USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASES TO USE IN IELTS ESSAY

Delve: Verb - To carry on intensive and thorough research for information, Investigate.. Concur: Verb - To agree, to accord in opinion, be with the same opinion.. Having said that: Phras

1 Delve: (Verb) - To carry on intensive and thorough research for information,

Investigate

Synonyms: Research, inquire, investigate, explore, examine, probe

Example:

A This essay delves the issue, examine the arguments from both perspectives and reach a logical conclusion at the end

B To delve into the issue of child labour laws, we have to ensure a sustainable economic formation for underdeveloped countries like Nepal

2 In order to: With the purpose of

Synonyms: To, for

Example:

A In order to reduce the population in the city areas, new employment

opportunities must be created in rural areas

B The government should not waste any time in order to show our allies that we have taken plenty of initiations to tackle corruption

3 Concur: (Verb) - To agree, to accord in opinion, be with the same opinion

Synonyms: Agree, be in accordance

Example:

A I concur with the view that the government should invest in this sector

B They concur that smoking should be banned in all public places

4 Curb/ Kerb: (Curb - American | Kerb - British) (Verb) - To control, check,

restrain, limit, a check or restraint on something

Synonyms: Contain, hamper, restrain, control, tame

Example:

A To kerb the number of road accidents, the government has to strictly impose the traffic rules and regulations

B This is due to kerb the number of accidents happens each year

5 To put it another way: (Phrase) - To explain something in a different way, put

another way

Synonyms: Paraphrase, put in other words, In other words

Example:

A To put it another way, whether we like it or not, the authority is going to

impose a heavy tax on the citizens

B To put in another way, this is one of the major causes of the greenhouse effect

6 Furthermore: (Adverb) - In addition, additionally

Synonyms: Moreover, besides, also, further, what's more, on top of that

Example:

A Furthermore, advancement in technology has reduced the time required to prepare our food

B Furthermore, women have a natural quality of being kind and helpful to

the children

7 Another key thing to remember: (Phrase) - another key point, also, another key

point to remember

Synonyms: Furthermore, Besides, Again

Example:

A Another key thing to remember is that space research costs a huge amount of money which could be utilised to enhance the living standards of citizens

B Another key point to remember here is the environmental damages

these cheap flights cause

8 Not to mention: (Adverb) - What's more, furthermore, besides, as well

Synonyms: Moreover, plus, in addition to

Example:

A Not to mention, the devastating accidents the drunk driving causes every day alone in the USA

B Not to mention, second-hand smoking is often more dangerous than first-hand smoking

9 Having said that: (Phrase) - Despite what has been said, however, on the

contrary

Synonyms: Nonetheless, oppositely, on the other side

Example:

A Having said that, technology also has a dark side and this is why we should be wary of their use in our daily life

B The government, in my opinion, has a vital role to play to fight the crime, but having said that, the mass people also have to come forward and contribute to fighting the crime and corruption

10 Provided that: (Idiom) - If only, on the condition that

Synonyms: If, supposing that, granted that, assuming that

Example:

A The community people would agree to the establishment of a new factory

provided that it would reserve 20% jobs for them

B Fathers should take responsibility for the upbringing of children Provided that, they often stay outside, the mother would then take control

11 Nonetheless/ Nevertheless: (Adverb) In spite of that, notwithstanding

Synonyms: However, but, still, yet, though, regardless, anyway, anyhow

Example:

A Nevertheless, the real essence of university education is not the books we read

or assignments we complete, but the methodology of learning which finally help create an enlightened society

B Nonetheless, many people would not follow the rule spontaneously and for them to abide by the rules, monetary fines are essential

12 Notwithstanding: (Preposition) - Despite/ in spite of, regardless of | (adverb) -

however, nevertheless/nonetheless

Synonyms: However, despite, anyway, even so, anyway, having said that

Example:

A Notwithstanding the evidence, the police failed to make any arrest regarding the incidents

B I do not completely agree with the proposition Notwithstanding, I would like to say that I realise why so many people support that view

13 Venerate: (Verb) - Revere, regard with respect

Synonyms: Respect, worship, revere, idolise, honour, esteem

Example:

A The young generation venerates those sports stars and often mimic their

playing style, fashion and lifestyle

B Our veneration for our politicians and leaders are declining faster and this is quite alarming

14 Invoke: (Verb) - Pray to, appeal to, call on someone as a witness for inspiration,

solicit, cite, refer to

Synonyms: Conjure, adjure, summon, implore

Example:

A The announcement might invoke both positive and negative impression on the mass people

B This action invokes negative consequences that we must not forget

15 To give an illustration: For example, to give an example

Synonyms: For instance, to cite an example, as an example, as evidence, to give an example

Example:

A To give an illustration, elementary education in Finland primarily focuses on playing and learning

B To illustrate, urban citizens often deliberately dump their wastes into the nearby creeks and drainage canals causing them to become clogged

16 Notably: (Adverb) - Especially, particularly

Synonyms: Primarily, principally, in particular, remarkably

Example:

A The amount of rubbish we produce every day is notably higher than at any time

in history

B The establishment of the university in our area would make it notably crowded

17 Incisive: (Adjective) - An action which is quick and direct, a person who is

intelligently analytical and sharp

Synonyms: Acute, keen, sharp-witted, astute, intelligent, smart, penetrating

Example:

A Though it took the government some time to take appropriate measures, the incisive decision proved to be very effective

B The authority, in the past, was not as comprehensive and incisive as they should have been, but they are our only hope at this time of desperation

18 Compelling: (Adjective) - Captivating, Spellbinding

Synonyms: Enthralling, gripping, absorbing, fascinating, irresistible

Example:

A Their arguments might be compelling to a certain extent but that lacks the touch of practicality or reality

B the compelling cricket tournaments attract thousands of fans and they spend money to enjoy these competitions

19 All things considered: (Idiom) - making a judgment after taking all the facts into

account

Synonyms: Considering everything, weighing of all circumstances

Example:

A It is not the best policy, but, all things considered, it is not too bad either

B We can safely assume, all things considered, the damages caused to the

environment is irreversible

20 Myriad: (Noun/Adjective) - A large, a great number of

Synonyms: Multitude, innumerable, countless, numerous, a lot, mass, army, horde,

a large number quantity

Example:

A There is a myriad of people who have excellent communication skill in English

even though they have never been to an English-speaking country

B There are myriad of sectors which can be greatly benefitted y the use of nuclear technology

21 Assert: (Verb) - Claim, declare, state

Synonyms: Argue, stand up for, establish

Example:

A A group of people assert that rich nations should provide monetary help to poor nations

B Though many assert that we should focus on rapid development and

industrialisation, others, however, advocate prioritising education and traditional lifestyle

22 Erroneous: (Adjective) - Incorrect, wrong, inaccurate

Synonyms: Invalid, mistaken, misleading, false, fallacious, faulty, imprecise Example:

A It's pretty easy to have an erroneous impression of the severity of

environmental degradation, but it is a problem for all

B There is no more evidence to warrant the wholly erroneous statement

sometimes made that emancipation was an economic setback for the Asian region during this century

23 Engender: (Verb) - Cause, give rise to

Synonyms: Produce, create, promote, rouse, provoke, incite, trigger, instigate, lead

to

Example:

A Many people hope that recent events in our country, as well as a few

neighbouring countries, will engender our authority to take necessary actions on gun safety

B It is hoped that the protest from students of this university will engender a

widespread awareness about the environment and finally the authority will deter from cutting those trees

24 Salient: (adjective) - Most noticeable and important, major, main

Synonyms: Important, principal, chief, primary, notable, striking, arresting,

prominent, remarkable, pivotal, vital

Example:

A It may be worthy to point out that the salient feature in pursuing higher

education in a foreign country is the skills and knowledge gathered by the students and not to mention, how their degrees are valued in the future

B One of the salient and positive features in letting employees work from home is that it ensures employee loyalty

25 Craft: (Nour, verb) - Activity, pursuit, exercise skill in making an object

Synonyms: Work, skill, occupation, guile

Example:

A The human has crafted its own fate by bringing innovations and by discovering tools throughout history

B We should, therefore, employ the best available art and skill in improving the craft of gift-making

26 Substantiate: (Verb) - Prove, support, give proof of, confirm

Synonyms: Affirm, justify, validate, verify, prove something, authenticate,

endorse, establish, support

Example:

A The evidence simply substantiates why the gap between the rich and poor is not healthy for a sustainable economy

B An attempt to substantiate this point will be explained in the following example from an internal management perspective

27 Elucidate: (Verb) - Explain, illustrate, resolve

Synonyms: Clarify, annotate, clear up, exemplify, explicate, enlighten, illuminate, throw/shed light on

Example:

A The above examples elucidate why we need a collaborative approach to fight crimes on the street and why should we do it immediately

B Further discoveries and more research work may elucidate the problem from different perspectives

28 Oppose: (Verb) - disagree, be against, argue, debate, protest

Synonyms: Defy, deny, dispute, resist, contradict, counter, confront, challenge Example:

A I wholeheartedly oppose the proposition and believe that we should focus on more pressing issues at hand than to prepare for something that might or might not bring any benefits in the future

B While I oppose the idea of taking away personal freedom, I firmly agree that public smoking should be banned considering public health and the environment

29 Articulate: (Adjective | verb) - speak fluently and coherently, persuasive

Synonyms: Utter, enunciate, express, effective, coherent, intelligible,

understandable

Example:

A The advocates of the issue were very articulate with their presentation and argument, which gave them a competitive advantage

B It is the responsibility of the teachers to articulate the course requirements to the students at the beginning of the semester

30 Vocalise: (Verb | noun) - Utter, express in words, express

Synonyms: Convey, enunciate, verbalize, speak firmly

Example:

A Many children, in schools, do not vocalize their distress and teachers should be friendly with such students so that they express themselves without hesitation and fear

B Showing children pictures or illustration in the classroom sometimes helps them to vocalize their ideas

31 Sheer: (Adjective | Adverb) - Utter, total, perfect, abrupt

Synonyms: Precipitous, absolute, very steep, vertical, complete, surpassing, stark

Example:

A This may lead to a sheer number of problems and that is why I would suggest not to stay at the college hostel for young students

B Experts have already stated that its completeness, setting, size and sheer

magnificence make it the finest citadel on earth

32 Predominant: (Adjective) - Main, leading, strongest

Synonyms: Chief, uppermost, foremost, cardinal, paramount, dominant, potent, prevalent

Example:

A There are primarily three reasons why increasing fuel price is not a good idea, and the predominant of them is the effects it will have on the price of daily

commodities

B In my judgement, admittedly from a very narrow perspective, it is anger which

is the predominant emotion that is evoked when we face such adversity

33 Formidable: (Adjective) - Intimidating, daunting, alarming

Synonyms: Terrifying, horrifying, dreadful, frightening, dangerous, ominous, fearsome

Example:

A Among a formidable list of adversity for economic progress, corruption may be the most dangerous

B Interestingly he still has a formidable presence in the sports world, still

charismatic and respected after seven years of fame

34 Phenomenal: (Adjective) - Exceptional, Outstanding, Amazing

Synonyms: Extraordinary, remarkable, stunning, marvellous, magnificent,

astounding, staggering, incredible, wonderful, inconceivable

Example:

A The euphoria reached phenomenal levels when the scientist announced his findings

B The phenomenal evidence that supports this point is not only overwhelming but also very scientific and methodical

35 Stipulate: (Verb) - Specify, set forth, demand

Synonyms: State clearly, to require, prescribe, provide, impose, impose

Example:

A There has been much confusion over the process and all the figures are

stipulated

B Let's stipulate that the fate of the poor population does not rely on the mercy of the state and politicians

36 Dubious: (Adjective) - Uncertain, doubtful

Synonyms: In doubt, unsure, wavering, sceptical, unreliable, questionable, dodgy, arguable, equivocal, improbable, uncertain

Example:

A I am increasingly dubious about the luxury projects the authority is spending money on as the money could have been better spent on more important sectors

B That is why computer experts warn ordinary citizens over and over again not to open dubious emails and whose senders are not known to them

37 Manifest: (Adjective | Verb) - Clear and obvious, definite, visible, perceptible,

display, exhibit

Synonyms: Embody, illustrate, prove, signify, reveal

Example:

A I agree that the very idea of manifest destiny encouraged men and women to dream big dreams and then work hard to make them come true

B Among the young participants, a number of them manifested the idea to the authority but nothing was done about it

38 Exhibit: (Verb | Noun) - Display, show to the public

Synonyms: Show, reveal, manifest, put on display, unveil, item, piece

Example:

A It is important for teachers to understand that identifying talent of their pupils and then providing an opportunity to exhibit it is of immense importance