IELTS | PTE|TOEFL – Linking/Transitional Words

Linking Words (Connective/Transitional Words) are essential for IELTS|PTE|TOEFL for

scoring High. The examiner needs to see a range of linking words in your essay and speaking
to award you a high score for the criterion of Coherence and Cohesion. These connecting
words are suitable for all types of essays and speaking.

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1. Listing/Sequencing

To put your paragraphs in order or use inside the paragraph to list your supporting points
and supporting details.

o Firstly / In the first place / Initially / To begin with / In the beginning / The first point
is / At first,
o Secondly / In second / In the second place,
o Thirdly,
o Then / Next / Following that/this / In the subsequence stage / Later,
o Lastly / Finally / At the end,

Example:

In the first place, candidates are encouraged to apply for the posts with all the required
documents. Then, they have to face an interview with our recruitment team as per
their scheduled time. Finally, based on academic qualification, experiences, skills and
knowledge, only 25 candidates will be selected for the company.

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2. Adding information: To add extra information or further information.

o In addition / Additionally,
o Furthermore / Moreover,
o Also / Likewise / Similarly,
o Not only … but also,
o As well as / too,
o And / And then,
o Besides that/this,

Example:

Nepal is a naturally rich country with beautiful mountains, glaciers, rivers, lakes and jungles.
In addition, we have cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.

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3. Giving Examples: To support your ideas with a vivid example.

o For example / instance,

o One example is…
o Such as / Namely,
o To illustrate,
o In other words,

Example:

Nepal is a naturally rich country. For example, we have a range of snow-capped mountains,
glaciers, green rainforests, beautiful lakes and rivers.

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4. Results and Consequences

o As a result / Consequently/ Therefore,

o Thus / Hence / So,
o Thereby,
o Eventually,
o For this reason,

Example:

Nepal is a naturally rich country. For this reason, thousands of visitors from different
nations come to Nepal to enjoy such beauty every year.

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5. Highlighting and Stressing Particular Point(s)

o In particular / Particularly,
o Specifically / Especially,
o Obviously / Clearly,
o More importantly,

Example:

The institute has been providing services to our students in various categories. Particularly,
it focuses on Preparation Classes and Abroad Studies.

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6. Concessions and Contrasts: To connect opposite ideas, exceptions, etc.

o On the one hand, …………….On the other hand,

o However,
o But,
o In contrast / By contrast / Conversely / In an opposite way / On the contrary,
o Compared with…
o Rather / Otherwise,
o Though / Although / Even though…
o In spite of / Despite / Instead of…
o Yet / Nonetheless,

Example:

Nepal is a naturally rich country with beautiful mountains, glaciers, rainforests, lakes and
rivers. However, such natural assets are not utilized properly rather misused in some cases.

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7. Reasons and Causes

o Because
o Owing to
o Due to
o Since /As
o Leads to / causes
o The first reason why…

Example:
Since/As we Nepalese are rich in terms of family and social relations, we feel blessed and
happy almost all the time even if we have no money in our pockets.

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8. Giving your opinion

o In my opinion / I think …
o I believe …
o I admit / agree / concur….
o My firm conviction is…
o I disagree / I cannot accept….
o I am totally (dis)satisfied with the view of…
o What I strongly believe is ….

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Example:

People are in dilemma on whether inborn qualities or environmental learning do more in

shaping the personality and development of an individual. I believe that both nature and
nurture have equal roles to play in this prospect.

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9. Time

o Since / From / Before…

o Until / up to / till…
o Meanwhile / at the same time / as soon as…
o When / Whenever…

Example:

The rate of unmarried people was high in the USA. Meanwhile, the percentage of divorce
also went up by 5% in 2010.

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10. Concluding / Summarizing

o In conclusion /summary / brief / short,

o To conclude / sum up / recapitulate,
o Overall / All in all / In a nutshell / As a whole,
o Lastly / Finally / At the end,

Example:

In conclusion, the large fish called Salmon spends its three stages of life in three different
places from the Lower River to an open sea.

Good Luck!