Why linking words matter for your band
Coherence and Cohesion is one of the four things the examiner marks in IELTS Writing, and each of the four counts the same amount. So how you connect your ideas is worth a full quarter of your Writing score.
Coherence means your ideas are in a clear order and easy to follow. Cohesion means the parts are joined well — sentence to sentence, and paragraph to paragraph. Linking words are one tool for this, but they are not the whole job.
New to the test? Start with the full IELTS Writing guide, which explains both tasks and all four criteria. This guide zooms in on one skill: connecting your ideas.
A linking-words toolkit, by function
The easiest way to learn linkers is by the job they do. Pick a few from each group that you understand well, and use them in the right place. You do not need a long list — you need the right word at the right moment.
| Function (the job) | Words and phrases | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adding a point | furthermore, in addition, moreover, also | The city is cheap. In addition, it is safe. |
| Showing contrast | however, on the other hand, although, but | It is fast. However, it costs a lot. |
| Reason / result | because, therefore, as a result, so | Prices rose, therefore people bought less. |
| Giving an example | for example, for instance, such as | Some skills, such as cooking, are useful. |
| Ordering ideas | first, then, next, finally | First, plan. Then write. Finally check. |
| Concluding | in conclusion, to sum up, overall | In conclusion, both sides have a point. |
These same connectors power a strong essay. See how they fit a full answer in the IELTS Writing Task 2 guide.
The real secret: clear paragraphs and reference words
Here is the key point most learners miss: good cohesion is not stuffing in linkers. The examiner rewards writing that is easy to follow — and clear structure does far more of that work than connectors do.
Three habits raise your Coherence and Cohesion mark more than any word list:
- One idea per paragraph. Start each paragraph with a clear main point, then explain it and give an example. When each paragraph does one job, the reader never gets lost.
- Reference words. Use this, these, that, such, it, and they to point back to an idea you already named. "Cars cause pollution. This problem is growing." These small words tie sentences together smoothly, and they count as cohesion too.
- Logical order. Put your points in an order that makes sense — general to specific, cause then effect, or point then example. A good order needs fewer linkers, because the flow is already clear.
Don't overuse linkers
It sounds odd, but too many linking words lower your score. Starting nearly every sentence with Firstly, Secondly, Moreover, Furthermore makes your writing feel mechanical, like a list glued together. The band descriptors warn against this exact habit.
Watch out for these common mistakes:
- A linker on every sentence. If Moreover or Furthermore opens line after line, cut most of them. Let some sentences connect through meaning and reference words instead.
- The wrong linker for the job. Do not use however when you are adding a point, or therefore when there is no real result. A wrong connector confuses the reader.
- Memorised phrases in the wrong place. Learned openers like All in all, it is a well-known fact that… rarely fit the exact question and can pull your score down.
- Formal linkers for a friendly letter. In a General Training letter to a friend, furthermore and in conclusion sound stiff. Match the connector to the tone.
- Repeating the same one. Using and or so over and over shows a narrow range. Swap in a few different connectors, used correctly.
How to practise cohesion
You get better at this by writing, then checking the flow. A simple routine:
- Write a paragraph with one clear main point.
- Read it back and ask: does each sentence follow the last one clearly?
- Add reference words (this, these, such) where you repeat a noun too often.
- Cut extra linkers — remove any connector the paragraph reads fine without.
The fastest way to know if your ideas connect well is to get feedback on the Coherence and Cohesion criterion by itself. Aflo scores your writing on each of the four criteria and shows exactly where the flow breaks — see how Aflo scores your English.
Frequently asked questions
Are linking words important for IELTS Writing?
Yes. They are part of Coherence and Cohesion, which is one of the four equal criteria and worth 25% of each task. But using more linkers is not always better — clear paragraphs and reference words matter just as much.
Can too many linking words lower my score?
Yes. Starting almost every sentence with Firstly, Secondly, Moreover, or Furthermore reads as mechanical and can lower your Coherence and Cohesion band. Use connectors where they help, and let meaning and reference words carry the rest.
What are reference words in IELTS Writing?
Words like this, these, that, such, it, and they that point back to an idea you already mentioned. They join sentences smoothly and count as cohesion, so they help your band without adding more formal linkers.
How many linking words should I use in an essay?
There is no fixed number. Use a few, from different functions, in the right places. Aim for clear paragraphs first; add a connector only when it makes the link clearer, not on every sentence.