Linking Words for IELTS - 46 Connectors for Writing & Speaking
The Coherence and Cohesion criterion accounts for a quarter of your Writing band, and cohesion is scored in Speaking too - examiners listen for the connectives that hold a long Part 3 answer together. The 46 connectors below are grouped by function so you can pick the right tool: adding information, contrasting, showing cause, giving examples, concluding, conceding, and - new in this update - the six spoken linkers fluent candidates use in the Speaking test. Avoid mechanical use: IELTS Writing Task 2 band descriptors at 6.0 explicitly mention overuse of cohesive devices, and a formal written connector like 'furthermore' sounds unnatural in speech. Match the connector to the channel: the written forms for your essays, the spoken forms for your interview.
IELTS prompts where this vocabulary fits
- Writing Task 2 (used across all prompt types)
- Writing Task 1 - chart-description connectors (in particular, by contrast, similarly)
- Speaking Part 3 - careful spoken use can lift Coherence in extended answers
Linking Words vocabulary table
Each row gives the word, part of speech, plain-English definition, an IELTS-style example sentence, common collocations, and an optional band-7+ synonym you can swap in for variety.
| Word | POS | Definition | IELTS-style example | Collocations | Band-7+ synonym |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| furthermore | adv. | In addition to what has been said; used to introduce a stronger point. | “Public transport reduces traffic. Furthermore, it cuts overall carbon emissions sharply.” | adds emphasis to the second point | moreover |
| moreover | adv. | In addition; introduces a further important point. | “Online learning is flexible. Moreover, it allows access to teachers in other countries.” | formal additive, sentence-initial | in addition |
| in addition | phr. | Used to add a related point. | “Higher minimum wages help low-income workers. In addition, they raise consumer spending.” | comma after, sentence-initial common | additionally |
| what is more | phr. | Used to add a striking or important point. | “The new policy is fair. What is more, it is far cheaper than the old system.” | less formal than moreover | on top of that |
| additionally | adv. | In addition; supplies a further fact. | “Renewable energy is cleaner. Additionally, its long-term cost is dropping faster than fossil-fuel cost.” | sentence-initial, neutral register | also |
| however | adv. | Used to introduce a contrasting statement. | “Working from home offers flexibility. However, it can also blur the line between work and personal life.” | comma after, mid- or initial-sentence | nevertheless |
| nevertheless | adv. | Despite that; in spite of what has been said. | “Critics argue that automation destroys jobs. Nevertheless, it has historically created more roles than it has removed.” | very formal, sentence-initial | even so |
| on the other hand | phr. | Used to introduce the opposite or contrasting side of an argument. | “City life is exciting. On the other hand, it is far more expensive than rural living.” | use only after one side has been stated | in contrast |
| conversely | adv. | In an opposite way. | “Strict regulation can stifle small businesses. Conversely, it tends to protect consumers more effectively.” | sentence-initial, very formal | in contrast |
| whereas | conj. | While; in contrast to. | “Some students prefer working alone, whereas others benefit greatly from group study.” | joins two clauses, mid-sentence | while |
| despite | prep. | In spite of; introduces a fact that does not change the main argument. | “Despite the rise of online shopping, many small high-street stores have managed to survive.” | + noun or -ing phrase | in spite of |
| in spite of | phr. | Despite; introduces a contrast. | “In spite of significant investment, the policy has produced disappointing results.” | + noun or -ing phrase | despite |
| consequently | adv. | As a result. | “Public-health awareness has improved. Consequently, smoking rates have fallen for two decades.” | sentence-initial, very formal | as a result |
| therefore | adv. | For that reason. | “Online platforms make information widely available. Therefore, knowledge gaps based on location are narrowing.” | sentence-initial or mid-sentence | thus |
| as a result | phr. | Used to introduce a consequence. | “Many factories closed during the recession. As a result, unemployment rose sharply in affected regions.” | comma after, sentence-initial | consequently |
| hence | adv. | For this reason; from this fact. | “Younger candidates can adapt quickly to new technology. Hence, they often outperform older colleagues in software-heavy roles.” | very formal, sometimes archaic | therefore |
| thus | adv. | In this way; consequently. | “Pollution has been brought under control. Thus, urban air quality in many cities has improved.” | formal, can also mean 'in this way' | therefore |
| due to | prep. | Because of; introduces a cause. | “Due to falling birth rates, several European countries now face shrinking workforces.” | + noun phrase, not a clause | owing to |
| owing to | phr. | Because of; introduces a cause. | “Owing to widespread internet access, distance learning has become a viable alternative to campus study.” | + noun phrase, formal | because of |
| because of | prep. | Used to introduce a cause. | “Because of stricter emission standards, urban air quality has improved measurably.” | + noun phrase, neutral register | due to |
| for instance | phr. | For example. | “Many countries have introduced sugar taxes. The United Kingdom, for instance, applied one to soft drinks in 2018.” | comma boundaries, mid-sentence | for example |
| for example | phr. | Used to give a specific example. | “Renewable-energy investment varies widely. Germany, for example, generates over forty per cent of its electricity from renewables.” | comma boundaries | for instance |
| such as | prep. | Like; for example. | “Several professions, such as accountancy and law, require formal accreditation.” | introduces a list mid-sentence | like |
| namely | adv. | That is to say; specifically. | “Two factors drove the change, namely automation and falling demand.” | introduces specifics that follow | specifically |
| in particular | phr. | Especially. | “Young drivers, in particular, benefit from advanced safety features.” | mid-sentence comma boundaries | specifically |
| in conclusion | phr. | Used to introduce a final summary. | “In conclusion, while remote work suits many roles, it is not appropriate for every industry.” | sentence-initial, only one per essay | to summarise |
| to sum up | phr. | In summary. | “To sum up, the benefits of investment in public transport outweigh the upfront costs.” | sentence-initial, less formal | in conclusion |
| ultimately | adv. | In the end; used in conclusions. | “Ultimately, individual behaviour change matters as much as government policy in tackling waste.” | sentence-initial, final-paragraph use | in the end |
| overall | adv. | Used to give a general statement summing up earlier points. | “Overall, the evidence suggests that the policy has succeeded in its main aim.” | sentence-initial, often in conclusion | on the whole |
| indeed | adv. | Used to emphasise a previous statement. | “Sleep is important. Indeed, chronic sleep deprivation is now linked to several serious illnesses.” | sentence-initial, emphasis | in fact |
| in fact | phr. | Used to add a strong or contrary point. | “Critics claim the policy is expensive. In fact, it has paid for itself within three years.” | sentence-initial or mid-sentence | indeed |
| notably | adv. | Especially; in particular. | “Several countries have reformed their education systems, notably Finland and Singapore.” | mid-sentence, comma boundaries | especially |
| particularly | adv. | Especially. | “Air pollution is harmful, particularly for the very young and the elderly.” | mid-sentence | especially |
| admittedly | adv. | Used to concede a point before disagreeing. | “Admittedly, online courses lack the social benefits of campus study; nevertheless, they widen access to education.” | sentence-initial, sets up a contrast | granted |
| of course | phr. | Used to acknowledge a point. | “Of course, no policy works for everyone, but the benefits to the majority are clear.” | mid-sentence, mild concession | naturally |
| granted | adv. | Used to admit a point. | “Granted, automation will eliminate some roles. Even so, it will create others over time.” | sentence-initial, concession | admittedly |
| while it is true | phr. | Used to make a concession. | “While it is true that exam pressure can harm students' health, it also prepares them for adult work.” | introduces the concession clause | although it is true |
| firstly | adv. | Used to introduce the first point in a sequence. | “Firstly, free public transport reduces traffic. Secondly, it lowers urban air pollution.” | sentence-initial, paired with 'secondly' | first |
| secondly | adv. | Used to introduce a second point. | “Secondly, regular exercise improves mental as well as physical health.” | sentence-initial, follows 'firstly' | second |
| finally | adv. | Used to introduce the last point. | “Finally, governments should invest in public-transport infrastructure to reduce car dependence.” | sentence-initial, signals last point | lastly |
| mind you | phrase | Introduces a contrasting point naturally in speech. | “I love living downtown. Mind you, the rent is eye-watering.” | spoken contrast (Speaking Part 1 & 3) | however |
| having said that | phrase | Softens or balances the point you just made. | “Exams are stressful. Having said that, they do push me to study properly.” | spoken concession (Part 3) | even so |
| on top of that | phrase | Adds a further point in speech. | “The course was expensive, and on top of that the materials cost extra.” | spoken addition (Part 1 & 2) | also |
| speaking of which | phrase | Links naturally to a related topic. | “I usually study in cafes - speaking of which, a great one just opened near my flat.” | topic transitions (Speaking) | on that subject |
| at the end of the day | phrase | Introduces your final, bottom-line view. | “At the end of the day, the best job is one you can sustain for years.” | concluding opinions (Part 3) | ultimately |
| that's why | phrase | Gives a spoken reason or result. | “Trains here are unreliable - that's why most people still drive.” | spoken cause and effect (Part 1 & 3) | therefore |
Band-8 sample answer
Sample band-8 Writing Task 2 body paragraph showing controlled use of linking words - note: only three connectors in five sentences, not one per sentence.
Free public transport has clear benefits for both the environment and lower-income workers. Furthermore, it tends to reduce private car use in congested city centres. However, the policy is expensive to maintain and depends on long-term political commitment. In particular, smaller cities with limited tax bases struggle to fund such schemes without external support. The strongest case for free transport therefore combines environmental benefit with social mobility - two outcomes that justify the cost where local conditions allow.
Words used: furthermore, however, in particular, therefore
Using these in IELTS Speaking
IELTS Speaking rewards natural production over recall. Aim to slip a higher-register word like furthermore or hence into your answer at the moment the question invites it, rather than forcing a memorised phrase into the opening sentence. Examiners notice when vocabulary feels rehearsed.
If you are not sure of a collocation, use a slightly safer word you control. A single confident use of in fact in Part 3 - where the question explicitly invites discussion - gives examiners more evidence of range than a stilted opening sentence with three advanced terms.
Using these in IELTS Writing Task 2
Writing Task 2 rewards precise topic vocabulary in body paragraphs more than in the introduction. The introduction restates the prompt and signals your position; the body paragraphs are where examiners look for evidence of lexical range. Anchor each body paragraph on one main idea and weave in two or three words from this page that genuinely advance the argument.
Avoid the temptation to use every word on this page in a single essay. Two or three accurate uses of less common vocabulary is band-7 territory; five forced uses without natural collocation is a band-6 signal. Pair higher-register vocabulary with simple, grammatically clean sentences rather than the other way around.
Common traps to avoid
The most common linking words trap at band 6.5 is collocation mismatch - using a word in a combination native speakers would not produce. The collocations column on the table above is the most important field for avoiding this; learn furthermore not as a single word but as part of the collocations listed beside it.
The second trap is register mismatch: using an informal word in a Writing Task 2 essay, or an overly formal word in a personal Speaking answer. The example sentences on this page are calibrated to the register IELTS expects for each section listed in the header.
Common questions
How many of these linking words words do I actually need to know?
Will I lose marks if I use an unfamiliar word incorrectly?
Where in the IELTS exam does linking words vocabulary appear?
How should I memorise this vocabulary effectively for IELTS?
Will overusing connectors hurt my Writing band?
Practise these words in a real IELTS test
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