Phrases for Expressing Personal Opinion in IELTS: IELTS Writing Task 2 and IELTS Speaking 3 questions require candidates to elaborate on particular topics using their personal opinions. Such questions are intended to examine not only an individual’s competency in the English language but also their ability to articulate well-structured, clear, comprehensible responses. This is why students ought to be cognizant of the most popular and commonly used phrases for expressing personal opinions in IELTS. In this blog, we’ve included a complete list of the most common phrases used in IELTS to express personal perspectives. Read the complete article to learn more.
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Expressing Personal Opinion in IELTS: 15+ Phrases with Meaning and Examples
Personal opinion in IELTS plays an important part in improving your chances of scoring higher in IELTS writing and speaking tasks. Personal opinions in IELTS are largely employed to create a sense of originality and differentiation, resulting in an engaging and fascinating response. As a result, you must use the appropriate phrases for expressing your particular thoughts in IELTS writing and speaking tests. Here are the greatest phrases for expressing personal thoughts in IELTS.
Phrases | Meaning | Example |
In my opinion… | To indicate that it is what you or someone else thinks, and is not necessarily a fact. | In my opinion, you should wear the other outfit. |
I think I believe… | To think that something is true or possible, although you are not certain | I think I believe that population control is needed to save this planet from being overcrowded shortly. |
I am in favour of… | You support it and think that it is a good thing. | I am in favour of using AI for content creation. |
I feel that… | To have a particular opinion about or attitude towards something. | I feel that the amount of iron in water can have a detrimental effect on your health, resulting in hair loss. |
To be against something. | To opposition to; contrary to; adverse or hostile to. | More and more people are speaking out against this unpopular law. |
I reckon… (informal) | To think that something is true or possible. | I reckon AI will take over our jobs in the distant future. |
I would argue that… | The person thinks that what s/he says is true, but does not claim that it is proved. | I would argue that plan B is becoming plan A. |
Frankly | Honestly | Frankly, I do not believe the course is worth my money or time. |
Truthfully | I all honesty and truthfulness | I don’t think about it that much, truthfully. |
To be honest | Telling the truth | To be honest, I believe that working four days a week can increase our productivity. |
To tell the truth | Honestly | She soft-peddled her answers, knowing that telling the truth would only upset him further. |
Personally speaking | Used to show that you are giving your own opinion about something. | Personally speaking, I did not like the way she talked to you. |
From my point of view. | From my perspective | From my point of view, online education should not be normalised. |
As far as I’m concerned. | To indicate that you are giving your own opinion | He can do whenever he likes, as far as I’m concerned |
To be right/ that’s right. | To agree | Yes, that’s right, the red colour suits you. It brings out your eyes. |
Let’s agree to disagree | To agree not to argue anymore about a difference of opinion. | He likes golf and his wife likes tennis, so when it comes to sports, they have agreed to disagree. |
It seems to be that… | To appear to one’s senses, mind, observation, judgment | It seems to be that the rain will start soon. |
Most Common Phrases for Expressing Advantages and Disadvantages of an Argument
The IELTS Writing Task 2 comprises certain questions that require test-takers to express advantages and disadvantages of an argument. That being said, one must keep abreast of the most common phrases for expressing the advantages and disadvantages of an argument to construct better responses and secure better scores. Some of the most common phrases for expressing the advantages and disadvantages of an argument are given below.
Phrases | Meaning | Example |
The pros and cons. | Are the advantages and disadvantages of something | We’re just weighing the pros and cons of moving to a bigger house. |
The plus and minus of a situation. | Pro and con | Look at it from another perspective. Don’t get disheartened, everything has a plus and a minus point. |
The upside (s) and the downside (s). | Positive and negative aspects of something | His popularity among women became both an upside and a downside for his personal and professional life in the later stages. |
On the other side of the coin | A different way of considering a situation, making it seem either better or worse than it did originally. | I like having a white car, but the other side of the coin is that it soon gets dirty. |
On the flip side | Different and less welcome aspects of an action, idea or argument. | I’ll have to work long hours and be away from my family, but, on the flip side, I’ll get the opportunity to travel around the world |
The drawback | A disadvantage or problem | The only drawback of this machine is its cost |
Useful Tips for Using Phrases for Expressing Personal Opinion in IELTS
Refer to the following tips and strategies for effectively using phrases to express your personal opinions in the IELTS and score higher marks. Have a look.
- While “I think” and “I believe” are good starting points, use a variety of phrases to show your vocabulary range and express different levels of certainty. Here are some options.
- The Speaking and Writing parts have different formality levels. Use “I think” and “I believe” for both, but opt for more formal options like “In my opinion” or “From my perspective” in Writing.
- Don’t meander; state your opinion clearly and concisely after the introductory phrase.
- Clichés like “I would say that” or “At the end of the day” can sound repetitive and weaken your IELTS writing.
- Explain and justify your opinion using examples, reasons, or evidence. This shows critical thinking and strengthens your argument.
- Get comfortable expressing your opinions in various ways through speaking and writing exercises.
- Consider the topic and audience when choosing your phrases. Use more cautious language for sensitive topics.
- Express your opinion confidently, but avoid sounding arrogant or aggressive.
So that was all about the most common phrases for expressing personal opinions in IELTS. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic.
FAQs
Ans: “In my opinion, I think I believe, I am in favour of, and I feel that” are some of the most common phrases for introductions in IELTS.
Ans: Test takers can use a range of linkers, adverbial phrases, references, and punctuations to bolster their overall scores in IELTS writing.
Ans: The IELTS Writing Task 2 requires individuals to complete the task within 40 minutes.
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