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Useful phrases for IELTS writing task two

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useful phrases for ielts writing task 2

This tutorial contains useful phrases and vocabulary for IELTS writing task 2.

When students ask for general lines for writing task 2, they are looking for phrases that are going to impress the examiner but can be used flexibly.

Use these phrases for introductions, body paragraphs, and supporting sentences. Copy and adapt them. This is perfectly legitimate, however, you absolutely must adapt the phrases to your essay topic in the IELTS exam!

1. Useful phrase best for introductions

This essay will analyse this issue using the examples from… to demonstrate points and support arguments.

You will need to supply examples in accordance with your particular topic. For instance:

This essay will analyse this issue using examples from wartime countries and conflict zones to demonstrate points and support arguments.

and

This essay will analyse this issue using examples from Canada, Australia and Rwanda to demonstrate points and support arguments.

If you need further help to start writing your introductions, check our writing task 2 tutorial for examples of writing complex sentences.

Many students struggle with starters for writing task 2, but there is no need to memorise more than one or two. One of the best starting lines for writing task 2 is:

It is undeniable that ___(insert problem from question)___ is one of the most challenging issues in the western world.

You can adapt this slightly to become:

In the modern world…(insert problem from question)___ is one of the most challenging issues of our time.

 

2. A phrase best for body paragraphs showing opinions

When injecting an opposing thought, the best general line for task 2 is that instead of using only “However,” you can use:

However, it should not be forgotten (that)… and add the opposing point. Even if you strongly disagree, you must object in a proper way and using good vocabulary as practiced in higher education.

Same idea, much higher level of vocabulary.

 

3. A phrase best for body paragraphs showing examples

A great way to boost your IELTS writing task 2 vocabulary (lexical resource) score is to cite examples from research or studies made, using the phrase,

“For example, a recent study by _________ showed…”

“There are also studies being performed on a global level to discover the source of these important problems. One solution proposed by the _(insert global organisation)___ is to_________.”

For instance:

Cite examples from research or studies made, using the phrase,

“For example, numerous studies by _________ showed that people support…”

“There are also studies being performed on a global level such as those concerning global warming, to discover the source of these important problems. One solution proposed by the _(insert global organisation)___ is to_________.”

For instance:

For example, a recent study by the WTO (or U.K. government) showed pressing issues… (then supply the details of the findings).

4. Best for body paragraphs

It is fairly easy to comprehend the arguments as to why this proposal has been made.

There would be at least two facets to this proposal.

There is also, however, a strong argument not to implement this proposal.

The issue of __X__ in western / African countries has grown in importance over the past few decades.

The issue of __X__ in most continents has fallen in importance over the past few years.

 

5. Best for supporting sentences

Instead of saying “There is proof that…” you can say, instead:

There is ample evidence to suggest that…

For instance:

There is ample evidence to suggest that scientists will promptly discover…

and

There is ample evidence to suggest that local governments will be implementing …

 

6. Best for supporting conclusions 

Give your findings a supportive introduction using the phrase:

Numerous studies have consistently found that …

Then provide your conclusion, for instance:

Numerous studies have consistently found that children from economically advanced countries…

and

Numerous studies have consistently found that students who learn three languages have a reduced chance of contracting Alzheimer’s.

7. A phrase best for strengthening an argument by being specific

It’s also useful to memorise some general lines for IELTS writing task 2 that can be used flexibly anywhere in the body paragraphs.

Instead of generalising, enumerate or cite samples. For instance:

Replace: 

Recent electronic gadgets have…

with

Electronic gadgets such as the smartphone, the laptop, and the 3D printer have drastically increased worker productivity.

Replace: 

Serious diseases are a recurring matter…

with

Serious diseases such as malaria, ebola and dengue fever bring about a considerable amount of expenses.

8. Useful phrase 8 -best for conclusions

As such it can be concluded that…

This phrase is specifically useful during a closing argument, it ties together every trail of thought. Example: As such it can be concluded that in the era and age of technology, globalisation and the need to be trendy, social media marketing can influence what consumers buy. Therefore,  when it comes to starting your conclusion, there is no need to memorise several general lines for task 2 on different topics. This one works for every essay type and topic.

Summary

These may be little additions of 3-9 words per phrase but many little phrases go a long way toward a complete error free essay. Using the phrases above are going to be much more useful than searching for a ‘phrases for IELTS writing task 2 pdf’  or ‘common lines for IELTS essay pdf’ because we have worked hard to make sure these phrases can be used with any essay type.

Warning! When using these useful phrases for IELTS writing task two…

  • Make sure you have adapted them to your specific essay topic. General lines for task 2 are all over the internet and if you just write them down as a list you will not get credit for them.
  • To improve your grammatical range and accuracy experiment with these same structures but using different verbs and nouns.
  • You can find more structures by reading academic material and copying phrases you think you could adapt in your essays. Academic material is easily found by searching in Google like this: Your topic (crime) + .edu + pdf -this will usually pull up academic reports about your given topic. You may also find some new phrases to expand your writing task 2 vocabulary.
  • If you need need more sentence structures and don’t know how to organise all these sentence structures then have a look at the online IELTS course here.
  • We also have a useful resource of IELTS Writing task 2 questions to help you prepare which contains even more phrases for writing task 2.

A quick guide on how to find useful phrases for IELTS writing task two (60 seconds!)

Next Step!

Now you need to take notes and exercise using the relevant examples and phrases in your own sentences for better retention. Note that these phrases need not necessarily be copied. Merely copying can cause you trouble in the future. You must make sure that the way you use the phrases and other words fit your essay perfectly to maintain coherent thought and correct grammatical structures as you would find in an English-speaking country.

 If you have questions about the IELTS writing exam don’t hesitate to send me an email at struggling -at sign- ieltspodcast.com. 

As I’ve always said, “The important thing is to take action, do something every day, and little by little, you will get there.” To master the IELTS essay, IELTS Exam test takers need to practice writing skills such as our IELTS writing tasks, essay writing, opinion essays and IELTS test.

For an introduction to how to start IELTS Writing task 2 click here.

For Band 9 IELTS writing samples, click here and boost your band score!

IELTS writing task 2 vocabulary 

If you think that you can get through the IELTS without bumping up your vocabulary a few notches, you might find yourself disappointed. To avoid this, check out our list of IELTS vocabulary.

Audio tutorial

Audio tutorial about useful vocabulary for Task 2

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Tutorials and Tips to Prepare for Task 2

 

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