Vocabulary & phrases for PTE Academic essay writing
What kind of vocabulary is needed in a PTE Academic essay?
One form of vocabulary needed in PTE essay is the language to structure your essay and make it coherent. This vocabulary is not specific to the topic of the question but can be recycled from essay to essay with appropriate changes.
important phrases for PTE essay writing
Impersonal points of view
These are useful both in the introduction for restating the question and in the main body for introducing the main arguments in an impersonal way.
| Impersonal points of view – making an impersonal argument |
| There are those who say that |
| It is often said that |
| Many commentators are of the view that |
| A common opinion is that |
| A popular belief is that |
| It is often said that |
| One argument put forward is that |
| It can be argued that |
| It is generally accepted that |
Personal opinions
These phrases for expressing personal opinions are particularly useful in conclusions, where you are much more likely to be personal. They are also of use in the introductions in opinion based essays.
| Personal opinions |
| My personal view is that |
| It seems to me that |
| I tend to believe that |
| I am of the opinion that |
| I would argue that |
| In my experience |
Commenting
The second category of opinion language is showing the strength of your opinion. This language can be used either with personal opinions or more impersonal opinions.
| Commenting |
| Of course, |
| Naturally, |
| Evidently, |
Generalizing – making your writing look academic and more cautious
Part of the academic process – This language is needed to soften statements which would be too strong.
| Generally speaking, |
| On the whole, |
| ……tends….. |
| Typically, |
| By and large |
| ……tends….. |
| ..may/might/could….. |
| Often/frequently/sometimes/usually |
Explaining opinions
Sometimes it is sensible to restate an opinion with a further explanation. This is particularly relevant in the main body of an essay when you have introduced a complex point or argument.
| Explaining opinions |
| What this means is |
| In other words, |
| That is to say |
| To be more precise |
| In fact, |
Using examples to explain
The language of examples is highly relevant in PTE essays as it allows you to explain with real life examples abstract ideas. The rubric of the essay almost always includes the words “support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence”.
| Explaining through examples and introducing evidence |
| For example, |
| For instance, |
| A good illustration of this is |
| If we take an example |
| Evidence for this is provided by |
| We can see this when |
Explaining cause and stating effect
The language of cause and effect is another way to expand on your main points. Equally, you can use the language of “reason” to say why.
| One reason for this is |
| The immediate cause of this |
| One of the causes of this is |
| This has resulted in |
| As a result, |
| This has led to |
Concluding
Evidently, this language is needed in the conclusion of the essay.
| Concluding |
| To summarise |
| In conclusion |
| On balance, |
| This is a complex issue with no clear answers |
| If we look at both sides of the argument |
vocabulary for essay writing (top words)
- abstract- not concrete
- aesthetic- having to do with the appreciation of beauty
- alleviate –to ease a pain or a burden
- ambivalent- simultaneously feeling opposing feelings; uncertain
- apathetic –feeling or showing little emotion
- auspicious- favorable; promising
- benevolent-well-meaning; generous
- candor –sincerity; openness
- cogent –convincing; reasonable
- comprehensive- broad or complete in scope or content
- contemporary –current, modern; from the same time
- conviction –a fixed or strong belief
- diligent- marked by painstaking effort; hard-working
- dubious –doubtful; of unlikely authenticity
- eclectic –made up of a variety of sources or styles
- egregious- conspicuously bad or offensive
- exculpate –to free from guilt or blame
- florid –flowery or elaborate in style
- gratuitous- given freely; unearned; unwarranted
- hackneyed –worn out through overuse; trite
- idealize –to consider perfect
- impartial- not in favor of one side or the other; unbiased
- imperious- arrogantly domineering or overbearing
- inherent –inborn; built-in
- innovative- introducing something new
- inveterate –long established; deep-rooted; habitual
- laudatory –giving praise
- maverick –one who resists adherence to a group
- mollify –to calm or soothe
- novel –strikingly new or unusual
- obdurate- stubborn; inflexible
- objectivity- judgment uninfluenced by emotion
- obstinate –stubbornly adhering to an opinion
- ornate –elaborately decorated
- ostentatious- describing a pretentious display
- paramount –of chief concern or importance
- penitent –expressing remorse for one’s misdeeds
- pervasive- dispersed throughout
- plausible –seemingly valid or acceptable; credible
- profound –having great depth or seriousness
- prosaic –unimaginative; dull; ordinary
- quandary –a state of uncertainty or perplexity
- rancorous –hateful; marked by deep-seated ill will
- spurious –not genuine; false; counterfeit
- stoic –indifferent to pleasure or pain; impassive
- superfluous- extra; unnecessary
- tenuous –having little substance or strength; unsure; weak
- timorous- timid; fearful
- transitory- short-lived; temporary
- vindicated –freed from blame