This article is part of our English Vocabulary Practice Guide. Also see Business English Phrases and English Collocations Guide for related writing skills.
One of the most common frustrations for English learners writing essays — whether for IELTS Task 2, a university assignment, or a formal report — is knowing what to say but not how to phrase it in an academic way. Academic writing has its own vocabulary: a set of functional phrases that signal to the reader what you are doing at each point in your argument. This guide gives you 60 of the most useful academic phrases, organised by function, with examples showing exactly how they work in context.
- Academic phrases are organised by function — introducing, contrasting, conceding, adding evidence, and concluding — not by difficulty level.
- Using a variety of linking phrases (not just "however" and "in conclusion") raises your lexical range score in IELTS and academic marking schemes.
- Phrases alone do not make a good essay — they must be paired with specific evidence, examples, and clear reasoning.
- Avoid overusing any single phrase. Examiners notice when candidates repeat "It is widely acknowledged that" in every paragraph.
- Many of these phrases work equally well in spoken academic English — presentations, seminars, and debates.
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Why Academic Phrases Matter
Academic writing is not just about using long words — it is about signalling your thinking clearly and precisely. When an examiner or lecturer reads your essay, they are following your argument. Linking phrases act as signposts: they tell the reader "I am now introducing a new idea," "I am about to contradict something," or "here is my conclusion." Without them, even a well-reasoned argument can feel disjointed and hard to follow.
In IELTS Writing Task 2, the Coherence and Cohesion band descriptor specifically rewards the use of a "wide range of cohesive devices." Similarly, university essay marking schemes reward "academic register" and "clear argumentation structure." The phrases in this guide directly address both criteria.
For more on building academic vocabulary, browse our full vocabulary practice section.
Introducing Your Argument
The opening of an essay or a new paragraph needs to make your position or topic clear. Avoid starting every sentence with "I think" or "In my opinion" — use a range of introductory frames instead.
Stating a general truth or background
It is widely acknowledged that climate change poses a significant threat to global food security.
There is growing evidence to suggest that early childhood education has long-term economic benefits.
It is generally accepted that regular physical activity improves mental health outcomes.
Presenting your own view
This essay will argue that stricter regulations are needed to address online misinformation.
I would contend that the benefits of remote working outweigh the drawbacks.
It is my view that governments bear primary responsibility for tackling inequality.
Introducing the topic of a paragraph
One of the key reasons for this trend is the rapid growth of digital technology.
A central issue in this debate is the distribution of economic benefits across different social groups.
The first point to consider is the financial cost of implementing renewable energy infrastructure.
Adding Points & Evidence
Once you have made your first point, you need to build on it. Using only "also" and "and" makes your writing feel simplistic. These phrases signal that you are adding weight or a related dimension to your argument.
Furthermore, studies have shown that bilingual children outperform their monolingual peers on cognitive flexibility tasks.
Not only does urban green space improve air quality, but it also reduces stress levels among residents.
This is supported by data from the World Health Organisation, which recorded a 30% rise in antibiotic resistance between 2015 and 2022.
Notice how Furthermore and Moreover are used to add a stronger or additional point, while In addition is more neutral. Using the right phrase signals the relationship between ideas — a skill that grammar study alone does not always teach.
Contrasting & Showing Opposition
Academic arguments almost always require you to acknowledge the other side. Contrast phrases signal a shift in direction and are essential for a balanced, nuanced essay.
Between clauses (mid-sentence)
The policy reduced unemployment; however, it also led to increased income inequality.
Online learning is highly flexible, yet many students struggle with self-motivation in the absence of peer support.
Nuclear energy produces low carbon emissions; nevertheless, concerns about waste disposal remain unresolved.
Between sentences or paragraphs
On the other hand, critics argue that increased surveillance erodes civil liberties.
In contrast, developing nations face a fundamentally different set of economic pressures.
By contrast, the Scandinavian model prioritises social equality over rapid economic growth.
Conversely, some researchers have found that stricter regulations reduce innovation.
Common mistake: "However" and "Nevertheless" begin a new sentence and are followed by a comma. Do not write: "The policy was effective, however it was costly." Instead: "The policy was effective. However, it was costly." — or use "although" mid-sentence. For more on linking words and common errors, see our Common English Mistakes guide.
Conceding a Point
Concession phrases show that you recognise the validity of an opposing view — but then pivot back to your own position. This is one of the most sophisticated moves in academic writing and directly boosts your score for argumentation quality.
Admittedly, there are legitimate concerns about the cost of universal healthcare. However, the long-term economic savings from preventative care far outweigh the initial investment.
While it may be argued that social media has enabled greater political participation, it has simultaneously created echo chambers that polarise public debate.
Granted, automation displaces some low-skilled jobs; nevertheless, it consistently creates higher-skilled employment in adjacent sectors.
Showing Cause & Effect
In argumentative and analytical essays, you constantly need to explain why something happened or what resulted from it. These phrases make your reasoning explicit.
| Function | Phrase | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | as a result of | As a result of the drought, crop yields fell by 40%. |
| Cause | owing to | Owing to rising inflation, consumer spending declined. |
| Cause | due to the fact that | Due to the fact that funding was cut, the programme was cancelled. |
| Effect | consequently | Consequently, many families were forced to relocate. |
| Effect | as a consequence | As a consequence, trust in public institutions eroded. |
| Effect | this led to | This led to a significant increase in urban poverty rates. |
| Effect | thereby | The new law restricted imports, thereby protecting domestic industries. |
Giving Examples
Vague claims weaken academic writing. Every argument should be anchored with specific evidence or an illustrative example. These phrases introduce your evidence smoothly:
To illustrate, Japan's ageing population has placed severe pressure on pension systems, with the dependency ratio projected to reach 1:1 by 2060.
A case in point is the success of Singapore's bilingual education policy, which has produced one of the highest rates of English proficiency in Asia.
As demonstrated by the 2008 financial crisis, inadequate regulatory oversight can trigger systemic economic collapse.
Practise using these phrases in context with our Complete the Sentence exercises, where you fill in the correct linking expression from context clues.
Concluding & Summarising
The conclusion is your last chance to leave a strong impression. "In conclusion" is acceptable, but examiners prefer to see a variety of closing phrases that signal summary, final position, and broader implication.
Opening the conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that a multifaceted approach is required to address the issue of youth unemployment.
To summarise, the evidence strongly supports the view that preventative healthcare is more cost-effective than treatment.
On balance, the advantages of globalisation outweigh its disadvantages, provided that appropriate safeguards are in place.
Taking everything into consideration, it would appear that digital literacy should be a core component of the modern school curriculum.
Restating your position
It has been argued throughout this essay that renewable energy investment is both economically and environmentally necessary.
As this essay has demonstrated, the relationship between poverty and educational attainment is both complex and cyclical.
Looking forward / implications
Further research is needed to determine the long-term psychological effects of social media use in adolescents.
It is hoped that future policy will reflect the growing body of evidence in favour of plant-based dietary recommendations.
Master Reference Table: 46 Academic Phrases by Function
Use this table as a quick-reference checklist when drafting or editing your essays:
| Function | Phrase | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Introducing | It is widely acknowledged that… | Formal |
| Introducing | There is growing evidence to suggest that… | Formal |
| Introducing | This essay will argue that… | Formal |
| Introducing | One of the key reasons for… is… | Neutral |
| Introducing | A central issue in this debate is… | Formal |
| Adding | Furthermore, | Formal |
| Adding | Moreover, | Formal |
| Adding | In addition, | Neutral |
| Adding | What is more, | Neutral |
| Adding | Not only… but also… | Formal |
| Adding | A further consideration is… | Formal |
| Adding | Research indicates that… | Formal |
| Adding | This is supported by… | Formal |
| Contrasting | However, | Neutral |
| Contrasting | Nevertheless, | Formal |
| Contrasting | On the other hand, | Neutral |
| Contrasting | In contrast, | Neutral |
| Contrasting | Conversely, | Formal |
| Contrasting | By contrast, | Neutral |
| Contrasting | Yet, | Neutral |
| Conceding | Admittedly, | Formal |
| Conceding | It is true that… | Neutral |
| Conceding | While it may be argued that… | Formal |
| Conceding | Although… it is important to note that… | Neutral |
| Conceding | Granted,… nevertheless, | Formal |
| Conceding | Despite this, | Neutral |
| Cause | As a result of… | Neutral |
| Cause | Owing to… | Formal |
| Cause | Due to the fact that… | Formal |
| Effect | Consequently, | Formal |
| Effect | As a consequence, | Formal |
| Effect | This led to… | Neutral |
| Effect | Thereby… | Formal |
| Example | For example, | Neutral |
| Example | For instance, | Neutral |
| Example | To illustrate, | Formal |
| Example | A case in point is… | Formal |
| Example | As demonstrated by… | Formal |
| Example | Consider the example of… | Neutral |
| Concluding | In conclusion, | Neutral |
| Concluding | To summarise, | Neutral |
| Concluding | On balance, | Formal |
| Concluding | Taking everything into consideration, | Formal |
| Concluding | As this essay has demonstrated, | Formal |
| Concluding | Further research is needed to… | Formal |
IELTS Writing Tips: Using Academic Phrases Effectively
IELTS Writing Task 2 is marked on four equally-weighted criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Academic phrases directly affect all four:
- Task Achievement: Phrases like "This essay will argue that…" show the examiner your essay is on-topic and has a clear position from the start.
- Coherence and Cohesion: A variety of linking devices (not just "firstly, secondly, finally") earns credit for sophisticated paragraph organisation.
- Lexical Resource: Phrases such as "It is widely acknowledged that" or "Conversely" demonstrate a wide vocabulary range beyond everyday English.
- Grammatical Range: Structures like "Not only… but also…" and "While it may be argued that…" show complex grammatical control.
Watch out for these common IELTS mistakes:
- Starting every body paragraph with "Firstly / Secondly / Thirdly" — use a topic sentence instead.
- Beginning a sentence with "However," but not putting a comma after it.
- Using "In my opinion" and "I believe" excessively — mix with "It could be argued that" or "It is my contention that."
- Ending with "In a nutshell" — this is too informal for academic writing.
For more on IELTS preparation, see our article on Academic vs General IELTS.
Practise These Phrases
Reading a phrase list is a start — real learning comes from using these phrases actively. Here are the best ways to practise:
- Flash Cards — review phrase meaning, function, and example sentences until recall is automatic.
- Complete the Sentence — choose the correct linking phrase from context clues in a passage.
- Cloze Dropdown — fill in academic phrases in essay-length reading texts.
- Vocabulary Quiz — test your knowledge of phrase meaning and register (formal vs neutral).
- Writing practice: take any IELTS Task 2 question and write one paragraph using at least three different phrase categories from this guide.
Put these phrases into practice
Use our free interactive Flash Cards to memorise all academic phrases.
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