Best & Common Phrases For IELTS Academic Writing Task 2
Achieve your desired band score in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 with these 100 common and effective phrases:
1. Agreeing and disagreeing
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| I strongly agree with… | I strongly agree with the notion that education is crucial. |
| I completely disagree with… | I completely disagree with the idea that homework is unnecessary. |
| I am of the same opinion that… | I am of the same opinion that technology has improved our lives. |
| While I agree with some aspects… | While I agree with some aspects of the argument, I disagree with its overall conclusion. |
| I concur with the viewpoint that… | I concur with the viewpoint that social media has a negative impact on mental health. |
2. Expressing causes and effects
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| …due to… | The increase in air pollution is due to the growing number of cars. |
| As a result of… | The company’s profits decreased as a result of the economic crisis. |
| One of the main reasons for… is… | One of the main reasons for the decline in tourism is the ongoing pandemic. |
| …caused by… | The decline in bee populations is caused by the use of pesticides. |
| The consequences of… are… | The consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent. |
3. Contrasting and comparing
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| In the same way that… | In the same way that regular exercise is beneficial for physical health, reading is beneficial for mental health. |
| In a similar vein,… | Many people enjoy listening to music to relax. In a similar vein, reading can also be a great way to unwind. |
| In contrast to… | In contrast to the previous study, our research showed that exercise has a positive effect on mental health. |
| While…, the opposite is… | While some people prefer living in the countryside, the opposite is true for others who enjoy the bustling city life. |
| There are both similarities and differences between… | There are both similarities and differences between the two novels, as they both deal with themes of love and loss, but are set in different historical contexts. |
4. Introducing examples
| Phrases | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| For instance,… | Many people find it difficult to maintain a healthy diet. For instance, fast food restaurants are often more convenient and affordable than healthier options. |
| A case in point is… | A case in point is the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected millions of people worldwide. |
| To illustrate,… | The rise of social media has led to increased social isolation. To illustrate, many people spend more time interacting with their devices than with other people. |
| As a case in point,… | Many countries have implemented successful public transportation systems. As a case in point, the city of Tokyo has one of the most extensive and efficient train systems in the world. |
| One instance that exemplifies this is… | One instance that exemplifies this is the success of the Scandinavian countries in implementing sustainable practices and achieving high levels of human development. |
5. Explaining and clarifying ideas
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| In other words,… | The research shows that many people who quit smoking gain weight. In other words, weight gain is a common side effect of quitting smoking. |
| To put it another way,… | Some people enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life. To put it another way, not everyone prefers a quiet and peaceful lifestyle. |
| This can be explained by the fact that… | The traffic on the highway was heavy because of an accident. This can be explained by the fact that accidents cause delays and congestion. |
| In essence,… | In essence, artificial intelligence refers to the development of machines that can think and learn like humans. |
| That is to say,… | Many people are worried about the impact of automation on job security. That is to say, they are concerned that machines will replace human workers. |
6. Expressing personal opinion
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| I am of the opinion that… | I am of the opinion that genetically modified foods have potential risks that need to be carefully evaluated. |
| From my point of view | From my point of view, the government should invest more in renewable energy sources. |
| It is my belief that… | It is my belief that cultural diversity should be celebrated and preserved. |
| As far as I’m concerned,… | As far as I’m concerned, online shopping is more convenient than traditional in-store shopping. |
| I would argue that… | I would argue that the benefits of travel outweigh the risks associated with it. |
7. Emphasizing importance
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Vitally important… | Reducing carbon emissions is vitally important for preventing the worst impacts of climate change. |
| It is essential that… | It is essential that governments take action to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions. |
| This is of paramount importance because… | This is of paramount importance because accurate data collection is crucial for making informed decisions in the field of medicine. |
| It is worth noting that… | It is worth noting that many successful entrepreneurs started their businesses with very little capital. |
| It is crucial to understand that… | It is crucial to understand that good time management skills are essential for academic success. |
8. Giving reasons
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| The primary factor behind… is… | The primary factor behind the rise in global temperatures is the increasing levels of greenhouse gas emissions. |
| The reason for this is that… | The reason for this is that air pollution has a detrimental effect on human health. |
| The underlying reason for… | The underlying reason for the rise in crime rates is the lack of economic opportunities in the area. |
| on account of… | The company’s profits have declined on account of the increase in production costs. |
| The root cause of… is… | The root cause of the environmental crisis is the unsustainable consumption patterns of humans. |
9. Providing solutions
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| One potential solution is… | One potential solution is to increase public transportation options to reduce traffic congestion in cities. |
| To tackle this issue, one approach is… | To tackle this issue, one approach is to provide more education and awareness programs to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. |
| A possible way to solve this is to… | A possible way to solve this is to promote the use of renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
| This could be addressed by… | This could be addressed by implementing stricter regulations to control the use of harmful chemicals in manufacturing. |
| One effective strategy could be… | One effective strategy could be to encourage a culture of recycling and reduce waste in households and businesses. |
10. Supporting arguments
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| This is supported by the fact that… | This is supported by the fact that many countries have seen a decrease in crime rates after implementing stricter gun control laws. |
| is further evidenced by… | The negative impact of air pollution is further evidenced by the rise in respiratory illnesses and related hospital admissions. |
| Research has shown that… | Research has shown that regular exercise can improve mental health and reduce the risk of depression. |
| As evidence shows,… | As evidence shows, increasing access to healthcare can lead to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. |
| This is reinforced by the fact that… | This is reinforced by the fact that many successful companies prioritize employee well-being and work-life balance as part of their organizational culture. |
11. Stating advantages and disadvantages
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| One advantage of…is that… | One advantage of online learning is that it offers more flexibility in terms of scheduling and course selection. |
| A positive aspect of…is that… | A positive aspect of traveling is that it exposes individuals to new cultures and experiences that broaden their perspective. |
| On the other hand, a disadvantage of…is that… | On the other hand, a disadvantage of using social media is that it can lead to addiction and a negative impact on mental health. |
| However, a negative aspect of…is that… | However, a negative aspect of globalization is that it can lead to the exploitation of workers and exacerbate income inequality. |
| It is worth noting that there are both benefits and drawbacks to… | It is worth noting that there are both benefits and drawbacks to using renewable energy sources as they may have a higher initial cost but can ultimately lead to a reduction in carbon emissions and environmental damage. |
12. Describing trends
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| There has been a steady increase/decrease in… | There has been a steady increase in global temperatures due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. |
| Over the past few years/decades, there has been a significant rise/fall in… | Over the past few decades, there has been a significant rise in the number of people using smartphones as they have become more affordable and widely available. |
| It is clear from the data that there has been a sharp upward/downward trend in… | It is clear from the data that there has been a sharp upward trend in the number of people working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing availability of remote work options. |
| The trend of… is expected to continue in the coming years/decades… | The trend of increasing urbanization is expected to continue in the coming decades as more people move to cities in search of better job opportunities and higher standards of living. |
| There has been a gradual decline/rise in… | There has been a gradual decline in the popularity of traditional media such as newspapers and television as more people turn to digital media for their news and entertainment. |
13. Expressing certainty and doubt
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| It is certain that… | It is certain that climate change is a pressing issue that requires immediate action from governments, businesses, and individuals around the world. |
| There can be no doubt that… | There can be no doubt that technology has revolutionized the way we live and work by making tasks faster, easier, and more efficient. |
| It is highly likely that… | It is highly likely that renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power will become increasingly important as we move towards a more sustainable future. |
| It is possible that… | It is possible that artificial intelligence and automation could transform the job market by making certain jobs obsolete and creating new ones that require different skills. |
| It is uncertain whether… | It is uncertain whether the benefits of social media outweigh the risks as research has shown both positive and negative effects on mental health, social connections, and information sharing. |
14. Describing changes
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| There has been a significant change in… | There has been a significant change in consumer behavior towards more sustainable products and services, which has led to increased demand for eco-friendly options. |
| There has been a marked increase/decrease in… | There has been a marked decrease in the number of smokers due to public health campaigns, higher taxes, and smoking bans in public places. |
| There has been a noticeable shift in… | There has been a noticeable shift in the way companies approach employee well-being by introducing wellness programs, flexible work arrangements, and mental health support. |
| There has been a dramatic rise/fall in… | There has been a dramatic rise in the use of social media as a means of communication and information sharing, which has had a significant impact on how people interact and consume news. |
| There has been a substantial transformation in… | There has been a substantial transformation in the healthcare industry with the advent of telemedicine, electronic medical records, and artificial intelligence, which has improved patient outcomes and reduced costs. |
15. Introducing evidence
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| According to… | According to a recent survey, the majority of people believe that climate change is a serious threat that requires immediate action. |
| Research has shown that… | Research has shown that regular exercise can improve both physical and mental health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and improving mood and cognitive function. |
| Statistics indicate that… | Statistics indicate that there is a growing trend towards urbanization as more people move to cities in search of job opportunities and a better quality of life. |
| Evidence suggests that… | Evidence suggests that exposure to air pollution can have serious health consequences, including respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and cancer. |
| Studies have demonstrated that… | Studies have demonstrated that bilingualism can have cognitive benefits, such as improved problem-solving skills and creativity, and may delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline. |
16. Expressing likelihood and probability
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| It is highly likely that… | It is highly likely that renewable energy sources will become increasingly important as the world seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition away from fossil fuels. |
| There is a strong probability that… | There is a strong probability that the global population will continue to grow, placing increasing demands on resources and infrastructure. |
| It is probable that… | It is probable that automation and artificial intelligence will significantly change the nature of work in the coming years, leading to both new opportunities and challenges. |
| It is possible that… | It is possible that technological advancements in fields such as biotechnology and nanotechnology could revolutionize medicine and lead to major breakthroughs in the treatment of diseases. |
| It is unlikely that… | It is unlikely that traditional forms of energy such as coal and oil will remain the dominant sources of energy in the future, given concerns about climate change and the growing availability of renewable alternatives. |
17. Highlighting key points
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| The most significant aspect of…is… | The most significant aspect of renewable energy is its potential to reduce carbon emissions. |
| It is essential to note that… | It is essential to note that the findings of the study are based on a limited sample size. |
| A key point to consider when… is… | A key point to consider when discussing the impact of social media on mental health is the potential for cyberbullying. |
| It is important to highlight that… | It is important to highlight that the proposed policy would have a significant impact on the economy. |
| The main focus of the argument is… | The main focus of the argument is to evaluate the effectiveness of current healthcare policies. |
18. Providing alternatives
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| A potential solution could be to… | A potential solution could be to provide subsidies for renewable energy companies to encourage the transition away from fossil fuels |
| On the other hand,… | The new policy may create job opportunities, but on the other hand, it may also increase inflation. |
| Another option to consider is… | The proposed solution may not be the most effective. Another option to consider is investing in research and development. |
| In contrast to… | In contrast to the previous year, this year’s sales have significantly decreased. |
| A different perspective to the issue of… is… | A different perspective to the issue of climate change is the economic impact of transitioning to renewable energy sources. |
19. Acknowledging other viewpoints
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| It is true that… | It is true that technology has revolutionized the way we live and work. |
| One counterargument is that… | One counterargument is that stricter gun control laws would infringe upon individuals’ Second Amendment rights. |
| While it may be argued that… | While it may be argued that zoos have educational value, they also have ethical concerns about animal welfare. |
| Some people believe that… | Some people believe that college education should be free for everyone, while others think it should be based on merit and financial need. |
| There is some merit to the argument that… | There is some merit to the argument that remote work can improve work-life balance and productivity, but it also has challenges such as social isolation. |
20. Concluding thoughts and summarizing
| Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| In conclusion, it is clear that… | In conclusion, it is clear that the benefits of early childhood education extend far beyond academic achievement. |
| Taking everything into consideration,… | Taking everything into consideration, while social media has its drawbacks, it also provides a platform for communication, socialization, and activism. |
| In light of the above,… | In light of the above, policymakers must take action to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. |
| Given these points,… | Given these points, it is evident that stricter gun control measures are necessary to reduce gun violence. |
| All things considered,… | All things considered, renewable energy sources are the key to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. |
