Top 10 Academic Phrases for IELTS Essays (with Models)

Improve organisation, hedging, evaluation, and conclusions.

Introduction to Top 10 Academic Phrases for IELTS Essays

If you want higher band scores in Writing Task 2, you need more than good ideas; you need precise, flexible language.

This guide prepared by Learn English Weekly presents the top 10 academic phrases for IELTS essays, each with variants, model sentences, and usage tips. The phrases help you state a position, organise ideas, weigh evidence, hedge claims, and draw clear conclusions. All of these are essential for a strong academic style.

Use these phrases strategically (not mechanically). Markers will reward clarity, cohesion, and accurate tone over flashy vocabulary.
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How to use this list

  • Choose phrases by function, not difficulty.
  • Adapt them to your specific topic (add the concrete nouns).
  • Combine with topic-specific vocabulary for higher lexical range.
  • Hedge when evidence is limited (e.g., may, tends to, to some extent).

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The Top 10 Phrases (with models)

1) Stating a clear position (thesis)

  • Phrases: This essay argues that… / It will be contended that… / The essay maintains that…
  • Model: This essay argues that public transport should be subsidised because it reduces congestion, improves air quality, and supports social equity.
  • Tip: Follow with because + three reasons to frame the whole essay.

2) Framing the scope

  • Phrases: In this essay, the term X refers to… / Within the scope of this discussion… / This analysis focuses on…
  • Model: In this essay, the term “urban mobility” refers to commuting within metropolitan areas rather than intercity travel.
  • Tip: Useful in introductions to prevent off-topic content.

3) Signposting organisation

  • Phrases: Firstly / secondly / finally; in addition; by contrast; on the other hand; consequently
  • Model: Firstly, the financial cost is significant; in addition, the environmental burden is often overlooked.
  • Tip: Keep signposting simple and consistent.

4) Weighing arguments (evaluation)

  • Phrases: On balance… / The benefits arguably outweigh the drawbacks… / While it is true that…, nevertheless…
  • Model: While it is true that car ownership offers convenience, the benefits of improved public transport arguably outweigh these advantages.
  • Tip: Great for paragraphs and conclusions.

5) Hedging (academic caution)

  • Phrases: tends to; may; appears to; is likely to; to some extent
  • Model: Remote work appears to increase productivity for roles requiring extended periods of focused attention.
  • Tip: Hedge claims, not facts (e.g., dates, laws).

6) Causation and consequence

  • Phrases: leads to; results in; gives rise to; stems from; due to; therefore; consequently
  • Model: Longer opening hours result in higher footfall, which consequently boosts revenue.
  • Tip: Prefer specific verbs (leads to / results in) over vague links (this shows).

7) Introducing evidence or examples

  • Phrases: For example; for instance; according to; a recent report indicates…
  • Model: According to a recent report, urban cycling schemes have reduced inner-city emissions by 6–10%.
  • Tip: In IELTS, you can invent plausible but consistent examples; keep them concise.

8) Counter-argument + rebuttal

  • Phrases: Critics may claim that…; however, this overlooks… / Admittedly…, yet…
  • Model: Critics may claim that subsidies distort markets; however, this overlooks their role in correcting environmental externalities.
  • Tip: One clear counter-point with a direct rebuttal is enough.

9) Clarifying significance

  • Phrases: This is significant because… / The key implication is that… / This suggests that…
  • Model: This is significant because access to affordable transport shapes employment opportunities for low-income residents.
  • Tip: Explain why your evidence matters—boosts Task Response.

10) Concluding decisively

  • Phrases: In summary… / On balance… / It is therefore recommended that…
  • Model: On balance, governments should invest in integrated transport systems; it is therefore recommended that bus, rail, and cycling networks be planned together.
  • Tip: Reframe, don’t repeat; add a forward-looking note if possible.
Function Phrase(s) Model sentence
Position This essay argues that… This essay argues that public transport should be subsidised because it reduces congestion and improves air quality.
Evaluation On balance… / The benefits outweigh… On balance, the benefits of universal pre-school outweigh the short-term costs.
Hedging may; tends to; appears to Flexible scheduling appears to increase employee satisfaction.
Counter + rebuttal Critics may claim that… however… Critics may claim that the policy is expensive; however, this overlooks long-term savings.
Conclusion On balance… it is therefore recommended that… On balance, cities should prioritise active travel; it is therefore recommended that funds be reallocated to cycling infrastructure.

How to practise (apply the phrases)

  1. Take a common IELTS topic (e.g., traffic, education, health).
  2. Write one sentence per phrase using the topic’s vocabulary.
  3. Combine your best sentences into a mini paragraph (4–5 lines).
  4. Read aloud to check flow; trim filler (very, really, quite).

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Conclusion

Using IELTS essay phrases purposefully helps you present arguments clearly and confidently. Keep your stance explicit, signpost your logic, hedge when needed, and finish with an insightful conclusion.

‍Have a look through more writing guides next to build a reliable language toolkit for Band 7+.

Glossary

  • Thesis (noun) — your central position or claim.
  • Hedging (noun) — cautious language that avoids over-generalisation.
  • Counter-argument (noun) — an opposing view you address.
  • Rebuttal (noun) — your response showing why the counter-argument is weaker.
  • Signposting (noun) — phrases that guide readers through your structure.
  • Cohesion (noun) — how smoothly ideas connect across sentences.
  • Evaluation (noun) — judging importance, impact, or effectiveness.
  • Implication (noun) — what follows logically from your analysis.
  • Recommendation (noun) — an action suggested by your conclusion.
  • Register (noun) — the formality level of language.

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Practise What You Learned

Q1 (MCQ): Which phrase best introduces a clear stance?
A) People think…
B) This essay argues that…
C) In conclusion…
D) Firstly…

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Q2 (True/False): Hedging should be used to soften claims when evidence is limited.
Answer:

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Q3 (Short answer): Give one useful contrast linker for body paragraphs.
Answer:

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Q4 (MCQ): Which sentence best combines evaluation + recommendation?
A) There are pros and cons.
B) On balance, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks; it is therefore recommended that the policy be extended nationwide.
C) Everyone agrees with this policy.
D) This is a complicated issue.

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Q5 (Short answer): Write a one-sentence rebuttal starter.
Answer:

(Correct answers are below.)

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Answers:

Q1: B) This essay argues that…

Q2: True.

Q3: however / by contrast / on the other hand / whereas

Q4: B) On balance, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks; it is therefore recommended that the policy be extended nationwide.

Q5: Critics may claim that X; however, this overlooks Y.