IELTS Linking Words
Using a wide range of vocabulary will help you to gain higher score at IELTS.
Don’t fear: you don’t have to learn all of these phrases. Just choose a few that you like and practice using them in your writing.
| Listing | Giving examples | Generalizing |
| firstly, secondly, thirdly | for example | in general |
| first, furthermore, finally | for instance | generally |
| to begin, to conclude | as follows: | on the whole |
| next | that is | as a rule |
| Reinforcement | in this case | for the most part |
| also | namely | in most cases |
| furthermore | in other words | usually |
| moreover | Result/consequence | Highlighting |
| what is more | so | in particular |
| in addition | therefore | particularly |
| besides | as a result/consequence | especially |
| above all | accordingly | mainly |
| as well (as) | consequently | Reformulation |
| in the same way | because of this/that | in other words |
| not only … but also | thus | rather |
| Similarity | hence | to put it more simply |
| equally | for this/that reason | Expressing an alternative |
| likewise | so that | alternatively |
| similarly | in that case | rather |
| correspondingly | under these circumstances | on the other hand |
| in the same way | Deduction | the alternative is |
| Transition to new point | then | another possibility would be |
| now, | in other words | Contrast |
| as far as x is concerned | in that case | instead |
| with regard/reference to | otherwise | conversely |
| as for … | this implies that … | on the contrary |
| it follows that | if so/not | in contrast |
| turning to | Stating the obvious | in comparison |
| Summary | obviously | Concession (smth unexpected) |
| in conclusion | clearly | even though |
| to conclude | naturally | however |
| in brief | of course | however much |
| to summarize | as can be expected | nevertheless |
| overall | surely | still |
| therefore | after all | yet |
Related IELTS Resources
Take a practice test to find out what is your current weakness in terms of IELTS scale and allow more time to improve your weak spots. The following IELTS resources will help you to develop your skills faster: