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Linking Words for IELTS Speaking and Writing – English vocabulary

Learning path · 10 study sets · 90 words · English vocabulary · Created by Openquiz Team

Learn linking words and phrases that help improve coherence and cohesion in IELTS writing and speaking.

Study sets in this learning path

  1. Adding Ideas (10 words)
    • furthermore /'fɜ:ðə,mɔ:r/ — also
    • moreover /mɔ:r'əʊvər/ — also
    • in addition /ɪn ə'dɪʃən/ — also
    • also /'ɔ:lsoʊ/ — in addition; too
    • besides /bɪ'saɪdz/ — also
    • what is more /wɒt ɪz mɔ:r/ — further
    • as well as /əz wɛl æz/ — not only that, but also
    • not only ... but also /nɒt 'əʊnli ... bʌt 'ɔ:lsəʊ/ — used to emphasize two related qualities or facts
    • on top of that /ɒn tɒp əv ðæt/ — also
    • additionally /ə'dɪʃənəli/ — also
  2. Cause and Effect (10 words)
    • because /bɪ'kɔ:z/ — for the reason that
    • therefore /'ðeəfɔ:r/ — so
    • as a result /æz ə rɪ'zʌlt/ — so
    • since /sɪns/ — because
    • due to /'dju: tu:/ — because
    • thus /ðʌs/ — so
    • hence /hens/ — so
    • so that /səʊ ðæt/ — in order that; for the purpose of
    • as a consequence /æz ə 'kɒnsɪkwəns/ — as a result
    • for this reason /fɔ: ðɪs 'ri:zən/ — because of this
  3. Contrast and Concession (8 words)
    • however /haʊ'evər/ — but
    • although /ɔ:l'ðoʊ/ — even if
    • on the other hand /ɒn ðə 'ʌðər hænd/ — from a different point of view
    • nevertheless /,nevərðə'les/ — despite that
    • even though /'i:vən ðoʊ/ — even if
    • in contrast /ɪn 'kɒntræst/ — the opposite way
    • despite /dɪ'spaɪt/ — in spite of
    • whereas /weər'æz/ — when comparing opposites
  4. Order and Time (10 words)
    • first /fɜ:rst/ — at the beginning; before anything else
    • then /ðen/ — after that; next
    • next /nekst/ — after that; following this
    • afterwards /'æftərwərdz/ — after that
    • subsequently /'sʌbsɪkwəntli/ — then
    • meanwhile /'mi:n,waɪl/ — during that time
    • eventually /ɪ'ventʃuəli/ — in the end
    • finally /'faɪnəli/ — lastly; in the end
    • beforehand /bɪ'fɔ:rhænd/ — before
    • prior to /'praɪər tu:/ — before
  5. Examples and Explanation (8 words)
    • for example /fɔ:r ɪɡ'zɑ:mpəl/ — used to introduce an example
    • for instance /fɔ:r 'ɪnstəns/ — for example
    • such as /sʌtʃ æz/ — like
    • like /laɪk/ — like, for example
    • to illustrate /tu: 'ɪləstreɪt/ — to explain
    • as an example /æz æn ɪɡ'zæmpəl/ — as one example
    • namely /'neɪmli/ — specifically
    • in particular /ɪn pə'tɪkjʊlər/ — especially
  6. Emphasis and Highlighting (10 words)
    • indeed /ɪn'di:d/ — really
    • in fact /ɪn fækt/ — actually
    • importantly /ɪm'pɔ:rtəntli/ — most importantly; it is important to note that
    • above all /ə'bʌv ɔ:l/ — most important is
    • notably /'noʊtəbli/ — especially; worthy of attention
    • clearly /'klɪrli/ — obviously; without doubt
    • undoubtedly /ʌn'daʊtɪdli/ — without doubt
    • particularly /pər'tɪkjələrli/ — especially
    • surely /'ʃʊərli/ — I am sure; without doubt
    • significantly /sɪɡ'nɪfɪkəntli/ — to a large or noticeable degree
  7. Similar Comparison (6 words)
    • similarly /'sɪmɪlərli/ — in the same way; also
    • likewise /'laɪkwaɪz/ — similarly
    • in the same way — in a similar way
    • equally /'i:kwəli/ — the same way
    • just as — in the same way
    • in like manner — in a similar way
  8. Summary and Conclusion (8 words)
    • in conclusion /ɪn kən'klu:ʒən/ — finally; to end
    • to sum up /tə sʌm ʌp/ — to summarize briefly
    • overall /'oʊvər,ɔ:l/ — in general; taking everything into account
    • in summary /ɪn 'sʌməri/ — to summarize
    • in short /ɪn ʃɔ:rt/ — in a few words; to sum up
    • in brief /ɪn bri:f/ — in short
    • all in all /ɔ:l ɪn ɔ:l/ — overall
    • on the whole /ɒn ðə hoʊl/ — generally
  9. Presenting Opinions and Perspectives (10 words)
    • I believe that /aɪ bɪ'li:v ðæt/ — I believe
    • In my opinion /ɪn maɪ ə'pɪnjən/ — as I think; from my point of view
    • It seems that /ɪt si:mz ðæt/ — it seems so
    • From my perspective /frəm maɪ pər'spɛktɪv/ — from my view
    • To be honest /tə bi 'ɒnɪst/ — used to say something frankly and truthfully
    • As far as I know /æz fɑ:r æz aɪ noʊ/ — to my knowledge
    • Personally speaking /'pɜ:rsənəli 'spi:kɪŋ/ — personally
    • I feel that /aɪ fi:l ðæt/ — I think; in my feeling
    • In my view /ɪn maɪ vju:/ — I think
    • I guess that /aɪ ɡɛs ðæt/ — I think
  10. Clarifying and connecting meaning (10 words)
    • that is to say /ðæt ɪz tu seɪ/ — in other words
    • in other words /ɪn 'ʌðər wɜ:dz/ — that is to say; put another way
    • specifically /spə'sɪfɪkli/ — in particular; precisely
    • for example /fɔ:r ɪɡ'zɑ:mpəl/ — used to introduce an example
    • for instance /fɔ:r 'ɪnstəns/ — for example
    • namely /'neɪmli/ — specifically, that is
    • in particular /ɪn pə'tɪkjələ/ — especially
    • that is /ðæt ɪz/ — in other words; to be precise
    • to clarify /tu 'klærɪfaɪ/ — to be clear
    • to put it simply /tu pʊt ɪt 'sɪmpli/ — in short

About the IELTS test

Source: ielts.org

Frequently asked questions

What is in the Linking Words for IELTS Speaking and Writing learning path?
10 study sets with 90 words in total. Open a set to see its words with their meanings.
Is there an official IELTS vocabulary list?
No vocabulary list is published on ielts.org. The words in the test range over familiar topics, so studying by topic is a sensible approach.

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