IELTS Connectors for Task 2: Linking Words Guide 2026

In order to acquire a solid band score in the writing section, candidates must learn and equip themselves with grammatical tools. Using linking words for IELTS essays or connectors for task 2 in their sentences is one technique to improve your written responses.

The writing component is divided into two sections, with similar marking standards for both tasks. However, task 2, which is an essay-style question, is worth twice as much as task 1 because it is more sophisticated and requires a minimum of 250 words. Task 1, on the other hand, requires a minimum of 150 words. Candidates can improve their band scores by knowing when to use relevant linkers.

In this post, we'll walk you through a step-by-step technique for improving your connecting word knowledge. The numerous categories of linking words for IELTS and practice tasks are also included in the following sections.

Why Use Connectors in IELTS?

• They provide clarity to the text and give the written piece a sense of coherence
• They help to display how a text's components or sentences are related
• They assist in conveying an idea or a goal
• They aid in the development of a good conclusion

How Do You Use Linking Words in IELTS?

Linking words IELTS writing task 1

• A description of one visual is followed by a description of another
• Compare and contrast key visual features
• Highlight and describe the data or details of the visuals

Linking words IELTS writing task 2

• Describe the conditions and/or consequences of various scenarios
• Transitions between paragraphs
• A presentation of one's opinion

How Many Linking Words Should You Use in IELTS Writing?

What Are the Categories of Linkers for IELTS Writing?

• Adding information
• Listing
• Providing examples
• Stressing and highlighting
• Consequences and results
• Causes and reasons
• Contrasts and concessions
• Conclusion
• Providing opinion

Adding information

• Furthermore
• Additionally
• In addition
• Not only, but also
• Also
• Moreover
• And
• As well as

Listing

• Firstly
• Secondly
• Thirdly
• Fourthly
• Finally
• Lastly

Giving examples

• For instance
• For example
• To cite an example
• To illustrate
• Namely
• Such as
• In other words

Stressing and highlighting

• Specifically
• Especially
• In particular
• Particularly
• Obviously
• Clearly
• Of course

Consequences and results

• As a result
• Therefore
• Thus
• Consequently
• For this reason
• So
• Hence

Causes and reasons

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

Contrasts and concessions

• Nevertheless
• However
• On the other hand
• Admittedly
• Although
• Even though
• Despite
• But
• Still
• In spite of
• Alternatively
• In comparison
• By contrast

Conclusion

• To sum up
• To conclude
• In conclusion

Providing opinion

• I believe
• I admit
• In my opinion
• I think
• I agree/concur

How Do You Practise IELTS Linking Words for Task 1?

SAMPLE 1

1. Firstly / First of all / To start with
2. However / But / Nevertheless
3. On the other hand / However / But / Nevertheless
4. Because this is the beginning of a sentence, any example linking word would function here except 'such as'.
5. Any word that can be used to make a comparison or contrast could be used here.

SAMPLE 2

1. To start with, firstly, first of all
2. Nevertheless, however, but
3. But, nevertheless, on the other hand
4. Any example connector can be used here except 'such as', which cannot be used because this is the beginning of a sentence.
5. Any connector that compares

How Do You Practise IELTS Linking Words for Task 2?

SAMPLE 1

1. Any opinion linking word or phrase would function here, except 'I concur that' or 'I agree that', since this is the first point in the essay.
2. Admittedly
3. However / But / On the other hand / Nevertheless
4. Any linking word, except 'such as', would work here since it is the start of a sentence.
5. Consequently / As a result / Accordingly / Therefore / For that reason

SAMPLE 2

1. Furthermore
2. Since
3. However
4. Consequently
5. Moreover
6. In conclusion