in academic writing, opinion writing, critical essays, dialectic essays, journalism, and business documents. Some linking verbs link clauses within a sentence, such as although, in case, and whatever.

  3. Linking Words And Phrases In English (List With Examples)

    In an essay, you are more likely to choose formal linkers, such as therefore, however, consequently, on the contrary and moreover. There are some linking words that are so formal that you may choose not to use them at all in your writing. Examples include: thus, hence and nonetheless. Linking words and sentence position

  4. PDF Opinion Essay- Expressions and Linkers You Can Use

    TO EXPRESS OPINION. To express opinion In my opinion, Personally, I think/ I believe (that I strongly believe that…. It is clear (to me) that I (completely) agree/disagree with … It seems to me that… As I see it, … In my view,... From my point of view, … As far I am concerned, ... I am sure/ convinced that … I (dis)agree with the ...

  5. Transition Words & Phrases

    Transition sentences are used to start a new paragraph or section in an essay. They help the reader understand connections between ideas. 544. How to Write Topic Sentences | 4 Steps, Examples & Purpose A topic sentence sums up the main point of each paragraph. Use topic sentences to structure your ideas and keep your paragraphs focused.

  6. Linking Words for IELTS Writing Task 2

    The linking words list below is essential for IELTS writing task 2 for high score. The examiner needs to see a range of linking words in your essay to award you a high score for the criterion of Coherence and Cohesion which is 25% of your marks. You will be checked on your range, accuracy and your flexibility of linking words in IELTS writing ...

  7. 75 linking words for academic writing (+examples)

    Linking words play an important role in academic writing: They connect different paragraphs, sections or ideas in a text. Therefore, they considerably improve the readability and argumentation of academic texts such as a thesis, dissertation, essay or journal publication. This list of 75 linking words includes examples of how they can be used in academic

  8. Useful Linking Words and Phrases to Use in Your Essays

    Sharing is caring! Linking words and phrases are used to show relationships between ideas. They can be used to join two or more sentences or clauses. We can use linking words to give a result, add information, summarize, give illustrations, emphasize a point, sequence information, compare or to contrast idea.

  9. IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2

    How to Use Linking Words for IELTS Writing Task 2. For IELTS Task 2, you'll write an extended response to a prompt. In this case, you'll need linkers for IELTS Task 2 to: Present your opinion. Move between paragraphs. Provide reasons. Give examples. Explain conditions and consequences of different scenarios.

  10. Linking Words To Use In An Essay

    Essays commonly use linking words in the following places: The beginning of a paragraph. Beginning of a statement that expands on an argument or presents something new. At the start of a concluding statement. However, you need to use the right to link it from one another sentences or paragraphs.

  11. Practice with Linking Words

    Practice with Linking Words. In IELTS writing task 2, you will need to use a range of linking words to connect your sentences and to make your essay coherent. If you are aiming for band score 6 and above, it is important to show the examiner that you can use a good range of linkers. This lesson is aimed at intermediate to upper intermediate levels.

  12. Linking Words: List of Sentence Connectors in English [UPDATED]

    Linker Words or Word Connectors are used to link large groups of words: phrases and sentences. You can also use them to connect paragraphs to give them coherence. Sentence connectors are usually placed at the beginning of a sentence and may be categorized as follows: 👉 CONTRAST. 1. HOWEVER. This restaurant has the best kitchen in town.

  13. Linking words

    If your writing was like the human body, the content words would be the flesh and the paragraph structure would be the skeleton. Linkers are like the joints of your writing. They help to connect the different parts together and interact with each other. An essay with good cohesive devices will flow and be easy to read.

  14. Linking Words for Essays: How to Link Those Paragraphs and Sentences

    What you write about is only part of what makes up a great essay. Without good flow, your writers will end up lost or bored, so be sure your writing flows. The best way to be sure your writing flows is by linking up your paragraphs and sentences properly. Take a class on college writing essentials for information that goes beyond just linking ...

  15. Linking Words for Essay Writing: Useful Paragraph Phrases

    Linking words play an important role in contrast and argumentative essays. If you need to bring out comparison clearly, consider the use of words such as similarly, equally, comparable, in the same time and likewise. Apart from same as, other words or phrases to use include just like, just as and comparably. 3.

  16. Linking words in academic writing / AEUK

    Linking: Cohesion & Coherence Worksheet. This worksheet helps to consolidate what is 'cohesion' with a focus on pronouns, word forms and summary nouns. It also includes a coherence sheet on key connections and two practice activities. Example Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Webpage Link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP.

  17. IELTS Connectors 2024: Best IELTS Essay Linking Words For ...

    Linking words is a crucial grammatical tool that makes an essay more readable to the examiner. They help in sentence construction and connect two related parts of a text. Linkers can also put forth their opinions comprehensively and display excellent knowledge and a variety of vocabulary. Here are a few more reasons to use linkers in IELTS:

  18. Library: Academic writing: Linking/transition words

    Linking/Transition Words. Transitions link one main idea to another separated by a semi-colon or full-stop. When the transition word is at the beginning of the sentence, it should be followed by a comma: Among other functions, they can signal cause and effect or sequencing (see examples in the table below). Additional comments or ideas.

  19. B2+ Formal Linkers

    A new worksheet for B2+ students to help them add more cohesion to their writing through the use of formal linkers and connectors. Download the handout and key below: formal-linkers-2Download key-formal-linkersDownload Lead students through the worksheet. Encourage creativity in the final activity. Set students an FCE or CAE part 1 essay for homework.

  20. How to begin a new paragraph. Useful linking words and phrases

    Essay writing help. How to write the introduction to an essay; 10 things to remember when using paragraphs within your essay; How to begin a new paragraph. Useful linking words and phrases. The use of the apostrophe: avoid using contractions within your essay; On the importance of taking a critical approach in your essay writing

  21. How to write a C1 Advanced Essay

    The C1 Advanced Writing exam has two writing parts, which you must complete in 90 minutes. Both parts have a word limit of between 220-260 words. We recommend getting lots of writing practice under these conditions! Part 1 is always a discursive essay. It requires you to think about arguments for and against a topic.

  22. Linkers and Connectors

    Si queremos escribir un buen texto en inglés, no importa si es un essay, un email, o un artículo de opinión, los conectores son esenciales. Por eso, hoy vamos a ver los linkers and connectors que podemos usar al redactar en inglés.. Los conectores no solo aportan valor al contenido que queremos transmitir, sino que además aportan cohesión al texto.