Mastering natural, high-scoring expressions is crucial for IELTS Speaking success. These 100 carefully selected phrases will help you express ideas fluently, demonstrate language range, and achieve higher band scores across all three parts of the speaking test.
Part 1: Opinion and Preference Expressions
1. “I’m quite keen on…”
Meaning: To be very interested in or enthusiastic about something
Example: “I’m quite keen on photography, especially landscape shots during golden hour.”
2. “I’m not particularly fond of…”
Meaning: To dislike something mildly
Example: “I’m not particularly fond of crowded places, so I prefer quiet cafés.”
3. “It’s not really my cup of tea”
Meaning: Something you don’t enjoy or prefer
Example: “Horror movies aren’t really my cup of tea; I prefer comedies.”
4. “I have mixed feelings about…”
Meaning: To have both positive and negative opinions
Example: “I have mixed feelings about social media – it connects people but can be addictive.”
5. “I’m absolutely fascinated by…”
Meaning: To be extremely interested in something
Example: “I’m absolutely fascinated by ancient civilizations and their architectural achievements.”
6. “I can’t stand…”
Meaning: To strongly dislike something
Example: “I can’t stand people who are consistently late to meetings.”
7. “I’m rather partial to…”
Meaning: To have a preference for something
Example: “I’m rather partial to Italian cuisine, especially authentic pasta dishes.”
8. “It’s growing on me”
Meaning: Starting to like something more over time
Example: “Classical music is growing on me since I started attending concerts.”
9. “I’m torn between…”
Meaning: Unable to decide between two options
Example: “I’m torn between studying abroad and staying close to family.”
10. “I’m a firm believer in…”
Meaning: To strongly support an idea or principle Example: “I’m a firm believer in work-life balance for overall well-being.”
Part 2: Describing Experiences and Memories
11. “It was a turning point in my life”
Meaning: A moment that changed everything significantly
Example: “Starting university was a turning point in my life – it opened many opportunities.”
12. “It left a lasting impression on me”
Meaning: Something that had a profound, memorable impact
Example: “Visiting the orphanage left a lasting impression on me and changed my perspective.”
13. “Looking back on it…”
Meaning: Reflecting on past events
Example: “Looking back on it, I realize that failure taught me more than success ever did.”
14. “It was a wake-up call”
Meaning: An event that made you realize something important
Example: “The health scare was a wake-up call to start exercising regularly.”
15. “I’ll never forget…”
Meaning: Something permanently memorable
Example: “I’ll never forget the moment I received my graduation certificate.”
16. “It was quite an eye-opener”
Meaning: Something that revealed new understanding
Example: “Traveling to rural areas was quite an eye-opener about different lifestyles.”
17. “I was over the moon”
Meaning: Extremely happy and excited
Example: “I was over the moon when I got accepted into my dream university.”
18. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience”
Meaning: A rare, unique opportunity
Example: “Swimming with dolphins was a once-in-a-lifetime experience I’ll always treasure.”
19. “I was on cloud nine”
Meaning: Feeling extremely happy
Example: “I was on cloud nine after receiving the job offer.”
20. “It was a real eye-opener”
Meaning: Something that changed your perspective
Example: “Living abroad was a real eye-opener about different cultures.”
Part 3: Expressing Frequency and Habits
21. “More often than not…”
Meaning: Usually, in most cases
Example: “More often than not, I prefer reading books to watching television.”
22. “Every now and then…”
Meaning: Occasionally, sometimes
Example: “Every now and then, I treat myself to a spa day for relaxation.”
23. “On a regular basis”
Meaning: Frequently, routinely
Example: “I exercise on a regular basis to maintain my fitness levels.”
24. “Once in a blue moon”
Meaning: Very rarely
Example: “I eat fast food once in a blue moon, maybe twice a year.”
25. “Day in, day out”
Meaning: Every day, continuously
Example: “She practices piano day in, day out to improve her skills.”
26. “From time to time”
Meaning: Occasionally, not regularly
Example: “From time to time, I enjoy cooking elaborate meals for friends.”
27. “As a rule”
Meaning: Generally, usually
Example: “As a rule, I avoid checking emails after 9 PM.”
28. “Nine times out of ten”
Meaning: Almost always, very frequently
Example: “Nine times out of ten, I prefer homemade meals to restaurant food.”
29. “Without fail”
Meaning: Always, consistently
Example: “I call my parents without fail every Sunday evening.”
30. “Round the clock”
Meaning: Continuously, 24 hours a day
Example: “The hospital provides round the clock emergency services.”
Part 4: Comparison and Contrast
31. “There’s no comparison between…”
Meaning: Two things are completely different in quality
Example: “There’s no comparison between homemade and store-bought bread.”
32. “On the other hand…”
Meaning: Presenting a contrasting point
Example: “City life is convenient. On the other hand, rural areas offer peace.”
33. “In stark contrast to…”
Meaning: Very different from
Example: “In stark contrast to my childhood, today’s kids have advanced technology.”
34. “By and large…”
Meaning: Generally, overall
Example: “By and large, people in my country are very hospitable to visitors.”
35. “All things considered…”
Meaning: Taking everything into account
Example: “All things considered, I believe online education has more advantages.”
36. “When it comes to…”
Meaning: Regarding a particular topic
Example: “When it comes to entertainment, I prefer live concerts over recorded music.”
37. “In comparison to…”
Meaning: When compared with
Example: “In comparison to previous generations, we have more career opportunities.”
38. “By the same token…”
Meaning: Similarly, in the same way
Example: “Exercise improves physical health. By the same token, it benefits mental wellness.”
39. “On balance…”
Meaning: Considering all factors
Example: “On balance, I think the benefits of social media outweigh the drawbacks.”
40. “In much the same way…”
Meaning: Similarly, in a comparable manner
Example: “In much the same way that books educate, travel broadens perspectives.”
Part 5: Cause and Effect
41. “As a result of…”
Meaning: Because of, due to
Example: “As a result of climate change, many species are becoming extinct.”
42. “This stems from…”
Meaning: This originates from or is caused by
Example: “The traffic problem stems from inadequate public transportation.”
43. “This gives rise to…”
Meaning: This causes or leads to
Example: “Poor communication gives rise to misunderstandings in relationships.”
44. “Consequently…”
Meaning: As a result, therefore
Example: “The company invested heavily in research. Consequently, they developed innovative products.”
45. “This brings about…”
Meaning: This causes or results in
Example: “Technology brings about significant changes in how we communicate.”
46. “Owing to…”
Meaning: Because of, due to
Example: “Owing to the pandemic, many businesses shifted to remote work.”
47. “This leads to…”
Meaning: This results in or causes
Example: “Excessive screen time leads to various health problems.”
48. “In turn…”
Meaning: As a consequence, which then
Example: “Education improves job prospects, which in turn enhances quality of life.”
49. “This accounts for…”
Meaning: This explains or is the reason for
Example: “Poor infrastructure accounts for the slow economic development.”
50. “Hence…”
Meaning: Therefore, for this reason
Example: “The weather was perfect. Hence, we decided to have a picnic.”
Part 6: Future Predictions and Possibilities
51. “In all likelihood…”
Meaning: Very probably
Example: “In all likelihood, electric cars will replace traditional vehicles.”
52. “The chances are…”
Meaning: It’s probable that
Example: “The chances are that remote work will become more common.”
53. “It’s bound to…”
Meaning: It will definitely happen
Example: “With technological advancement, artificial intelligence is bound to transform industries.”
54. “There’s every indication that…”
Meaning: All signs suggest that
Example: “There’s every indication that sustainable energy will dominate the future.”
55. “It’s conceivable that…”
Meaning: It’s possible that
Example: “It’s conceivable that space tourism will become affordable in the future.”
56. “In the foreseeable future…”
Meaning: In the near future that can be predicted
Example: “In the foreseeable future, online shopping will continue growing.”
57. “It’s inevitable that…”
Meaning: It will definitely happen
Example: “It’s inevitable that climate change will affect global food production.”
58. “The likelihood is that…”
Meaning: It’s probable that
Example: “The likelihood is that renewable energy will become cheaper.”
59. “It wouldn’t surprise me if…”
Meaning: I think it’s quite possible that
Example: “It wouldn’t surprise me if virtual reality becomes mainstream education.”
60. “Mark my words…”
Meaning: Remember what I’m saying because it will happen
Example: “Mark my words, cryptocurrency will revolutionize financial systems.”
Part 7: Problem-Solving and Solutions
61. “One way to tackle this is…”
Meaning: A method to solve the problem
Example: “One way to tackle pollution is to promote public transportation.”
62. “A viable solution would be…”
Meaning: A practical answer to the problem
Example: “A viable solution would be to implement flexible working hours.”
63. “This could be addressed by…”
Meaning: This problem could be solved by
Example: “Traffic congestion could be addressed by improving public transport.”
64. “The key lies in…”
Meaning: The solution depends on
Example: “The key lies in educating people about environmental conservation.”
65. “It’s a matter of…”
Meaning: The solution involves
Example: “Reducing crime is a matter of improving social conditions.”
66. “The answer lies in…”
Meaning: The solution can be found in
Example: “The answer lies in investing more in renewable energy sources.”
67. “This calls for…”
Meaning: This situation requires
Example: “The housing crisis calls for innovative urban planning solutions.”
68. “What’s needed is…”
Meaning: What is required is
Example: “What’s needed is better coordination between government departments.”
69. “The way forward is…”
Meaning: The best course of action is
Example: “The way forward is to embrace sustainable development practices.”
70. “This can be remedied by…”
Meaning: This can be fixed by
Example: “Poor student performance can be remedied by smaller class sizes.”
Part 8: Advantages and Disadvantages
71. “The main advantage is…”
Meaning: The primary benefit is
Example: “The main advantage of online learning is flexibility in scheduling.”
72. “A major drawback is…”
Meaning: A significant disadvantage is
Example: “A major drawback of social media is privacy concerns.”
73. “On the upside…”
Meaning: Positively speaking
Example: “On the upside, technology has made communication much easier.”
74. “The downside is…”
Meaning: The negative aspect is
Example: “The downside is that automation might reduce employment opportunities.”
75. “It’s a double-edged sword”
Meaning: Something with both advantages and disadvantages
Example: “Globalization is a double-edged sword – it creates opportunities but also challenges.”
76. “The benefits outweigh the drawbacks”
Meaning: The advantages are more significant than disadvantages
Example: “For higher education, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks of student loans.”
77. “There’s a trade-off between…”
Meaning: You must give up one thing to gain another
Example: “There’s a trade-off between economic growth and environmental protection.”
78. “The flip side is…”
Meaning: The opposite or negative aspect is
Example: “Technology connects us globally. The flip side is reduced face-to-face interaction.”
79. “It’s a blessing in disguise”
Meaning: Something that seems bad but turns out to be good
Example: “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise – it led to better opportunities.”
80. “The pros and cons…”
Meaning: The advantages and disadvantages
Example: “We need to weigh the pros and cons of nuclear energy.”
Part 9: Emphasis and Degree
81. “What strikes me most is…”
Meaning: What impresses me most is
Example: “What strikes me most is how resilient people can be during crises.”
82. “I cannot emphasize enough…”
Meaning: I want to stress strongly that
Example: “I cannot emphasize enough how important early childhood education is.”
83. “It’s worth noting that…”
Meaning: It’s important to mention that
Example: “It’s worth noting that cultural differences can affect business negotiations.”
84. “To a great extent…”
Meaning: Largely, mostly
Example: “To a great extent, success depends on perseverance and hard work.”
85. “By no means…”
Meaning: Definitely not, not at all
Example: “Learning a language is by no means easy, but it’s extremely rewarding.”
86. “To some degree…”
Meaning: Partially, somewhat
Example: “To some degree, everyone is influenced by their cultural background.”
87. “Above all…”
Meaning: Most importantly
Example: “Above all, maintaining good health should be everyone’s priority.”
88. “Not to mention…”
Meaning: In addition to, also
Example: “The course covers grammar and vocabulary, not to mention pronunciation.”
89. “What’s more…”
Meaning: Additionally, furthermore
Example: “Exercise improves physical health. What’s more, it enhances mental well-being.”
90. “For the most part…”
Meaning: Generally, usually
Example: “For the most part, people in my country are environmentally conscious.”
Part 10: Sophisticated Transitions and Connections
91. “Having said that…”
Meaning: Despite what I just said
Example: “Technology is beneficial. Having said that, we must address its negative impacts.”
92. “That being said…”
Meaning: Nevertheless, however
Example: “Online education is convenient. That being said, it lacks social interaction.”
93. “Be that as it may…”
Meaning: Regardless of what has been said
Example: “Critics question AI’s safety. Be that as it may, development continues rapidly.”
94. “In light of this…”
Meaning: Considering this information
Example: “In light of this research, we should reconsider our approach to education.”
95. “With this in mind…”
Meaning: Keeping this in consideration
Example: “With this in mind, companies should invest more in employee training.”
96. “Along the same lines…”
Meaning: Similarly, in a related way
Example: “Exercise improves health. Along the same lines, proper nutrition is essential.”
97. “From this perspective…”
Meaning: Looking at it this way
Example: “From this perspective, investing in education yields long-term benefits.”
98. “In this regard…”
Meaning: Concerning this particular point
Example: “In this regard, government policies play a crucial role.”
99. “To put it another way…”
Meaning: To explain it differently
Example: “To put it another way, success requires both talent and opportunity.”
100. “All in all…”
Meaning: Overall, in conclusion
Example: “All in all, I believe technology has more positive than negative effects.”
Tips for Using These Expressions
- Practice naturally: Don’t force these expressions into your speech. Use them when they feel natural and appropriate.
- Context matters: Ensure each expression fits the context of your answer and the question being asked.
- Vary your language: Don’t repeat the same expressions. Show range by using different phrases throughout your speaking test.
- Pronunciation counts: Practice the pronunciation of these expressions to sound fluent and confident.
- Combine with examples: Always support these expressions with specific examples and personal experiences.
- Listen to native speakers: Pay attention to how these expressions are used in natural conversation.
- Record yourself: Practice using these expressions and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
Remember, achieving a high IELTS Speaking score isn’t just about using advanced vocabulary – it’s about communicating effectively, fluently, and naturally. These expressions will help you demonstrate linguistic sophistication while maintaining clear communication.
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