In this great tutorial we not only look at basic words to UPGRADE to score higher, we also look at some lovely CONNECTORS! The words we look at include: “Alternatively” offers us a way of introducing a different angle on a particular question. “Nevertheless” does two things at once: it both connects and contrasts the […] The post How to Expand your Vocabulary for IELTS Writing appeared first on IELTS podcast.
In this great tutorial we not only look at basic words to UPGRADE to score higher, we also look at some lovely CONNECTORS! The words we look at include: “Alternatively” offers us a way of introducing a different angle on a particular question. “Nevertheless” does two things at once: it both connects and contrasts the […]
In this great tutorial we not only look at basic words to UPGRADE to score higher, we also look at some lovely CONNECTORS!
The words we look at include:
“Alternatively” offers us a way of introducing a different angle on a particular question.
“Nevertheless” does two things at once: it both connects and contrasts the second sentence with the first.
“Conversely” implies both a contrast and a match between two adjacent sentences.
In the tutorial you can find 7 more useful words, including a word from the famous C2 template (available in the Sentence Guide online IELTS Course).
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One of the criteria which helps examiners to judge your work is the breadth of your vocabulary. In this post, we’ll look first at five words which can replace uninteresting or uninformative words in your usual essay-writing practice. We’ll then consider five further words which can form a useful addition to your lexicon.
In this part of the presentation, we’ll look at some alternatives to vague or banal or uninformative words which you might be tempted to use too often. The point is that refining your vocabulary will enable to express yourself more precisely. It will also give your essays more verbal variety and interest.
One word which writers beginning to work in English sometimes use too much is “say”.
For example: “Opponents of globalisation say that it destroys local cultures”; “ecologists say that climate change will make life on earth unsustainable within thirty years”.
Sometimes it is good to be more precise than this. “Opponents of globalisation argue that it destroys local cultures”. Or: “ecologists have suggested that climate change will make life on earth unsustainable within thirty years.”
When tempted to write “say”, consider whether there are more
precise alternatives.
Sometimes word choice is a question of tone. Over-simplified vocabulary can give the impression of an over-simplified argument.
Here is an example: “Technology has changed very fast in the last few years.”
The sentence sounds better like this. “Technology has changed very rapidly in the last few years.”
”Rapidly” provides a slightly more formal tone.
While we’re at it, that sentence could still do with some further work.
“Technology has changed very rapidly in the last few years.”
“Changed” is a bit vague: almost everything “changes”. “Developed” is more precise, because it implies a planned and organised change.
“Technology has developed very rapidly in the last few years.”
The sentence could still do with more work!
“Technology has developed very rapidly in the last few years.”
“last few” sounds casual and approximate: “recent” feels less vague and a little more formal.
“Technology has developed very rapidly in recent years.”
It still isn’t quite right!
“Technology has developed very rapidly in recent years.”
What work is “very” doing here, really? It’s a needless intensifier, the stylistic equivalent of shouting or TYPING IN CAPITALS.
Sometimes, the best thing that can be done with a word is to leave it out. Wherever you use an intensifier (“very”, “incredibly”, “really”) try just leaving it out. It often improves the sentence.
“Technology has developed rapidly in recent years.”
Now let’s look at five words which you can add to your writing with helpful results.
The first is “whereas”. This helps to organize a sentence contrastively with a minimum of fuss.
“Ian uses the same words over and over again, whereas John has an extensively developed vocabulary.”
Another useful “organizing” word is “conversely”. This would usually come at the beginning of a sentence to imply a matching contrast with the previous sentence. Here’s an example.
“Opponents of immigration have argued that it places too much pressure on scarce resources. Conversely, migrants themselves have complained that they are often denied access to necessary facilities.”
“Conversely” implies both a contrast and a match between two adjacent sentences.
“Nevertheless” is a word which helps to produce both contrast and cohesion in your argument. You can see this from the following instance.
“Opponents of immigration have argued that it places too much pressure on scarce resources. Nevertheless, most economists continue to believe that immigration supplies further resources, as well as consuming existing ones.”
The word “nevertheless” does two things at once: it both connects and contrasts the second sentence with the first.
“Alternatively” offers us a way of introducing a different angle on a particular question.
“Renewable energy supplies must be developed if advanced industrial societies are to prove sustainable. Alternatively, it could be argued that we should all learn to use less energy.”
“Alternatively” is less abrupt and more precise than simply beginning that second sentence with “Or”.
One word which can be very useful in constructing an argument is “empirical”. It means “derived from or pertaining to experience” – so an empirical argument is one which is derived not from first principles but from observation of the facts.
It can be helpful to use “empirical” contrastively. For example: “Arguments from first principles suggest that referendums ought to be the most direct form of democracy. However, empirical observation suggests that this is not always the case.”
Finally, a note of caution. More complex is not always better!
If you try to fill your essays with complicated words just for the sake of it, you will not come across as an accomplished writer, but only as someone with a mind like a thesaurus.
An accomplished writer is an accomplished reader, someone who knows the precise meanings of words and when and how to use them.
The best and simplest advice about how to become a good writer of English is, perhaps the oldest: read good English writers.
These come in many shapes and sizes, and from all periods of English literary history. Some excellent models, however, would be: George Orwell; Jane Austen; Marilynne Robinson. There are many others, though. The main thing is to read as much and as critically as you can.
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