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Linking words & cohesive devices

Examiners reward variety, not volume. Rotate connectors across paragraphs and use sentence-internal cohesion (pronouns, synonyms, demonstratives) — not just transitions at the start of every sentence.

IELTSTOEFLGeneral

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Reference library

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Use the full reference below when an answer in the practice lab feels uncertain.

Addition

Mid-band

  • and
  • also
  • as well as
  • in addition
  • another point is

High-band

  • furthermore
  • moreover
  • what is more
  • not only … but also
  • in addition to this

Contrast & concession

Mid-band

  • but
  • however
  • although
  • on the other hand
  • in contrast

High-band

  • nevertheless
  • nonetheless
  • conversely
  • despite (the fact that)
  • whereas
  • while it is true that …

Cause & result

Cause

  • because
  • since
  • as
  • due to
  • owing to
  • on account of

Result

  • therefore
  • thus
  • consequently
  • as a result
  • hence
  • for this reason

Sequence

Listing

  • firstly
  • secondly
  • thirdly
  • lastly
  • finally

Time

  • previously
  • subsequently
  • meanwhile
  • afterwards
  • ultimately

Example & emphasis

Example

  • for instance
  • for example
  • such as
  • namely
  • to illustrate
  • a case in point is

Emphasis

  • indeed
  • clearly
  • undoubtedly
  • in particular
  • above all

Conclusion

Summary

  • in conclusion
  • to sum up
  • in summary
  • on balance
  • to conclude
  • overall

How to avoid the "linker every sentence" trap

  • Use a connector at most once per paragraph at the start of a sentence.
  • Build internal cohesion with pronouns (this, these, such) and synonyms.
  • Vary the position of the connector — "However, the data …" / "The data, however, …".

Editorial details and primary sources

By FluentMock Editorial Team · Published 2026-06-13 · Updated 2026-06-28 · Official sources checked

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