• IELTS

Connectors /Linking Words for Writing - Functions and Tips

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  • By:CANAM Group
  • Updated On:May 26,2023 04:23 PM IST

The blog here talks about the numerous connectors/linking words that are used for IELTS writing. It further discusses the functions of these connectors/linking words, tips for using them and some common connectors/linking words used in IELTS writing.

Connectors /Linking Words for Writing - Functions and Tips

Adverbs, also known as linking words or connectors, are by far the simplest way to link phrases or concepts together with a single word. Such linking words or connectors enhance the readability of the entire phrase. If you use the connectors correctly in IELTS, it will demonstrate your highly developed English communication abilities.

In any case, the following advice can help you if you run into trouble using these linking words or connectors.

Connectors/Linking Words for IELTS Writing – Functions

You should use linking words or connectors in your IELTS writing task for the reasons listed below:

  • They improve the clarity and attraction of your work.
  • You get to provide meaning to sentences that would otherwise be complicated.
  • They aid readers in comprehending the connections between sentences.
  • They aid in understanding the question's intent and also provide a proper response.

Also read: IELTS Test Centers

Tips for using Connectors/Linking Words for IELTS Writing

When using linking words or connectors in IELTS writing, keep the following advice in mind:

  • Do not use too many Connectors: Students tend to use the connectors in every sentence. Though it is accurate grammatically, it unnecessarily disturbs the flow of writing and makes the written work look mechanical.
  • Use Linking Words wisely: Several words and phrases can be used as linking words but the use of these linking words has to be in the context of the writing and accurate.
  • Use a variety of Connectors: It means that you should not repeat the same linking words again and again. You ought to use a variety of these connectors to fetch high bands in IELTS writing tasks.
  • Do not mix up the linking words: You should make sure that the linking words you are using should be meaningful to that sentence.

Also read: IELTS Exam Fee

Some Common Connectors/Linking Words for IELTS Writing

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 a black dress.
In my opinion, you will look good in a black dress
I admit that you will look good in a black dress
I believe you will look good in a black dress.
In my view, you will look good in a 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

To ace the area of using connectors, you need to practice using the connectors or linking words while writing a task in IELTS writing. Take help from the list given above and use them as they are required and meaningfully in different tasks in IELTS writing. If you properly use these linking words in IELTS writing, you will be able to score high bands in the IELTS exam.

Also read : IELTS Exam Registration

FAQ

The purpose of connectors is to join information and ideas in a sentence. If connectors are used in a sentence, then they make the meaning of the sentence clear and are easy for readers to understand.
Linkers are words and phrases that connect your writing and speaking. They help the readers form a logical relationship between ideas. In terms of speaking, they make the meaning of sentences clearer to the listener.
Connectors are added between two sentences whom they connect. They can go after or before the subject of the second sentence. 
The following list gives the best connectors in writing:

Because
As a result
Due to
Therefore
Consequently
For instance, For example
Such as 
Like

The following list gives the best connectors that can be used in an essay:

Additionally
Apart from this
As well as
In this way
Moreover
In addition to this
In this case
Further 
Furthermore etc. 

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