15 Words for IELTS Essays
15 Advanced Words & Phrases for IELTS Essays
- I would argue that — a formal way to give your opinion instead of saying “I think.”
“I would argue that the benefits of cheaper public transport outweigh the downsides.” - Many people believe that — used to introduce an opinion that isn’t necessarily your own.
“Many people believe that social media has a negative effect on society.” - Tend to — used to say something is generally true, but not always.
“Young people tend to spend more time online.” - For instance — another way to say “for example” — use both to add variety.
“There are many reasons to study abroad. For instance, you can learn a new language.” - Due to — A formal way to explain a reason — follow it with a noun phrase.
“Due to high housing costs, many people stay at home.” - By contrast — used to highlight a clear difference between two ideas — a stronger alternative to “however.”
“English students pay £9,000 a year. By contrast, Scottish students are fully subsidised.” - As a result of — used to show cause and effect — flexible enough to use at the start or end of a sentence.
“As a result of increased tuition fees, fewer students can afford university.” - Ensure — a formal alternative to “make sure.”
“Students should ensure they have a sufficient level of language before studying abroad.” - Enable — a formal alternative to “allow” — used when something makes a positive outcome possible.
“Scholarships can enable young people from poorer backgrounds to study abroad.” - Individuals — a more formal word for “people” — alternate between the two to show vocabulary range.
“This is particularly difficult for individuals who are on a low income.” - Lack — a concise, formal way to say “not having enough of something.”
“Many developing countries lack the resources to invest in renewable energy.” - Invaluable — extremely valuable.
“The experience gained from living abroad is invaluable.” - Paramount — the most important thing — the top priority above everything else.
“Education is paramount for a successful career.” - Significant — A formal upgrade from “big” or “large”.
“There has been a significant reduction in carbon emissions over the past decade.” - If — used to create conditional sentences, which show the examiner a wider range of grammar.
“If the government provides scholarships, more young people will attend university.”
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Why Vocabulary Matters in IELTS Writing
Want to improve your IELTS essay writing and achieve Band 7 or above? The secret isn’t just learning new grammar rules — it’s about using the right vocabulary in the right way. In this lesson, you’ll discover 15 powerful words and phrases that will instantly make your IELTS Task 2 essays look more academic, more formal, and more impressive to examiners.
Your IELTS essay is marked on four criteria, and Lexical Resource — the range and accuracy of your vocabulary — is one of them. Many students lose marks simply by repeating the same basic words over and over. Phrases like “I think”, “because”, and “however” are perfectly correct, but if they appear in every sentence, examiners will notice — and your score will suffer.
The good news? Small vocabulary upgrades can make a big difference.
Example: Should university education be free for all students?
Many people believe that university education should be fully funded by the government; however, I would argue that the situation is more complex than it first appears. Due to rising tuition fees, many individuals from low-income families lack the funds to attend university without significant financial support, and as a result of this, a considerable proportion of talented students tend to choose not to apply at all. If the government were to introduce a scholarship programme, it would enable young people from poorer backgrounds to study, which is invaluable for both the individual and society as a whole. By contrast, wealthier students are generally more likely to have better access to higher education; for instance, there is a greater chance for them to attend prestigious universities. It is therefore paramount that governments ensure funding is distributed fairly, so that education can allow individuals to reach their full potential.
