What are “linking words”?

They are words/phrases that join ideas and show relationships (contrast, reason, result, order). Used well, they improve Coherence & Cohesion in IELTS Writing and make Speaking sound organised.

Golden rule: Ideas first, linking word second. Choose a connector after you decide the exact relationship.

How to use them naturally

• Prefer short, common options in Speaking; formal, precise ones in Writing.
• Don’t stack more than one big linker per sentence.
• Vary position: front (However, …), mid (…, however, …), or end (rare; only a few).
• Punctuation matters: many adverbial linkers take a comma after an initial position.

Core set by function (with Bangla gloss)

Addition (তথ্য যোগ)

• and (এবং) — basic joiner.
• also (এছাড়া/তদুপরি) — mid-sentence: X also Y.
• in addition (অতিরিক্তভাবে) — formal.
• moreover / furthermore (তদুপরি/অধিকন্তু) — formal, argument-building.

Model: The policy cut costs; moreover (তদুপরি), it improved access.

Contrast (বৈপরীত্য)

• but (কিন্তু) — simple contrast.
• however (তবে/যাইহোক) — sentence/linking adverb; needs comma.
• whereas / while (যেখানে/অপরদিকে) — clause linker.
• on the other hand (অন্যদিকে) — new paragraph/side.

Model: Urban incomes rose; however (তবে), rural wages lagged.

Reason / Cause (কারণ)

• because (কারণ) — most direct.
• since / as (যেহেতু) — softer/earlier in sentence.
• due to / owing to (কারণে) — noun phrase after it: Due to rain, …

Model: The score improved because (কারণ) students practised daily.

Result (ফলাফল)

• so (তাই) — neutral, Speaking-friendly.
• therefore (অতএব) — formal.
• as a result / consequently (ফলে/পরিণতিতে) — clear outcome.

Model: Training was extended; as a result (ফলে), error rates fell.

Example / Clarification (উদাহরণ/ব্যাখ্যা)

• for example / for instance (উদাহরণস্বরূপ)
• such as (যেমন) — inside lists.
• in other words (অন্যভাবে বললে)

Model: Many cities restrict cars—for example (উদাহরণস্বরূপ), Singapore.

Sequence / Order (ক্রম)

• first(ly), next, then, finally (প্রথমে, এরপর, তারপর, শেষে)
• meanwhile (এদিকে) — time overlap.
• subsequently (পরবর্তীতে) — formal.

Model: First (প্রথমে) collect data; then analyse patterns.

Concession (স্বীকারোক্তি + বিপরীত ফল)

• although / though (যদিও) — clause linker.
• even though (তবু/যদিও) — stronger contrast.
• despite / in spite of (সত্ত্বেও) — noun/gerund after.

Model: Although (যদিও) costs rose, satisfaction increased.

Condition (শর্ত)

• if (যদি) — real/neutral.
• unless (যদি না) — negative condition.
• provided (that) (শর্তে) — formal.

Model: Scores will rise if (যদি) practice is consistent.

IELTS-focused guidance

Writing Task 1 (charts)

• Use few but clear linkers: overall, meanwhile, by contrast, subsequently.
• Don’t narrate every number; link groups/trends.

Writing Task 2 (essay)

• Build paragraphs: firstly, in addition, however, therefore.
• Prefer because/therefore to vague “so/and” chains in formal writing.

Speaking

• Keep it natural and short: and, but, so, because.
• Use one “organiser” to start answers: Well, to begin with… (ভাল, শুরুতে…)

Common mistakes → quick fixes

• Overusing heavy linkers: Don’t start every sentence with moreover/however. Mix short (and/but/so) with a few formal ones.
• Wrong structure after despite: ❌ Despite it was raining → ✅ Despite the rain / Although it was raining
• Comma splice with however: ❌ …rose, however it fell… → ✅ …rose; however, it fell… or …rose. However, it fell…

Model paragraph (Task 2 style)

Urban cycling has surged in many cities. For example (উদাহরণস্বরূপ), Paris expanded its bike network in 2020. As a result (ফলে), short trips shifted away from cars. However (তবে), safety concerns remain; therefore (অতএব), governments should add protected lanes. In addition (অতিরিক্তভাবে), schools can promote training so beginners feel confident.

Mini drills (answers below)

A. Choose the best linker.

1. Prices fell; ___, demand stayed high. (contrast)
2. The pilot succeeded; ___, the city scaled it up. (result)
3. ___ the incentives, uptake was slow. (concession + noun)
4. I prefer buses; my friend, ___, cycles to work. (contrast between people)
5. ___ we invest now, costs will rise later. (condition)

B. Fix the sentence.
6) Despite it was late, we continued.
7) The roads were crowded, however buses were on time.

Answers:

1. however / by contrast
2. as a result / therefore
3. despite / in spite of
4. on the other hand / however
5. if / unless
6. Although it was late, we continued. / Despite the late hour, we continued.
7. The roads were crowded; however, buses were on time. / …crowded. However, buses…

Quick checklist (1 minute)

1. What relation do I need? Addition / contrast / cause / result / example / sequence / concession / condition
2. Pick a simple option first; upgrade to a formal one if needed.
3. Check structure: despite + noun/-ing, although + clause.
4. Use one strong linker per sentence.
5. Vary positions and punctuation.