30 Band 9 natural thinking phrases for IELTS Speaking
1–10: Introducing an answer naturally
1. If I were being honest,...
Ex: If I were being honest, I'd choose a quiet place.
2. The way I see it,...
Ex: The way I see it, technology makes life easier.
3. My instinct tells me...
Ex: My instinct tells me it would be a great experience.
4. At first glance,...
Ex: At first glance, it seems quite expensive.
5. The first example that springs to mind is...
Ex: The first example that springs to mind is Japan.
6. Without a doubt,...
Ex: Without a doubt, exercise improves mental health.
7. If I had to give a quick answer,...
Ex: If I had to give a quick answer, I'd say yes.
8. One thing worth mentioning is...
Ex: One thing worth mentioning is the cost.
9. The main reason I'd say that is...
Ex: The main reason I'd say that is convenience.
10. From what I've seen,...
Ex: From what I've seen, people enjoy flexible jobs.
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11–20: Developing ideas
11. What I mean by that is...
Ex: What I mean by that is everyone benefits.
12. To put it another way,...
Ex: To put it another way, it's a long-term investment.
13. That's mainly because...
Ex: That's mainly because it saves time.
14. A good example would be...
Ex: A good example would be online learning.
15. Take my city, for example.
Ex: Take my city, for example. Public transport is reliable.
16. This becomes even more obvious when...
Ex: This becomes even more obvious when traffic increases.
17. That's especially true for...
Ex: That's especially true for university students.
18. The biggest advantage is that...
Ex: The biggest advantage is that it's affordable.
19. Another point worth considering is...
Ex: Another point worth considering is safety.
20. This is particularly important because...
Ex: This is particularly important because resources are limited.
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21–30: Opinions, balance and conclusion
21. There's no simple answer to that.
Ex: There's no simple answer to that. It depends.
22. I can understand both sides.
Ex: I can understand both sides, but I'd favour the first.
23. That being said,...
Ex: That being said, there are a few drawbacks.
24. At the same time,...
Ex: At the same time, people need flexibility.
25. Even so,...
Ex: Even so, I'd still support the proposal.
26. All things considered,...
Ex: All things considered, it's the better choice.
27. If you ask me,... (Use sparingly in Part 3)
Ex: If you ask me, education should come first.
28. Overall, I'd have to say...
Ex: Overall, I'd have to say it's a positive trend.
29. For that reason,...
Ex: For that reason, I'd recommend public transport.
30. That's why I tend to believe...
Ex: That's why I tend to believe teamwork is essential.
