Expressions to use in Speaking part 3
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- Written by IELTS Mentor
IELTS Speaking Part 3, also known as the Two-way Discussion or Detailed Discussion, follows the Part 2 Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card and lasts for about 4 to 5 minutes. In this part, the examiner asks the candidate a series of questions related to the topic introduced in Part 2. These questions are more analytical and opinion-based, encouraging the candidate to discuss broader issues, give explanations, compare ideas, and express personal viewpoints. The aim is to assess the candidate’s ability to speak at length, develop ideas clearly, and use a range of vocabulary and grammar. This part tests higher-level thinking skills and is often where candidates can show their ability to express complex opinions and justify arguments fluently and coherently.
Using accurate expressions is especially important in IELTS Speaking Part 3 because this part tests your ability to discuss complex ideas and provide well-developed opinions. The questions often require you to compare, explain causes and effects, or talk about future trends, all of which need clear and precise language. If your expressions are inaccurate or unclear, it may confuse the examiner or weaken your argument. On the other hand, using the right phrases and vocabulary shows that you can communicate your thoughts effectively and appropriately. It also helps demonstrate a wide range of grammar and vocabulary, which is essential for achieving a higher band score in fluency, coherence, and lexical resource parts.
Useful Expressions to use in IELTS Speaking part 3:
Giving Opinions/ Expressing Opinions:
In my opinion/ In my view …
My view is that/ My point of view is that …
I reckon/ I feel/ Personally speaking …
As far as I am concerned …
It seems to me that …
Well, I would say ...
I would like to point out ...
If you want my opinion …
The way I look at it …
As I see it …
The point I am trying to make is …
I think/believe that …
I suppose/ presume/ would say …
I think most people would agree that …
I believe it is hard to deny that …
I strongly believe that …
I think none would deny that …
Examples:
1. In my opinion, we should encourage children to have more outdoor activities than playing computer games.
2. Personally speaking, the trend has changed to a greater extent than that of our forefathers’ era.
3. I would like to point out that having a part-time job is advantageous in various aspects.
4. The way I look at it is a waste of time and resources which could have been better utilized in academic fields.
5. Many people argue that school uniforms limit self-expression, but the point I am trying to make is that they actually promote equality among students and reduce distractions.
6. I believe it is hard to deny that technology has completely transformed the way we communicate today, especially with the rise of social media and instant messaging apps.
Repeating a statement/ Rephrasing:
What I actually meant was …
To express it another way …
Another way to say it …
Another way of saying it is …
Let me put it this/ another way …
What I mean is …
To rephrase what I have just said …
What I want to say is …
What I am trying to say is …
Examples:
1. What I actually meant was space research might be important but not more than feeding the hungry mouths.
2. To express it another way, parents have a far greater role to play.
3. Let me put it another way and express my strong agreement in support of the year gap for university students.
4. To rephrase what I have just said I believe that parents should spend more time with their children despite their busy schedules.
5. What I am trying to say is books are better than movies as it has a lasting impact on readers' minds.
Giving an example:
Take ………., for example …
A good example of this is …
To give an example …
I can give a relevant example here …
Look at …….., for instance.
Examples:
1. Take my country for an example, where the majority of people still believe in strong family ties and support each other no matter what.
2. A good example of this is cricket fans who not only follow every single tournament of their favourite team, their own country in this case, but many of them appear in the stadium to cheer up and support the entire team.
3. To give an example, such professionals not only make an extensive amount of money but also have a great influence on their fans.
4. Look at famous artefacts, for example in London that attract a great number of tourists each year.
Giving explanation:
Well, the reason is …
Well, the thing is …
What I mean is …
The reason for this is …
Examples:
1. Well, the reason is that technology has revolutionised the way we contact others.
2. Well, the thing is I have observed some of these people closely and they all have something in common- hard work and passion.
3. What I mean is healthcare is a basic human right and the government must allocate a proper budget to establish sufficient healthcare centres and employ experienced doctors and nurses.
4. More people are choosing to work remotely these days. The reason for this is the flexibility it offers and the ability to maintain a better work-life balance.
Asking for help/ Asking to repeat something/ Asking for explanation:
I am not sure what you meant by (…)
Could you please, say that in other words?
Could you please, repeat the question?
Do you mean …......?
I am sorry. Could you please, repeat that?
I beg your pardon …
Could you please repeat that …?
Could you please explain it to me in another way?
I did not quite get that. Did you mean …......?
Examples:
1. I beg your pardon, I could not catch the last sentence.
2. Could you please repeat the question? I just want to make sure I understood it correctly before I answer.
3. I’m sorry. Could you please repeat that? I didn’t catch the last part.
4. I did not quite get that. Did you mean what social changes occurred during the past two decades?
Agreeing with an opinion:
I quite agree …
I completely agree that …
I couldn't agree more ...
Yes, Indeed …
I could not agree more …
I entirely/totally agree with you on that …
That’s exactly how I see it …
That’s exactly what I think/ believe …
Precisely/ Exactly/ Certainly/ Definitely …
You are quite right about …
You have just read my mind …
Yes, that’s obvious …
Examples:
1. I quite agree that music choice by the young generation is often considered tasteless by the senior citizens.
2. Yes, indeed, it is our responsibility to save the endangered species.
3. You are quite right about difficulties in adopting these changes but that’s what the human race has always done.
4. You have just read my mind as I was considering the same example.
5. I completely agree that schools should teach practical life skills, like budgeting and communication, because these are essential for success beyond academics.
6. I couldn’t agree more with the idea that public transport needs to be improved. It’s eco-friendly, affordable, and helps reduce traffic congestion.
Disagreeing with an opinion:
I possess a different view …
I must disagree with the view that …
I am afraid I believe/ see it otherwise …
This might be true in some contexts but …
I am inclined to oppose the view that …
I am afraid I disagree …
Yes, perhaps, but …
Well, it depends …
I see what you mean, but this is not the whole story …
Yes, but there is also another aspect to consider …
I don’t quite agree with the idea that …
Well, that’s one way to look at that, but …
I am not quite so sure that …
Examples:
1. I am afraid I believe otherwise and feel that ordinary citizens like us have a much greater role here.
2. Yes, perhaps, but my experience has taught me that I should plan beforehand rather than ruing it.
3. Well, it depends, and from my personal experience, I can say that such activities are really helpful.
4. I am not quite so sure that I would contradict my parents on issues like that.
5. I am inclined to oppose the view that children should not use technology at all, because I believe it can be very educational when used in moderation and under supervision.
6. Well, that’s one way to look at that, but I think working from home can actually improve productivity, as people often feel more comfortable and less stressed in their own environment.
Self-correcting:
I mean …
Or, should I say …
Or, rather …
… would be more precise…
Examples:
1. Or should I say international movies have better quality than those of locally produced movies in such countries?
2. I mean we can implement the law but that should not be done too hastily.
3. Some people think it's just laziness that causes poor academic performance, or, rather, a lack of motivation, but I believe it's often due to a lack of proper support or resources.
4. I think the government should invest more in green energy, or ‘sustainable energy,’ would be more precise, because it's better for the environment and long-term development
Buying some time/ Stalling for time:
That’s an interesting/ difficult/ tough question …
I have never really thought about it, but …
I don’t know much about it but …
I have not given enough thought to that …
Well, not sure where I should start …
Examples:
1. That's an interesting question and I would like to thank you for asking me this. I believe that waste recycling is not a choice but a mandatory task.
2. I don't know much about it but from my personal experience, I can say that we should focus on more pressing issues rather than wasting money on things that are yet to bring any positive output.
3. I have not given enough thought to that, to be honest, but I suppose artificial intelligence could change the job market in both positive and negative ways.
4. Well, not sure where I should start, but there are so many reasons why people choose to live in cities rather than rural areas like job opportunities, access to services, and lifestyle preferences.
Commenting on your own ideas:
I know this may sound obvious but …
This may sound strange but …
I am not sure if this is the correct example …
Strange it may seem but …
I am sorry to have to say this but …
Though this is very sad, this is the reality …
Examples:
1. This may sound strange but who should we blame for the environmental degradation than ourselves?
2. I am sorry to have to say this but not all employers treat such employees with respect.
3. Though this is very sad, this is the reality that money and power exercise have made things worse.
4. I am not sure if this is the correct example, but I remember reading about a city that reduced traffic by encouraging more people to cycle to work instead of using cars.
Getting to the point:
To get to the main point …
Anyway, to get to the point …
The main point I want to make is that …
So, to turn to my original point …
Examples:
1. To get to the main point, enhanced life expectancy is basically the result of advanced medical research.
2. So, to turn to my original point, rich nations should help such poor nations to maintain global peace.
3. Anyway, to get to the point, I believe that universities should offer more practical experience rather than just theoretical knowledge because it helps students be better prepared for the real world.
4. The main point I want to make is that preserving historical buildings is important because it connects us to our past and helps us appreciate our culture and heritage.
Expressing certainty:
I am absolutely convinced that …
There is no denying that …
Nobody will deny that …
It is a fact that …
Undeniably …
Examples:
1. I am absolutely convinced that money may be important to purchase things but not to buy happiness.
2. It is a fact that many countries are struggling to fight corruption and citizens have a great role to play here.
3. Undeniably, education makes a difference and that’s why the government has to increase its budget allocation for this sector.
4. There is no denying that climate change has become one of the most urgent global issues, and governments worldwide must take immediate action to address it.
Introducing other ideas/ contrasting ideas:
On the other hand …
On the contrary …
To look at it another way …
Then again …
From a different perspective …
From a different point of view …
Examples:
1. On the contrary, youngsters have fresh ideas and a much better understanding of technology.
2. Then again, I think we should keep the CO2 emissions as low as possible.
3. From a different perspective, those tourists contribute a lot to the national economy.
4. Living in big cities can offer better job opportunities and facilities. On the other hand, smaller towns often provide a more peaceful and stress-free lifestyle.
5. Some people believe technology isolates us from each other. To look at it another way, technology can also bring people closer together, especially those living far apart.
Making a complaint or showing frustration about something:
Can’t something be done to/ about …
Forgive me for mentioning it, but …
It really is terrible/ridiculous that …
I wish someone did something about it …
Something ought to be done about it …
Examples:
1. Forgive me for mentioning it, but people sometimes are careless enough to harm themselves.
2. It really is terrible that even after knowing the consequences, we are damaging the environment.
3. Something ought to be done about it and there could be no better time than right now!
To interrupt:
Sorry to interrupt …
If I may interrupt …
Examples:
1. Sorry to interrupt but I would like to say that I come from a city which has better facilities than the one you mentioned just now.
2. If I may interrupt, I would like to finish by saying that this is what the majority of ordinary citizens believe in our legislative system.
Drawing the conclusion/ Ending a point/ discussion:
In summary, I can say that …
So, that’s why I think that …
Anyway, that’s why …
In short ...
Examples:
1. Anyway, that's why we are the supreme being and we should act accordingly.
2. In summary, I can say that we still have to monitor this closely before taking any whimsical decision.
Incorporating a diverse range of expressions into your responses during IELTS Speaking Part 3 can significantly enhance the depth and coherence of your answers. Utilizing phrases for expressing opinions, rephrasing statements, providing examples, and seeking clarification not only demonstrates your linguistic proficiency but also showcases your ability to engage in complex discussions effectively. By practising and integrating these expressions into your speaking, you can present well-structured and articulate responses, thereby improving your overall performance in the IELTS Speaking test.
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