Useful linking words and phrases

Linking words help increase your score for fluency and coherence in the speaking exam and help you to get a
higher score for coherence and cohesion in the writing exam. They are also useful in the listening and
reading test to help you see how ideas are sequenced and to catch the main ideas.

Sequencing the first idea Adding supporting Adding a contrasting Making general
ideas idea statements
The main reason is Another reason is… On the other hand, As a general rule,

The most important Furthermore, However, Generally,

consideration is…
Moreover, Nevertheless, In most cases,
First of all,
In the same vein, Although,
In the first place,

Giving examples Giving an explanation Clarifying an opinion Drawing a conclusion

For example, The reason for this is… To be more precise… As a consequence,

For instance, This is because… More specifically… Therefore,

In particular, This is due to… By this I mean… As a result,

A clear example of this is… In other words,

Stating your opinion Partially correct Other people's Making a concession

From my perspective,
From my point of view,
In my opinion
statements opinions
somewhat agree/disagree From a political point of It is sometimes argued
view, that…
to a certain degree,
From the point of view Admittedly,
to some extent, of the economy,
However,
Some people believe…

To give advantages To give disadvantages To express cause to express effect

A major advantage of this One major drawback Owing to… Therefore,
is… is…
Due to the fact that… As a consequence,
Another important merit Another disadvantage
is… is… For the reason that… As a result…

The final benefit is… The final limitation is

that…