Common connective words indicating:

Addition
in addition
and similarly
likewise as well as
besides further more
also moreover and
then too not only ...
but even besides
this/that

Certainty
obviously certainly
plainly of course
undoubtedly

Example
for instance one
example for example
just as in particular
such as namely
to illustrate

Sequence

Consequence

as a result thus
first(ly) initially
so therefore
second(ly) etc.to consequently
begin with then
it follows that
next earlier/later thereby
after this/that
eventually
following this/that then in that
afterwards
case
admittedly

Condition
if unless whether
provided that for
so that whether
depending on

Reason
since as so
because (of)
due to owing to
the reason why
in other words
leads to cause

Definition
is refers to
means that is
consists of

Time
before since as
until meanwhile
at the moment
when
whenever
as soon as just
as

Contrast
however on the other
hand despite in spite
of
though although but
on the contrary
otherwise yet instead
of
rather whereas
nonetheless even
though
compared with in
contrast alternatively
Summary
in conclusion in
summary lastly finally
to sum up to
conclude
to recapitulate in
short

In my opinion,
In my view,
From my point of view,
It seems to me that
From my perspective
It appears that
I realize
I imagine

Giving Examples
For example,
such as
as
that is
To illustrate

As...as
also
In the same way,
At the same time
resemble

Contrasting
However,
On the contrary,
Differ from
Although
Otherwise
Alternatively,

For instance,
In other words,
like
namely
To paraphrase

Comparing
Similar to
in common
Either...or
Neither...nor
Just as

According to me,
To me,
I think
I believe
To my way of thinking
I suppose
I understand
I feel

But
On the other hand,
Nevertheless
Though
Instead
Even though

Generalizing
Generally,

Generally speaking,

Overall,
In general,
It seems to me that
All in all,
Essentially,
All things considered

Expressing Certainty
Certainly,
Doubtless,
Definitely,

Because
Owing to

Showing effect
Therefore,
Consequently,
Thus,
thereby
Hence,

To some extent,
Almost,
So to speak,

Showing cause
Due to
Because of

Undoubtedly,
No doubt,
Of course,

Expressing Partial Agreement

More or less,
Up to a point,
In a way,

On the whole,
By and large,
I believe
Basically,
As a rule,
For the most part

As a result,
For this reason,
So,
Eventually,
The reason why

Marking time
First,
Second,
Third,
Firstly,
Secondly,
Thirdly,

Last
Lastly,
Then,
First of all,
Before
After

During
To begin with
Simultaneously
Since
Afterwards
When

Adding Information
Furthermore
Also
Moreover
Likewise
Besides
Even

In addition
And
Similarly
As well as
Too
Whats more

Expressing condition
If
In case
Provided that

While
At the same time
After this / that
Meanwhile
Following this
As soon as

Whether
Unless
So that

Concluding
To summarize
Lastly,
To conclude with,
Transitions

In conclusion
Finally,
In short,

Transitional words and phrases are what gives your essays coherence, we need them
to join sentences and thoughts together. Look at the lists below. These are transitional
phrases that you can memorize and keep in your arsenal for the IELTS writing module.
AGREEMENT: also, plus, in addition, further, furthermore, moreover, additionally, to add
to that, next, in accordance with, accordingly, in agreement, finally, for instance, for
example, in exemplification, exemplifying that, in fact, factually speaking, in terms of,
and so forth, looking at the nexus between, in coordination with, along those lines,
collectively speaking, generally speaking, indeed, undoubtedly, obviously, to be sure.

CONTRAST: however, contrastingly, in contrast, on the contrary, on the other hand, To

put it into perspective, from a different angle, nonetheless, nevertheless, but, yet, a
catch to this is, sadly enough, as a hindrance, looking at the holdups, oddly enough,
instead, in direct opposition, still, and rather.

RESULT: as a result, as a consequence, consequently, thus, therefore, hence, thereby,

resulting in, ultimately, in the end, finally, in the overall analysis, in hindsight, in
retrospect, retrospectively, vicariously, the long term effect, as a short term result,
significantly, as a major effect, effectively, heretofore, hereafter, thereafter, in short,
generally, over all, concluding
Cohesion refers to words and phrases that help ideas link together. Cohesive phrases
include wordings like
Because of this,
As this shows,
As can clearly be seen from this example,
It is clear that
Thus, the idea that
To illustrate this,
After analyzing both points of view,
To provide a summary,
Without a doubt, this causes
ntroduction paragraph

A background sentence giving some background information on the essay topic.

A more detailed sentence linking the background sentence to the thesis.

A thesis that presents your point of view on your given topic.

An outline sentence declaring the 2 points you are going to use to support your
thesis.

Supporting paragraph 1
A topic sentence illustrating the first point you will be presenting to support your thesis
(this point taken from your outline sentence).

A sentence showing a real-life example of this topic in action.

A discussion sentence that shows how your example links or proves your topic
sentence.

A conclusion sentence that links this entire paragraph back to your thesis.

Supporting paragraph 2

A topic sentence illustrating the second point you will be presenting to support
your thesis (this point taken from your outline sentence).

A sentence showing a real-life example of this topic in action.

A discussion sentence that shows how your example links or proves your topic
sentence.

A conclusion sentence that links this entire paragraph back to your thesis.

Conclusion paragraph

A summary sentence that briefly states the 2 points you discussed in your
supporting paragraphs.

A restatement of your thesis using different words.

A prediction or recommendation based on the topic you have been given.

Formal

Informal

Inform me

Let me know

Cancel

Drop

Contact

Get in touch

Obtain

Get

Apologise

Say sorry

Postpone

Delay

Request

Ask for

Compensate

Make up

Establish

Set up

Discover

Find out

Handle

Deal with

Investigate

Check up on

Tolerate

Put up

Increase

Go up

Children

Kids

Many / Much

A lot of

Many / Much

Heaps of

Use formal words.