# IELTS linking words 98 linking words by what they do, each marked for Writing or Speaking, with the pattern it takes and an example. ## Adding - **moreover** (Writing; Moreover, + clause): _Moreover, cycling to work gives office employees a cheap way to build regular exercise into a busy day._ Watch: Heavily overused in IELTS essays; keep it for a further, stronger point, not before every new idea. - **furthermore** (Writing; Furthermore, + clause): _Furthermore, online courses allow students in rural areas to study subjects that their local schools cannot offer._ Watch: One word: 'Further more' is wrong. Avoid 'Moreover' and 'Furthermore' in back-to-back sentences. - **in addition** (Both; In addition, + clause): _In addition, many hospitals now send text-message reminders, which has reduced the number of missed appointments._ Watch: Not followed directly by a noun: for a noun or -ing use 'In addition to'. - **in addition to** (Both; In addition to + noun / -ing, + clause): _In addition to teaching academic subjects, schools should help pupils develop practical skills such as cooking._ Watch: Takes a noun or -ing, not an infinitive: 'In addition to teach' is wrong. - **also** (Both; subject + also + main verb (after 'be')): _Working from home saves time, and it also lowers the cost of running a large office for employers._ Watch: 'Also,' at the start of an essay sentence sounds conversational; put 'also' before the main verb instead. - **as well as** (Both; clause + as well as + noun / -ing): _Regular exercise improves mental health as well as reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes._ Watch: When it adds a point, follow it with a noun or -ing: 'as well as reduces' is wrong. - **what is more** (Writing; What is more, + clause): _What is more, teenagers who have part-time jobs often learn to manage money earlier than their classmates._ Watch: 'What's more' is the natural spoken form; write it out in full in an essay. - **additionally** (Writing; Additionally, + clause): _Additionally, green roofs help to keep buildings cool in summer, which reduces the need for air conditioning._ - **not only ... but also** (Both; subject + not only + verb ... but also + verb): _Cycling not only keeps people fit but also reduces noise and air pollution in city centres._ Watch: At the start of a sentence it needs inversion: 'Not only does cycling keep...', not 'Not only cycling keeps...'. - **besides** (Speaking; Besides, + clause): _Besides, the rent in the city centre is far too high for most students, so living there isn't realistic._ Watch: Informal as a sentence linker; in essays use 'In addition'. 'Besides' + noun means 'apart from'. - **plus** (Speaking; clause + , plus + clause): _My office is only ten minutes from home, plus my manager lets me work flexible hours, so it suits me._ Watch: Fine in speaking, but avoid it as a linker in a Task 2 essay. ## Contrasting - **however** (Both; ...; however, ...): _Many people want to live closer to nature; however, most of the well-paid jobs are still in large cities._ Watch: It can't join two clauses with only a comma: '..., however, ...' between two clauses is a comma splice. - **on the other hand** (Both; On the other hand, + clause): _On the other hand, living in the countryside often means fewer job opportunities and longer journeys to hospitals._ Watch: Gives the other side of the same issue; it does not mean the same as 'on the contrary'. - **whereas** (Writing; clause + , whereas + clause): _Older employees often prefer face-to-face meetings, whereas younger staff are usually comfortable with video calls._ Watch: A conjunction: a 'Whereas...' clause cannot stand alone as a separate sentence. - **while** (Both; While + clause, + clause): _While some people enjoy the energy of big cities, others find the noise and crowds exhausting._ Watch: It also means 'during the time that', so make sure the contrast is clear. - **but** (Both; clause + , but + clause): _Online shopping is convenient, but it has forced many small shops on the high street to close._ Watch: Starting an essay sentence with 'But' is grammatical but informal; 'However,' is safer in Task 2. - **in contrast** (Writing; In contrast, + clause): _In contrast, sales of electric cars rose steadily throughout the period shown on the graph._ Watch: Before a noun use 'In contrast to': 'In contrast to cars, bicycles...'. - **unlike** (Both; Unlike + noun, + clause): _Unlike coal and gas, wind power produces no carbon emissions while it is generating electricity._ Watch: Compare like with like: 'Unlike London, Paris's population...' compares a city with a population. - **yet** (Both; clause + , yet + clause): _The city has plenty of parks, yet many children rarely play outdoors after school._ Watch: Don't combine it with 'but': 'but yet' is redundant. - **conversely** (Writing; ...; conversely, ...): _Strict parenting can produce disciplined children; conversely, very relaxed parenting may leave children without a clear routine._ Watch: Use it when the second idea is the reverse of the first, not for any contrast. - **instead of** (Both; clause + instead of + noun / -ing): _More companies are holding video interviews instead of asking candidates to travel long distances._ Watch: Takes a noun or -ing: 'instead of ask' or 'instead of to ask' is wrong. - **on the contrary** (Writing; ...; on the contrary, ...): _Learning a second language does not confuse young children; on the contrary, it can improve their problem-solving skills._ Watch: It rejects the statement before it; to give the other side of an issue use 'on the other hand'. ## Conceding - **although** (Both; Although + clause, + clause): _Although the new metro line was expensive to build, it has greatly reduced journey times across the city._ Watch: Don't add 'but' to the main clause: 'Although..., but...' is wrong. - **even though** (Both; clause + even though + clause): _Many students take part-time jobs even though working long hours can affect their grades._ Watch: Two words: 'eventhough' is wrong. - **though** (Speaking; clause + , though. (at the end)): _I really enjoyed studying abroad; it was quite expensive for my family, though._ Watch: End-position 'though' is conversational; in essays use 'although' at the start of a clause. - **despite** (Both; Despite + noun / -ing, + clause): _Despite strict laws, many drivers still use their phones while driving through busy city streets._ Watch: 'Despite of' is wrong, and 'despite' cannot be followed directly by a clause. - **in spite of** (Both; In spite of + noun / -ing, + clause): _In spite of working long hours, many nurses earn less than the national average salary._ Watch: Three words; don't drop 'of' (unlike 'despite', which never takes 'of'). - **despite the fact that** (Writing; clause + despite the fact that + clause): _Many people continue to smoke despite the fact that the health risks are printed on every packet._ Watch: Correct but wordy; 'although' often does the same job more neatly. - **nevertheless** (Writing; ...; nevertheless, ...): _Building new roads is expensive; nevertheless, it is often the only way to connect remote villages to hospitals and schools._ Watch: Like 'however', it needs a semicolon or full stop before it when it joins two clauses, not just a comma. - **admittedly** (Writing; Admittedly, + clause, but + clause): _Admittedly, working from home can feel isolating, but video calls make it easier to stay in touch with colleagues._ Watch: Use it to accept a point against your view, then answer that point. - **even so** (Both; ...; even so, ...): _The new bus lanes have reduced journey times; even so, many commuters still prefer to drive to work._ - **that said** (Both; That said, + clause): _That said, fast food is not always unhealthy, as many chains now offer salads and grilled options._ Watch: Slightly informal; 'Nevertheless,' sounds more formal in an essay. - **it is true that** (Writing; It is true that + clause, but + clause): _It is true that robots will replace some factory jobs, but they will also create new roles in maintenance and design._ Watch: Follow it with your counter-point ('but...'); on its own it just supports the other side. - **regardless of** (Both; clause + , regardless of + noun): _Every child should have access to a good education, regardless of their family's income or background._ Watch: 'Irregardless' is non-standard; use 'regardless of'. ## Cause and effect - **because** (Both; clause + because + clause): _Many people prefer to shop online because it saves time and offers a wider choice of products._ Watch: In writing, a clause beginning with 'Because' cannot stand alone as a sentence. - **because of** (Both; Because of + noun, + clause): _Because of the rise in childhood obesity, some schools have removed sugary drinks from their vending machines._ Watch: Takes a noun, not a clause: 'because of prices are high' is wrong. - **due to** (Writing; clause + due to + noun): _Many outdoor events were cancelled last summer due to extreme heat and the risk of wildfires._ Watch: Not followed directly by a clause: 'due to people drive more' is wrong. - **owing to** (Writing; Owing to + noun, + clause): _Owing to a shortage of qualified teachers, some rural schools have classes of more than forty pupils._ - **as a result** (Both; ...; as a result, ...): _Many factories have moved overseas; as a result, unemployment in some industrial towns has risen sharply._ Watch: Before a noun use 'as a result of': 'As a result of automation, ...'. - **therefore** (Writing; ...; therefore, ...): _Public transport in the area is unreliable; therefore, most families feel they have no choice but to own a car._ Watch: It can't join two clauses with only a comma; use a semicolon or start a new sentence. - **consequently** (Writing; Consequently, + clause): _Consequently, many graduates are leaving the region to look for better-paid work in the capital._ Watch: Means 'as a result'; don't confuse it with 'subsequently', which means 'later'. - **thus** (Writing; clause + , thus + -ing): _Many offices now allow flexible hours, thus reducing the number of cars on the road at peak times._ Watch: Very formal; using it in every paragraph sounds forced. - **so** (Both; clause + , so + clause): _Housing in the capital is extremely expensive, so many young workers share flats with three or four other people._ Watch: Fine mid-sentence in essays; 'So,' at the start of a written sentence sounds conversational. - **since** (Both; Since + clause, + clause): _Since most students now own laptops, many universities have reduced the number of computer rooms on campus._ Watch: It also refers to time ('since 2010'), so check the meaning is clear. - **this leads to** (Writing; ..., and this leads to + noun / -ing): _Long working hours leave people little time to cook, and this leads to a greater reliance on fast food._ Watch: Takes a noun or -ing: 'leads to increase prices' is wrong; say 'leads to higher prices'. - **for this reason** (Writing; For this reason, + clause): _For this reason, many doctors now recommend a daily walk rather than intensive gym sessions for older patients._ - **result in** (Writing; cause + result in + noun / -ing): _Cutting school sports programmes may result in higher rates of obesity among children and teenagers._ Watch: 'Result in' gives the effect, 'result from' gives the cause; don't swap them. ## Giving examples - **for example** (Both; For example, + clause): _For example, Copenhagen has invested heavily in cycle lanes, and cycling is now one of the most common ways to get to work there._ Watch: Don't combine it with 'such as' ('For example, such as...'); use one or the other. - **for instance** (Both; ...; for instance, ...): _Small changes can save energy at home; for instance, switching off lights in empty rooms lowers electricity bills._ - **such as** (Both; noun + such as + noun(s)): _Many children now spend their free time on activities such as gaming and watching online videos._ Watch: Followed by nouns, not a full clause: 'such as people drive less' is wrong. - **like** (Speaking; noun + like + noun(s)): _I really enjoy outdoor sports like hiking and swimming, especially when the weather's warm._ Watch: Natural in speaking; 'such as' sounds more formal in an essay. - **a good example of this is** (Both; A good example of this is + noun): _A good example of this is Singapore, where strict rules on littering have helped to keep the streets clean._ - **namely** (Writing; noun + , namely + noun(s) / -ing): _The council has two main priorities, namely improving public transport and building more affordable housing._ Watch: Use it to name exactly the things you just mentioned, not to give one example among many. - **to illustrate** (Writing; To illustrate, + clause): _To illustrate, a family that replaces short car journeys with cycling can save a significant amount on fuel each month._ ## Sequencing and listing - **firstly** (Writing; Firstly, + clause): _Firstly, a four-day working week would give employees more time to rest and spend with their families._ Watch: Use 'Firstly... Secondly...' for a real list of points; numbering every paragraph reads as mechanical. - **secondly** (Writing; Secondly, + clause): _Secondly, governments could offer tax breaks to companies that allow their staff to work flexible hours._ - **to begin with** (Both; To begin with, + clause): _To begin with, the raw cocoa beans are dried in the sun for about a week before being sorted._ - **then** (Both; ... and then + verb): _The raw materials are mixed with water and then heated in a large oven for several hours._ Watch: Not a conjunction: '..., then ...' joining two clauses with only a comma is a comma splice; write 'and then'. - **after that** (Both; After that, + clause): _After that, the flakes are washed, melted and turned into small pellets that can be used to make new bottles._ Watch: 'After' alone can't replace it: 'After, the flakes are washed' is wrong in formal writing. - **subsequently** (Writing; subject + was / were + subsequently + past participle): _The factory closed in 2008, and the site was subsequently turned into a park and new housing._ Watch: Means 'afterwards', not 'as a result' (that's 'consequently'). - **finally** (Both; Finally, + clause): _Finally, the finished bricks are loaded onto lorries and delivered to building sites across the region._ Watch: 'Finally' introduces the last step or point; 'In conclusion' introduces the conclusion. - **meanwhile** (Both; ...; meanwhile, ...): _The population of the city grew rapidly; meanwhile, the number of hospital beds stayed almost the same._ Watch: Means 'at the same time'; use it for two things happening in the same period. - **once** (Both; Once + clause, + clause): _Once students have finished their final exams, many of them take a gap year to travel or work._ Watch: Don't use 'will' after it: 'Once the exams will finish' is wrong. - **prior to** (Writing; Prior to + noun / -ing, + clause): _Prior to 2005, most households in the region relied on wood for cooking and heating their homes._ Watch: Takes a noun or -ing, not a clause; 'before' is often simpler and just as good. - **following** (Writing; Following + noun, + clause): _Following the introduction of a sugar tax, sales of fizzy drinks in the country fell noticeably._ ## Comparing - **similarly** (Writing; Similarly, + clause): _Similarly, the proportion of people who owned a smartphone rose from under 20% to over 80% across the period._ Watch: Use it for a genuinely similar point or trend, not for a contrast. - **likewise** (Writing; Likewise, + clause): _Likewise, older employees can learn a great deal about new technology from their younger colleagues._ - **in the same way** (Both; In the same way that + clause, + clause): _In the same way that children copy their parents' habits, pupils often copy the attitudes of their teachers._ - **compared with** (Both; Compared with + noun, + clause): _Compared with ten years ago, far more people now pay for goods and services using their mobile phones._ Watch: 'Compared to' is also acceptable; don't start with 'Comparing with...'. - **in comparison** (Writing; ...; in comparison, ...): _Spending on healthcare doubled over the period; in comparison, spending on education rose by only ten per cent._ ## Emphasising - **indeed** (Writing; ...; indeed, ...): _Exercise benefits mental health; indeed, even a short daily walk can noticeably improve a person's mood._ Watch: Use it to strengthen the point before it, not as a filler to start a sentence. - **in fact** (Both; ...; in fact, ...): _Working from home is not always relaxing; in fact, many employees say they work longer hours at home._ Watch: Introduces a stronger or more surprising point; it is not a general adding word. - **clearly** (Both; Clearly, + clause): _Clearly, more needs to be done to make healthy food affordable for families on low incomes._ Watch: Use it only when your argument has shown the point; otherwise it sounds like an unsupported claim. - **especially** (Both; clause + , especially + phrase): _Cycle lanes are badly needed in large cities, especially where traffic is heavy during the morning rush hour._ Watch: Don't start a sentence with 'Especially,'; attach it to the part you are emphasising. - **above all** (Both; Above all, + clause): _Above all, a good teacher needs patience and the ability to explain an idea in more than one way._ Watch: Keep it for the single most important point. - **undoubtedly** (Writing; Undoubtedly, + clause): _Undoubtedly, the internet has changed the way people search and apply for jobs over the past twenty years._ Watch: A strong claim; use it only for points almost nobody would dispute. - **it is worth noting that** (Writing; It is worth noting that + clause): _It is worth noting that the figures for 2020 were affected by lockdowns, which closed many shops for months._ ## Concluding and summarising - **in conclusion** (Writing; In conclusion, + clause): _In conclusion, although working from home has some drawbacks, its benefits for most employees are greater._ Watch: Signals a summary of what you have already argued; don't introduce new ideas after it. - **to sum up** (Both; To sum up, + clause): _To sum up, the chart shows that renewable energy grew steadily while the use of coal declined._ - **overall** (Both; Overall, + clause): _Overall, the proportion of households with internet access rose sharply, while landline use fell over the period._ Watch: In Task 1, 'Overall' should introduce the main trends, not a single detail or figure. - **all in all** (Speaking; All in all, + clause): _All in all, I'd say my hometown is a pleasant place to grow up, even if it's a bit quiet._ Watch: Sounds slightly informal in an essay; 'Overall' or 'In conclusion' is safer in writing. - **on the whole** (Both; On the whole, + clause): _On the whole, I think social media has done more good than harm for small businesses in my country._ - **in short** (Both; In short, + clause): _In short, investing in public transport benefits the environment, the economy and people's health at the same time._ - **for these reasons** (Writing; For these reasons, + clause): _For these reasons, I believe that university education should remain free for students from low-income families._ ## Linking in speaking - **actually** (Speaking; Actually, + clause): _Actually, I've never lived anywhere else, so it's hard for me to compare my hometown with other places._ Watch: Means 'in fact', not 'at present'; don't use it for 'currently'. - **anyway** (Speaking; Anyway, + clause): _Anyway, that's the main reason I chose engineering instead of medicine, and I don't regret it at all._ Watch: Use it to return to your main point; 'anyways' is very informal. - **I mean** (Speaking; I mean, + clause (clarifying what you just said)): _I mean, my hometown is nice, but there isn't much for young people to do in the evenings._ Watch: Use it to clarify or correct yourself, not as a filler before every sentence. - **the thing is** (Speaking; The thing is, + clause): _The thing is, I'd love to learn the piano, but I just don't have enough free time at the moment._ Watch: Avoid the double 'is' ('The thing is is...'), a common spoken slip. - **to be honest** (Speaking; To be honest, + clause): _To be honest, I don't read as many books as I used to because I spend most evenings on my phone._ Watch: Fine once or twice; using it in every answer makes it lose its meaning. - **as far as I know** (Speaking; As far as I know, + clause): _As far as I know, my school was one of the first in the area to teach coding to young children._ Watch: Different from 'as far as I'm concerned', which means 'in my opinion'. - **well** (Speaking; Well, + answer): _Well, it's not an easy question, but I'd probably say my grandmother has influenced me the most._ Watch: A natural way to start an answer; don't open every single answer with it. - **let me think** (Speaking; Let me think... + answer): _Let me think... I suppose the last time I ate out was about two weeks ago with my cousins._ Watch: Fine for a short pause; don't use it to fill a long silence. - **what I mean is** (Speaking; What I mean is (that) + clause): _What I mean is that online friends can be real friends, even if you've never met them in person._ - **on top of that** (Speaking; On top of that, + clause): _On top of that, the rent in my area has gone up a lot this year, so I'm thinking about moving._ Watch: Informal; in an essay use 'In addition' or 'Moreover'. - **apart from that** (Speaking; Apart from that, + clause): _Apart from that, I also enjoy cooking at the weekends, especially dishes from my grandmother's old recipes._ - **another thing is** (Speaking; Another thing is (that) + clause): _Another thing is that public parks give children a safe place to play outside after school._ - **as I said** (Speaking; As I said, + clause): _As I said, I really like my job, but the long commute does get tiring by the end of the week._ Watch: 'Like I said' is more casual; both are common in speaking. - **basically** (Speaking; Basically, + clause): _Basically, I chose this university because it has a strong engineering department and it's close to home._ Watch: Use it to sum up simply; as a filler at the start of every answer it sounds repetitive.