Common connective words indicating:

Addition in addition and similarly likewise as well as besides further more also moreover and then too not only ... but also even besides this/that Certainty obviously certainly plainly of course undoubtedly Condition if unless whether provided that providing for so that whether depending on Definition Summary in conclusion in summary lastly finally to sum up to conclude to recapitulate in short Sequence Consequence Contrast

first(ly) initially second(ly) etc to begin with then next earlier/later after this/that following this/that afterwards

however on the other hand despite in spite of though as a result thus although so therefore but consequently on the contrary it follows that otherwise thereby yet eventually instead of then in that case rather admittedly whereas nonetheless even though compared with in contrast alternatively

is refers to means that is consists of

Example for instance one example for example just as in particular such as namely to illustrate

Reason since as so because (of) due to owing to the reason why in other words leads to cause

Time before since as until meanwhile at the moment when whenever as soon as just as

Because
Obviously the word you will use most is because but there are some useful variations.

notes 1. because , as a resultand as a consequence are used with a verb and because of,as a result of and as a consequence of with a noun 2. some people believe you shouldnt start sentences with because. This is rubbish but in the exam it may be sensible not to do it

3. due to is normally used with negative situations and thanks to with positive situations

Cause verbs
A useful variation is to use because as a verb. Here are the 3 main variations

notes
1. you cause something to happen but it results in something happening

Other related verbs

These verbs can also sometimes be used to describe cause and effect

notes 1. please note the spelling of affect as a verb and do not confuse it with effect the noun. Just to confuse you, the pronunciation is identical

Nouns
The essential nouns are of course cause and effect but there are alternatives here;

SOME COMMON LINKING WORDS FOR IELTS WRITING TASK 2: PART II

Linking devices are neither nouns, nor verbs. They provide a text with cohesion and illustrate how the parts of the text relate to each other. Any writing without linking words reads like a series of unrelated statements with no flow. You need to just remember the use of the following 14 linking words for a simple but effective IELTS writing Task 2, though you should try to learn more, if you havent already, for your study. Second Third Last First Paragraph Paragraph Paragraph Paragraph 1. To begin with 2. Furthermore 3. Moreover 4. In the same way 1. Firstly 2. Similarly 3. In addition 4. Finally 1. To summarize 2. I believe that

No linking word is required

Giving examples For instance For example As follows That is Namely

Adding information And In addition As well as Furthermore Moreover

Summarizing To summarize In short In brief In summary In a nutshell

Sequencing ideas Firstly, secondly, finally The former, the latter The first point is Lastly The following

For example For instance As for example In particular (These 4 linking words should be used to specify the points given in 2nd & 3rd paragraph) I will write about a simple IELTS writing Task 2 structure and the position of the above mentioned linking words in later writings.

If you want to learn more about the appropriate use of linking words, the following table is for you:

Also Too Apart from In addition to Besides

To conclude In conclusion Overall All in all

Giving result Contrasting ideas As a result Emphasizing Giving reason Therefore But Especially So Because However Particularly This means that Because of Although / even though Above all Consequently Due to / due to the fact that Despite too / enough Because of this / that Owing to / owing to the fact that While Exactly because Thus, Hence Since, As Whereas The more . For this / that In s So that, Under these circumstances