IELTS Writing - Key Words & Expressions - Useful phrases and templates

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by Adam

IELTS Writing-Key Words & Expressions compiles high-frequency sentence starters and fixed expressions to improve variety, clarity, and speed during timed exam writing. It groups opinion stating, giving examples, comparing, contrasting, generalizing, expressing certainty, partial agreement, cause and effect, and time sequencing, plus additional information and conditionals. A second section provides useful letter-writing phrases for common tasks such as apologizing, asking for help, requesting information, closing, complaining, and conveying good or bad news.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Stating Your Opinion

Giving Examples

Comparing

Contrasting

Generalizing

Expressing Certainty

Expressing Partial Agreement

Showing Cause and Effect

Marking Time

Adding Information

Expressing Condition

Concluding

ELTS Letter Writing - Useful Words & Expressions

Apologizing

Asking for Help

Asking for Information

Closing

Complaining / Expressing Dissatisfaction

Conveying Regards

Expressing Satisfaction

Expressing Concern / Sympathy

Giving Bad News

Giving Good News

Giving Reasons

Making Suggestions

Thanking

IELTS Writing-Key Words & Expressions By learning to use common phrases and set expressions, you can add variety and interest to your writing. You will also be able to write more quickly and effectively during exams, when time is limited. Of course, you won't need to use all of the expressions on the IELTS. Ideally, you should be comfortable using at least three or four expressions from each group below, so they come to mind easily during the IELTS. It is also helpful to have someone call them out so you can test your spelling. Unfortunately, students sometimes make spelling errors even in these commonly occurring expressions. Practice sufficiently so you don't lose points unnecessarily on something that's within your control. KEY WORDS for IELTS WRITING | Stating Your Opinion | | | --- | --- | | In my opinion, | According to me, | | In my view, | To me, | | From my point of view, | I think | | It seems to me that | I believe | | From my perspective | To my way of thinking | | It appears that | I suppose | | I realize | I understand | | I imagine | I feel | Giving Examples | For example, | For instance, | | --- | --- | | such as | In other words, | | As | like | | that is | namely | | To illustrate | To paraphrase | Comparing | Similar to | [As...as](As...as) | | --- | --- | | in common | also | | Either or | In the same way, | | Neither nor | At the same time | | Just as | resemble | Contrasting | However, |
But | | --- | --- | | On the contrary, | On the other hand, | | Differ from | Nevertheless | | Although | Though | | Otherwise | Instead | |
Alternatively, | Even though | Generalizing |
Generally, | Generally speaking, | | --- | --- | | Overall, | On the whole, | | In general, | By and large, | | It seems to me that | I believe | | All in all, | Basically, | | Essentially, | As a rule, | | All things considered | For the most part | Expressing Certainty | Certainly, | Undoubtedly, | | --- | --- | |
Doubtless, |
No doubt, | | Definitely, | Of course, | Expressing Partial Agreement | More or less, | To some extent, | | --- | --- | | Up to a point, | Almost, | | In a way, | So to speak, | |
Due to | Because | | --- | --- | | Because of | Owing to | Showing cause | Showing effect | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Therefore, | | As a result, | | | | Consequently, | For this reason, | | | Thus, | | So, | | | | Thereby | Eventually, | | | Hence, | | The reason why | | |

Marking time | | | | | | | | | | First, | | Last | | | | | | | | Second, | | Lastly, | | | Third, | | Then, | | | Firstly, | | First of all, | | | Secondly, | | Before | | | Thirdly, | | After | | | During | | While | | | To begin with | | At the same time | | | Simultaneously | | After this / that | | | Since | | Meanwhile | | | Afterwards | | Following this | | | |
When |
As soon as | | |

Adding Information | | | | |
Furthermore | | | In addition | | Also | | | And | | | | | | |
Moreover | | | Similarly | | | Likewise | | As well as | |
Besides | | | Too | | | Even | | What’s more | |
Expressing condition | | | | |
If | Whether | | --- | --- | | In case | Unless | | Provided that | So that | Concluding | To summarize | In conclusion | | --- | --- | | Lastly, | Finally, | | To conclude with, | In short, | ELTS Letter Writing-Useful Words & Expressions To complete your IELTS letter writing task within 20 minutes, it is helpful to know some common phrases and set expressions. Being able to use these will allow you to express your ideas quickly and effectively, without thinking about each and every word. While you're learning their meaning, also make sure you can spell them perfectly. Finally, try the quiz at the bottom of the page to see how well you know these important expression. Apologizing I'm sorry about... I am sorry that... I'm very sorry about... I'm very so

FAQs

How can these expressions help with IELTS writing performance?

Using common phrases and set expressions increases variety and interest, and helps writers produce ideas more quickly and effectively under time pressure.

What types of writing functions are covered by the key words list?

The list covers opinion, examples, comparison, contrast, generalization, certainty, partial agreement, cause and effect, time sequencing, adding information, and conditional sentences.

What letter-writing scenarios does the second section support?

It provides useful phrases for apologizing, asking for help and information, closing, complaining, expressing dissatisfaction, conveying regards, showing satisfaction or sympathy, and giving good or bad news.

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by Adam