About this lesson
Linking words are only one part of good writing flow. Teachers split the job in two. Coherence is the order of your ideas. Cohesion is the set of words that join them. Check the order first. Then look at the joins.
Teachers say a linker must fit its meaning and its grammar. Some words, such as because of, need a noun after them. Others sound too casual in an essay. Too many linkers sound mechanical, so teachers say to keep only the ones you need.
Pronouns also join sentences. Words like it, they, this and these point back to an earlier idea. A pronoun must point to one clear thing. Some teachers also suggest starting a sentence with what the reader already knows. Use these ideas as checks, not as formulas.
Examples from the clips
- IELTS Liz says like is too casual for examples in an essay. She suggests such as.
- Fastrack IELTS shows a paragraph with too many connectors, then none, then the right amount.
- My IELTS Classroom shows a pronoun with two possible meanings. The reader gets lost.
- Writing with Andrew shows sentences that start with known ideas and link without extra words.
Questions this lesson answers
How many linking words should I use?
No teacher gives a number. Several say one linker in every sentence is too many. Use one when the relationship needs showing.
What is the difference between coherence and cohesion?
Coherence is how well your ideas are ordered. Cohesion is how the words and sentences join. Teachers say to check them separately.
Can I use pronouns instead of linking words?
Yes, pronouns also join sentences. Words like it, they, this and these point back to earlier ideas. Make sure each one points to one clear thing.
Should I learn a list of band 7 linking phrases?
No video in this mix shows that a list helps. Some teachers who offer lists also sell courses. Learn how each linker works, not a fixed list.
Do I always have to use a different word for a repeated noun?
Teachers disagree. Some say to swap in a synonym. One says repeating is fine, and a long paraphrase is worse. A pronoun is often the safest choice.