IELTS Writing Task 2 Course

although /ɔːlˈðəʊ/

contrasts two things or ideas, especially when we say that the second thing that happened was surprising in relation to the first thing

• Although he studied very hard, he did not get very good grades in his exams.

Usage: Used in both formal and informal contexts, but more common in written contexts than spoken ones.

anyway² /ˈeniweɪ/

• emphasises that something that happens is surprising in comparison to another thing

The public transport system here is expensive but many people use it anyway.

Usage: Used in more informal and spoken contexts.

anyway³ /ˈeniweɪ/

indicates a return to the main point of a topic

• Anyway, my point is that traffic will not improve without building more roads.

Usage: Used in more informal and spoken contexts.

anyway¹ /ˈeniweɪ/

introduces an opposite point

• Some people are against the idea but anyway there are far more people who support it.

Usage: Used in more informal and spoken contexts.

as a result /əzərəˈzʌlt/

introduces the effect of something

• More schools are starting to encourage children to eat healthily. As a result, fewer children are eating junk food.

Usage: Used in more formal (especially written) contexts.

as² /əz/

because

• We were making this journey as we'd read about it in a guide book.

Usage: Used in both formal and informal contexts.

as¹ /əz/

describes two things happening at the same time

• As the number of females in higher education rose steadily, there was a sharp drop in the number of males.

Usage: Used in both formal and informal contexts.

basically /ˈbeɪsɪkli/

indicates you are going to summarise the main point(s)

• Basically, there are a lot of problems we need to think about.

Usage: Used in more informal (especially spoken) contexts.

besides /bɪˈsaɪdz/

introduces an extra comment regarding something you have been talking about

• The exam will be easy so don't worry. Besides, you've done a lot of preparation for it.

Usage: Used in more informal (especially spoken) contexts.

besides this /bɪˈsaɪdzðɪs/

adds an extra point or idea

• Many people do not have sufficient time to do exercise. Besides this, there are often a lack of sports facilities in many areas.

Usage: Used in more formal contexts.