Linking ideas in academic writing and speech

english
grammar
Do exercises and extend
Author
Affiliation

Hung

Cambridge Advance Grammar in Use

Published

July 28, 2025

1 A

Sentence connectors, conjunctions and pro-forms are used to link ideas in academic writing and speaking in a number of ways.

  • Sentence connectors link sentences. There is usually a full stop at the end of the first sentence, and the sentence connector often comes at the start of the next.
  • Conjunctions link clauses within sentences. A comma often separates the clauses. Most conjunctions come at the start of their clause.
  • Pro-forms are general words or phrases that refer back to more specific words or phrases, avoiding repetition.

Examples:

In sum1, temperature is an important factor determining the shelf life of a food product in that2 variations in temperature can result in the growth of microorganisms which can cause the product the spoil. Furthermore3, incorrect freezing can damage the proteins of meat or other products. Given that4 the maintenance of the correct temperature over a long period is essential, it is necessary to use time temperature indicators. Studies have shown that these indicators reduce food waste considerably. As well5, they reduce the number of foodborne illnesses.

Sociology researchers use two types of information: primary data and secondary data. The former6 is collected by the researcher themselves, whereas7 secondary data already exists in some form, such as documents or previous research. Collecting primary data can be time-consuming and expensive, and as such8, undergraduate researchers often prefer to use secondary data.

2 B - In Speaking

Some sentence connectors, conjunctions and pro-forms used in writing have equivalent words or phrases which are more common in speaking. Compare these extracts from a spoken presentation with the text in A:

To put it briefly, temperature is an important factor …

The reason for this is that variations in temperature can result in …

On top of that, incorrect freezing can damage …

Taking into account that the maintenance of the correct temperature …

Also, they reduce the number …

Here are more examples of formal linking words and phrases. Possible informal alternatives are given in brackets, although these will not substitute for the more formal linking word or phrase in every context.

Sentence connector
 in addition, as well (also); first, firstly (first of all) [etc]
Conjunction albeit (but); considering, given that, in the light of (bearing in mind that, taking into account that) [etc]
Pro-forms as follows (in this way); as such (because of this) [etc]

3 Exercises

3.1 Choose appropriate sentence connectors, conjunctions or pro-forms from those in the box to complete these extracts from academic writing.

albeit, as such, given that, moreover, namely, thereby

  1. Their study found that women were excluded by men from decision-making groups such as senior management teams. Moreover, their views tended not to be as highly regarded as those of men.
  2. The peace treaty ended the fighting in 1987, albeit temporarily.
  3. Pollen is one of the most widespread and longest lasting organic materials. As such, pollen analysis is the most commonly used technique for investigating past environments.
  4. The manufacturing process was simplified, thereby reducing labour costs.
  5. More than half of patients reported a side-effect of the drug, namely9 severe headaches.
  6. The children’s lack of awareness of what constitutes a good diet was surprising, given that they had all taken classes in nutrition and cooking.

3.2 Complete each sentence with the more appropriate item from the pairs of words and phrases in brackets. The first sentence in each pair is from an academic text and the second from a spoken presentation.

  1. The research shows that cost of food is a more significant factor than its origin insofar as10 the general public are concerned. (where - insofar as)
  2. “About 20% of the respondents said they skipped breakfast as least one a week. Also, 15% of these didn’t eat lunch on those days either.” (also - further) 11
  3. The photographs were in superb condition, considering that they were taken over a century ago. (considering - bearing in mind)12
  4. “The surface temperature of the star Betelgeuse is around 3.500 degrees Kelvin. To put it another way, it’s about half the temperature of the Sun.” (to put it another way - that is to say)13
  5. The study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small. (firstly - first of all)14
  6. “The financial markets have been hit badly by the effects of the virus, but usually they rebound quickly from situations like this”. (such situations - situations like this)
  7. The compulsory wearing of seat belts was introduced in 1983. Subsequently, the number of head injuries in car crashes reduced dramatically. (after that - subsequently)
  8. “Have a look at these examples that I’ve taken from the textbook for the course. The first one shows…” (these - the following)

3.3 Look at the linking language in this extract from an academic text, and suggest alternatives to make it sound more like a spoken presentation.

‘Biodiversity’ is the abbreviated word for ‘biological diversity’. The latter -> The last / the second term appears to have come into use in the early 1980s, when Bruce Wilcox defined it as follows-> in this way/ like this: “the variety of life forms … at all levels of biological systems - molecular, organismic, population species and ecosystem”. Hitherto -> Before this/ that, the terms ‘species diversity’ or ‘species richness’ were used. So the term ‘biological diversity’ - subsequently-> after that ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new. That said -> Having said that, philosophers and scientists have studied many aspects of biodiversity over hundreds of years. Even Aristotle, working nearly two and a half thousand years ago, studied biodiversity in that-> because he looked for similar patterns in organisms so that he could group them together.

Also and Further:

“Also” = addition of a related fact or statistic

It’s used here to add another data point about the same group (those who skipped breakfast).

It shows that skipping lunch is an additional behaviour from the same participants.

“Also, 15% of these…” = In addition to skipping breakfast, they also skipped lunch.

❌ Why not “further”?

“Further” is more formal and usually used to:

Introduce an additional argument or point in a discussion, not another data point.

Often appears in Task 2 essays (not typically Task 1).

✅ Example of correct use of “further”:

Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of this trend.

So in IELTS Writing Task 1, where you’re presenting facts and data, “also” is usually more appropriate for connecting related statistics.

When to use:

Connector Use When… Example
Also Adding another fact/data point 20% skipped breakfast. Also, 15% skipped lunch.
In addition More formal alternative to “also” In addition, 15% missed lunch.
Furthermore / Further Adding a new point or argument (esp. in Task 2) Furthermore, this may lead to health issues.

‘Considering’ and ‘Bearing in mind’

The photographs were in superb condition, ___ they were taken over a century ago.

✅ Correct answer (from the book): considering

✅ Why “considering” is the better answer here:

  1. Grammatical Structure – Short, Integrated Clause

“Considering” can be used without “that” and still form a natural, concise clause:

…considering they were taken over a century ago. ✅

✅ This flows smoothly within the sentence.

“Bearing in mind” often sounds heavier, and more natural when followed by “that” or used in separate clauses:

…bearing in mind that they were taken…

✅ Correct, but wordier and less idiomatic in this kind of sentence.

  1. Tone and Register – Concise Descriptive Language

In this context, you’re describing a surprising or notable fact, and “considering” is the most natural and idiomatic choice.

“Bearing in mind” feels more reflective or argumentative, and is better suited for conclusions or commentary, such as:

Bearing in mind the results, we can conclude that…

✅ Used more in academic or spoken reasoning, not as clean in description.

  1. Common Usage in Writing

Native speakers and academic writers frequently use “considering” in descriptive clauses:

It’s surprisingly warm, considering it’s still February.

She did well, considering how little time she had.

✅ This structure is frequent and natural in written English.

📘 Summary

Phrase Use in sentence Suitable?
Considering …considering they were taken… Natural, concise, descriptive
Bearing in mind …bearing in mind they were taken… Grammatically OK, but less idiomatic and slightly awkward in this descriptive sentence

To put in another way and That is to say

Phrase Meaning Tone Use
✅ To put it another way Rephrases or simplifies for better understanding Conversational, natural in spoken English Best for presentations, speeches, IELTS Speaking
❌ That is to say More formal, technical clarification Academic, stiff More common in written English, less natural in speech

Example in Spoken IELTS:

The star Betelgeuse is cooler than the Sun — around 3,500 Kelvin. To put it another way, it’s only about half as hot as our Sun.

❌ Less Natural for Speaking:

That is to say, it is about half the temperature of the Sun.

→ Feels too formal or mechanical in a spoken explanation.

🧠 Tip for IELTS Speaking:

Use “to put it another way” when:

You want to simplify a fact

Make a comparison more relatable

Show communicative fluency and coherence

Firstly and First of all

Phrase Use Register Best For
✅ Firstly Used to introduce the first point in a formal list or structured argument Formal, academic Academic writing (IELTS W2, reports, essays)
❌ First of all More informal or conversational; often used in speech Neutral/informal Spoken English or informal writing

Example in Academic Context (IELTS Writing Task 2):

There are several problems with this policy. Firstly, it may discourage innovation. Secondly, it lacks transparency.

❌ Less Appropriate:

The study has several limitations. First of all, the sample size was small.

→ Sounds slightly too informal for IELTS academic writing.

🧠 Band 8+ Writing Tip:

When organizing ideas in IELTS Writing Task 2 (or Task 1 GT letters), prefer:

Firstly, Secondly, Finally

In addition, Moreover, Furthermore

On the one hand, On the other hand

Footnotes

  1. sentence connector (introducing a short summary of the main points)↩︎

  2. conjunction (giving a reason)↩︎

  3. sentence connector (adding information)↩︎

  4. conjuntion (meaning ‘when these things are considered’)↩︎

  5. sentence connector (adding information)↩︎

  6. pro-form (meaning ’the first thing mentioned)↩︎

  7. conjunction (contrasting two facts)↩︎

  8. pro-form (meaning ‘because something is as it was previously described’)↩︎

  9. used when you want to give more detail or be more exact about something you have just said↩︎

  10. to the degree that↩︎

  11. “Also” = addition of related fact or statistic, “Further” = an additional argument or point in a disscussion, not another data point.↩︎

  12. in writing, bearing in mind is not formal↩︎

  13. that is to say is more formal, technical clarification↩︎

  14. firstly, in writing, first of all in speaking↩︎