Skip to main content

Language Bank

Writing Task 1​

Making an overview statement​

  • We can see from the chart/table that...
  • The chart/table shows us that

Describing an overall trend​

  • Overall...
  • From an overall perspective...
  • Looking at the graph/chart/table as whole...
  • One of the first things to note is...
  • One thing that clearly stands out is...

Introducing a key point​

  • It is interesting to see/note that...
  • One striking feature of the graph/chart is...
  • Interestingly...
  • Surprisingly...

Introducing supporting details​

  • For example,
  • For instance,
  • Moreover,
  • More specifically,
  • This fact is borne out by...

Comparing data​

  • There are twice/3 times as many X as Y
  • In comparison to X, Y is...
  • There are slightly more/fewer X than Y
  • There are significantly more/fewer X than Y
  • The amount/quantity/percentage of X is ___er than that of Y

Approximating​

  • Approximately
  • Roughly
  • About
  • Just above/over/under/below
  • A little less/more than
  • Slightly less/more than
  • The figures rose/increased/went up from...to
  • The figures fell/decreased/went down from...to
  • There is/was a steady/gradual/sudden...
  • There is/was a(n) upward/downward trend
  • There is/was little or no change
  • There is/was a
  • ...rise/increase between / from ...to
  • ...fall/decrease/drop/decline between/from ...to
  • Rose to...
  • Dipped to...
  • Reached a peak/high (point) of...
  • Reached a low point of...
  • Dramatically adv. 戏剧性地;引人注目地
  • Sharply adv. 急剧地；锐利地
  • Suddenly adv. 忽然；突然地
  • Significantly adv. 显著地；相当数量地
  • Steadily adv. 稳定地；稳固地；有规则地
  • Gradually adv. 逐步地,渐渐地

Talking about time​

  • From the beginning of this period
  • During this period
  • From then until March
  • Between March and June
  • ...ending the year at...
  • When/once/as soon as

Describing a process​

  • First
  • Then/next/after that
  • Before that
  • As soon as
  • until
  • Finally
  • The X is made/done...
  • After X has been completed/finished
  • ...Y is begun/initiated/started

Writing Task 2​

Presenting an impartial opinion​

  • It is often argued/said that
  • It is generally agreed that
  • Some/Many people believe/say/think/feel/argue that

Outlining contrasting views​

  • Although some people believe that... it could also be argued that...
  • While/Whereas it may be true that... it is equally plausible to suggest that
  • On the one hand..., but on the other hand
  • However/nevertheless/despite (the fact that)

Refuting and argument​

  • Although some believe that...we should consider
  • Critics may say that... However
  • It could be argued that...; however, it is difficult to accept this as...
  • While it may/could be argued that...the truth of the matter is...

Describing cause and effect​

  • Consequently
  • As a result
  • This means that

Providing supporting evidence​

  • In my experience
  • A good example of this
  • For instance
  • But this is not the case for...
  • ...highlights the point

Attributing cause​

  • Owing to
  • On account of
  • Due to

Linking arguments/reasons​

  • Furthermore
  • Moreover
  • In addition
  • For one thing..., for another thing

Giving a personal opinion​

  • In my opinion
  • I (generally/broadly) agree that
  • I think it's reasonable to argue that
  • I tend to think that

Concluding​

  • In short/In conclusion/In summary
  • To conclude/To summarise/To sum up
  • Overall, I think the most important thing is
  • As we have seen