In IELTS Speaking, and if you’re doing the General Training test, in IELTS Writing Task 1, you will need to use some less formal linking words and phrases. These linkers are words and phrases that help to connect and structure your ideas.
Why use informal linkers and linking phrases?
You probably already know several formal linkers, such as ‘furthermore/ in addition/ in my opinion/ etc.'. But the less formal linkers are not so well known, and are important if you want to reach the advanced levels of bands 7, 8 or 9. They will set you apart from most students because they are more appropriate for informal and semi-formal contexts. When speaking naturally, we only use formal linkers in very formal speeches and presentations. The rest of the time, we use less formal linkers.
Below, I’ve divided the less formal linking phrases into their functions, namely, expressing opinion, making an additional point, sequencing ideas, giving more detail, and summarising.
Informal/ Semi-formal Linkers:
Expressing opinion:
The way I see it
I’m pretty sure that
Let’s face it
As far as I’m concerned
It seems to me that
If you ask me
Making an additional point: Apart from that
What’s more
And something else
Sequencing ideas:
For one,
Another thing is
Giving more detail:
By this I mean
Let’s not forget
What I’m trying to say is
Summarising:
All in all
At the end of the day
Where to use them?
One very good place to use these linkers is in Speaking Part 3. IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions tend to be more academic in style, and ask about more complex issues, so you’ll need some linking phrases to connect and structure the ideas in your answers. As it’s a speaking task, these less formal linkers are more natural, so you’ll sound more like a native speaker.
If you're going to do the General Training IELTS test, you can also use these less formal linking phrases in Writing Task 1, provided it's an informal or semi-formal letter such as a letter to a friend or colleague.
Some Speaking Part 3 examples:
Let’s look at a few examples of IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and see how these linking phrases can be used effectively. (By the way, IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions for 50 common topics can be found here.)
Do you think governments should invest more in outdoor activity facilities?
The way I see it, outdoor activity facilities are really useful and governments should definitely invest in them. Let’s face it, there are serious issues with obesity in most countries, so governments need to do something about it. One of the best ways to deal with this issue is by encouraging people to be more active, and what better way to do this than providing outdoor activity facilities for free to the general public. It seems to me that this would encourage people to be more active, and what’s more, the facilities could keep young people off the streets and out of trouble, so they could have social benefits as well as health benefits.
Why do some people prefer to eat at home rather than eat at a restaurant?
Well, there are several advantages to eating at home. For one, at home you can control the ingredients that go into your food, so you can make sure you’re not eating any nasty chemicals in preservatives or flavour enhancers. Another thing is that it’s much cheaper to eat at home. You’re not paying for all the additional costs at a restaurant like waiting staff, cooks and management.
What is more important, family or friends?
I’m pretty sure that for most people, family is more important. You can rely on family, and trust that they will be there for you if you really need them. Usually, relationships with family members are deeper and longer lasting. But, these days friends are really important too, because people tend to move away from their hometown and often live far away from family members. Apart from that, friends play a big role in our social lives, and they make our lives much more enjoyable. But, at the end of the day, family will always be more important and should come first.
Do people worry too much about their appearance as they get older?
As far as I’m concerned, most people don’t worry that much about their appearance when they get old. Of course, some people do get anxious about ageing, and spend a fortune on things like cosmetic surgery, hair implants, or on creams and lotions to stay looking young, but it’s not the majority. Most people just let themselves go when they reach their 60’s or 70’s. If you ask me, it’s actually a good thing to make an effort to look good when you get old. Why not look after your appearance and follow fashion as you get older?
I hope that helped. I know I’ve included a lot of linking expressions above, so perhaps just try and add one or two phrases from each category, and practice using them in your answers. Good luck!
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