Linking words, also called cohesive devices or transition words, show how your ideas connect: whether one point adds to another, contrasts with it, or explains it. In IELTS Writing they are part of Coherence and Cohesion, one of the four criteria that each count for a quarter of your Writing band.
This guide gives you the most useful linking words for IELTS Writing, grouped by what they do, with an example sentence and a usage note for each. You’ll also see the punctuation rules, the mistakes that cost points, and what examiners expect at Band 7 and above.
If you’re looking for free IELTS Writing Task 2 practice, then click the button below to write an essay, try these linking words, and see a model answer.
play_circle_outline Start Free Writing Task 2 PracticeTable Of Contents
- Why Linking Words Matter in IELTS Writing
- Linking Words for Adding Information
- Linking Words for Contrast and Concession
- Linking Words for Cause
- Linking Words for Result
- Linking Words for Giving Examples
- Linking Words for Sequencing and Structuring
- Linking Words for Emphasis and Clarification
- Linking Words for Concluding
- Linking Words for IELTS Writing Task 1
- How to Punctuate Linking Words
- Cohesion Beyond Linking Words
- Common Linking Word Mistakes
- How Our Learners Score on Coherence and Cohesion
- Practise Linking Words with BestMyTest
- Frequently Asked Questions About IELTS Linking Words
Why Linking Words Matter in IELTS Writing
Examiners score your essay on four criteria: Task Response (or Task Achievement in Task 1), Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Coherence is how logically your ideas are organized; cohesion is how clearly the sentences and paragraphs are linked.
In simple terms, the public band descriptors draw the line like this:
- Band 6: the writer uses cohesive devices effectively, but linking within or between sentences can be faulty or mechanical.
- Band 7: the writer uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately, even if some are under- or over-used.
- Band 8: the writer manages all aspects of cohesion well.
- Band 9: cohesion is used so naturally that it attracts no attention.
So the goal isn’t to use as many linking words as possible. It’s to use the right one in the right place, with correct grammar and punctuation.
Linking Words for Adding Information
Use these to add a second point that supports the first.
Linking words | Example | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
In addition, / Furthermore, / Moreover, | Public transport reduces traffic. In addition, it lowers air pollution in city centres. | Start a new sentence and add a comma. |
also / as well as | Remote work saves commuting time and also gives employees more flexibility. | “Also” goes before the main verb; “as well as” is followed by a noun or -ing form. |
Not only … but also … | Online courses are not only cheaper but also easier to fit around a job. | A strong structure; use it once per essay, not in every paragraph. |
Linking Words for Contrast and Concession
Use these to show the other side of an argument, or to admit a point before rejecting it.
Linking words | Example | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
However, / Nevertheless, | Many people prefer private cars. However, cars are a major source of urban pollution. | Start a new sentence. Don’t join two sentences with “however” and a comma. |
On the other hand, | Studying alone offers flexibility. On the other hand, group study helps students explain difficult ideas. | Use it to compare two sides, not to introduce any contrast. |
whereas / while | Older inventions changed basic living conditions, whereas recent ones mainly improve communication. | Joins two clauses in one sentence. |
Although / Even though | Although harsh punishments may deter some crime, they do not address its causes. | Followed by a full clause (subject + verb). |
Despite / In spite of | Despite strict traffic laws, many drivers still break the speed limit. | Followed by a noun or -ing form, not a clause. |
Admittedly, / It is true that … | Admittedly, self-treatment can save time for minor illnesses. | Concede a point before you answer it. Useful in agree or disagree essays. |
Linking Words for Cause
Use these to explain why something happens.
Linking words | Example | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
because / since / as | Many employees work long hours because living costs are high. | Followed by a clause. |
because of / due to / owing to | Traffic accidents rise due to dangerous driving and poor road design. | Followed by a noun, not a clause. |
Linking Words for Result
Use these to show the effect or consequence of something.
Linking words | Example | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
Therefore, / Consequently, / As a result, | Many children are given everything they ask for. As a result, they may struggle to accept limits later. | Start a new sentence and add a comma. |
so / which means that | Information is available online, which means that teachers now guide learning rather than deliver it. | “So” joins two clauses; avoid starting formal sentences with it. |
lead to / result in | Excessive working hours can lead to stress and poor health. | Verbs that link a cause to an effect in one clause. |
Linking Words for Giving Examples
Use these to support a point with a specific case. Examples are often what moves an essay from Band 6 to Band 7.
Linking words | Example | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
For example, / For instance, | Governments can support culture cheaply. For example, they can offer free museum entry to students. | Start a new sentence and give a full example. |
such as | Essential services such as healthcare and education should come first. | Followed by nouns, inside the sentence. |
A clear example of this is … | A clear example of this is the growth of online banking. | A natural way to introduce a longer example. |
Linking Words for Sequencing and Structuring
Use these to organize your ideas and guide the reader through the essay.
Linking words | Example | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
Firstly, / Secondly, / Finally, | Firstly, adult literacy improves employment prospects. | Helpful, but don’t number every sentence. Vary them with phrases below. |
The main reason is that … | The main reason is that public money is limited. | Opens a body paragraph more naturally than “Firstly”. |
Another reason / A further benefit is … | A further benefit is that group study keeps students motivated. | Introduces the second point of a paragraph. |
Linking Words for Emphasis and Clarification
Use these to stress a point or explain it more clearly.
Linking words | Example | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
In fact, / Indeed, | Technology has not replaced teachers. In fact, it has made their guidance more important. | Adds a stronger or surprising point. |
In other words, / That is to say, | Funding should match local needs. In other words, each country should set its own priorities. | Rephrases a complex idea in simpler words. |
Particularly / especially | Long working hours are harmful, especially for parents of young children. | Narrows a point to the most important case. |
Linking Words for Concluding
Use one of these to start your final paragraph.
Linking words | Example | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
In conclusion, / To conclude, | In conclusion, the benefits of restricting cars in city centres outweigh the drawbacks. | The clearest choice for Task 2. Restate your position, don’t add new ideas. |
Overall, | Overall, both views have merit, but prevention is more effective than punishment. | Also works in Task 1 to introduce the overview. |
Linking Words for IELTS Writing Task 1
Task 1 reports describe and compare data, so they need a different set of linking words. These are the most useful for charts, graphs, tables, and processes:
- Comparing: while, whereas, by contrast, similarly, likewise. “Sales of laptops rose, while sales of desktops fell.”
- Time and order: initially, subsequently, followed by, over the period, by 2020. “The figure rose sharply, followed by a gradual decline.”
- Process steps: first, next, once, after that, finally. “Once the beans are dried, they are roasted.”
- Overview: overall, in general. “Overall, spending on transport increased in all three countries.”
For full guides with sample answers, see our pages on the IELTS Writing Task 1 line graph, bar chart, and process diagram.
How to Punctuate Linking Words
Punctuation mistakes with linking words are among the easiest ways to lose grammar points. Three rules cover most cases:
Rule | Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
Sentence linkers (however, therefore, in addition) start a new sentence and take a comma. | Cars are convenient. However, they cause pollution. | Cars are convenient, however they cause pollution. |
Clause linkers (although, because, whereas) join two clauses in one sentence. | Although cars are convenient, they cause pollution. | Although cars are convenient. They cause pollution. |
Phrase linkers (despite, due to, such as) are followed by a noun or -ing form. | Despite being convenient, cars cause pollution. | Despite cars are convenient, they cause pollution. |
Cohesion Beyond Linking Words
Band 7+ essays don’t rely on linking words alone. They also connect ideas with:
- Reference words: this, these, such, it, they. “Many cities restrict cars. This policy reduces congestion.”
- Synonyms and paraphrase: instead of repeating “children”, use “young people”, “the younger generation”, or “pupils”.
- Relative clauses: “Online courses, which are cheaper, are becoming popular.”
- Clear paragraphs: one main idea per body paragraph, with a topic sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph is about.
These make your writing read naturally, which is what the higher bands reward. You can practise them with recent essay questions from our IELTS Writing Task 2 topics 2026.
Common Linking Word Mistakes
- Overusing them. Starting every sentence with a linking word sounds mechanical, which the descriptors place at Band 6. Use one only where it adds meaning.
- Using the wrong relationship. “Moreover” adds a point; it can’t introduce a contrast. Check that the word matches what you mean.
- Mixing up grammar. “Despite” takes a noun; “although” takes a clause. “Because of” takes a noun; “because” takes a clause.
- Memorized phrases that don’t fit. Long set phrases such as “It is an undeniable fact that…” waste words and examiners recognize them.
- Informal linkers. “Plus”, “Besides that”, and “Also,” at the start of a sentence sound conversational. Use “In addition” or “Furthermore” instead.
How Our Learners Score on Coherence and Cohesion
In 3,778 IELTS Writing Task 2 essays reviewed by our AI, the average Coherence and Cohesion band was 5.9, and it was the lowest of the four criteria in 38% of essays. The chart compares it with the other three criteria.
If Coherence and Cohesion is your lowest criterion, start with paragraphing and reference words before adding new linking words.
Practise Linking Words with BestMyTest
Linking words stick when you use them in real essays and get feedback on them. Write a Task 2 essay in our free IELTS Writing Task 2 practice, then check your AI review: it scores Coherence and Cohesion separately and shows every correction it makes. See how it works in our IELTS writing review guide.
For a complete method for each essay type, see our IELTS Writing Task 2 question types guide, and for the full Writing test, our IELTS Writing guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About IELTS Linking Words
helpHow many linking words should I use in IELTS Writing Task 2?expand_moreexpand_less
There is no set number. Use a linking word when it shows a real relationship between ideas, such as contrast, cause, or result. Most strong essays use a few at the start of sentences and connect the rest of their ideas through clear paragraphing and reference words.
helpDo linking words increase my IELTS Writing band score?expand_moreexpand_less
They help with Coherence and Cohesion, one of the four criteria that each count for a quarter of your Writing score. But using them mechanically or incorrectly can lower that score, so accuracy matters more than variety.
helpIs it wrong to start a sentence with “And” or “But” in IELTS?expand_moreexpand_less
It is common in informal writing, but in an academic essay it is better to use “In addition” or “However” at the start of a sentence, or to join the ideas into one sentence with “and” or “but”.
helpWhat is the difference between “however” and “although”?expand_moreexpand_less
“However” starts a new sentence and is followed by a comma. “Although” joins two ideas in one sentence and is followed by a full clause, for example: “Although cars are convenient, they cause pollution.”
helpCan I use the same linking words in Task 1 and Task 2?expand_moreexpand_less
Many work in both, such as “however”, “whereas”, and “overall”. Task 1 also needs words for describing data, such as “while”, “by contrast”, and “followed by”, while Task 2 relies more on words for reasons, results, and examples.
The figures on this page come from the BestMyTest IELTS learner performance data, our records of IELTS practice on BestMyTest up to October 2026. That page explains how we measure each figure. Last updated 15 October 2026.