Most candidates treat linking words as a way to sound advanced. So they learn a long list and put one at the start of every sentence.
The band descriptors have a word for the result, and the word is mechanical.
How linking is marked
In Writing, linking belongs to Coherence and Cohesion, one of four criteria and a quarter of the mark for each task. The public descriptors set Band 6 and Band 7 apart like this:
- Band 6 — “Cohesive devices are used to some good effect but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical due to misuse, overuse or omission.”
- Band 7 — “A range of cohesive devices including reference and substitution is used flexibly but with some inaccuracies or some over/under use.”
Two things are worth noticing.
Overuse is named at Band 6. An essay can have a linking word in every sentence, all of them correct, and be held at 6 for exactly that.
Band 7 mentions “reference and substitution”. That means pronouns and words like this, these and such, which link ideas without a linking word at all. It is covered further down, and it is what most lists leave out.
In Speaking, linking falls under Fluency and Coherence, where the descriptors refer to connectives and discourse markers. The same principle applies: a range, used naturally.
Linking words by function
Choose by what you want to say, not by which word you have not used yet. Every word in a row does the same job, so one from each row is enough to know well.
| Job | In essays | In speaking |
|---|---|---|
| Adding a point | in addition, also, furthermore, moreover, as well as | and, also, as well, plus, another thing is |
| Contrasting | however, on the other hand, by contrast, whereas, while | but, though, although, on the other hand |
| Conceding | although, even though, despite, nevertheless, admittedly | even so, still, mind you, having said that |
| Giving a reason | because, since, as, due to, owing to | because, since, that’s why, the thing is |
| Giving a result | therefore, as a result, consequently, so, thus | so, that’s why, which means |
| Giving an example | for example, for instance, such as, to illustrate | for example, like, say, take … for instance |
| Ordering points | first, second, finally, the main reason is | first of all, then, after that, in the end |
| Explaining | in other words, that is, this means that | I mean, what I mean is, in other words |
| Concluding | in conclusion, to sum up, overall | so yeah, all in all, basically |
Moreover and furthermore are in the first row, and they are correct. They are also the two most overused words in IELTS essays. In addition or also does the same work and draws less attention.
Punctuation: where most errors happen
Linking words come in three grammatical types, and each has its own punctuation. Mixing them up is what the descriptors mean by “misuse”.
| Type | Examples | How it works | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joins two clauses in one sentence | and, but, so, because, although, whereas, while | No full stop between the clauses | Fares are low, but the trains are unreliable. |
| Starts a new sentence | however, therefore, in addition, as a result, for example | Full stop before, comma after | Fares are low. However, the trains are unreliable. |
| Is followed by a noun | despite, because of, due to, in spite of | Takes a noun or -ing, not a clause | Despite the low fares, few people use the trains. |
The four errors examiners see most:
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
| Fares are low, however the trains are unreliable. | Fares are low. However, the trains are unreliable. |
| Although fares are low, but few people use trains. | Although fares are low, few people use trains. |
| Despite fares are low, few people use trains. | Despite the low fares, few people use trains. |
| Because the trains are unreliable. People drive. | Because the trains are unreliable, people drive. |
One of these, repeated through an essay, costs marks under Grammatical Range and Accuracy as well as Coherence.
Linking without linking words
This is the part that moves an essay from 6 to 7.
Reference. A pronoun or this/these pointing back to what you have just said.
Many cities have introduced congestion charges. These have reduced traffic in the centre, but they are unpopular with drivers.
This + a summary noun. One noun that names the whole previous idea.
More people are working from home. This trend has changed how city centres are used.
Useful summary nouns: this trend, this problem, this approach, this view, this change, this policy, these measures, this situation.
Substitution. A different word for the same thing, to avoid repeating it.
Governments should invest in railways. Such spending pays for itself within a decade.
Compare the two versions of the same paragraph.
Mechanical
Firstly, public transport is cheap. Moreover, public transport reduces pollution. Furthermore, public transport reduces traffic. Therefore, governments should invest in public transport.
Flexible
Public transport is cheaper for passengers than driving, and it produces far less pollution for each journey. It also takes cars off the road, which eases congestion for those who still need to drive. For these reasons, it deserves more public investment than new roads.
The second has one linking phrase, for these reasons. Everything else is joined by and, it, also, which and these. That is what “a range of cohesive devices including reference and substitution” looks like.
Linking words for Writing Task 2
A short set covers every essay.
| Where | Useful links |
|---|---|
| Introduction, stating a view | This essay will argue that…, In my view… |
| First body paragraph | The main reason is that…, One advantage is… |
| Adding to a point | In addition…, This also means that… |
| Giving an example | For example…, …, such as… |
| Turning to the other side | On the other hand…, However…, Critics argue that… |
| Conceding | Although…, While it is true that… |
| Result | As a result…, This leads to… |
| Conclusion | In conclusion…, Overall… |
One link to open a paragraph and one or two inside it is plenty. The question-type guides, starting with the Task 2 overview, show them in full model essays.
Linking words for Writing Task 1
Academic Task 1 needs fewer, and different, links, because you are reporting and comparing, not arguing.
| Job | Useful links |
|---|---|
| Introducing the overview | Overall,… |
| Comparing | while, whereas, by contrast, compared with, in comparison |
| Showing similarity | similarly, likewise, both… and… |
| Moving through time | from 2010 to 2020, over the following decade, by 2020, after that |
| Ordering stages of a process | first, next, then, once…, after which, finally |
| Adding a figure | at 40%, with 40%, respectively |
Do not use In conclusion in Task 1. It is a report, not an essay, and it has an overview in place of a conclusion. Writing Task 1 explained covers the structure.
For General Training letters, match the links to the register. However and therefore suit a formal letter; but, so and anyway suit a letter to a friend. See the letter guide.
Linking words for Speaking
Spoken English links with small, common words. Essay links in conversation are a sign of memorised answers.
| Instead of | Say |
|---|---|
| Moreover | And another thing is… |
| Nevertheless | But still…, Even so… |
| Consequently | So…, That’s why… |
| To illustrate | For example…, Like… |
| In conclusion | So overall…, So yeah… |
Some links buy you thinking time honestly, which is useful in Part 3: Well, it depends…, I’ve never really thought about it, but…, Actually…, To be honest…. Use each sparingly. The same opener three times in a row is as noticeable as silence. Speaking Part 3 has more on structuring longer answers.
Mistakes that cost marks
- A linking word at the start of every sentence. The Band 6 pattern.
- The same word throughout. Five uses of however in one essay.
- A link that does not match the logic. Moreover before a contrast, or therefore before something that does not follow.
- Formal links in speech, and informal ones in essays.
- Comma errors with however and therefore.
- Although… but in the same sentence.
- Besides to add a point in a formal essay. It is conversational; use in addition.
- Rare links learned for show: notwithstanding, henceforth, thereby used wrongly.
How to practise
- Take a paragraph you have written and circle every linking word.
- Delete each one in turn and read the paragraph without it. Keep only those the meaning needs.
- Replace one of the rest with a reference word: this, these, such, it.
- Check the punctuation of every one you kept against the table above.
Most candidates find they can remove a third of their linking words and the paragraph reads better.
To see how your own linking is marked, put an essay through the IELTS writing checker. It gives Coherence and Cohesion its own band and points to the sentences that lowered it.
Related: how the writing band scale works explains all four criteria, and IELTS vocabulary by topic covers the words that go between the links.
Sources
- IELTS Writing band descriptors (PDF) The public Coherence and Cohesion descriptors quoted in this guide at Bands 6 and 7, including the wording on mechanical cohesion, overuse, and reference and substitution.
- IELTS Speaking band descriptors (PDF) The public Fluency and Coherence descriptors, which refer to connectives and discourse markers at each band.
- IELTS Academic Writing test format Official description of Coherence and Cohesion as including logical order and a range of cohesive devices, for example linking words, pronouns and conjunctions.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. See our editorial policy for how guides are checked and corrected.
Frequently asked questions
- What are linking words in IELTS?
- Words and phrases that show how one idea relates to another, such as however, because, for example and as a result. IELTS calls them cohesive devices, a term that also covers pronouns and conjunctions. They are marked under Coherence and Cohesion in Writing.
- How many linking words should I use in an IELTS essay?
- There is no number to aim for. One or two clear links in each paragraph is usually enough. Starting every sentence with a linking word is described in the band descriptors as mechanical and holds the score at Band 6.
- Can I start a sentence with And or But in IELTS Writing?
- It is grammatical, but in a formal Task 2 essay it reads as informal. Join the two sentences with and or but, or begin the second one with In addition or However. In Speaking and in informal letters, starting with And or But is natural.
- Do I need a comma after However?
- Yes, when However begins a sentence it is followed by a comma. It also needs a full stop or a semicolon before it, not a comma. Writing two full sentences joined by a comma and however is one of the commonest errors in IELTS essays.
- Which linking words should I use in IELTS Speaking?
- Everyday ones: and, but, so, because, also, actually, for example, I mean. Formal written links such as moreover, furthermore and in conclusion sound rehearsed in conversation and are best left for essays.
- Are linking words the same as cohesive devices?
- Linking words are one kind. Cohesive devices also include pronouns such as it and they, words such as this and these that point back to an earlier idea, and synonyms that avoid repetition. The Band 7 descriptor asks for a range of these, not only linking words.