IELTS Linking Words and Cohesive Devices: Band 7+ Writing and Speaking
IELTS linking words are marked under Coherence and Cohesion, and examiners reward range and accuracy, not quantity. This guide groups linkers by function for writing and speaking, explains referencing and paragraphing, and rewrites a band 6 paragraph for band 7.
IELTS linking words and cohesive devices are marked under Coherence and Cohesion in Writing and under Fluency and Coherence in Speaking, and in both cases the examiner rewards how naturally your ideas connect, not how many connectors you produce. A band 7 essay uses a range of linkers in the right places; a band 6 essay often contains more of them, used mechanically. This guide covers what the 2 criteria reward, linkers by function for writing and speaking, referencing, paragraphing, punctuation, overuse, and a before-and-after paragraph.
Key takeaways
- Coherence and Cohesion is 1 of 4 equally weighted Writing criteria, worth 25% of your band in both Task 1 and Task 2.
- Cohesion has 4 tools: linking words, referencing (this, such, the former), substitution and paragraphing.
- Band 7 needs a range of devices used appropriately, with only occasional overuse or underuse, and 1 central idea per paragraph.
- Three sentences in a row starting "Moreover", "Furthermore" and "In addition" are one of the most common reasons a cohesion score stays at 6.
What do Coherence and Cohesion and Fluency and Coherence reward?
Both criteria reward a reader or listener who never has to stop and reconstruct your logic. Coherence is the big picture: ideas in a sensible order, 1 idea per paragraph. Cohesion is the glue between sentences. Paraphrased, the Writing ladder looks like this:
- Band 6: the essay has a direction, but some links are wrong or mechanical, pronouns are sometimes unclear, and paragraphing does not always follow the logic.
- Band 7: the argument moves forward clearly, a range of devices is used appropriately with occasional overuse, and each paragraph has 1 central topic.
- Band 8: the sequence of ideas feels inevitable, cohesion is almost invisible, and paragraphing is fully logical.
Fluency and Coherence in Speaking follows the same ladder, from connectors not always used correctly at band 6 to markers used with some flexibility at band 7, as explained in IELTS Speaking band descriptors explained. In both tests the key word is "appropriately": does each connector do the job its meaning promises?
IELTS linking words by function: writing and speaking
The most useful way to organise linking words is by what they do, with a separate column for what sounds natural aloud. Learn 3 or 4 items per function; range comes from using several functions, not several synonyms.
| Function | Writing (essays and reports) | Speaking (sounds natural aloud) |
|---|---|---|
| Adding | in addition, what is more, another factor is | and, also, on top of that, plus |
| Contrasting | however, whereas, by contrast, on the other hand | but, though (sentence-final), then again, mind you |
| Cause and result | as a result, consequently, this means that, therefore | so, that's why, which means |
| Sequencing | first, the second reason is, finally, at this stage | first of all, then, after that, in the end |
| Exemplifying | for example, for instance, such as, a case in point is | like, say, take my brother |
| Conceding | although, even though, admittedly, despite this | I suppose, fair enough, having said that |
| Concluding | in conclusion, overall, on balance | so basically, all in all, at the end of the day |
Notice how little overlap there is between the 2 columns: "Furthermore" in a Part 1 answer about your hometown sounds like a memorised essay, and "mind you" in a Task 2 essay is too informal. The writing column pairs well with the collocations in IELTS vocabulary for band 7 and above.
Referencing and substitution: cohesion without linking words
Referencing, which means pointing back to an idea with "this", "these", "such", "the former" or "the latter", separates band 7 writing from band 6 more reliably than any linker, because it connects sentences without a connector.
- This / these + noun. "Cities are building more cycle lanes. This investment..." The noun summarises the previous sentence and avoids a vague "this".
- Such + noun. "Such measures" refers back to a type of thing just described and reads as more controlled than "these things".
- The former / the latter. Useful once per essay after 2 options are named: "Both taxes and bans reduce smoking, but the latter is harder to enforce."
- Substitution. "One", "do so" and "the same" replace a repeated noun or verb: "Some employers allow remote work, and those that do so report fewer resignations."
The band 6 fault is an unclear reference: "It" after a sentence with 3 possible nouns. If a pronoun takes a second to decode, add a noun.
How should you paragraph an IELTS essay?
A band 7 paragraph contains 1 central idea, stated in a topic sentence, then developed by explanation, example and consequence. Seven short paragraphs or 1 long block lose marks even when every linker is correct.
- Topic sentence. One clear claim, ideally without a linker: "The strongest argument for free public transport is reduced congestion."
- Explanation. Why the claim is true, often introduced by referencing: "This effect..."
- Example. A realistic case, introduced with "for instance".
- Consequence. One sentence that closes the point or leads to the next paragraph.
Four paragraphs suit most Task 2 essays; 5 suit a 2-part question. The full plan is in IELTS Writing Task 2 essay structure.
Why do too many linking words lower your band?
Overused and mechanical linkers lower a Coherence and Cohesion score because a connector that adds no logical meaning is, by definition, used inappropriately. A paragraph that runs "Firstly... Moreover... Furthermore... Finally..." is listing, not arguing, and the examiner can see that the words came before the ideas.
- "In a nutshell", "Last but not least", "Every coin has two sides". Informal idioms that read as memorised rather than chosen.
- "Firstly, secondly, thirdly" with 1 sentence each. The problem is development, and no sequencer fixes that.
A reliable self-check: delete every sentence-initial linker in a draft and read it again, then put back only the linkers that change the meaning. This single edit often lifts a stalled score, a pattern discussed in why you are stuck at IELTS band 6.
Punctuation with linking words: however, but and the semicolon
Punctuation decides whether a linker is correct, because "however" is an adverb while "but" is a conjunction. Getting this wrong produces a run-on sentence, which costs marks under Grammatical Range and Accuracy as well as cohesion.
- Conjunctions (but, so, yet, whereas, although) join 2 clauses inside 1 sentence: "Rents rose, but wages did not."
- Adverbs (however, therefore, consequently, moreover) cannot join clauses. They need a full stop or a semicolon before them and a comma after: "Rents rose; however, wages did not." "Rents rose, however wages did not" is one of the most common punctuation errors in Task 2 essays.
- Semicolons join 2 related complete sentences without any linker: "Supporters see cheaper housing; opponents see lower quality."
Spoken discourse markers: what sounds natural in the Speaking test
Discourse markers such as "well", "actually", "I mean" and "to be honest" are rewarded in the Speaking test because they do the real work of spoken coherence: buying thinking time, signalling a change of direction and showing that you are in a conversation, not reciting an essay.
| Job the marker does | Natural spoken markers |
|---|---|
| Buying time before an answer | well, let me think, that's a good question, I'd say |
| Correcting or being precise | actually, I mean, or rather, what I'm trying to say is |
| Changing direction or softening disagreement | anyway, going back to, I see what you mean but, it depends |
Two rules keep these at band 7: vary them, because "to be honest" before every answer counts as repetition, and follow each one with content within a second or 2, because a marker followed by silence is still hesitation. See the IELTS Speaking Parts 1, 2 and 3 guide for what each part asks of you.
Before and after: a band 6 paragraph rewritten for band 7+
The clearest way to see the difference is to compare 2 versions of 1 body paragraph on an invented question: "Some people believe that city centres should be closed to private cars. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
Band 6 style
Firstly, cars are dangerous for people in the city centre. Moreover, cars make a lot of noise and pollution in the city centre. Furthermore, when there are no cars people can walk and ride bicycles. In addition, shops will have more customers because people like to walk. Last but not least, it is good for the environment. Therefore, city centres should be closed to private cars.
Band 7+ rewrite
The strongest case for closing city centres to private cars is safety. Pedestrians and cyclists in a car-free zone no longer share the road with fast-moving vehicles, which removes the main cause of serious injuries on central streets. This change also makes the area quieter and cleaner, and people who feel comfortable walking tend to stay longer. Shops in several pedestrianised districts have reported more foot traffic for exactly this reason, so the policy supports local businesses as well as residents. Although deliveries and emergency access still need planning, these are practical questions rather than arguments against the principle.
Why the rewrite scores higher
The first version has 6 sentences and 6 sentence-initial linkers; 3 of them (Moreover, Furthermore, In addition) do the same job, so the paragraph is a list. "City centre" and "cars" are repeated instead of referenced, the environment point is never explained, and "Last but not least" is an informal idiom. That is mechanical cohesion: band 6.
The rewrite opens with a topic sentence naming 1 central idea. Cohesion comes from referencing ("this change", "these", "for exactly this reason"), a relative clause ("which removes"), 1 conjunction ("so") and 1 concession ("Although"). Each sentence grows out of the one before: clear progression with a range of devices, achieved with fewer linking words, not more.
Common mistakes with linking words and cohesive devices
- Starting every sentence with a connector. Move the linker inside the sentence or replace it with referencing; at most 1 sentence-initial linker in 3.
- "On the other hand" for a second supporting point. Reserve it for a genuine opposite; use "another factor is" for additions.
- Writing "however" with a comma as if it were "but". Use a full stop or a semicolon before "however" and a comma after.
- Vague "this" and "it". Add a summarising noun: "this policy", "this shift", "such a change".
- Essay connectors in Speaking. Replace "furthermore" with "on top of that" and "in conclusion" with "so basically".
Frequently asked questions
How many linking words should an IELTS essay have?
An IELTS Task 2 essay of 250–300 words usually needs around 6–10 explicit linking words, spread across different functions, plus referencing and clear paragraphs. If removing a linker from an IELTS essay leaves the sentence making the same sense, that linker was decorative and counts as mechanical cohesion.
Do linking words count towards the IELTS Writing word count?
Linking words do count towards the IELTS Writing word count, so "in addition" adds 2 words and "taking everything into account" adds 4. An IELTS essay padded with connectors to reach 250 words loses more under Coherence and Cohesion than it gains, because forced cohesion is penalised and visible.
Can I use "firstly" and "secondly" in IELTS Writing?
You can use "firstly" and "secondly" in IELTS Writing when the points are genuinely parallel, for example 2 causes of the same problem. Problems start when every paragraph is numbered or "thirdly" has 1 sentence of support, because the examiner then sees a list rather than an argument. "First" and "second" are equally correct.
Are discourse markers like "well" and "you know" good in IELTS Speaking?
Discourse markers such as "well", "actually" and "I mean" are good in IELTS Speaking because they are natural features of fluent spoken English and help an answer hang together. "You know" is fine in moderation. Any marker becomes a problem when it is repeated before most answers or followed by a long pause, which the examiner hears as hesitation.
What is the difference between coherence and cohesion in IELTS?
Coherence in IELTS is the overall logic of a text or answer: ideas in a sensible order, 1 topic per paragraph and an argument that moves forward. Cohesion in IELTS is the set of language tools that connect sentences: linking words, referencing, substitution and punctuation. A text can be cohesive but incoherent, full of connectors with no direction, which is the typical band 6 pattern.
Get your cohesion checked criterion by criterion
Cohesion faults are hard to see in your own writing. Fleydo English School offers one-to-one IELTS preparation for adults and students aged 16 and over with native English-speaking teachers who are Band 8.5+ certified IELTS specialists. Preparation starts with a level and goal analysis and a personal study plan, and includes full mock tests in the real computer-delivered format with feedback on each of the 4 criteria, so you learn where your cohesion sits on the band scale. Lesson times are flexible. Start with a free trial lesson, a short live one-to-one session with no obligation, and use the free IELTS band score calculator to see how a higher Coherence and Cohesion score changes your overall band.
