IELTS Connectives and Discourse markers

Connectives are words or phrases that connect and relate sentences and paragraphs. They help to build the
logical flow of ideas as they signal the relationship between sentences and paragraphs. You can see some of
the more commonly used connectives in the table below.
These words and expressions help to develop, relate, connect, and even move ideas.

The table below lists a few of the most frequently used connectives.

FUNCTION CONNECTIVES
and, also, besides, furthermore, too, moreover, then, equally
addition
important, another, on top of that
comparison like, in the same manner (way), as so, similarly
!" #$ %& '(&#)*+#$ ( )$ +#% $ #$ (& # (# ) *&2$ (& #
contrast
'(&#)*) $ ()$ %& +3%# (4 # %+$ *'#"* $ %& 4*'#
first, second, (etc.), finally, next, then, to begin with, after, before, as
0
1
-
,
-
.
.
/
-
0
-
0
-
0
0
-
order or sequence
soon as, in the end, gradually, for starter
/
-
0
.
.
/
as a result, so, accordingly, consequently, thus, since, therefore, for this
results
reason, because of this
purpose for this purpose, with this in mind, for this reason
to signal an example or emphasize for example, to illustrate, for instance, to be specific, such as, especially
in summary, to sum up, to repeat, briefly, in short, finally, on the whole,
to summarize or conclude
therefore, as I have said, as you can see, in a nutshell

Discourse markers are words or phrases that we use to manage what we say or write or to express attitude.
They are also quite helpful in building a well-organised answer and orienting your listener as you speak.

FUNCTION Discourse markers

To preface what you really think Actually, I have to say
To confess that something is true I must admit
To give yourself time to think Well
To start, end or change topic Right, so, anyway
To say something in another way What I mean is, in other words
To talk about knowledge we share with
You know, you see
listener
To introduce personal opinion My point is, what I’m getting at is, I mean, I guess