Saying "yes" is not just about agreeing; it's also about showing how strongly or weakly you agree, and how enthusiastic or certain you feel. Here’s a guide to different ways of saying "yes" in varying degrees, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, and very much applicable to many "yes/no" questions in the IELTS Speaking test.
1. Enthusiastic agreement When you want to show excitement or strong agreement, you can use:
2. Formal or polite agreement In more formal settings, such as a job interview or a formal conversation, these are appropriate:
3. Casual agreement In informal situations, especially with friends, these phrases work well:
4. Mild or reluctant agreement When you agree but with some hesitation or reservation:
5. Agreement with conditions When you agree, but only under certain conditions:
Whether you're engaging in a friendly chat, participating in a business meeting, or preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, varying your agreement responses to match the context and your level of enthusiasm or certainty can make your speech more effective and natural. Try incorporating these different expressions so you can convey your thoughts more precisely and improve your overall command of the English language.
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Test-takers of the IELTS Speaking test often face several common challenges. Here are some of the greatest ones:
1. Nervousness and anxiety
2. Limited vocabulary
3. Pronunciation issues
4. Fluency and coherence
5. Grammatical accuracy
6. Misunderstanding questions
7. Developing Ideas
8. Lack of Practice
All of these challenges usually intersect, that is, they may all affect each other. Lack of practice worsens your anxiety and inability to think under pressure, and a lack of vocabulary will certainly affect your fluency if you're struggling to think of the correct word to describe your ideas. On the upside, lots of practice and getting to know the ins and outs of the test will also make you more confident and comfortable on test day. Start somewhere, perhaps on getting to know common topics and seeing if you can answer typical IELTS questions on those topics. Keep track of the questions that stump you--the questions you can't answer--and find useful materials about them. Then go back and try again. As they say, rinse and repeat, which is a good way to say repeat a process that works for you. Through knowing your weaknesses, and doing targeted practice and preparation, you can improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking test. In the IELTS Speaking test, you'll be asked to give your opinion on a variety of topics, such as the following:
When answering such questions, using varied expressions can show a higher level of language proficiency and also make your responses more engaging. Additionally, you'll want to use expressions that convey how strongly or how cautiously you want to sound like when stating your ideas. Here are some alternatives to "I think" that can give variety to your speech as well as add nuance to your sentences in terms of your tone or attitude. 1. I believe... "I believe" is a strong alternative that implies conviction--you firmly believe that something is true. It suggests that you are confident in your opinion.
2. In my opinion... This phrase is a direct substitute for "I think" if you want to sound a bit more formal. It is commonly used to introduce personal viewpoints yet it is appropriate for different contexts.
3. I’m convinced that... Unlike the word "seems," the expression "I’m convinced that" is a strong phrase to imply a firm belief. It’s useful when you want to emphasize the strength of your opinion.
4. From my perspective...This phrase emphasizes that what you're about to say is subjective and based on your personal viewpoint.
5.To my mind...Though it may be slightly less common, this expression is very similar to "in my opinion" and is equally effective. It suggests that you have considered or thought about the topic more deeply.
6. As far as I’m concerned... This is a great phrase to use when you want to state your personal stance on an issue. It’s useful when you want to underscore that others may likely have different opinions.
7. I feel that / I feel like... "I feel that" or "I feel like" can be used to express a more emotional response. It’s suitable for discussing topics that involve personal or emotional elements.
8. I reckon..."I reckon" is a more common expression in British English that's used more informally and suggests that you have thought about the topic and come to a conclusion.
9. In my view... This is similar to "in my opinion" but it can add variety to your language use.
10. It seems to me that...This phrase suggests that your opinion is based on your observations or experiences. The word "seems" is useful for softening your statement because it makes it sound less assertive or less pushy when you're talking about controversial topics.
11. I guess that / I'm guessing that... These are useful phrases to use when you are making a tentative statement or assumption. It implies a moderate level of uncertainty and has a more conversational tone.
12. Perhaps... Similar to "I guess that," using "Perhaps..." in your response allows you to offer ideas without asserting them too strongly. "Perhaps" is a really versatile word to make suggestions, give opinions, and introduce alternatives in a tentative and polite manner.
Using a variety of expressions can make your speech more dynamic and interesting. Choose the phrase that best fits the context of the question and especially the tone you want to convey. For example, "I reckon" is more suitable for informal topics and a casual tone, while "From my perspective" or "In my opinion" works well in a formal discussion. Practice using these alternatives early on in your study sessions to help you become more comfortable using them during the actual test. In the IELTS Speaking test, you will often get asked about your preferences, and expressing what you like and don't like clearly yet flexibly is part of the scoring criteria. At the same time, being polite is a great way to demonstrate higher level vocabulary and grammar. Directly saying "No" or "I don't like..." can sometimes come across as too blunt, impolite and even too basic. It can also become repetitive if you don't know other ways to say something in the negative sense. Here are some alternative phrases and expressions that can help you convey the same meaning in a more nuanced and sophisticated way, along with examples to illustrate their use.
The words and phrases in italics are useful vocabulary that you can use to talk about such topics. Alternative Ways to Say "No" 1. Not really
2. I'm afraid not.
3. Unfortunately, no...
4. I wish I could ________ but...
5. Not at This Time
Alternative Ways to Say "I Don’t Like..." 1. I'm not really interested in...
2. I'm not a fan of...
3. It's/they're not my cup of tea.
4. I prefer something else...
5. I'm not keen on...
6. I'm not into...
7. I don't (really) care for...
By using these alternative phrases, you can not only improve your conversational English in general but also demonstrate a higher level of language in your speaking exam. Remember that practicing these expressions way before your test will help you to sound more natural during the interview as well as in various social situations outside of the IELTS test. Find questions where you can practice these expressions, and you can even put them in the comments if you want feedback. Happy learning! The topics about work or study are more or less guaranteed in the IELTS Speaking test because the examiner will start by asking you whether you work or study so that he or she will know what questions to ask next. Here's a list of common expressions and collocations related to jobs and occupations that are useful to know and use not just in the IELTS exam but also in daily life.
10 General expressions about jobs
8 Phrases related to job applications
8 Phrases about job roles and responsibilities
6 Phrases about work environment and culture
11 Phrases to talk about pay and benefits
7 Phrases related to job changes and transitions
These collocations are frequently used by native speakers when discussing jobs and occupations, and making them part of your core vocabulary can help you sound more fluent and knowledgeable about workplace topics. In the IELTS Speaking test, because questions cover a wide range of topics, you may be asked a question about an area of your life where you faced some challenges and difficulties. This can be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your ability to use the past tense and to talk about personal experiences. Let's look at some sample IELTS questions on this topic, provide useful expressions, and give example sentences to help you articulate your thoughts clearly and effectively. Sample IELTS questions about past strugglesHere are a few questions related to past struggles. Practice answering them first and then you can refer to the sample responses at the end of the article to see additional useful phrases and sentence structures.
Useful Expressions for Discussing Struggles
Describing Actions Taken:
Discussing Emotions:
Reflecting on Outcomes:
Sample Responses to IELTS Questions1. Describe a challenging task you completed:
2. Discuss a time when you failed at something:
3. Talk about a time when you had to make a tough decision:
Discussing past struggles in the IELTS Speaking test allows you to showcase your ability to reflect on personal experiences and use complex language structures. By practicing with these sample questions and using the provided expressions, you'll be better prepared to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently. Even though it may feel like a complex task, past and present struggles that you can share are an opportunity to demonstrate your resilience and language skills. If you want to practice your own responses, feel free to leave them in the comments and we will try our best to give you feedback. Talking about the first time you did something is a common topic in the IELTS Speaking test. Many students struggle with this, often making grammatical errors, for example, "I first time see this movie in 2020." This article will help you understand how to correctly structure your sentences when describing your first experiences. Basic sentence grammar When describing the first time you did an activity, you typically use the past tense because you're talking about a completed action. Going back to the previous example, "I first time see this movie in 2020." the correct verb should then be "saw" instead of see. Correct: I saw the movie [for the first time] in 2020. Word order when using "the first time" You probably noticed that we changed the word order of the corrected sentence above. The phrase "the first time" cannot be used directly before the verb like in "I first time see the movie..." Many students make errors by misplacing "first" or by structuring the sentence incorrectly. Here are some examples and corrections: Incorrect: I first time went to a concert last year. Correct: The first time I went to a concert was last year. Correct: I went to a concert for the first time last year. Incorrect: I first time tried sushi was when I was 15. Correct: I first tried sushi when I was 15. Correct: The first time I tried sushi was when I was 15. You could also use "the first time" as an introductory phrase followed by a clause that describes the action. Examples: The first time I visited Paris, I was amazed by the Eiffel Tower. The first time I took the test, I didn't pass. The first time I read the book, I had a hard time understanding it. The above sentences could also be rewritten in a different word order where the time clause is at the end. Note that a comma is no longer needed in this structure: I was amazed by the Eiffel Tower the first time I visited Paris. I didn't pass the first time I took the test. I had a hard time understanding it the first time I read the book. Using "when" to describe the first time You can also use the word "when" to introduce the time clause. This often comes after a main clause. Example: I was excited when I first visited Bali. I was in sixth grade when I got my first mobile phone. Or: When I was in sixth grade, my parents gave me my first mobile phone. More Examples Let’s practice with a few more examples to solidify your understanding: • Talking about a travel experience: Incorrect: I first time traveled alone in 2019. Correct: The first time I traveled alone was in 2019. Correct: I traveled alone for the first time in 2019. • Talking about a new hobby: Incorrect: I played this video game first time when I was ten. Correct: I played this video game for the first time when I was ten. Correct: I was ten when I first played this video game. • Talking about trying new food: Incorrect: I first time ate blue cheese at an Italian restaurant. Correct: The first time I ate blue cheese was at an Italian restaurant. Correct: I ate blue cheese for the first time at an Italian restaurant. Think about various "firsts" in your life and how you would describe them. Regular practice will help you become more comfortable with the correct structures. By following these guidelines, you can effectively talk about your first experiences while avoiding common errors. Extending answers is the top strategy to show your language skills to the examiner. In IELTS Speaking - Part 1, you will be asked questions about yourself, your studies or job, your interests, and other general topics. Always strive to respond with full and extended answers by employing the strategies below. 1. What, who, why, when, how, how often, how much?
Give additional details using these question words as your cue. Example: What is your favorite TV program or show? A short response: "My favorite TV show is The Witcher." A more detailed answer: "I really like the Netflix series called The Witcher. It was introduced to me by a friend who is a fan of the video game. It's a fantasy series based on a book about a monster hunter, though unfortunately, I've forgotten the name of the author. I just started watching it last month. In this second response, we added the elements of 'who' and 'when':
Here's a similar response with more details:
The elements in this third response:
Talking about the 'why' element, which is very much applicable when talking about our likes and dislikes, as well as many other situations, is a particularly good way to extend your response.
Don't wait for the examiner to ask you 'why'. Take the initiative to explain why something is so. Have a go with these practice questions:
2. Explain. To explain means to give someone the information they need to understand something. Let's apply this to the question 'What don't you like about your studies?' A short response: I don't really like my schedule this semester. An extended response: Well, I'm not too happy about my schedule this semester. I mean, my classes start early in the morning at 8am every day, but then three times a week, I need to attend some other late afternoon classes which forces me to be on campus all day till evening on those days. Besides the phrase, 'I mean' here are others you can use to explain something:
3. Give examples. Add more details by giving one or two examples of what you are talking about whether it's an object or something abstract such as preferences, situations or experiences. Question: What subject did you find most difficult at school? Why? A short response: I've always found math subjects difficult. A longer response with examples: Honestly, math and other related subjects were always challenging for me. For example, I really could not understand lots of the problem-solving they made us do in Algebra and Physics. In Algebra, especially, I could not see the real-life application of the equations we were always solving. In the second response, it not only gives examples of math-based subjects (Algebra, Physics) but also common tasks in the subject that the student finds difficult. 4. Describe. What to describe?
Example question: Are there any foods that you dislike? Why? A short response: I don't like exotic foods like insects, wild rats or guinea pigs. A longer response with some description: Well actually, I think I eat a variety of foods. I even eat bitter herbs and vegetables, but there are some things that I won't be excited to eat such as insects as well as cute and furry animals like rabbits and guinea pigs. In this second response, we included the sensory details of taste (bitter) as well as sight or appearance (cute and furry). 5. Express or share your emotions. Instead of giving a simple and literal answer to the question, share your feelings, personal thoughts, and experiences about that particular topic. Example question: What is your favorite meal of the day, and why? A short response: My favorite meal of the day is dinner because I get to relax. A longer response with emotions: Dinner is definitely my favorite because it's the most relaxing meal of the day, compared to breakfast and lunch which I usually gulp down in a hurry. I also enjoy cooking dinner for my family and look forward to sitting down at the table to talk about our day. But what if I don't have any favorite meal and don't like cooking at all? A possible response: Actually, I don't really have any favorite meal of the day because I live alone and eat meals at irregular hours of the day due to my busy schedule as a ___________. I skip breakfast on most days and often eat lunch and dinner outside, sometimes with co-workers and sometimes by myself. I really don't mind eating alone. 6. Bonus: Cultivate a 'responsive' mindset. The Cambridge IELTS book 'Insight into IELTS' refers to this as the 'willingness to participate and expand'. In short, be open and interested to have the conversation, like you would feel if you're meeting a friend whom you haven't seen in a while. Before going inside the interview room, gather up as much enthusiasm as you can for your talk with the examiner. You're probably thinking, 'Enthusiasm?! That's going a bit far! How can I feel enthusiasm when I'm too nervous about the exam?' But that's the point exactly. Giving in to your tension, anxiety, and stress on test day will not help you at all, whereas making an effort to pull yourself to the other end of the spectrum by raising your enthusiasm may balance or cancel out some of your anxiety. Having the openness, or if you can go further, the interest, to have this interview will make you more 'talkative' and will also tone down the nervousness you might be feeling. The term 'discourse marker' may sound like a big word but it actually refers to words that we hear and say all the time!
Discourse markers are words and phrases used to connect, organize, or structure the flow of a conversation or piece of text. We know them by the more common terms linking words, sentence connectors and transition words. These words help to link ideas, show relationships between different parts of a discussion, manage turn-taking in conversations, and express attitudes or emotions. They help listeners or readers follow the flow of thoughts or ideas and are therefore important for coherence, a criteria being tested in the IELTS speaking and writing tests. Looking at the Speaking Band Descriptors, you'll see the phrase '...connectives and discourse markers' under the criteria of Fluency and Coherence specifically from Band 4 or 5 upwards. In the Writing Band Descriptors, you'll see the equivalent phrase '...cohesive devices.' To get a Band 7, the band descriptors say that a test taker must be able to 'use a range of connectives and discourse markers with some flexibility.' In other words, if a test-taker wants to sound more coherent and achieve a high band score, then using discourse markers appropriately is necessary. 'Appropriate' is the key word here. You can't just force discourse markers into every sentence, or else you will lose points if the sentence sounds strange or out of place. A test-taker should also be careful not to use discourse markers as fillers. You'll find the assessment criterion "May over-use certain connectives and discourse markers" listed under Band 5. 'You know' and 'like' are two discourse markers that get overused and may lead to a lower score.
Here is a list of common discourse markers and their functions in sentences: 1. Sequencing: Words that show the order or sequence of ideas.
2. Addition: Words that add information or ideas.
3. Contrast: Words that show a contrast or contradiction.
4. Result or Consequence: Words indicating a cause-and-effect relationship.
5. Clarification or Example: Words used to clarify or provide examples.
6. Showing attitude or opinion: Words used to indicate your attitude or opinion towards the topic:
7. Generalization: Words used to make broad statements
There are many more markers with other functions besides the ones discussed in this list. Hopefully you got some ideas about how useful they are to structure not only your spoken and written responses in the IELTS, but also everyday communication in the real world. Next time you listen to conversations or read passages, try to note how these words and phrases are used so that you can also integrate them in your own speaking and writing. Speaking Part 1Use the questions below to practice generating ideas and responses for common topics that come up in the IELTS Speaking Part 1 exam. Advertisements
Apartments
Art
Books and reading
Celebrities and Fame
Chores
Clothes and fashion
Computers
Exercise
Friends
Food and cooking
Gifts
History
Hobbies
Internet
Mobile phones
Movies
News
Photography
Transport
Shopping
Sports
Studies
Weather
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