Improving your Duolingo English Test (DET) score can be challenging, but using linking words effectively is a great way to boost your score.
Linking words help make your sentences more coherent and sophisticated.
Here, we’ll introduce you to 20 common linking words, categorized into four groups: Expressing Opinions, Expanding Ideas, Building Arguments, and Making Comparisons.
Each word will be demonstrated with a basic sentence and an upgraded sentence using the linking word.
Expressing Opinions
- In my opinion
- Basic: I think learning English is fun.
- Upgraded: In my opinion, learning English is fun.
- From my perspective
- Basic: I see this method is effective.
- Upgraded: From my perspective, this method is effective.
- Personally, I believe
- Basic: I think this is true.
- Upgraded: Personally, I believe this is true.
- It seems to me that
- Basic: I think it’s a good idea.
- Upgraded: It seems to me that it’s a good idea.
- I’m inclined to think that
- Basic: I think studying consistently is important.
- Upgraded: I’m inclined to think that studying consistently is important.
Expanding Ideas
- Moreover
- Basic: The book is well-written and very useful.
- Upgraded: The book was very well written. Moreover, it’s extremely useful.
- Furthermore
- Basic: Also, this helps in reducing stress.
- Upgraded: Furthermore, this helps in reducing stress.
- In addition
- Basic: The city has excellent public transport and various cultural attractions.
- Upgraded: In addition to excellent public transport, the city boasts a variety of cultural attractions.
- Additionally
- Basic: The company offers competitive salaries. The company provides comprehensive health benefits.
- Upgraded: The company offers competitive salaries. Additionally, they provide comprehensive health benefits.
- What’s more
- Basic: The new technology is faster and more efficient. It is also more user-friendly.
- Upgraded: The new technology is faster and more efficient. What’s more, it is more user-friendly.
Building Arguments
- Due to
- Basic: Because of the heavy rain, the outdoor concert was cancelled.
- Upgraded: Due to the heavy rain, the outdoor concert was cancelled.
- Since
- Basic: Because the traffic was heavy, we arrived late to the meeting.
- Upgraded: Since the traffic was heavy, we arrived late to the meeting.
- As a result
- Basic: The company cut costs, so they were able to avoid layoffs.
- Upgraded: The company implemented cost-cutting measures, and as a result, they were able to avoid layoffs.
- Therefore
- Basic: The research findings were inconclusive, so further studies are needed.
- Upgraded: The research findings were inconclusive. Therefore, further studies are needed.
- Consequently
- Basic: The flight was delayed, so I missed my train.
- Upgraded: The flight was delayed, and consequently, I missed my train.
Making Comparisons
- Similarly
- Basic: Like the previous study, this one also found a positive correlation.
- Upgraded: Similarly to the previous study, this one also found a positive correlation.
- Likewise
- Basic: Like the first experiment, the second also produced promising results.
- Upgraded: Likewise, the second experiment also yielded promising results.
- Conversely
- Basic: The new policy aims to increase efficiency, but it might also lead to job cuts.
- Upgraded: The new policy aims to increase efficiency. Conversely, it might also lead to job cuts.
- Whereas
- Basic: The first method is time-consuming, but the second one is much faster.
- Upgraded: Whereas the first method is time-consuming, the second one is much faster.
- On the other hand
- Basic: The proposed solution is innovative, but it’s also very expensive.
- Upgraded: The proposed solution is innovative. On the other hand, it’s also very expensive.
Conclusion
Using these 20 linking words can significantly enhance the quality of your responses in the DET.
By incorporating these words into your daily speaking and writing practice, you’ll be well-prepared to achieve a higher score.
If you want to see this in video form, here’s this video on YouTube:
Good luck!
