Essay writing: useful expressions

Essay writing: useful expressions

by A N

Opening ​phrases

• It is often said / Many people claim that / It is true that / It is generally believed / It is common knowledge that ...

• In this day and age / Nowadays / ​These days

• We live in an age when all of us / some of us​ / many of us ...

• ​... is a hotly-debated topic that often divides opinion.

• ​... is often discussed, yet rarely understood.

• ​It goes without saying that ... is one of the most important issues facing us today.

• ​The following essay looks at both sides of the argument.

​Balanced statements

• ​This phenomenon has both advantages and disadvantages

• ​There are both benefits and drawbacks to this trend

• ​There are pros and cons / negative and positive aspects to this ...

• ​... that should be carefully considered

• ​... which should be taken into consideration/account

Introducing points​

• ​First let's take a look at

• ​To begin with

• ​First, it's worth considering

• ​Second / Third

• ​Furthermore / In addition / What is more / On top of that / Another point worth noting is / Another factor to consider is

• ​Last / Finally / Last but not least

• ​Although it cannot be denied that ...

• ​It is also true that ...

​Presenting ideas

• When it ​comes to (noun/gerund)

• ​In terms of

• ​With respect to

• ​According to experts

• ​Research has proved/found that

• ​There are those who argue/maintain that

• ​For instance/example

• ​..., such as ...

• ​..., like ... and ...

​Expressing result and reason

• ​As a result of ...

• ​. As a result, ...

• ​..., as a result.

• ​... has led to / has resulted in ...

• ​Consequently, ... / Therefore, ...

• ​On account of ... / Due to ...

• ​One reason behind this is ...

​Expressing contrast

• Although / Even though​ (subject+verb)

• ​Despite / In spite of (noun/gerund)

• ​Despite the fact that (subject+verb)

• ​​On the one hand there are several drawbacks ...

• ​On the other hand one cannot doubt the obvious benefits related to ...

• ​However, ...

• ​Nevertheless, ...

• ​Even so, ...

​Concluding

• ​In conclusion ...

• ​To sum up ...

• ​All things considered ...

• ​Taking everything into consideration ...

• ​Weighing up both sides of the argument ...

• ​The advantages of ... outweigh the disadvantages.

• ​All in all, ...

• ​In a nutshell, ...

​Opinion

• ​As far as I am concerned ...

• From my point of view ...

• ​In my opinion, ...

• ​Personally speaking, ...

• ​My own view on the matter is ...

• ​It seems to me that ...

• ​It is my belief / opinion / view that ...

• ​I am convinced that ...