What are reference words in IELTS writing, and how can I use them to improve my cohesion?
22 Oct 2026 · Answered by Edayachandiran Velmurugan · 1 min read
Quick Answer
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Reference words are pronouns or phrases that refer back to ideas already mentioned. They help you avoid repetition and keep your IELTS writing connected. Common examples include this, that, it, they, these, those, such, one, the former and the latter.
Reference words are pronouns or phrases that point back to something you already mentioned. They help you avoid repeating yourself, which makes your writing flow and hang together.
Common Reference Words
| Reference word | Type | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| This | Pronoun | Points back to a policy mentioned in the previous sentence |
| They | Pronoun | Points back to students mentioned earlier |
| These | Demonstrative | Points back to results mentioned earlier |
| Such | Determiner | Points back to pollution issues mentioned earlier |
| The former | Reference (comparison) | Points to the first of two items compared |
| The latter | Reference (comparison) | Points to the second of two items compared |
Other Examples
- That, it, those and one also work as reference words, with one acting as a substitution.
My Advice
Do not overuse them. Make sure each reference word clearly points to one idea, or the reader may be confused.
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