How to use Connectors to add clarity to your IELTS Writing

It is essential for the candidates to know how to use connectors in IELTS essays. It is not possible to use connecting words in every situation. In addition, IELTS speaking connectors are employed differently from IELTS writing connectors. As an example, the term ‘like’ may be used in spoken language. On the other hand, in writing jobs, words like therefore, hereby, and so on are useful.

Importance of Connectors in IELTS Writing Task

Linking words are a vital grammatical tool that make an essay more readable to the examiner. They are used in sentence construction and connect two related parts of a text. Connectors can also help candidates put forth their opinions comprehensively and exhibit a greater knowledge and variety of vocabulary. Here are a few more reasons to use linkers in IELTS:

• They provide cohesion to the written piece.
• They make the paragraph clear.
• They add more information to a point.
• They help in constructing a suitable conclusion.
• Help in illustrating how the parts or clauses of a text are connected.
• They help in expressing opinion or purpose.

How many connectors can be used in IELTS writing

The coherence and cohesiveness formula, which accounts for 25% of the marks, is aided by the usage of connectors throughout the essay. But one may get confused as to how many linking words should be made use in IELTS writing to score well. The range and flexibility of linking words used in IELTS writing are utilized to assess the writing job. Linking words should not be made use excessively because they throw the reader off from one point to the next.

IELTS Essay Linking Words For Writing

Task1 

In IELTS writing task 1, candidates are normally given visual information. Based on the kind of information provided, they are needed to make a report of minimum 150 words. IELTS essay connectors in this task can be useful in:

• Pointing out or highlighting important details of the visuals
• Comparing the key features of the graphs
• Outlining transition between the description of one visual to the other

IELTS Essay Linking Words For Writing

Task 2

In the second task, candidates have to write an essay based on an occasion or a statement. Linking words for task 2 are helpful in:

• Giving examples and reasons.
• Transitioning between paragraphs.
• Explaining consequences and/or conditions of various scenarios.
• Presenting one’s opinion.

Types of IELTS Connectors

Examiners assess the written essays of individuals by evaluating the accuracy, range, and flexibility of linkers and connectors. The following list emphasizes the category of connectors that can help one get a good grade in IELTS writing section:

• Adding information
• Listing
• Providing examples
• Stressing and highlighting
• Consequences and results
• Causes and reasons
• Contrasts and concessions
• Conclusion
• Providing opinion

Below is a comprehensive list of examples of different categories of connectors that you can use in your sentence making.

Adding information

This type of linker is used to support candidates’ major points in the essay. The following IELTS essay linking words impart the examiner that additional information is coming up:

• Furthermore
• Additionally
• In addition
• Not only, but also
• Also
• Moreover
• And
• As well as

Listing

Lists are often used to present pointers in a paragraph. Proper use of listing vocabulary in essays makes it more formal and clear. Here are a few connectors that is helpful to list their paragraph:

• Firstly
• Secondly
• Thirdly
• Fourthly
• Finally, lastly, or last but not the least

Providing examples

Examples are often useful to provide support to ideas. Candidates must make sure to use a range of linking words to illustrate their arguments using such words:

• For instance
• For example
• To cite an example
• To illustrate
• Namely
• Such as
• In other words

Stressing and highlighting

It is important to be clear about the intention of the passage. The following IELTS essay linking words are used by individuals to stress major points so they are not missed:

• Specifically
• Especially
• In particular
• Particularly
• Obviously
• Clearly
• Of course

Consequences and results

These connectors are used when candidates have to explain the consequence or result of an instance:

• As a result
• Therefore
• Thus
• Consequently
• For this reason
• So
• Hence

Causes and reasons

While composing an essay, there may be cases where one would have to provide causes or reasons for a specific statement. These linkers can be useful in doing so:

• Due to
• Because
• Owing to
• As
• Since

Contrasts and concessions

There is a need to add opposite ideas in an essay frequently. This is vital in discussion essays, where one needs to provide in-depth details. These linking words will be used by candidates to show the reader when they are going to introduce an opposing point:

• Nevertheless
• However
• On the other hand
• Admittedly
• Although
• Even though
• Despite
• But
• Although
• Still
• In spite of
• Alternatively
• In comparison
• By contrast

Conclusion

These connectors are the best way in concluding a sentence and lend a final summary of their response:

• To sum up
• To conclude
• In conclusion

Providing opinion

The following linkers candidates can be used to address their opinion in a more confident and succinct way:

• I believe
• I admit
• In my opinion
• I think
• I agree/concur

Practice task with IELTS Linking words task 1

The practice sample task with IELTS linking words task 1 is given below :

Several key trends are highlighted in these graphics. (1) ________, in 2002, slightly more than half of the population had access to computers. (2) ________ ,over the next eight years, that number grew to almost 75%.. (3)________, the figures varied by group. (4)________, Postgraduates have always been ahead of the curve: in 2002, around three-quarters of postgraduates owned computers; by 2010, that ratio had risen to nearly 95%. (5)________, Those who had not completed high school had a 15% computer ownership rate at the start, which grew to around 45 percent after eight years.

Answers:

1) Firstly/First of all/To start with

2) However/But/Nevertheless

3) On the other hand/However/But/Nevertheless

4) Because this is the beginning of a sentence, any example linking word would function here except “such as.”

5) Any word that can be used to make a comparison or contrast could be used here.

Practice task with IELTS linking words task 2

Given below is the practice sample task with IELTS linking words task 2:

(1)________, young people, especially when it comes to their jobs, require the flexibility to make their own decisions. Some parents may secretly wish for their children to pursue prominent careers or jobs that will have a positive impact on society. These desires are common and aren’t always bad. (2)________, if these wishes become solid expectations, it might be harmful. (3)________, allowing a child to be independent does not entail that the parents should be present. Parents should make an effort to encourage open dialogue about employment choices.. (4)_______, Tim may, if his ambitions do not align with his parents’ intentions, (5) _______ the worry of being judged and confronted by them if approached.

Answers:

1. Except for “I concur that” or “I agree that,” which is the first point in the essay, any opinion linking word or phrase would function here.
2. Admittedly,
3. However,/But/On the other hand,/Nevertheless,
4. Any linking word, except “such as,” would work here since it is the start of a sentence.
5. consequently/as a result/as a consequence/as a result/as a consequence/accordingly/therefore/on that account/for that reason

IELTS Practice Tests