The Best Phrases to Use in IELTS Speaking

Kasturika Samanta

9 min read

Updated On Oct 28, 2024

Useful IELTS Speaking phrases help to enhance fluency and coherence. It includes phrases for starting responses, expressing opinions, rephrasing questions, adding information, and handling tricky situations. Practice them to improve your speaking skills!

Best Phrases to Use in IELTS Speaking
Other Useful IELTS Speaking Phrases

Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!

IELTS Speaking phrases are crucial for the speaking module in the IELTS exam. It contributes to two IELTS Speaking criteria - fluency and coherence and lexical resources (vocabulary). Using appropriate phrases can help you gain a higher score by enhancing your ability to structure responses, express opinions, and handle unexpected situations.

In this blog, there is a list of the best phrases for band 7+ Speaking that IELTS candidates can use to frame impressive answers.

Best Phrases to Use in IELTS Speaking

Answering questions or IELTS cue cards during the IELTS Speaking test requires sharing opinion, experiences, expressing disagreement or agreement, etc. It also requires the test-takers to ask for clarifying the questions, handle forgetfulness, begin and conclude the answers coherently. So, check out some common phrases speaking IELTS related to it in the tables below.

For Beginnings

These IELTS Speaking phrases help you start your responses smoothly.

Phrase	Meaning	Usage Example
To start with…	Introduces the first point	To start with, I believe education is crucial for personal growth.
First of all…	Introduces the initial idea	First of all, I think technology has changed our lives dramatically.
In the first place…	Similar to “first of all,” to introduce a main point	In the first place, globalization has led to more diversity in workplaces.
Well, I’d say…	Informal way to begin answering	Well, I’d say the weather here is quite unpredictable.
It’s an interesting question…	Buys time and shows engagement	It’s an interesting question. I would say that cities are more crowded now.

Rephrasing the Questions

These IELTS phrases for Speaking help you rephrase the question when needed.

Phrase	Meaning	Usage Example
If I understand correctly, you’re asking about…	Clarifies what the examiner asked	If I understand correctly, you’re asking about my thoughts on climate change?
Let me put it another way…	Reformulates the point for clarity	Let me put it another way, education is the key to a successful society.
What you mean is…	Reflects the question back to the examiner	What you mean is how I spend my weekends?
So, in other words…	Restates the question in your own words	So, in other words, you’re asking how I handle stress?

Explaining and Adding Information in the Middle

These IELTS Speaking phrases are useful for extending your answers.

Phrase	Meaning	Usage Example
Moreover…	Adds a point	Moreover, it helps people stay connected with their loved ones.
Additionally…	Adds more information	Additionally, learning languages enhances cognitive abilities.
As well as that…	Introduces a related point	As well as that, physical activity is essential for mental health.
Not only that, but…	Adds another supporting point	Not only that, but it also improves your time management skills.
For example…	Introduces an example	For example, many people commute long distances to work nowadays.
To give you an example…	Introduces an example in a more structured way	To give you an example, I usually read before going to bed.

Take part in our free IELTS webinars for some insider tips!

Don’t Miss Out!

Expressing Opinion

These Speaking phrases for IELTS help you express your personal views clearly. So, learn how to give your own opinion in IELTS Speaking part.

Phrase	Meaning	Usage Example
In my opinion…	Expresses a personal opinion	In my opinion, social media has both positive and negative impacts.
Personally, I think…	Emphasizes a personal belief	Personally, I think traveling opens up the mind to new cultures.
I’d say that…	A less formal way to give an opinion	I’d say that music is a universal language.
From my perspective…	Offers a personal viewpoint	From my perspective, education should be affordable for everyone.
To my mind…	Expresses a strong opinion	To my mind, public transportation is the future of urban commuting.
As far as I’m concerned…	Offers a personal viewpoint	As far as I’m concerned, work-life balance is essential.

You Forgot the Word or What You Wanted to Say

If you momentarily forget something, these phrases for speaking IELTS help you recover smoothly.

Phrase	Meaning	Usage Example
What’s the word I’m looking for?	Filler phrase while thinking of a word	What’s the word I’m looking for? Oh yes, ‘innovation.’
It’s on the tip of my tongue…	Used when you can't recall something immediately	It’s on the tip of my tongue... ah, sustainability!
I can’t think of the exact word, but…	A workaround if you can’t recall a term	I can’t think of the exact word, but it’s something like ‘digital transformation.’

Coherence – Repeat Yourself

IELTS Speaking phrases for repetition helps you stay coherent and provide emphasis.

Phrase	Meaning	Usage Example
As I said earlier…	Refers to a previous point	As I said earlier, technology plays a vital role in education.
Let me repeat that…	Repeats for emphasis	Let me repeat that, time management is crucial for success.
What I mean is…	Clarifies or elaborates on your statement	What I mean is, we need to find sustainable energy sources.
To put it another way…	Restates in a different way for clarity	To put it another way, climate change is an urgent global issue.
In other words…	Another way to explain the same idea	In other words, working from home can increase productivity.

Ending the Answer

These phrases for IELTS Speaking help you close your answer confidently.

Phrase	Meaning	Usage Example
To sum up…	Concludes your point	To sum up, I believe that technology will continue to shape our lives.
In conclusion…	Summarizes and closes the response	In conclusion, I think education should be free for all.
All in all…	A final summary	All in all, global warming is a challenge we must address.
That’s basically it…	Casual closing	That’s basically it, I think nature is essential for our well-being.
That’s my take on it.	Provides a final opinion	That’s my take on it, we need to prioritize renewable energy sources.

Agreeing and Disagreeing

These IELTS phrases for Speaking are useful when asked to express agreement or disagreement.

Phrase	Meaning	Usage Example
I completely agree…	Expresses full agreement	I completely agree, education is the key to solving many issues.
That’s a good point, but…	Partial agreement with a contrasting idea	That’s a good point, but we also need to consider the economic impact.
I see your point, but…	Acknowledges the view while presenting another	I see your point, but not everyone has access to the internet.
I’m not so sure about that…	Politely disagrees	I’m not so sure about that, I think urbanization has its benefits.
That’s one way to look at it, but…	Offers an alternative perspective	That’s one way to look at it, but there are other factors involved.

Asking for Clarification

These IELTS Speaking phrases help you request more information or clarity.

Phrase	Meaning	Usage Example
Could you clarify what you mean by…?	Asks for more details	Could you clarify what you mean by ‘traditional values’?
Can you elaborate on that?	Requests further explanation	Can you elaborate on how climate change affects biodiversity?
Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that…	Politely asks for repetition	Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that, could you repeat it?

Need help with IELTS preparation?

Book a Free Demo & Learn from the Best!

Other Useful IELTS Speaking Phrases

Given below are some additional phrases to improve your IELTS Speaking vocabulary.

Phrase	Meaning	Usage Example
To be honest…	Introduces personal honesty or a candid thought	To be honest, I’ve never been a big fan of sports.
Frankly speaking…	Expresses a direct or blunt opinion	Frankly speaking, I think we need stricter laws on pollution.
It depends…	Used when there are multiple possible answers	It depends on the weather. If it’s sunny, I’ll go for a walk.
On the whole…	Generalizes or gives an overview	On the whole, I think the education system needs improvement.
That reminds me of…	Connects a point to a related topic or experience	That reminds me of a book I read about climate change.
Generally speaking…	Refers to a general truth or trend	Generally speaking, most people prefer to work from home nowadays.
As far as I know…	Indicates limited but personal knowledge	As far as I know, the population of this city has been increasing steadily.
In my experience…	Refers to personal knowledge or experience	In my experience, teamwork always leads to better outcomes.
For what it’s worth…	Offers a personal opinion that might not be relevant	For what it’s worth, I think traveling solo can be very rewarding.
Let’s take the example of…	Provides a specific example to illustrate a point	Let’s take the example of electric cars, which are becoming more popular.
It’s hard to say…	When you’re unsure of the answer	It’s hard to say, but I think the population of the city is around 2 million.
I haven’t really thought about it, but…	Used when discussing an unfamiliar topic	I haven’t really thought about it, but I guess I would prefer online learning.
I would imagine that…	Offers a hypothetical assumption	I would imagine that working from home has its challenges.
If I had to guess, I’d say…	A speculative answer or estimate	If I had to guess, I’d say the economy will improve in the next year.
As far as I can tell…	Based on your current understanding	As far as I can tell, most people are in favor of recycling initiatives.
I’m under the impression that…	When you believe something to be true but aren’t certain	I’m under the impression that public transport is becoming more efficient.
That being said…	Contrasts with a previous statement or adds a caveat	That being said, I do believe that technology can also be distracting.
It goes without saying…	Refers to an obvious or well-known fact	It goes without saying that a healthy diet is crucial for good health.
If I were in that situation…	Hypothetically placing yourself in someone else’s situation	If I were in that situation, I would choose to study abroad.
That’s a tough one…	Indicates that the question is difficult or complex	That’s a tough one, but I think online shopping has both pros and cons.
In light of this…	Refers to a conclusion based on earlier information	In light of this, it’s clear that renewable energy is the future.
From what I’ve heard…	Based on information you’ve received	From what I’ve heard, learning a new language is quite beneficial for brain development.
I’m afraid I don’t know much about that…	When unfamiliar with the topic but wanting to remain polite	I’m afraid I don’t know much about architecture, but it seems quite intricate.
I can’t speak for others, but…	States that the response is personal	I can’t speak for others, but I find reading fiction very relaxing.
That’s a good question…	Compliments the examiner’s question before answering	That’s a good question, I think social media has both positive and negative effects.
Without a doubt…	Expresses certainty or conviction	Without a doubt, technology has revolutionized the way we communicate.
What strikes me the most is…	Highlights a particular detail that stands out	What strikes me the most is how fast cities are developing these days.
It’s highly likely that…	Suggests a strong probability of something happening	It’s highly likely that electric vehicles will dominate the market in the future.
To put it bluntly…	Offers a straightforward or harsh opinion	To put it bluntly, I think we need to take climate change more seriously.
At the end of the day…	Summarizes the main point or conclusion	At the end of the day, health should always be a top priority.
More often than not…	Refers to something that happens frequently	More often than not, people find it difficult to balance work and personal life.
When it comes to…	Refers to a specific subject or topic	When it comes to education, I think everyone should have access to free resources.

Finally, becoming proficient with these helpful expressions will greatly improve both your future communication and your success on the speaking portion of the IELTS exam. They enhance your proficiency and improve your capacity to communicate ideas clearly. But keep in mind that both naturalness and fluidity are equally crucial. Therefore, practice these IELTS Speaking phrases regularly to make them a natural part of your speaking style!

Also Check

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the useful phrases for IELTS Speaking?

Useful phrases include “To begin with…,” “For instance…,” “In my view…,” and “In summary…”. These help structure your response, add fluency, and improve coherence, making your answers clearer and more organized.

What are the starting lines of speaking in IELTS?

Good starting lines include “Well, to be honest…” or “That’s an interesting question…”. These allow you to gather your thoughts while sounding natural, helping set a confident tone from the beginning.

How to get 7.0 in IELTS Speaking?

To score 7.0, speak fluently, use a range of vocabulary and grammar, and develop your answers with examples. Avoid long pauses, use linking words, and focus on clear pronunciation and coherent responses.

What are idioms in IELTS Speaking?

Idioms are figurative expressions like “once in a blue moon” or “the ball is in your court.” They add variety to your language but should be used correctly and naturally to enhance your score.

How can I speak better in IELTS?

Improve by practicing regularly, speaking about different topics, and using varied grammar and vocabulary. Listen to English media, focus on clear pronunciation, and stay calm during the test to answer confidently and fully.