Linking words (cohesive devices) are how examiners measure your Coherence & Cohesion score. Most students over-usethe obvious ones (Firstly, Secondly, In conclusion) and don’t reach for the natural ones. The trick is to vary themand use ones that fit the actual relationship between your sentences. This guide gives you a working set per relationship type plus the linkers that actually cost you marks.
Working sets by relationship
Adding
- Furthermore / Moreover
- Adding a stronger or related point. Slightly formal — perfect for Task 2.
- In addition
- Neutral ‘and also’. Safe everywhere.
- What is more
- More conversational; works in introductions.
Contrasting
- However
- The default — but don’t open every body paragraph with it.
- On the other hand
- Use it ONCE per essay, when comparing two sides directly.
- Nevertheless / Nonetheless
- ‘Despite that’ — slightly higher register than however.
- While / Whereas
- Mid-sentence connectors. Read more naturally than starting with However.
Cause & effect
- As a result / Consequently
- Strong consequence statement.
- Therefore / Thus / Hence
- Logical conclusion. Use sparingly — too formal for every paragraph.
- This leads to / which leads to
- Mid-sentence cause-and-effect, more natural.
- owing to / due to
- Followed by a noun phrase, not a clause: 'owing to higher prices' (✓), 'owing to prices rose' (✗).
Examples & emphasis
- For instance / For example
- Same meaning. Vary between them so you don't repeat.
- In particular / Notably
- Singling out the strongest example — sounds advanced.
- Indeed / In fact
- Reinforcing the previous point. Use with caution; one per essay.
Conclusion
- In conclusion / To conclude
- Standard. Pick one and don't use both.
- Overall
- Slightly more natural — works in Task 1 too.
- On balance
- When you've weighed two sides — fits discuss-both-views questions.
Over-mechanical
Firstly, online learning is convenient. Secondly, it is cheap. Thirdly, it is flexible. In conclusion, it has many advantages.
Cohesive but natural
Online learning offers two main advantages. The first is flexibility — students can attend lectures around their work schedules. The second, and arguably more important, is cost: a year of online study at most institutions costs a fraction of on-campus tuition.
Pick the right linker
- 1
Many cities have invested heavily in cycling infrastructure. _______, congestion has only worsened in most of them.
The relationship is contrast — the second clause defies the expectation set up by the first.Pick one. You'll see why straight away.
- 2
The vaccine had been distributed unevenly across the country. _______, infection rates remained high in rural areas long after they fell in cities.
Pick one. You'll see why straight away.