Writing
Connecting ideas properly, and why using more of them lowers your band. With a practice exercise.
Linking words for IELTS writing are the words that connect ideas: however, therefore, furthermore, whereas, nevertheless. They are assessed under Coherence and Cohesion, and they are the single most misused feature of candidate writing.
The misunderstanding is that more is better. It is not. Band descriptors penalise mechanical overuse explicitly, and an essay where every sentence opens with a connector reads worse than one with none.
By function
Grouped by what they do, because choosing the wrong function is the commonest error.
Furthermore, moreover, in addition, additionally. All add a point in the same direction. And is fine mid-sentence and does not need replacing.
However, nevertheless, on the other hand, conversely, whereas. However opens a sentence; whereas joins two clauses inside one.
Therefore, consequently, as a result, thus, hence. These say the second thing happened because of the first, so check that it actually did.
For instance, for example, such as, namely. Such as is followed by a noun, for example by a whole clause.
Although, even though, despite, in spite of. Despite and in spite of take a noun; although takes a clause. This is where grammar errors cluster.
Firstly, secondly, finally. Useful once in a solutions essay. Used in every paragraph they make an essay read like a list.
Method
Six rules, and the first is the one that raises bands.
One connector per paragraph is often enough. Band 8 writing links ideas mostly through sentence structure and reference, not through signposts.
Therefore means the second point follows from the first. If it does not, the word is wrong even though the sentence reads smoothly.
A connector does not have to open the sentence. However can sit after the subject: this argument, however, ignores the cost.
Despite the rain, not despite it rained. Although it rained, not although the rain. This is where linking words become grammar errors.
Firstly, secondly, thirdly, finally in every paragraph produces a list with sentences attached. Use them once, if at all.
This approach, such schemes, the former. Pointing back is a cohesive device too, and it is the one higher-band writing relies on most.
Practice
Choose the word or phrase that fits.
For each sentence, ask two questions.
First, what is the relationship between the two ideas? Is it adding a point, contrasting one, showing a cause, or accepting a point before disagreeing?
Second, does the grammar work? Some connectors take a noun, some take a clause, and choosing the right meaning with the wrong structure still loses the mark.
1Public transport is heavily subsidised. ______, fares continue to rise.
Nevertheless. The two ideas contrast: you would expect subsidy to lower fares. Therefore would claim the rise was caused by the subsidy, which reverses the meaning.
2______ the high cost, the scheme was approved.
Despite. It is followed by a noun phrase, the high cost. Although would need a clause: although it was expensive. This is the commonest grammar error with linking words.
3Cycling reduces congestion and improves health. ______, it costs very little to encourage.
Moreover. The third point runs in the same direction as the first two, so you need an adding word, not a contrasting one.
4Which sentence uses linking words best?
B. It connects ideas through structure and reference rather than signposts. A and C are lists with connectors bolted on, and D uses contrast and cause where neither relationship exists.
5Rail travel is expensive in Britain, ______ in France it is heavily subsidised.
Whereas. It joins two contrasting clauses inside one sentence. However would need a full stop or semicolon before it, so the punctuation would be wrong.
That is usually the sign of mechanical overuse, which the band descriptors penalise by name. It feels like good writing and reads like a list.
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Choosing the right connector in a single sentence is straightforward. Knowing whether your own essays overuse them is much harder to judge from the inside.
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Fewer than most candidates use. One per paragraph is often enough. The band descriptors specifically penalise mechanical overuse of cohesive devices.
Despite and in spite of are followed by a noun phrase. Although and even though are followed by a clause with a subject and a verb. Getting this wrong is a grammar error, not just a style one.
Yes. However normally opens a new sentence, or follows the subject inside one. What it cannot do is join two clauses with a comma, which needs whereas or while.
Only when they are used accurately and sparingly. Adding more connectors to a weak essay does not raise Coherence and Cohesion, and can lower it.
Reference words such as this approach, these measures and the former, which connect ideas without signposting. Higher-band writing relies on these far more than on connectors.
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Almost nobody can tell that their own essays are overloaded with connectors. It takes someone reading your work against the descriptors to point it out.
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