Connectors / Linking Words for Writing – Functions and Tips

Janet

5 min read

Updated On Sep 15, 2023

How do Linking Words or Connectors Function?
Tips to Use Linking words or Connectors
Common Linking words and Connectors used in IELTS Writing

Effective IELTS Essay Connectors for Writing Task 2 & Task 1

Linking words or connectors are the adverbs that turn out to be the easiest way to connect ideas or sentences with one unique word. Such linking words or connectors make the entire sentence look appealing. In IELTS, if you use the connesctors appropriately, it will showcase your advanced English communication skills.

So, in any way, if you find yourself stuck with handling these linking words or connectors, here are a few tips that will help you out.

How do Linking Words or Connectors Function?

Jotted down below are a few reasons why you should be using linking words or connectors in your IELTS writing tasks:

They make your writing clear and appealing.
You get to provide meaning to otherwise complex sentences.
They help readers understand how one sentence is related to the other.
They help to know the purpose of the question and also give an appropriate answer to the question.

Tips to Use Linking words or Connectors

Here are a few tips that you can keep in mind when using linking words or connectors:

Are you being accurate with your choice of words?

There are a lot of linking words that can be used in a sentence, so you need to be careful while using the linking words and use them accurately.

Are you overusing linking words or connectors?

The linking words can be used once or twice in the sentence. Making overuse of the linking words in the sentence makes the sentence meaningless.

Are you mixing up?

Try to use a lot of linking words in the paragraph, but make sure the sentence is meaningful while using these words. Using a single word many times in a paragraph doesn’t make any sense. So while using the linking words, use them wisely.

Common Linking words and Connectors used in IELTS Writing

When writing an essay or a report in an IELTS exam, there are plenty of linking words or connectors used throughout. You can take ideas from the ones mentioned below:

When Writing	Linking Words / Connectors
Opinion	I think In my opinion I admit I believe In my view In Situations: I think you will look good in black dress. In my opinion, you will look good in black dress. I admit that you will look good in black dress. I believe you will look good in black dress. In my view, you will look good in black dress.
Agreement / Disagreement	I agree I concur I disagree I cannot accept I oppose the idea In Situations: I agree with your statement. I concur with your statement. I disagree with your statement. I cannot accept your statement. I oppose the idea in your statement.
Examples	For instance For example To cite an example One clear example Namely To illustrate To give an example In Situations: She is not dependable; for instance, she was an hour late for the meeting yesterday. She is not dependable; for example, she was an hour late for the meeting yesterday. She is not dependable. To cite an example, she was an hour late for the meeting yesterday. She is not dependable. One clear example would be that she was an hour late for the meeting yesterday. She is not dependable; namely, she was an hour late for the meeting yesterday. She is not dependable. To illustrate, she was an hour late for the meeting yesterday. She is not dependable. To give an example, she was an hour late for the meeting yesterday.
Listing Points	Firstly, secondly, thirdly, lastly, etc. To begin with Last but not least. In Situations: Firstly, it is expensive. Secondly, I cannot afford it. Thirdly, my mother will never allow me to buy it. Lastly, I am not interested. To begin with, it is expensive. Last but not least, I am not interested.
Reasons and Causes	As Since Due to Because Owing to In Situations: I got late as I was not feeling well. I got late since I was not feeling well. I got late due to not feeling well. I got late because I was not feeling well. I got late owing to not feeling well.
Extra Information	And In addition Additionally As well as Not only…but also In Situations: Mobile and the internet are dominating our lives. In addition to mobile, the internet is dominating our lives. Mobile has revolutionised the world. Additionally, the internet is dominating our lives Mobile as well as the internet are dominating our lives Not only mobile but also the internet is dominating our lives
Results and Consequences	As a result So Consequently Thus For this reason Hence In Situations: He didn’t know how to swim, and as a result, he drowned. He didn’t know how to swim, so he drowned. He didn’t know how to swim, consequently he drowned. He didn’t know how to swim; thus, he drowned. He didn’t know how to swim, for this reason, he drowned. He didn’t know how to swim; hence, he drowned.
An Indication of Time	Eventually Meanwhile Subsequently Initially Henceforth In Situations: If you try harder, eventually you will get a job. Meanwhile, try harder to get a job. You have applied to companies. Subsequently you must try harder to get a job. Initially, you must try harder to get a job. Henceforth, you must try harder to get a job.
Highlighting or Emphasising	Specifically Especially Obviously In particular Of course Clearly In Situations: The book is written specifically for children. The book is written especially for children. Obviously, the book is written for children. In particular, the book is written for children. Of course, the book is written for children. Clearly, the book is written for children.
Presenting Contrast	In spite of On the other hand However Despite Still Although But Even though In Situations: In spite of the pain, she completed her shift. On one hand, she had pain; on the other hand, she was completing her shift. She was in pain, however, she managed to complete her shift. Despite being in pain she managed to complete her shift She was in pain, still she completed her shift. Although she was in pain, she completed her shift. She was in pain but she completed her shift. Even though she was in pain, she completed her shift.
Presenting Comparison	Similarly Likewise In comparison to In the same way Admittedly In Situations: They all were dressed similarly. They all were dressed likewise. In comparison to others, they all were dressed alike. They all were dressed in the same way. Admittedly, they all were dressed in a similar way.
Conclusion	To conclude In conclusion To sum up In Situations: To conclude, I am never going to give up. In conclusion, I am never going to give up. To sum up, I am never going to give up.

Having a sound knowledge of the usage of words and phrases are extremely important and especially, in the case of complex sentences and that’s what (along with other necessary aspects), our IELTS online classes take care of.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are connectors important in writing?

Connectors or linking words are important grammar tools for articulating effortlessly as they make sentences look more logical and structured. They help in sentence construction and connect two or more ideas/ information within a sentence. Using connectors/ linkers correctly while writing will ensure the flow and meaning of the sentence are clear and accurate for the reader to understand.

Name some of the common connectors used in IELTS Writing?

Some of the most common connectors used in IELTS Writing are 'because', 'due to', 'as a result', 'therefore', 'thus', and 'consequently'

What are some linking words expressing differences or contrasts?

While expressing different or contradicting ideas in a sentence, linking words like 'whereas', 'although', 'even though', 'however', 'nevertheless', 'despite', 'on the contrary', and 'in spite of'

Mention some linking words that can be used to express a finale or summarization

Some linking words used to express conclusion in writing are: 'In conclusion', 'Altogether', 'In short', 'To sum up', 'In summary', 'To reiterate', 'To recapitulate', 'Briefly', and 'To conclude'.

Where do you use connectors or linking words in IELTS writing?

In IELTS Writing, connectors or linking words are used in understanding the transitioning between paragraphs, presenting an opinion, providing instances and reasons, and illustrating consequences and/or conditions of various scenarios.