Linking words for Writing

Linking words for essays: how to use however, although and therefore

Linking words hold a text together: without them an essay falls apart into separate sentences, and with the wrong one the logic breaks. Words that translate alike get treated as interchangeable. Although and however are close in meaning, but although joins a clause to a sentence, while however starts a new thought. Despite ends up in front of a whole clause, and moreover turns up in every paragraph. Learning the list is easy; using each word in the right place is a separate skill.

Only your own writing shows whether you've mastered a linking word. Read the example and notice the punctuation and where the word sits in the sentence. Recall the linker by its job: do you need to contrast, add or draw a conclusion? Then join two of your own ideas and check the result against the notes. The section is grouped by exactly that: addition, contrast, cause, purpose, condition and conclusion. Each linking word has a clear meaning, a common mistake and an exercise.

LetsWords ties this practice to IELTS Writing. First you write single sentences with linking words and get feedback: where the logic breaks, where the punctuation is off, how to connect ideas more precisely. Then you move on to parts of an answer and coherence exercises, and when you're ready, to a full essay with detailed feedback. That way linking words stop being a memorised list and become part of your writing. Start with a short session.