Many linking phrases are not used in daily conversations.
They may be too formal or too uncommon.
IELTS Speaking requires you to use a variety of linking phrases.
You need a variety of both formal and informal phrases.
Because of this, some of these less common linking phrases are best for score improvement!
Today learn phrases that will boost your IELTS scores.
Fluency and coherence score
On IELTS Speaking, one of the scoring sections is Fluency and Coherence.
This includes whether you are hesitating and pausing.
It also relies on you linking your ideas.
To do this, you need appropriate linking phrases.
They each have meaning and are needed on both IELTS Speaking and Writing.
Today you’ll learn phrases that are less common in daily speech but fantastic for IELTS scores.
Where to use today’s linking phrases
Speaking Part 1 and Part 2 answers will be more informal.
You will use the same linking phrases that are common in daily conversations.
The linking phrases taught today are more formal.
Therefore, they’re perfect for Speaking Part 3 and Writing Task 2.
Which IELTS topics?
These linking phrases will be useful for a variety of topics.
- art museums
- the environment
- celebrity (privacy, being a role model etc.)
Speaking Part 3 and Writing Task 2 will be more serious topics.
You will often need to write or speak about how something affects society as a whole.
These more formal linking phrases are perfect for this.
#1: Due to the fact that
You may hear this phrase on shows about law and criminal justice.
It is a formal phrase perfect for legal proceedings.
It provides reasoning for something.
Use it instead of “because”.
Due to the fact that London art museums are poorly attended, they are at risk of shuttering their doors.
London art museums are at risk of shuttering their doors, due to the fact that they are poorly attended.
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#2: A shining example of this is
Both IELTS Speaking and Writing require you to share examples.
You must back up ideas with reasons and details.
There are many linking phrases for this.
- For example
- For instance
- As an illustration
“A shining example of this is…” is a high-scoring option.
Be careful as this can only be used for positive things because ‘shining’ implies something good.
Increased police presence can reduce crime. As a shining example, additions to the police force in Paris during the Olympics cut crime in half.
#3: A case in point
We do say ‘case in point’ in regular speech to provide an example.
Megan is always late. Case in point, she was supposed to be here 20 minutes ago.
However, the phrase ‘a case in point’ is more formal.
Use it to introduce examples.
Many cities are eliminating recycling programs due to the expense. As a case in point, Phoenix has eliminated glass recycling.
#4: In contrast
Often, you will need linking phrases to show a contrast.
In conversations we might say ‘besides’ or ‘but.’
For more formal answers and writing there are higher-scoring phrases.
Many celebrities share personal details online. In contrast, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds did not share the names of their children with the public.
#5: Be that as it may
This is a more formal way to say ‘however’ or ‘nevertheless.’
Many people do not believe in climate change. Be that as it may, there is evidence that ice sheets are shrinking.
It is often used after a concession.
I concede that may be possible. Be that as it may, it’s still a bad idea to…
This phrase is not often used by students and is therefore higher-scoring.
Takeaway
Many linking phrases that we don’t use in daily conversation are perfect for IELTS.
These are usually more formal and, therefore, should be saved for Speaking Part 3 and Writing Task 2.
Use them to avoid vocabulary repetition and boost scores.
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What questions do you have from today’s episode?
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