Linking structures

Using a wide range of vocabulary will help you to gain higher score at IELTS.

Don't fear: you don't have to learn all of these phrases. Just choose a few that you like and
practice using them in your writing.

Listing
• firstly, secondly, thirdly
• first, furthermore, finally
• to begin, to conclude

• Last but not least

Example :

• I have three reasons for wanting to visit Rome. Firstly, I would love to see the
Colosseum. Secondly, I’m sure the pope is dying to meet me. Thirdly, they have great
pizza.

• These findings seem plausible. Furthermore, several studies have confirmed them.
• To begin with, it is expensive.
• Last but not least, I am not interested.

Reinforcement // Extra Information

• Also
• Furthermore
• Moreover
• what is more
• in addition
• Additionally
• Besides
• above all
• as well (as)
• not only ... but also
Example :
• You should remember it, and what's more, you should get it right.
• I think she has many good qualities besides being very beautiful.
• These findings seem plausible. Furthermore, several studies have confirmed them.
• The whole report is badly written. Moreover, it's inaccurate.

• Mobile and the internet are dominating our lives.

• In addition to mobile, the internet is dominating our lives.

• Mobile has revolutionised the world. Additionally, the internet is dominating our lives

• Mobile as well as the internet are dominating our lives.

• You can't carry six cats as well as fifty wooden animals round with you.

• Not only mobile but also the internet is dominating our lives.
• The war caused not only destruction and death but also generations of hatred between the
two communities.

Similarity // Presenting Comparison

• Equally
• Likewise
• Similarly
• In comparison to
• In the same way
• Admittedly

Example :
• They all were dressed similarly.
• They all were dressed likewise.
• In comparison to others, they all were dressed alike.
• They all were dressed in the same way.
• Admittedly, they all were dressed in a similar way.

Reasons and Causes

 • As
• Since
• Due to
• Because
• Owing to

Example
• I got late as I was not feeling well.
• I got late since I was not feeling well.
• I got late due to not feeling well.
• I got late because I was not feeling well.
• I got late owing to not feeling well.

Summary
•
• in conclusion
• To sum up
• Therefore
• Overall

Example:
• To conclude, I am never going to give up.

• In conclusion, I am never going to give up.

• To sum up, I am never going to give up.

• This could bring back competition and therefore better deals for customers.

Giving examples
• for example
• for instance
• as follows:
• that is
• in this case
• Namely
Example:

• She is not dependable; for instance, she was an hour late for the meeting yesterday.

• She is not dependable; for example, she was an hour late for the meeting yesterday.

• She is not dependable. To cite an example, she was an hour late for the meeting
yesterday.

• She is not dependable; namely, she was an hour late for the meeting yesterday.

• She is not dependable. To illustrate, she was an hour late for the meeting yesterday.

• She is not dependable. To give an example, she was an hour late for the meeting
yesterday

Result/consequence
• So
• Therefore
• as a result/consequence
• Accordingly
• Consequently
• because of this/that
• Thus
• Hence
• for this/that reason
• so that
• in that case
• under these circumstances

Example :

• He didn’t know how to swim, and as a result, he drowned.

• He didn’t know how to swim, so he drowned.

• He didn’t know how to swim, consequently he drowned.

• He didn’t know how to swim; thus, he drowned.

 • He didn’t know how to swim, for this reason, he drowned.

• He didn’t know how to swim; hence, he drowned.

Deduction
• Then
• in other words
• in that case
• Otherwise
• this implies that ...
• if so/not

Examples:
• They take care of the children as much as parents do ..................
• As soon as we realise the problem ..................
• Otherwise, the unemployed graduates' number will keep on increasing ..................

Stating the obvious // Emphasising

• Surely
• Specifically
• Especially
• Obviously
• In particular
• Of course
• Clearly
• Particularly
Example :
• The book is written specifically for children.
• The book is written especially for children.
• Obviously, the book is written for children.
• In particular, the book is written for children.
• Of course, the book is written for children.
• Clearly, the book is written for children
Generalising
• in general
• Generally
• on the whole
• as a rule
• for the most part
• in most cases
• Usually
Example :

• Generally speaking, if something sounded too good to be true, it usually was.

• On the whole, people miss the opportunity to enjoy leisure.

Contrast

• In spite of
• On the other hand
• However
• Despite
• Still
• Although
• But
• Even though
Example :
• In spite of the pain, she completed her shift.
• On one hand, she had pain; on the other hand, she was completing her shift.
• She was in pain, however, she managed to complete her shift.
• Despite being in pain she managed to complete her shift
• She was in pain, still she completed her shift.
• Although she was in pain, she completed her shift.
• She was in pain but she completed her shift.
• Even though she was in pain, she completed her shift.
 An Indication of Time

• Eventually
• Meanwhile
• Subsequently
• Initially
• Henceforth

Example :

• If you try harder, eventually you will get a job.

• Meanwhile, try harder to get a job.
• You have applied to companies. Subsequently you must try harder to get a job.
• Initially, you must try harder to get a job.
• Henceforth, you must try harder to get a job.

Opinion

• I think
• In my opinion
• I admit
• I believe
• In my view

Example :

• I think you will look good in black dress.

• In my opinion, you will look good in black dress.
• I admit that you will look good in black dress.
• I believe you will look good in black dress.
• In my view, you will look good in black dress.