Vocabulary accounts for 25% of your IELTS Writing score. At Band 7+, examiners look for precision and range — not just accuracy. This guide provides 200 high-value academic words and phrases organised by function, with example sentences showing how each is used in context.
How to Use This Guide
Do not memorise words in isolation. Learn them in context — in phrases and sentences. IELTS examiners specifically penalise vocabulary that is used inaccurately or unnaturally.
The goal: When you write an IELTS essay, these words should come to you naturally — not as things you are forcing in to impress the examiner.
Section 1: Introducing Arguments and Points
| Word/Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|
| It is widely argued that... | It is widely argued that social media has deepened political polarisation. |
| There is a compelling case for... | There is a compelling case for universal basic income in highly automated economies. |
| One of the most significant factors is... | One of the most significant factors is the erosion of family support networks. |
| A key consideration is... | A key consideration is whether the policy is economically sustainable. |
| It is worth noting that... | It is worth noting that correlation does not establish causation. |
| Proponents argue that... | Proponents argue that nuclear energy is the most viable low-carbon option. |
| Critics contend that... | Critics contend that the proposed reforms fail to address structural inequality. |
| There is substantial evidence that... | There is substantial evidence that early childhood education has lifelong benefits. |
| The central claim is that... | The central claim is that urbanisation is primarily a positive force. |
| It can be argued that... | It can be argued that economic growth and environmental protection are compatible. |
Section 2: Presenting Counterarguments
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|
| However, this view overlooks... | However, this view overlooks the significant economic costs involved. |
| Nevertheless, the evidence suggests... | Nevertheless, the evidence suggests that the benefits outweigh the risks. |
| While it is true that..., it is important to recognise that... | While it is true that technology creates employment, it also displaces workers on a larger scale. |
| This argument fails to account for... | This argument fails to account for the lived experience of affected communities. |
| A more nuanced perspective would hold that... | A more nuanced perspective would hold that the relationship is bidirectional. |
| Opponents of this view argue that... | Opponents of this view argue that the costs fall disproportionately on the poor. |
| Yet there are strong grounds for questioning whether... | Yet there are strong grounds for questioning whether this is economically viable. |
| This perspective, while appealing, is undermined by... | This perspective, while appealing, is undermined by recent empirical evidence. |
Section 3: Comparing and Contrasting
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|
| In contrast to... | In contrast to Western models, many Asian societies prioritise collective wellbeing. |
| While X may be true for..., the situation is different for... | While this may be true for wealthy nations, the situation is markedly different for developing economies. |
| A key distinction between X and Y is... | A key distinction between the two approaches is their respective timescales. |
| Similarly / Likewise | Similarly, the experience of Nordic countries demonstrates that social investment yields long-term returns. |
| The same logic applies to... | The same logic applies to higher education: access without quality has limited value. |
| By contrast, / Conversely, | By contrast, countries that invested heavily in renewable energy infrastructure have seen declining energy costs. |
Section 4: Describing Cause and Effect
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|
| This has resulted in... | This has resulted in a significant widening of income inequality. |
| As a direct consequence of... | As a direct consequence of rapid urbanisation, affordable housing has become critically scarce. |
| This, in turn, leads to... | This, in turn, leads to greater pressure on public services. |
| A contributing factor is... | A contributing factor is the absence of adequate mental health provision. |
| This can be attributed to... | This can be attributed to a combination of demographic and structural factors. |
| The implications of this are far-reaching. | The implications of this are far-reaching for both individuals and communities. |
| This phenomenon is driven by... | This phenomenon is driven primarily by economic incentives. |
| Consequently / As a result, | Consequently, governments face increasing fiscal pressure. |
Section 5: Giving Examples
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|
| This is illustrated by... | This is illustrated by the experience of countries such as Finland. |
| A compelling example is... | A compelling example is Germany's transition to renewable energy. |
| Consider, for instance, the case of... | Consider, for instance, the case of Singapore's water management system. |
| Evidence from X demonstrates... | Evidence from public health research demonstrates the effectiveness of early intervention. |
| This is exemplified by... | This is exemplified by the dramatic rise in remote working since 2020. |
| Take, for example, the case of... | Take, for example, the dramatic reduction in child mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa. |
Section 6: Expressing Certainty and Uncertainty
| Word/Phrase | Use When |
|---|
| It is clear that... | Strong evidence supports the claim |
| It seems likely that... | Reasonable inference but not proven |
| It is plausible that... | Possible but speculative |
| The available evidence suggests... | Data points in a direction without proving it |
| It is difficult to determine whether... | Genuine ambiguity |
| One cannot deny that... | Conceding a point before countering it |
| It would be premature to conclude that... | Resisting overreach in argument |
| The jury is still out on... | Colloquial; avoid in formal essay |
Section 7: Describing Change and Trends
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|
| Over the past decade, X has undergone significant change. | Over the past decade, the nature of work has undergone significant transformation. |
| A notable shift has occurred in... | A notable shift has occurred in public attitudes toward environmental responsibility. |
| This trend shows no signs of reversing. | This trend shows no signs of reversing in the near term. |
| X has increased/decreased dramatically. | Youth unemployment has increased dramatically in several European nations. |
| X has remained relatively stable. | Life expectancy has remained relatively stable in high-income countries. |
| There has been a marked decline in... | There has been a marked decline in civic participation among young adults. |
Section 8: Concluding and Summarising
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|
| In conclusion, it is evident that... | In conclusion, it is evident that a multi-pronged approach is required. |
| On balance, the evidence suggests... | On balance, the evidence suggests that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. |
| Ultimately, the question reduces to... | Ultimately, the question reduces to a matter of values rather than evidence. |
| It would be simplistic to conclude that... | It would be simplistic to conclude that technology alone can solve this problem. |
| The most defensible position, therefore, is... | The most defensible position, therefore, is a gradualist approach to reform. |
Section 9: Precise Adjectives and Adverbs (Replace "Very Good/Bad")
| Instead of "very good" | Use: substantial, significant, remarkable, considerable, marked |
|---|
| Instead of "very bad" | detrimental, counterproductive, harmful, damaging, problematic |
| Instead of "very important" | crucial, critical, essential, pivotal, fundamental |
| Instead of "very large" | substantial, considerable, significant, dramatic, vast |
| Instead of "very small" | negligible, marginal, minimal, modest, limited |
| Instead of "very quickly" | rapidly, dramatically, sharply, swiftly |
| Instead of "very slowly" | gradually, incrementally, steadily |
Improve your IELTS Writing vocabulary with Gabble — AI-powered writing feedback that identifies vocabulary range and precision at the criterion level. See exactly where your word choices are costing you band marks.