Linking Words and Cohesive Devices: How to Use Them Like a Band 7+ Writer
Why overusing 'Firstly, Moreover, Furthermore' lowers your IELTS score, and how to use linking words, referencing and substitution naturally.
Many candidates learn long lists of linking words and use them in every sentence. The result is the opposite of what they want: the band 6 descriptor for Coherence and Cohesion mentions cohesive devices that are "faulty or mechanical". Band 7 and above requires a range of cohesive devices used appropriately, and that includes much more than linking words.
Three types of cohesion
- Linking words connect ideas: however, therefore, for instance.
- Referencing points back to something already mentioned: this, these, it, such, the former.
- Substitution and synonyms avoid repetition: the government → the authorities → policymakers.
Strong writers use all three. Weak writers use only the first, and use it too often.
Linking words by function
| Function | Formal choices |
|---|---|
| Adding | In addition, Furthermore, What is more, Not only… but also |
| Contrasting | However, Nevertheless, On the other hand, Whereas, Although |
| Cause and effect | As a result, Consequently, Therefore, This leads to |
| Examples | For instance, For example, A case in point is, such as |
| Conceding | Admittedly, It is true that… but, While it is undeniable that |
| Concluding | In conclusion, Overall, To sum up |
Grammar matters: although and whereas join two clauses in one sentence; however and nevertheless usually start a new sentence and are followed by a comma.
- ✅ Although cars are convenient, they pollute the air.
- ✅ Cars are convenient. However, they pollute the air.
- ❌ Cars are convenient, however they pollute the air.
Mechanical vs natural: an example
Mechanical (band 6):
Firstly, public transport reduces pollution. Moreover, it reduces traffic. Furthermore, it is cheap. In addition, it is safe.
Natural (band 7+):
Public transport reduces pollution because a single bus replaces dozens of private cars. This also eases congestion, which in turn shortens journey times for everyone, including drivers.
The second version uses fewer linking words but connects ideas more strongly, through reference (This), a relative clause (which in turn) and a cause–effect chain.
Referencing tips
- This + noun is clearer than this alone: This policy…, This trend….
- Use such for categories: such measures, such problems.
- Make sure every pronoun has a clear antecedent. If it could mean two things, repeat the noun.
Cohesion between paragraphs
Cohesion is not only about sentences. Examiners also look at how paragraphs connect to each other and to your thesis.
- Topic sentences should make the paragraph's role clear: "The main argument in favour of… is…", "On the other hand, there are significant drawbacks."
- Echo the question in each body paragraph, so the reader always sees how the paragraph answers it.
- Your conclusion should reflect the order of your body paragraphs, which shows that the essay was planned.
How many linking words is "right"?
There is no fixed number, but a useful guide for Task 2 is one or two linking expressions per paragraph at the start of key sentences, with the rest of the connection done by referencing, relative clauses and logical order. If you can delete a linking word and the meaning is still clear, delete it.
Read your paragraph aloud. If it sounds like a list (Firstly… Secondly… Thirdly… Lastly…), combine ideas and replace some links with cause–effect explanations.
Practise
Take one of your old essays and:
- Highlight every linking word. Remove any that are not needed.
- Find three repeated nouns and replace them with references or synonyms.
- Join two short sentences with a relative clause or a cause–effect link.
Then compare your two versions with our AI feedback tool.