5 Band 9 Phrases to Replace “Very + Adjective” in IELTS Writing

Many IELTS candidates rely on “very + adjective” (e.g., very good, very bad) in their essays, but this can limit your Lexical Resource score. Here are 5 advanced alternatives to impress examiners, with examples from real IELTS topics.

1. Very Good → Exceptional / Superb

Why? These words show precision.

• Basic: “Technology is very good for education.”
• Band 9: “Technology offers exceptional benefits in modern education.” (Task 2: Education topic)

2. Very Bad → Atrocious / Detrimental

Why? “Atrocious” describes extreme negativity; “detrimental” fits academic contexts.

• Basic: “Pollution has very bad effects.”
• Band 9: “Air pollution has detrimental impacts on public health.” (Task 2: Environment topic)

3. Very Important → Crucial / Paramount

Why? These are formal and emphatic.

• Basic: “Education is very important.”
• Band 9: “Education plays a paramount role in societal development.”

4. Very Big → Substantial / Enormous

Why? Avoids vagueness.

• Basic: “Cities face very big problems.”
• Band 9: “Urban areas deal with substantial challenges like overcrowding.”

5. Very Small → Negligible / Minimal

Why? Useful for data-driven essays (Task 1).

• Basic: “The difference was very small.”
• Band 9: “The gap between the two groups was negligible.”

Examples:

Rewrite this sentence using a Band 9 alternative:
1.“Global warming is a very serious issue.”
Rewritten: Global warming is a pressing issue.
(Why? “Pressing“ specifically means “urgent and needing immediate attention”—perfect for discussing global warming (a time-sensitive crisis).)

2. “The internet has a very big influence on children.”
Rewritten: “The internet has a profound influence on children.”
(Why? “Profound” suggests deep, lasting impact—perfect for Task 2.)

3. “Many students feel very tired after long study sessions.”
Rewritten: “Many students feel exhausted after prolonged study sessions.”
(Why? “Exhausted” is more vivid and academic than “very tired.”)

4. “The cost of living in cities is very high.”
Rewritten: “The cost of living in cities is exorbitant.”
(Why? “Exorbitant” implies unreasonable excess—ideal for economic topics.)

5. “Some traditions are very old but still relevant.”
Rewritten: “Some traditions are ancient yet still relevant.”
(Why? “Ancient” adds historical weight and avoids vagueness.)

Final Notes:

Examiners love collocations

• Use 1–2 of these per essay to sound natural.
• Overusing “rare” words can lower coherence.