Linking words for speaking and writing (tasks 1 and 2)

Linking Words For IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

In Academic Writing Task 1, you analyse and report the data given in the
tables, charts, graphs, diagrams, and make comparisons. You need to
demonstrate solid paragraphing and essay skills, for which you will
need IELTS writing linking words.
Here are a few examples to help you in IELTS Academic Writing task 1

Starting a paragraph

• According to the graph/figures

• Overall, it is clear that
• It can be seen that
• It is noticeable that
• In contrast, ________ does not follow this trend.

Linking Words That Will Help You To Connect Your Ideas:

1. Contrast Words

• In contrast
• However
• whereas/while
• On the other hand

2. Linking Phrases

• In addition
• Furthermore
• Overall, it could be seen that
• According to the data
 • It is clear that

3. Time Expressions

• in the year 2000

• at the end/beginning of the period
• over/throughout/during the period in question
• by 2000
• between 1998 and 2000

4. The Last Paragraph

• To conclude
• To sum up

5. Describing A Process

• After this,
• Next,
• The first step is that
• Following this
• Firstly, Secondly, Finally
• The following step is that
• The next step is that
• At the first stage

6. Describing A Map

• It is clear that the principal change was

• According to the map,
• One more striking change is
• Another notable development was

Linking Words For IELTS Writing Task 2

Writing Task 2 for Academic and General IELTS requires students to

write a formal essay. The 5 categories of essays include
 • Agree/Disagree
• Discussion
• Problem-Solution
• Advantage/Disadvantage
• Two-part question.

Linking words for IELTS gives structure to your ideas. They will also
help you to introduce and articulate your thoughts in ways that support
your argument, which will form the basis of your discursive essay.

Some examples of linking words for IELTS Writing Task 2.

1. Listing

• Firstly, secondly, thirdly

• First, furthermore, finally
• To begin, to conclude
• Next

2. Adding more information

• Also
• Furthermore
• Moreover
• What is more

3. Similarity

• Equally
• Likewise
• Similarly

4. Giving examples

• For example
• For instance
• As follows:
 • That is

5. Cause and consequence

• Because of
• Due to
• On account of
• Hence
• For this/that reason
• So that
• In that case

6. Generalizing

• In general
• Generally
• On the whole
• As a rule

7. Expressing An Alternative/contrast

• Alternatively

• Rather
• On the other hand
• The alternative is
• Another possibility would be
• However
• Nevertheless
• In spite of
• Despite

8. Conclusion

• In conclusion
• To conclude
• In brief
• To summarise
• Overall
 • Therefore

Final Tips

• Avoid using formal linking words when speaking about

yourself in the IELTS Speaking Test.
• Do not use the linking word ‘like’ in the writing tasks. You
should only use it (occasionally!) in your speaking test to give
examples.
• You will not get high scores for using a range of linking
words if they do not fit the context so make sure you don’t
use speaking linkers in writing task 1 or 2.
• Don’t worry too much about repeating some linking words
while speaking. However, this will not be the case in the
writing task. For the writing task, you need to show your
proficiency in using different formal linking words.
• As mentioned earlier, connecting words for IELTS should fall
in place naturally during your speaking test.
• In short, the more you practice speaking and writing, the more
natural you will sound and the higher you will score.