common synonyms for ielts essay

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Important Synonyms List for 9 Band in IELTS Writing

• Graph Length
• Essay Task 2
• Essay Length
• Assessment Criteria
• Paraphrasing
• 9 band Tips

Synonyms are essential in IELTS writing if you want to paraphrase successfully, avoid repetition and improve your band score in Lexical resource . In this guide, we will look at some important synonyms that you can use in the writing section of your IELTS Academic test.

Table of Contents

1.1 introduction synonyms, 1.2 writing about time, 1.3 phrases to start paragraphs, 1.4 synonyms to describe trends, 1.5 transition words, 1.6 synonyms for estimates, 1.7 making predictions, 2.1 giving your opinion, 2.2 general introduction statements, 2.3 synonyms for body paragraphs, 2.4 cohesive devices/transition words, 2.5 common synonyms for words in questions, 1. synonyms for ielts writing task 1.

In IELTS writing task 1 , you have 20 minutes to write a formal report that summarises the key features of a given chart , graph , table , flowchart , process diagram or map .

We’ve put together a collection of useful synonyms that you can use in any writing task 1 and adapt for your given figure/ diagram

Using synonyms can help you to paraphrase the given statement that will always follow a similar pattern. Take the example below:

IELTS Statement :

The graph below gives information about international tourist arrivals in different parts of the world.

Your introduction should paraphrase the given statement. Here are some different ways you could rephrase the underlined part of the statement:

• The chart/graph/ table/ map/ diagram shows …
• The chart/graph/ table/ map/ diagram illustrates …
• The chart/graph/ table/ map/ diagram gives information about …
• The chart/graph/ table/ map/ diagram demonstrates …
• The chart/graph/ table/ map/ diagram depicts…

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You will often be given data with a time-frame ranging over a period of time, as shown in this example:

The graph shows average carbon dioxide emissions per person in the United Kingdom and the USA between 1977 and 2007 .

In your report, instead of repeating the structure ‘ between ___ and ___’ you could use the following:

• From ___ to ___
• In the years of ___ to ___

Here are some more ways to introduce time in your report:

• At the beginning of the given period…
• At the end of the period…
• In the first year…
• In the final year…
• The next two days showed…
• …in the following three days…
• Over the next two days…

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You always need to make your overview paragraph easy to find. To do this, you can begin your overview with one of the following:

• Overall,…
• In summary,…
• To summarise,…

Here are some useful phrases to continue your overview paragraph:

• …, it can be clearly seen that…
• …it is apparent that..
• …it is evident that…
• …what stands out from the graph/chart/table is that…

And phrases to start your main body paragraph:

• Turning to…
• As regards the…

It is important to learn a range of languages to describe upward, downward, or any other trends that appear in the data. We’ve put together a list of synonyms you could use in your report.

Upward trend :

• Increase (v)
• An increase (n)
• A growth (n)

Downward trend:

• Decrease (v)
• A decrease (n)
• Decline (v)
• A decline (n)
• Remain steady
• Remain stable
• Remain unchanged
• Stay constant
• Stay at the same level

Fluctuation:

• Fluctuate (v)
• Fluctuation (n)

To create cohesion throughout your report, as well as avoid repetition, you should use a range of transition words/ cohesive devices. Here’s a list of appropriate transitions to use in IELTS writing task 1 :

• To begin with,…
• To start with,…
• And then,…
• At this point,…
• Subsequently,…
• After this,…
• Then ,…
• Afterwards,…
• Finally,…
• …with the figure at ____

It is likely that you will not be able to precisely read the figures on a given chart, especially if you are given a bar chart. In this case, you need to use language to estimate the data. Here are some synonyms you can use to describe figures above or below and exact number:

• Approximately

Occasionally, you may be given a graph/chart where predictions are made about what may happen in the future. Since it is not certain that these predictions will happen, you should avoid using grammatical structures that express certainty such as ‘will’. You could instead use:

• …is shown to…
• …is predicted to…
• …is projected to…
• …is expected to…
• …is forecast to…

2. Synonyms for IELTS Writing Task 2

• In my opinion…
• It is my belief that…
• I am of the opinion that…
• To my mind…
• From my point of view…
• From my perspective…
• My point is that…
• My argument is that…
• As far as I am concerned,…
• In my view…
• Some people think that…
• According to many people…
• It is generally said that…
• Some people argue that…
• People often say that…
• A common argument is that…
• People often claim that…
• Some people say that…
• People generally think that…
• People often put forward the argument that…

Topic sentence starters:

• One advantage of ____ is that ….
• Another benefit of ____ is that…
• One downside of ____ is that…
• Another downside of ____ is that…
• One reason that I believe…
• One argument in favour of… is that…
• The main reason that I think…
• Another reason to second….

Supporting sentences starters:

• This is because…
• The result /consequence/reason is that…
• This means that…
• As a result/consequence,…
• In other words,…
• In conclusion,…
• To sum up,…

Sequencing/listing:

• In the first place
• Nevertheless
• By comparison
• In comparison
• On the other hand
• In spite of

Giving examples/ restating:

• For example
• For instance
• That is ( to say)
• In other words

Reasons/results:

• Consequently
• As a result
• In addition
• Furthermore

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IELTS Synonyms Words List for 2023

Ielts synonyms words list 2023.

Enhance your IELTS test preparation with our comprehensive Synonyms Words List. This comprehensive list includes a vast array of words that can be used interchangeably in different contexts, allowing you to expand your vocabulary and improve your writing and speaking skills. By incorporating these words into your daily life, you can effectively improve your language abilities and increase your chances of scoring higher on the IELTS test. Whether you are a student, professional, or simply looking to improve your language skills, our IELTS Synonyms Words List is the perfect tool for you to achieve your goals and enhance your English proficiency.

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Useful Synonyms For IELTS Writing Task To Score High In Exam

Vocabulary plays an essential role in the IELTS examination. Whether it is a Reading, Speaking, Listening, or Writing test, in each and every module, a student should be well versed in word usage.

Talking about the Writing test, bands are decided on the basis of four parameters, that is,

• Coherence & Cohesion
• Grammatical range and accuracy
• Lexical resources
• Task achievement

So, lexical resources or word usage is one of the criteria which should be effective to achieve the higher score in the IELTS writing exam.

This blog will particularly focus on different synonyms which can be used to achieve the desired bands.

Importance of Synonyms In IELTS Writing

Synonyms are the exact or real meaning of the words. English language is a huge ocean of vocabulary and to have an impact of the language over someone, synonyms can be used.

• Wide range of words helps you to avoid repetition and redundancy.
• It makes the reader interested in the writing.
• It also give your writing an effective or qualitative length.
• It will also improve your band score under the lexical resources criteria.

Task 1- Report Writing

In report writing , a report of at least 150 words is required where any of the diagram or illustration will be given and one is required to explain that illustration in one’s own way. Different synonyms which can be used while writing a report can be:-

Depicting Words In Introduction

• It depicts...
• It illustrates....
• The table shows....
• These pie charts give information about..
• The map presents...
• The diagram depicts...
• These diagrams depict...
• The diagram demonstrates..
• These flowcharts illustrate...

Words Written With Years

Between 1990 and 2000.

From 1990 to 2000.

In the years of 1990 to 2000.

For Rephrasal

• Result/ outcome..
• Population, number of people, the populace
• Survey/research...

For Starting First Paragraph

It can be clearly seen that...

It is evident that...

It is apparent that...

For Second Paragraph

• Moving to..
• Turning to...
• Moving further...

To Show Trend In Body Paragraphs

Increase/decrease, Incline/decline, soar/Plunge, rise/downfall...

Almost same, equal, not much difference,...

Remained same, was constant, did not change,...

Minimum, lowest, least, lower, small amount...

Maximum, highest, significant amount, majority...

Fluctuates- zigzag trend, upward and downward..

Some another Synonyms

• Projected, anticipated, forecasted, expected...
• Process, steps, series,...
• Countries, nations, different parts of world...
• Different, various, distinct...
• Number, count, strength, figure...
• Waste, garbage, rubbish

Connectors For Conclusion

• All in all..

Task 2- Essay Writing

Essay writing is a task where an essay of minimum of 250 words is required with proper usage of words and correct explanation of ideas. A different range of synonyms or vocabulary is used while writing an essay which has no limit and can be won over by practicing. Here is the list of some useful and effective synonyms which students can use to have an excellent band scores.

In Introduction

For opinion statement.

• I believe that...
• I reckon that...
• In my point of view....

For General Statement In Intro

• Some people think that...
• According to some people...
• It is generally said that...

In Body Paragraphs

For start (connectors).

• First of all, firstly, first and foremost...
• There are many factors which influence my point of view...
• On one hand,
• For contrast ( on the other hand)...

For Continuing Ideas

• Furthermore,..
• In addition to...
• Moreover, also, additionally

For Last (Connectors)

• Last but not the least...

For Conclusion

In conclusion,...

To summarize...

To conclude...

List of Useful Synonyms

Also read:  Linking words benefits in IELTS Writing task 2

Vocabulary is essential in IELTS Writing Exam. The exam is not conducted to check your vocabulary. Although it should be effective it is not the only criterion. Just focus on explaining your ideas by correct sentence usage. Basically, your ideas should be conveyed to the reader in an appropriate way. Go and practice it enough times and you will feel the change that you are getting an idea of how these words are used in a sentence.

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List of Synonym Words for IELTS + PDF

If you’re preparing for the IELTS exam and want to expand your vocabulary, we’ve got you covered with our list of synonym words for IELTS. This comprehensive IELTS vocabulary list will help you diversify your language skills and improve your writing and speaking for the test.

Check Also: 300+ List of Vocabulary Words for IELTS (updated 200+ IELTS Academic Word List & Examples and PDF Linking Words and Phrases & List & Examples

IELTS Synonyms A- C List

Here you can find the vocabulary list for IELTS Synonyms from A to C.

IELTS Synonyms C – F

Here you can find the vocabulary list for IELTS Synonyms from C to F.

IELTS Synonyms F – O

Here you can find the vocabulary list for IELTS Synonyms from F to O.

IELTS Synonyms P – Z

Here you can find the vocabulary list for IELTS Synonyms from P to Z.

IELTS Synonyms Words List PDF

Here you can download detailed Synonym Words List for IELTS exam.

  IELTS Synonyms Words List PDF – download

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Assalam alikum sir g i have my ielts exame on 23 march please send me words of synonyms

Essential IELTS Synonyms for Success

Synonyms for IELTS

How to increase synonyms for ielts.

We’re told to have lots of synonyms in our language use, not only for the purpose of taking an IELTS test, but generally to express yourself with ease and variety- whether a native speaker or not.

When pairing this idea with the IELTS specifically, is there such a thing as too many synonyms? Yes.

This scenario presented itself a short while back. A student preparing for their IELTS handed me a booklet of vocabulary, there must have been at least 300+. My student had wanted me to pick out words that she thought she would need. The problem was that, where do we begin? How many should we stop at? How do you quantify which words are more important than others? How can you choose between words when meaning is so close?

The task became difficult as inevitably, it started to be that we were collecting too many words. I suggested to my student that she only choose words that were A . as close to the original meaning of the word, and B. not overly complex.

Rather than making it a numbers game with ‘learn 20, 30, 40 (etc) words’, it depends more on the accuracy of language, not the amount.

If we go with the first approach of learning a batch of new words, we aren’t being targeted in our approach. The aim is to learn words in their context and make sure that it makes sense in our writing.

Simplicity is key.

A good rule of thumb to use is to ask yourself; would I use this word in conversation? If not, it is likely that the word isn’t appropriate, or that it isn’t close enough to the word you are trying to use. For example, if I want to use an alternative to students , I know I wouldn’t use the word disciple in conversation because its meaning is too far from the original word.

If you wouldn’t say it, would you then write it?

Common IELTS synonyms

Develop your vocabulary here with vocabulary flash cards. This deck was created by myself, in a collaboration with the revision app; AnkiPro.

Applying appropriate synonyms with IELTS questions

Some people think it is better for children to grow up in the city, while others think that life in the countryside is more preferable. What are the disadvantages and advantages?

Appropriate synonyms:

Some people think it is better for minors to grow up in an urban area, whereas others think that living in a rural area has more advantages.

Inappropriate synonyms:

Some citizens believe it is far greater for kids to grow up in a cosmopolitan area, whilst others think that residing in an area of farmland is far better.

The first example is much clearer and responds better to the question. The second is overly-complicated and the language doesn't reflect the statement with the same clarity.‌ ‌

Some people think that when a person travels into a different culture they should adapt to the local customs and practices. To what extent do you agree?

It is thought that when someone travels to a contrasting culture, they should mould to the local traditions and practices.

Some people think that when a person voyages to another culture, they should copy the local behaviours and rituals.

The second example has used 'voyages' which feels too formal for the statement. The use of 'copy' is mismatched and doesn't accurately reflect the idea of adapting to something, and 'rituals' has the wrong religious, ceremonial connotations. They have used inaccurate synonyms to paraphrase some of the language in the statement.

Some people think that schools should invest more money in technology, such as more computers, while others think more money should be spent on teachers. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that schools should put more money into technology, such as a greater increase in computers. On the other hand, some people think more funds should be invested in the teaching staff.

Some people argue that institutions should put extra money into tech, such as computers. Whereas, some people think excess money should be directed towards teachers.

The first example is clear with some alternation but withholding the same meaning. The second example uses 'institutions' which doesn't have enough of a similarity to 'school'. Technology has been abbreviated to 'tech', which is too informal.

Having a good university degree guarantees people a good job. To what extent do you agree?

Having a quality university degree assures people the security of a job.

Owning an adequate higher education degree promises people a solid job.

The second example begins with 'owning' which is inaccurate to use when trying to equate it to the verb 'to have'. It also uses 'adequate' which differs from good, as it suggests it is passable and fine, but not necessarily good and is therefore a different measure. The closing part of the sentence uses 'solid job' which feels informal and vague.

The government should ban smoking in all public places, even though this would restrict some other people's freedoms. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.

Those in governmental positions should prohibit smoking in public spaces, despite this impeding on other people's liberties.

Those in charge should stop people smoking in outdoor spaces, even if this would result in offending people's privileges.

The first example makes some change to the opening noun, with governmental positions which retains the same idea and also uses phrasal language. It also shows confidence in language with appropriate synonyms. The second example starts with 'those in charge' which is too vague and doesn't address the idea of a government. The use of 'offending' isn't the best replacement word compared to 'restricted' seen in the question.

Final thoughts:

• Vocabulary is important for your IELTS exam, but it is better to learn a smaller set of close meaning words and focus on these
• Sounding overly-academic won't gain you extra marks
• Changing the word order can also be a useful method when paraphrasing
• Incorporating phrases or collocations can also be useful if you do not have another word to replace vocabulary with

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101 Important Synonyms for IELTS 2024

Updated On Jul 23, 2024

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Table of Contents

Why are synonyms important for ielts.

• The Top 101 Important Synonyms for IELTS 2024 

Tips on Using Good Synonyms for IELTS

Get a Complimentary IELTS Speaking Strategies PDF

Using synonyms effectively can enhance your IELTS band score and this technique can improve your writing, speaking skills, and lexical resource band score as well!

So, here’s a guide that provides a list of the 101 most important synonyms for IELTS that you can use to elevate your performance in the Writing and Speaking sections in 2024!

Employing synonyms during the IELTS exam can offer numerous advantages, ultimately enhancing your overall score. Let’s delve into some of the benefits of utilising synonyms in place of repeating the same words throughout your IELTS exam.

Let’s have a sneak peek at the top 3 reasons why synonyms are important for IELTS now:

1. Better Word Choices

Synonyms help you choose different words with similar meanings. This makes your language richer and more interesting.

2. Avoiding Repeating Words

Using the same words over and over can make your writing or speaking sound boring. Synonyms let you change up your language, keeping your audience engaged.

3. Understanding Different Words

Knowing synonyms helps you understand texts better. When you come across a new word, knowing its synonyms can help you figure out what it means.

Excited to level up your IELTS vocabulary game? Grab our ebook today! Buy now!

The Top 101 Important Synonyms for IELTS 2024 

The Top 101 Important Synonyms for IELTS 2024 provides a comprehensive list of essential synonyms to enhance your vocabulary and boost your IELTS score. This resource is designed to help you use a variety of words effectively in your Writing and speaking tasks.

Here are some star tips on how to use   important synonyms for IELTS  effectively in writing and speaking! They are:

• Use synonyms that are suitable for the tone of your writing. For example, you would not use the word “enormous” in an informal conversation since the conversation requires a friendly tone.
• Use synonyms that are accurate and meaningful. For example, the synonym “excellent” would be more appropriate than the synonym “superb” in the sentence “The food was excellent.”
• Use synonyms that you are familiar with and that you can use correctly. It is not helpful to use a synonym if you do not know what it means or how to use it in a sentence.
• Use synonyms in a way that is natural and that flows well. Do not try to force synonyms into your writing if they do not fit.

Eager to know more band 9 vocabulary to ace your IELTS writing task 2? Learn Here!

Synonyms for IELTS are very useful for improving your  writing and speaking  and using them effectively can help you paraphrase well, avoid repeating the same words, and show that you have a wide range of vocabulary! Knowing a wider range of important synonyms for IELTS can help you get a higher band score in the Lexical Resource category and help you stand out of the crowd!

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Also check :

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• IELTS Writing recent actual test
• IELTS Writing Answer sheet
• IELTS map vocabulary
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors

Frequently Asked Questions

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IELTS Synonyms (In 2024)

Introduction.

Synonyms are different words that have the same or nearly the same meaning, such as male and man or third-level education and university.

Many IELTS teachers, myself included, stress the importance of using synonyms in your writing. Synonyms help us to vary our language and show the examiner that we have a wide-ranging vocabulary. However, synonyms are also very dangerous because, if used incorrectly, they can lower your mark for vocabulary, task response,  and coherence .

This article will look at some real essays that used synonyms incorrectly to show you how dangerous they can be.

Why use synonyms?

When we get an IELTS Writing Task , there will be certain keywords in the question, and our writing would sound very repetitive if we wrote the same words repeatedly. So to make our writing sound better, we use synonyms.

For example, if the question asked us, ‘Computers are increasingly used in education. Do you agree?’ we would have to use the words ‘computers’ and ‘education’ many times in our answer. We could use the words ‘I.T.’, ‘laptops’ or  ‘iPads’ instead of just repeating the word ‘computers’ repeatedly.

We should also paraphrase the question in our very first sentence when answering an IELTS Writing task; synonyms are one of the key ways of doing this. Click the link above for more information on paraphrasing .

Finally, we can use synonyms to show the examiner that we have a wide-ranging vocabulary. If you repeat the same keywords many times, it indicates to the examiner that you don’t know any other ways of expressing those words and that you have a narrow vocabulary.

What’s the danger?

The dangerous thing about synonyms is that people use them incorrectly or try too hard and force them into their essays.

When using a synonym, we first need to think about the meaning. The meaning should be the same. I do not encourage students to use synonyms that mean ‘nearly the same’ because it often leads to mistakes.

Question: It is important that young children are taught art, drama and music, alongside more traditional subjects like maths and science. Do you agree or disagree? Paraphrase: It is important that young people are taught extracurricular activities, alongside serious subjects like mathematics, biology and chemistry.

This student has changed the following words using synonyms, but not all are correct:

young children – young people

art, drama and music- extracurricular activities

traditional subjects- serious subjects

The problem that this student has is they are using what I call ‘loose synonyms’. These are words that don’t really mean the same as each other, and the result is that you are writing about something completely different from the question. This leads to you writing unrelated ideas and can lower your whole essay’s score.

For instance, ‘young children’ could mean people between the ages of around 1-10, but ‘young people’ can mean anything from 1-30 years of age. The question is focusing on young children, and by using young people, you are talking about an irrelevant age group.

Another example is ‘extracurricular activities’, which means things you do outside of school, whereas the question relates to school subjects. The person who wrote this answer mentioned ‘extracurricular activities’ several times in the rest of her essay, which meant she got a much lower score because she was talking about irrelevant ideas.

Finally, ‘traditional’ and ‘serious’ are very loose synonyms; so loose I would not really recognise them as synonyms at all.

The lesson to take away from this example is only use synonyms you know are 100% the same. If you are not sure they are 100% the same, don’t use them.

Question: The growth in crime among teenagers can be attributed to an increase in the use of violent video games. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Paraphrase: The rise of acts of violent in young ones are often viewed as being caused by the exposure to fierce audio-visual games.

This student has changed the following words:

crime- acts of violent

teenagers- young ones

violent- fierce

video games- audio-visual games

These are all wrong and are typical of a student who feels like they must use synonyms and will use them at any cost, i.e. they are more worried about using synonyms than writing a clear and correct sentence.

‘Crime’ means all crime, and ‘acts of violence’ is specifically violent crime. They have also used the wrong form of ‘violence’.

‘Young ones’ does not really mean teenagers and would never be used by a native speaker in an academic essay.

‘Fierce’ does not mean the same things as ‘violent’.

‘Audio-visual’ might sound like high-level vocabulary, but you would never refer to ‘video games’ in this way.

It would have been better for this student to have used simpler words and phrases or just copied the word. If you are not 100% sure about the grammar and meaning of the word, don’t try to force it. Repeating the word is better than forcing  an incorrect synonym into your essay.

Question: Today people are travelling more than ever before. Why is this the case? What are the benefits of travelling for the traveller?

In the question above, one of my students replaced the word ‘travelling’ with ‘ commuting ‘. She continued using the words ‘commuting’ and ‘commute’ throughout the essay.

‘Commuting’ means specifically travelling to and from work every day. The result was that her whole essay was full of irrelevant ideas.

You should never take any chances with keywords from the question. If it is a keyword that is crucial to the meaning of the question and your answer as a whole, only change it if you are 100% certain the meaning is the same.

Alternatives to Synonyms

Instead of using synonyms, you can use the following things to vary your language:

• Definitions
• Change the form of the word

If you can’t think of a good synonym, you can list an example or two. So in the question above about ‘computers’, it is perfectly acceptable to say ‘laptops and tablets’. Students use these exact things in class, so it is fine to write them. Like synonyms, ensure that the examples match the word 100%.

You can also define the word if you can’t think of a synonym. So for our example above about travelling, you could say ‘people going from place to place’. This is obviously much longer than a simple synonym, but it is much easier sometimes to write about something in simple language than think of one complicated word.

Finally, changing the form of the word or phrase is always acceptable. So instead of trying to think of a synonym for ‘violent video games’ (which is very hard to do), you could say ‘video games that have violence’. All we have done is change the word from an adjective (violent) to a noun (violence).

• Only change a word if you are 100% sure the meanings are the same.
• Be aware of ‘loose synonyms’.
• If you change it, the grammar must also be correct.
• Be particularly careful with keywords from the question.
• If you can’t think of a synonym, try one of the alternative methods.
• If in doubt, don’t change it. It is better to repeat the word and be correct than force a synonym and be wrong.

I hope you found this article useful. If you have any questions or queries, join the conversation on our Facebook page.

For more information about IELTS Writing, click one of the links below.

IELTS Writing Task 1

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Vary your IELTS Writing vocabulary with synonyms

March 13, 2023 By Ben Worthington

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This tutorial discusses how to vary your IELTS writing vocabulary with synonyms.

We look at the following:

• How do you consistently upgrade your IELTS Task 2 essay? 
• How do you keep submitting it until it’s perfect? (without breaking the bank!)
• How do you upgrade it to score a Band 7 or higher? 
• How to use accurate synonyms to improve your IELTS writing vocabulary

In this tutorial, you will find all the answers and a technique to make sure you are not only boosting your score but also including topic-specific vocabulary throughout your essay. 

Remember, you will be in Canada, the UK, or even Australia after you pass your IELTS exam. Never forget this and keep moving forward!

This tutorial is part of a series to help students get the most from our new online IELTS essay checker tool here.

Get an estimated band score, discover where your weaknesses are and score higher!

Around April the free features will be cut back, so make the most of the checker NOW!

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Synonyms In The Writing Section

Here's why synonyms are absolutely essential in the writing section....

I hope your IELTS preparation is going well! Whatever stage you’re at in your IELTS preparation journey, keep up the good work – it will really pay off!

Here we are going to cover the use of synonyms in the writing section.

What is a synonym?

A synonym is a word with the same meaning as another word.

There’s some examples further down this page.

Why are synonyms important in the IELTS?

Synonyms are particularly important in the writing section.

They show the examiner that you have the ability to paraphrase (very important in the Writing Task 2 Essay Framework ).

They also show that you use a wide range of vocabulary.

Being able to use or identify alternative words with the same meaning is a VITAL skill to ensure a higher band score.

Remember, your score in the IELTS is dependent on 4 criteria (band descriptors).

Click below to remind yourself what these are.

One of the band descriptors is ‘ Lexical resource ‘.

This simply means your VOCABULARY .

(And it’s worth 25% of you overall writing band score).

Synonyms are a way of showing the examiner you have a good range of vocabulary.

That’s a BIG TICK for Lexical resource!

Think of the band descriptors as a recipe for pizza dough…

You need flour, water, yeast and sugar to make a basic dough.

If you fail to include just ONE of these ingredients, your dough will be rubbish .

Similarly, if you fail to perform well in any of the band descriptor categories, you will fail to get a good IELTS score.

How can I use synonyms in the writing section?

By the time you sit the exam, you should be an expert in writing your answers in a structured way.

(We’re experts in teaching students the best way to structure their IELTS answers – and we can pass this information on to you).

Synonyms are one of the building blocks to achieving band 7+ in the writing section.

For example, the introduction of your essay should paraphrase the question (but without repeating the same words).   That means you need to i dentify the key words in the question and then choose the correct synonyms when paraphrasing .

It is important not to use the same words too many times throughout your essay so you should use synonyms to show the examiner that you have a broad vocabulary.

How can i improve my understanding of synonyms right now.

There are various ways you can help yourself, such as u sing websites such as https://www.thesaurus.com, which can be used to give you a list of synonyms. (You must be careful though, not all synonyms will work in a sentence).

If you’re after basic, free guidance you can take advantage of our free resources, (such as our FREE Writing Ebook ).

However, if you want to take the risk out of failing, we cover EVERYTHING in our premium study guides (see below). 

Synonym examples.

Here are some examples. Can you think of any others?

‘The temperature is due to ( fall/drop/plummet ) in the next few days.’

‘The pizza delivery boy was very ( fast/quick/speedy ) tonight.’

‘Passing the IELTS is ( important/crucial/vital ) to my dreams of moving abroad.’

‘This graph ( shows/demonstrates/indicates ) the population growth in Canada over the last 10 years.’

‘I have just got back from the cinema. The film was ( funny/hilarious/hysterical ).’

‘The weather forecast today was ( true/accurate/correct ). It was very sunny, just as they predicted.’

Understanding the EXACT synonyms is one of the most important ways to excel in the Task 2 Essay.

Look at the task 2 checklist below which shows the things you should understand before taking the ielts..

How many can you tick off?

Need help studying for the writing section, need a high band score to move on with life, struggling to make any progress studying, feel like you're wasting your time & money, don't know how to improve your band score, current preparation materials too confusing, want to feel confident and ready to take ielts, "over 80% of students fail to achieve their desired band score, so it's normal to feel scared . ", we can help you be a writing genius., our study guides give you the exact strategies needed to achieve ielts band 7+. here's how they will help you..., improve your efficiency.

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• Common Synonyms for IELTS

A List of the Most Common Synonyms to Improve Your IELTS Score

Last updated: 26 January 2024

International students applying to study in the UK must display a certain level of spoken and written English during the application process. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the most demanded test accepted by all UK universities to check students' abilities in using English for academic purposes. IELTS requirements vary from university to university, and students who wish to get into good universities should dedicate proper IELTS preparation time and aim for a higher score in IELTS. The general average IELTS scores required by universities are:

• Undergraduate degree course - IELTS overall 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each element
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Synonyms for IELTS

A great way to improve your IELTS score is by improving your IELTS vocabulary. One of the easiest ways to do this is by using synonyms for common words. Synonyms are words that mean the same thing and can be used to replace a word with a better one. Synonyms are of great help in getting a good IELTS score and improving one's general vocabulary. score, 

Below is a list of synonyms for common words which can help a great deal in getting you a good IELTS score. 

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A Brief on the Synonyms for IELTS Preparation – 2023’s Best List

Synonyms for IELTS – Introduction. 1

What are collocations?. 2

About the Importance of Synonyms. 2

Important IELTS Synonym List 2

Specific Purpose of Using Synonyms in the IELTS. 6

A Few Common Synonyms. 8

Practising Use of Synonyms. 9

Conclusion. 12

Boosting your IELTS vocabulary is an ideal way to improve your test score. Using more synonyms for frequent terms is one of the best ways to accomplish this. It is of utmost importance, unlike other essentials. It can be used in writing and speaking to make your communication more effective. Synonyms for IELTS are common today and a good source to make your vocabulary stronger.

In this content, we will understand and discuss the commonly used similar words, the IELTS synonym list, its importance, and more in brief.

Understanding Synonyms

Synonyms are words that have same meaning and can be used in place of each other in sentences. While preparing for the IELTS exam, synonyms play a crucial role in all four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

Synonyms for IELTS can also be used in various collocations, too. For example, we can describe either a person or an idea as brilliant, but only a person can be astute.

What are collocations?

Collocations are described as words that are used together not for any particular grammatical reason, but instead “fit” together in a particular sentence. One can easily look for the words collocate online.

About the Importance of Synonyms

Let us here understand the reasons for using synonyms in the different modules while attempting the most common The International English Language Testing System test.  

• While doing the IELTS Writing Task, there is a certain set of keywords in the questions asked. The writing looks more repetitive in case we use the same words repeatedly. So in that case we use synonyms that make the content much better.
• Some words can be replaced with synonyms mainly because they are imprecise and rather low-level. Some of the examples are good, bad, big, small, and nice.
• Context is also important at the time of using synonyms for words such as, “important”  while “essential” is a synonym, it would not be appropriate to say, “Addiction” as the internet is an important issue of our time. Rather, we can use, “It is important that government deal with XYZ…..”  Or, you could use “critical,” or “vital” in place of the term ‘important.’ The term used should be contextual.
• Sometimes synonyms are used to avoid repetition. This is common in essays about children. It becomes monotonous in case we keep using the word “children,” rather prefer using some alternatives to it. Some of the words we can use instead of children include, “the youth,” “the young,” “Kids”, etc. Thus, synonyms help you avoid using the same word repeatedly.
• Last but not least, idiomatic expressions need to be avoided as well since they are not particularly academic.

Important IELTS Synonym List

There are many synonyms used commonly and recommended to be used for applicants appearing for the IELTS. It will help you in the preparation and ease your path to a higher score in the test. Remember a single term can have multiple similar words. An example of a few is listed here for your ready reference.

Below we have brought to you a list of important IELTS synonym list:

Specific Purpose of Using Synonyms in the IELTS

Learning about the importance and Specific Purpose of Using Synonyms in IELTS can boost your confidence. It may save your time and help you prepare well.

Below are a few particular reasons for making use of synonyms:

• To explain trends that refers to an upward trend, downward trend, constant and fluctuation.

 Examples for you

Terms used in case of upward trend

Rise, increase, growth

Terms used in case of downward trend

Decline, fall, drop, decrease

Terms used in case of constant trend

Stay constant, remain unchanged, and remain steady

Terms used in case of fluctuation trend

Fluctuation, fluctuate

• The use of transition words to avoid repetition and create cohesion the use of transition words is essential. It is more used in IELTS Writing Task 1.

Examples for your ready reference

At this point, to commence with, subsequently, finally, afterwards

• Synonyms used for estimation

In IELTS, you will come across charts, figures, and bar charts where you may be required to estimate data. There you can make use of common synonyms to describe figures or numbers.

For example

Nearly, about, approximately, around, just below, just over, just above

• Using it to predict

There may be some instance where you may be given a graph or chart. There you may be asked to predict what can happen in the near future. In that case, it is better to avoid using the term ‘will’ and instead use the following terms –  

Is projected to ……

Is expected to ….

Is shown to ……

• To give an opinion about a particular thing

From my perspective ………

According to me ……

In my opinion ….

From my point of view ….

In my view …..

As far as my point is concerned …..

• Synonyms are also used for introductory statements like –

According to many celebrities …..

Professionals often say that …..

Some individuals argue over …..

It is generally said that …..

• For sentences used in body paragraphs classified in two –
• Topic sentence starters

The important disadvantage of ….. to note is …..

My reason to believe in him is ……

Another advantage of using …. is …….

• Sentence starter in supporting role –

As a result of …..

In other terms …

It is because ….

Apart from the above discussed specific usage of synonyms, there are many more purposes why it is used. You can get more information about it during the classes conducted by Study Smart IELTS trainers at our classroom centres at various locations in India and our online sessions on zoom.

A Few Common Synonyms

There are big lists of terms used to make the content look fresh, unique, and less repetitive. Why not have look at it? You can have a quick look at it below.

Some common synonyms

• Instead of “Make an effort,” use “considerable effort should be devoted to…”
• “Do a good job,” should be “perform well”
• “Do research” can be written as “conduct research”
• “Get famous” could be replaced with “acquire fame”
• “Get a degree” can be written as “earn a degree”
• “Get skills” look more professional with “obtain skills.”

Practising Use of Synonyms

Practice can help you have a better understanding and ease the use of synonyms for you. A quick preparation practice for you made using the common synonyms for IELTS.

Choose the word which means similar in meaning to the options provided:

• The meaning of the word “wrath’ is:
•       Anger
•       Crime
•       Smoke

The Correct Answer – The meaning of Wrath is strong, vengeful anger

• Plethora means
•       Trouble
•       Foolish
•       Wealth

The Correct Answer – the meaning of plethora is quantity, or wealth

• The word “Calamity” means
•       Potion
•       Silence
•       Shellfish
•       Disaster

The Correct Answer – Calamity means a grave event, or disaster

•       Arrogant
•       Supportive
•       Gaudy

The Correct Answer – the meaning of pompous is self-important, or arrogant

•       Servile
•       Widespread

The Correct Answer – the meaning of prevalent is accepted, or widespread

• Superficial
•       Gorgeous
•       Shallow
•       Intelligent

The Correct Answer – the meaning of superficial is to be concerned only with the surface or appearance, or shallow

•       Snarl
•       Growl
•       Dance
•       Shiver

The Correct Answer – the meaning of tangle is a twisted, knotted mass, or a snarl

•       Punish
•       Destroy
•       Display
•       Correct

The Correct Answer – the meaning of reform is a change for the better.

•       Systematic
•       Disrespectful
•       Rhythmic
•       Poetic

The Correct Answer – The meaning of methodical here is systematic.

•       Beverage
•       Wonder
•       Malice

The Correct Answer – The meaning of spite is petty ill will/ hatred/ malice

IELTS is thus one of the most commonly accepted English language tests for students planning to study abroad, especially in an English-speaking country. At Study Smart, our experienced teachers are highly experts in preparing students for the IELTS exam.

Hope the information shared above may help you in the preparation. Students who want to know more about the IELTS exam and have a good understanding of synonyms for IELTS can consult our trainers during the coaching. It can help you all get a good score in the exam. You can contact our expert educational counsellors at Study Smart. The expert counsellors provide the best guidance and support required to get enrolled for IELTS coaching online or offline.

Additional Resources for Study Abroad Aspirants

If you are planning to pursue your studies abroad, being acquainted with the currency exchange rates is crucial. It not only aids in financial planning but also eases your transition to a new country. Explore the current exchange rates and plan your budget accordingly on worldcurrencyexchangerates.com .

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Synonyms for IELTS Writing Task 2: IELTS Writing Preparation

To get admission in any of the institutions abroad and to get an entry in any country other than your home country, you have to provide proof of your English proficiency. The IELTS examination evaluates your speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills in the form of different sections, each section has dedicated time according to which candidate needs to complete them.

To complete the sections in the given time, candidates need to learn smart techniques to speed up their work and to enhance their accuracy of answers. Talking specifically about the Writing Section it has 2 Tasks. In a task one candidate needs to describe the visual representation like graphs, tables. In task 2 candidates are given a topic and they have to write their opinion about the topics.

In this article, you will get knowledge about important general words for IELTS writing task 2 and its synonyms. When you know the common synonyms for IELTS Writing task 2, you will never run out of words to write an essay of 250 words. If you wish to get settled in abroad, check out the information related to IELTS preparation online India and join the best online coaching for IELTS.

  Why is it important to know Synonyms for IELTS Writing Task 2?

For the IELTS writing section having an enriching vocabulary is a must to score high on writing sections. You have to keep a balance of using high vocabulary words as well as familiar words. Using too many words that are of high vocabulary may not impress the checker.

Hence candidates need to keep the vocabulary medium where they are using novel words but keeping the number of such words less. Instead of using the same word again and again. When you know the synonyms of the common words you will be able to use those words at different times. Hence, learning synonyms of the common word is really helpful for candidates preparing for the IELTS examination. In the further section, you will learn the synonym of the common words that you can use while writing task 2.

Also Read:- IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples: Exam Questions & Answers to Target Minimum Band 8  

Synonyms for IELTS Writing Task 2

In the table below you will find the common words used in daily life. These common words and their synonyms will make your task easier in the writing section. With this enriched vocabulary, you can save your time as you don’t need to think of the vocabulary for more than a minute or 2,  if you know the right words to be used then you won’t take much time in completing it. With a rich words array, you can impress the evaluator and make them believe that you are proficient in English. IELTS writing task 2 synonyms for adjectives are given below, take a look:

1. Common words and their Synonym from A to E

2.Common words and their Synonym from F to M

3. Common words and their Synonym from N to W

Also Read:- IELTS Essay in Writing Task 2: Here’s How to Organize it Well

Knowing about synonyms of the common used in daily life is not only beneficial for the writing section in the IELTS, but you can also use these words during daily conversation and routine writing. Practicing any speaking and writing sections with keeping these synonyms in mind can fetch you good marks. You will see that enriching your vocabulary will help you score good marks in the Listening section as well.

If there is any novel word or any of the words used in the Listening selection you will be able to easily make out the meaning of the sentence. Hence the synonym used in this article will give you many benefits for IELTS examination and day to day conversation. Let’s visit the IELTS Ninja website to gather all the benefits required for the exam. It is the most helpful IELTS preparation online India. You should join the best online coaching for IELTS to prepare better and perform excellently!

Thanks to the variety of synonyms provided, it helped me a lot to prepare well for my exam. And is still working for my younger brother as well. Keep up the good work!

Thank you for provding the list and these were very helpful, can you also help us with some material to boost your vocabulary ?

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Commonly used words in ielts writing task 2 & their synonyms, - click here for more posts about vocabulary & ideas, some commonly used words & phrases in ielts writing task 2 (essay) & their synonyms/possible replacements, advantages – disadvantages  .

• Merits – Demerits
• Pros – Cons
• Positives – Negatives
• Benefits – Drawbacks
• Will be beneficial/advantageous Will be disadvantageous
• Will bring benefits Will bring drawbacks
• Will have a positive/advantageous impact/effect Will have a negative/disadvantageous impact/effect
• Effect (Noun); Affect (Verb)
• Negatively impact (something); Adversely impact
• The negative impact of (something); Adverse impact of
• Positively impact (something); Benefit
• The positive impact of (something); Beneficial impact of
• Causes (Noun)
• Cause (Verb) Caused by
• Factors that lead to Factors that cause
• Individuals
• Sections of society
• Certain sections of society
• Is/Am/Are of the opinion
• Significant; Significance
• A plethora of; A myriad of: A huge number of; Lots of
• A number of
• Quite a few
• Undoubtedly
• In today's times We can also use this phrase with other words. E.g., in today's workplace
• In today's day and age
• Become increasingly common
• Increasing in popularity
• More and more people are doing this
• Has become very common in recent times
• the fast-paced hectic lifestyle of today
• today's fast-paced lifestyle
• The modern era is an era of the IT revolution
• The advent of technology led to major changes in how we, humans led our lives. As it has advanced further, no aspect of human life has been left untouched.

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IELTS Most popular words (& synonyms) from 25+ Writing Task 2 samples

I wanted to learn synonyms for most common words, but did not know where to start as there are hundreds of reference points out there.

These are the most common words - synonyms from a sample of 25 modal tasks 2 write-ups:

People (92 times): population, public, community, society, folks, citizens, masses

Local (40 times): regional, neighbourhood, natives, inhabitants, citizens

Work (23 times): effort, endeavour, job, task, assignment, activity, duty, employment, job, responsibility, trade, grind, function, strive, toil

Internet (19 times): cyberspace, online, the web, the net, world wide web, interweb

Children (18 times): kids, young, youngster, heir, offspring, little one, boy, girl

Health (17 times): fitness, strength, well-being, robustness, prime, shape, vigour

Problems (16 times): difficulty, complication, dispute, issue, obstacle, trouble, question, worry, mix-up, muddle

Environment (15 times): surroundings, conditions, circumstances, setting, situation, scenario, location

Feel (14 times): perceive, sense, detect, discern, notice, observe, experience, bear, endure

Knowledge (13 times): understanding, comprehension, grasp, grip, apprehension, proficiency, awareness, consciousness, realisation, recognition, perception, cognisance, command, mastery

Benefits (12 times): interest, welfare, well-being, satisfaction, comfort, ease, advantage, help, aid, assistance, gain, profit

Other common words (with 10 times or more occurrences): Young (15 times), Lives (13 times), Students (13 times), Time (13 times), Women (13 times), Cities (12 times), Parents (12 times), Public (12 times), Today (12 times), International (11 times), Modern (11 times), Result (11 times), Social (11 times), Technology (11 times), Tourism (11 times), Travel (11 times), Impact (10 times), Issue (10 times), Life (10 times), Media (10 times), Negative (10 times), Number (10 times), Skills (10 times), Transport (10 times)

About the data

Total word count: 7549. Stop words have been excluded

Some words include multiple meanings, but synonyms are placed together. Therefore, deduce rather than memorise.

IELTS Writing Task 2 (IELTS Sample essays) Writing tasks 222 to 247

Tool used: Word Counter

Synonyms using:

Oxford Languages and Google

P.S. I know that this is definitely not the most effective method to get the desired result. It would involve cumulating data from hundreds of touch points and removing outliers to perform a comprehensive analysis. However, this is my best in an hour.

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15+ Synonyms of Common Words Used in IELTS

• Updated on  
• May 19, 2023

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. The test measures the ability to communicate in English across all four language skills: listening , reading , writing , and speaking . 

It is accepted by universities and organizations in many English-speaking countries as evidence of proficiency in English for admission, employment, and immigration purposes. IELTS is jointly owned and managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English. 

In such English speaking proficiency tests, students should have good knowledge of words and should be able to speak them with utmost accuracy and perfection. To become good at speaking, students should use synonyms of different words which improves their communication skills and eventually help them to score well. In this blog, we will take you through some synonyms of the common words which are used in IELTS. 

Why Do We Use Synonyms?

Synonyms are words that have similar meanings to each other. We use synonyms for various reasons:

• To avoid repetition: Synonyms allow us to express the same idea in different ways, avoiding unnecessary repetition of the same word.
• To improve clarity and precision: Using synonyms can help to add clarity and precision to our writing, especially when we want to convey subtle differences in meaning.
• To expand our vocabulary: Using synonyms can help to expand our vocabulary and make our writing more interesting and varied.
• To avoid ambiguity: In some cases, using synonyms can help to avoid ambiguity, especially in situations where a word may have multiple meanings.
• To adjust the tone: Using synonyms can help to adjust the tone of our writing, depending on the situation and the audience we are addressing.

Overall, synonyms are a useful tool for writers and speakers to enhance their language and communicate more effectively. 

List of Synonyms of Common Words

Here is a list of synonyms of the common words which are used in IELTS. Students appearing for the English speaking proficiency test can refer to the list given below: 

Synonyms allow us to express the same idea in different ways, avoiding unnecessary repetition of the same word. Using synonyms can help to add clarity and precision to our writing, especially when we want to convey subtle differences in meaning.

Before using synonyms, it’s important to understand the context in which you are writing or speaking. Make sure that the synonym you choose conveys the same meaning as the original word in the context. Avoid using too many synonyms within a single sentence or paragraph, as this can make your writing sound forced or unnatural.

The best way to learn synonyms is to look up the words in the dictionary or thesaurus. Most of the common synonyms can be found in the dictionary. Students appearing for English speaking proficiency tests can always take help from different websites or just a dictionary. 

We hope that our blog on accommodation vocabulary IELTS helped you. Leverage Edu provides excellent online IELTS preparation . Ranging from personalized study plans to detailed doubts-clearing sessions, our expert faculty ensures that students get the best scores! Get in touch with us to start your IELTS preparation. 

Aditi Gupta

A bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication graduate, I am an enthusiastic writer. I love to write about impactful content which can help others. I love to binge watch and listen to music during my free time.

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Synonyms for People

Posted by David S. Wills | Oct 14, 2022 | IELTS Tips | 0

Have you ever been in the middle of writing an essay and you realise you have used the word “people” too much? If so, then you have probably tried to find some synonyms for people. However, this is not always as easy as it seems.

In this article, I will tell you some synonyms for people but also give you lots of warnings about common problems.

What’s the Problem with People?

First of all, let’s address the main issue. Is there anything wrong with saying “people” in an IELTS essay? No, it’s a perfectly fine word to use.

A problem arises, however, when you use this word too often . For example:

• Many people think that people spend too much time on their computers, but other people disagree with this.

In this sentence, we have the word “people” used three times! That is very repetitive and so we really should avoid it.

There are different ways to avoid repetition, which you can read about here , but the one we’ll look at today is synonyms .

Common Synonyms for People

If you use a thesaurus and type in “people,” you will undoubtedly find a lot of synonyms. Here’s a list from Thesaurus.com , which is a pretty useful resource.

It should go without saying that you cannot just take any synonym from this list and use it to replace the word “people.”

Let’s see what would happen if we took our previous example and did that:

• Many people think that citizens spend too much time on their computers, but other humans disagree with this.

This is now a terrible sentence! 😨 Unfortunately, though, this is really common IELTS language and it is a big problem! I deliberately overlooked the silliest words on that list and the ones that grammatically were impossible:

In fact, almost all of these words are ridiculous and could not replace “people” in most sentences!

What’s the Problem with People Synonyms?

You can see from the above list that there are loads of words that basically mean people. A family is a bunch of people, right? And a community is comprised of people (most of the time). We occasionally could refer to people as “bodies” and “crowds” and even the “bourgeois”!

However, these words all have specific meanings and connotations. The word “people” is general and is typically the best choice.

Let’s look at some words that IELTS candidates often try to use, but which are usually incorrect:

In short, these words can be used but are frequently misused but IELTS candidates who are eager to avoid saying “people.”

Visual Lessons

I make visual lessons on Twitter and Facebook and I will share some of the ones related to “people” synonym problems here.

The first is mostly about the word “individual,” which is commonly misused.

The next is about the misuse of “population.”

How to Choose a Good Synonym for People

If you are talking generally about people, then just say “people”! You don’t always need a synonym. Remember that you can also use pronouns and omission if you want to avoid repetition.

If you really do need a synonym, then choose a word according to its precise meaning, taking into consideration connotation and grammar.

Let’s look at some examples:

• People continue to produce a vast amount of waste, which is badly damaging the planet.

I would replace “people” with “humans” because we are talking about people as a species. This means it is ok to use a more scientific term:

• Humans continue to produce a vast amount of waste, which is badly damaging the planet.

Here’s another:

• People living in urban areas tend to suffer more from respiratory illnesses.

For this we could use words like “population” and “citizen” and “resident,” as long as we change the grammar to fit:

• Residents of urban areas tend to suffer more from respiratory illnesses.
• Urban populations tend to suffer more from respiratory illnesses.
• In big cities, the citizens tend to suffer more from respiratory illnesses.

(Note that “populations” is used to refer to more than one population. It does not mean each person individually.)

It is also fine to use “individuals” when we are emphasising people as distinct entities rather than a group:

• In order to prove his theory, the researcher contacted fifteen individuals with the condition and asked them for permission to look into their medical history.

Here, it is clear that we are not just talking about a faceless mass of people but rather fifteen specific (but unnamed) individuals.

You definitely should try to avoid saying “people” too often in an IELTS essay, but at the same time you should not just randomly pick synonyms from a thesaurus. Instead, choose words that have a precise meaning and that grammatically fit your sentence.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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Using English idioms for natural speaking in the test

Home >> Information >> Using English idioms for natural speaking in the test

29th Aug 2024 | Information

By British Council Canada

Do you want to communicate fluently in English? Meeting native English speakers can be challenging due to the various expressions and English idioms that exist. We will explore the most common ones you can use in the IELTS exam to boost your speaking abilities.  

Book now your IELTS exam    

Understanding common English idioms  

Meeting a native English speaker can be tough for newcomers who want to build their life in Canada. It is common to find yourself lost between the mannerisms and English idioms that can be found within a casual conversation.  

“Just bite the bullet!” or “the exam was a piece of cake” can distract anyone who doesn’t have a clear context or explanation of what is happening between its surroundings.   

These types of quotes are called “idiomatic language” and vary across cultures; diverse societies can assign unique meanings to the same expressions. In other words, these are statements commonly used by native English speakers.   

Why English idioms matter for IELTS speaking    

English idioms add color and nuance to your speech, showcasing your fluency and cultural understanding. Using them correctly can make your responses more engaging and memorable, but misuse can confuse your listener. It’s crucial to know when and how to use idioms effectively in the IELTS speaking test.  

• Idioms not only enrich your language but also serve as cultural bridges, enhancing your ability to communicate effectively in various contexts. Using idioms appropriately can demonstrate your cultural competence and make your speech more relatable in different English-speaking environments.  
• By integrating idioms that reflect cultural knowledge, you demonstrate a deeper understanding of English-speaking cultures . This can make your speech more authentic and engaging.  

What are the most common idioms for IELTS Speaking?  

IELTS is a globally recognized English language test for academic and professional purposes. In this test, idioms and figures of speech can help you communicate more effectively in context.  

These oral figures demonstrate a high level of fluency and comprehension. These are some of the most common idioms for IELTS speaking.   

Idioms to avoid in the IELTS exam  

O ne of the first steps to develop your speaking abilities is to understand and recognize your weaknesses. Speaking is a skill that develops with practice. However, it’s only when you identify what doesn’t come naturally that you can improve your abilities and refine your technique.  

This means that you can use English idioms in the speaking test if they are appropriately employed and in the correct context. However, for the IELTS writing section , it’s best to stick to formal language. That means avoiding idioms unless the task specifically asks for an informal tone, like in an ‘informal’ letter, where you can use more casual expressions.  

When you use English idioms, it’s good to keep in mind how they might be different in other cultures. Sometimes, they just don’t make sense or can mean something totally different. So, before you drop an idiom, it’s helpful to know where it comes from and if it fits the situation.    

Lastly, when getting ready for the IELTS speaking test, it’s smart to broaden your vocabulary ; having a diverse range of words, including synonyms, collocations and descriptive phrases , can really boost how well you speak.   

Some examples of English idioms used in conversations  

Q: How did you end up becoming a baker?   

A: It all started when I was a kid and used to help my grandmother bake cookies. It seemed like a piece of cake back then, and I developed a love for baking .

Q: How did you manage to excel in your exams?

A: Well, after setting up a practical study routine, I really hit the books hard . It was challenging, but the results were worth the effort.  

Q: How did you handle the pressure of giving a public speech?   

A: It was daunting at first, but I knew I had to bite the bullet and deliver the speech with confidence.  

Q: How do you manage to stay fit and spend quality time with your family?  

A: I try to kill two birds with one ston e by involving my family in activities that are both enjoyable and beneficial for health , such as going for runs together or hiking on weekends.  

It’s time to improve your speaking skills and explore new expressions. English idioms will help you speak more fluently.   

Visit the IELTS Canada homepage to find out more    

Related articles:  

How to improve your public speaking skills for the IELTS? Don’t believe everything you hear! Top IELTS Myths

References :   

IELTS Advantage. (2023, May 10). Most common idioms for IELTS Speaking – IELTS advantage . https://www.ieltsadvantage.com/idioms-for-ielts-speaking/  

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