Linking words benefits in IELTS Writing task 2

Most students plan to move abroad for either higher education or employment purpose. Therefore, they need to give IELTS exam, taking into account, the eligibility criteria of any foreign university. So in IELTS, the most prominent aspect to focus on is the Writing module. There are two writing tasks but the IELTS writing task 2 involves some important phrases, using which, you give a new style and form to your paragraphs.

 You may consider attending the IELTS course online to prepare. Writing tasks not only include proper grammar but also include important words or phrases that explain the relationship between paragraphs or parts of text or a speech. These are named Linking words. They increase the cohesiveness of text by making it clear or easy to understand. In brief, it is easy to convey your ideas and meaningful messages.


See the examples below to see how linking words are used:

Sample 1:

You are most welcome to use my fridge whenever you need it.

In case it rains, just carry an umbrella along with you.

One more Sample

Since coronavirus cases are rising, therefore, restrictions must be imposed on public meetings or gatherings to avoid further increment.

What are Linking word's benefits in IELTS Writing task 2?

Linkers or connectors are crucial grammatical tool that makes your essay more readable to the viewer. They are helpful in sentence building and connecting two related sections of a text. Such phrases can also help students show their opinion comprehensively and reveal a high level of knowledge and a large amount of vocabulary.

Have a look below and understand a few more reasons to use linking words in IELTS writing task 2:

Clarity: Candidates make use of linkers to make the paragraph clear.

Cohesion: They provide unity or strong unity to the written information. It further helps in determining how the sections or clauses of a paragraph are interlinked.

Expansion: Using linking words adds more information to a point. They make it look more defined.

Candidates find it easy to express their opinion or idea or purpose via writing.

It is very effortless to construct an appropriate conclusion.

See below the different categories of linkers to achieve a good score in the IELTS writing section. You can personally browse the internet to practice online via the IELTS essay sample:

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

Each of the above is explained below:

Adding information

It is one of the linkers to focus on the candidates’ major points in the written piece. The following IELTS essay linking synonyms or words shows the examiner that additional information has been coming up: For example,

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

Listing

Listing linkers are preferably used to present pointers in a text section. Using listing vocabulary properly in essays makes it more formal and easy to understand. Here are a few connectors that you can use to list in your writing section:

  • Firstly
  • Secondly
  • Thirdly
  • Fourthly
  • Finally
  • Lastly
  • Last but not the least

Providing examples

Do you know what is the most important requirement for a writing section? Examples. Examples are very helpful to provide hold to your ideas. Candidates need to make sure to use a broad range of linking words to demonstrate their arguments:

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

Stressing and highlighting

It is prominently important to be clear about what you are going to write for. The below-written IELTS essay linking words helps individuals focus on major points:

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

Consequences and results

Such connectors are beneficial when candidates need to talk about the consequence or result of something in their paragraph:

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

Causes and reasons

The candidates must keep in mind that they would have to provide causes or reasons for a specific statement while writing an essay. These linking words can be helpful in doing so:

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

Contrasts and concessions

It is very important to add contradictions in an essay. For example, in discussion essays, where candidates need to provide deeper details. The following linking words will help candidates inform the reader the point of time 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

Such linking words are the most efficient in ending up a text and submitting a final summary of their response:

  • To sum up
  • To conclude
  • In conclusion

Providing opinion

Candidates must use the following linkers to address their opinion in a bold and clear way. Linking words examples are:

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

Remember, using too many IELTS essays linking words in a passage can puzzle the examiner. Candidates must always use the connectors smartly throughout the writing section.

Furthermore, using linkers more than required would distract the reader from different thoughts. Because of this, the candidate may lose the necessary scores.

You must know that linking words don't hold any value if you read them individually. But, they can hold importance if the candidate can form an essential communication that is catchy for the examiner. Therefore, candidates must be well-versed in IELTS essay linking words to score better in writing task 2.

Bonus topic: How To Use English Like A Native Speaker? – Tips & Tricks

How to Use Linking Words Correctly in IELTS?

Remember before you begin putting linking words or linkers for IELTS randomly, that linking words are emphatic. Hence, you must use them adequately. Below are some techniques for you to use linking words in the IELTS writing task. For example,

Linking synonyms or words tells the rational connection between clauses, sentences, or paragraphs, hence you cannot go overboard with them.

They are similar to conjunction. For example, she likes fruits, especially grapes. Or, Some people arranged a ride for them; particularly, for Geeta, because she got her knee hurt.

You should use suitable linking words. In the examples cited above, you cannot interchange the linking words. Bear in mind, that there are some specific words for specific actions.

Linking words are actually followed by a comma, in most scenarios.

You can seek help from IELTS online coaching and check examples of IELTS writing sample task2 to improve your basics.

Dr.Roma

Content Writer