Are you stressed about the speaking part of your IELTS exam? You don’t have to. You can improve your English fluency and coherence in various proven ways. One of the many ways to do so is by mastering the ‘Linking Words’ or ‘Discourse Markers.’ Since they help you connect your thoughts and sentences better, you will see substantial improvement almost instantly.
If you’re interested in finding out what we mean, go ahead and read the rest of this article. It explores various categories of useful phrases and practical examples to enhance your overall performance in the IELTS speaking section.
Let’s dive in now!
Why are Linking Words Important?
Linking words and phrases form the foundation of every communication. Without them, your messages would feel incomplete or inefficient. Here are the many ways it can improve your speech:
- They help you organise your thoughts, making it easier for the examiner to follow your ideas.
- They show that you can think and speak clearly without frequent pauses.
- They demonstrate your ability to use diverse vocabulary and phrases.
- They prevent you from overusing basic conjunctions like “and” or “but” too much.
- They make you look more professional and eloquent.
For all these reasons, it is worth investing time and effort into learning enough linking words and phrases. You may also communicate the same intention with your tutor or coaching institute so your preparation is tailored accordingly.
Now, let’s learn some important categories of linking words for your upcoming IELTS examination.
1. For Adding Information
When speaking, we often want or need to add more information for elaborating on a topic. To do so, you can use words/phrases like Furthermore, Moreover, Also, Additionally, What’s More, On Top Of That, or In Addition.
For example:
- I enjoy outdoor activities like cycling and hiking. Moreover, I find them great for my physical and mental health.
2. For Giving Examples
You may also want to give some examples when communicating your point, and it gives extra weight to your speech. For that, you can use the following words and phrases:
- For example
- For instance
- Such as
- To illustrate
- Namely
An example of this would be, “There are many benefits to living in a big city. For instance, you have access to better healthcare facilities and educational institutions.”
3. For Contrasting Ideas
Sometimes, we have to show contrast in different ways or ideas to convey a message effectively. To do that, we have to take the help of some linking words, such as However, On the Other Hand, Although, Even Though, While, Though, Yet, Whereas, and Nevertheless. An example to illustrate it is, “I enjoy socialising with my friends. However, I also value my alone time.”
4. For Expressing Cause and Effect
When explaining reasons or consequences, it is important to use certain words. Some examples are Because, As, Since, Due to, Owing to, Therefore, As a result, and Consequently. You can use them in many ways, such as “I didn’t prepare thoroughly for the test; as a result, I didn’t perform as well as I had hoped.”
5. For Sequencing
Sequencing words helps you organise your thoughts logically. Here are some important ones to note:
- First of all
- Secondly
- Next
- Then
- After that
- Finally
An example of this scenario would be, “ First of all, I’d like to talk about my favourite holiday destination. Then, I’ll explain why it’s special to me.”
6. For Emphasising
To emphasise the vital points in your message, you can use words like Definitely, Especially, Without a doubt, In fact, Indeed, and Most importantly. An example to illustrate this better would be, “Learning English is definitely a valuable skill in today’s globalised world.”
7. For Speculating or Giving Opinions
The IELTS exam also encourages the candidates to express their thoughts and ponder possibilities. Here are a variety of expressions you can use while doing so:
- I reckon
- I believe
- In my view
- It seems to me
- As I see it
- I imagine
- I suppose
- Likely
- Perhaps.
Example Answer: “In my view, technology has enriched our lives but also created obstacles, like a decrease in face-to-face conversations.”
8. For Comparing
When tackling Parts 2 and 3 of your IELTS exam, comparisons may come into play. Some common linking words to use in this context are:
- Similarly
- Likewise
- In comparison
- Compared to
- On the one hand…on the other hand.
Example Answer: “Compared to rural areas, cities breed job prospects yet demand higher living costs.”
Final Words:
As you can see now, linking words plays a vital role in structuring your arguments. They demonstrate your ability to organise ideas, maintain coherence, and speak fluently. So, it is absolutely worth investing extra time to mastering these words and phrases. For further guidance or coaching, you can also reach out to the experienced instructors at English Wise.
