47 Synonyms For Writing Task 2

Synonyms For Writing Task 2: In this article, you will be learning synonyms for some of the most common words that we use in IELTS Writing Task 2. These synonyms will help you avoid repeating the same words over and over and, in this way, boost your Lexical Resource score because Lexical Resource is one of the marking criteria in IELTS Writing Task Two.

Synonyms For Writing Task 2

1. Benefits and Drawbacks
2. Strengths and weaknesses
3. Merits and demerits
4. Pros and cons
5. a point of view
6. an opinion
7. a belief
8. a position
9. a way of thinking
10. an attitude about/on/to/towards something
11. to support a certain view or position
12. to oppose
13. not to support
14. to be against
15. It seems to me that…
16. In my view…
17. My own view is that…
18. I entirely support this position..
19. I am convinced
20. I think
21. I believe
22. Issue
23. Hurdle
24. Obstacle
25. A root of
26. A reason for
27. offer solution
28. a long-term solution
29. a way out
30. often/usually
31. frequently
32. generally
33. on certain/numerous occasions
34. in some/many/most cases
35. in some/many instances
36. repeatedly
37. A (large) number of
38. A couple of
39. A small/insufficient number of
40. In rare cases
41. In rare instances
42. Suitable
43. Acceptable
44. Satisfactory explanation/answer/solution/conclusion
45. Harmful
46. Detrimental
47. Inappropriate

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Synonyms Advantages and Disadvantages

One type of essay is about the advantages and disadvantages of something. [Synonyms For Writing Task 2] Here are some other words to use instead:

1. Benefits and Drawbacks
2. Strengths and weaknesses.
3. Merits and demerits.
4. Pros and cons (these two are slightly less formal than the rest but are still acceptable for the task.)

Examples:

• A considerable benefit of teaching children at home is…
• A major drawback of children studying at home is…
• Homeschooling has both its pros and cons.

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Discuss both views and give your opinion

Another type of Task 2 essay is to discuss two views of other people and give your opinion. When referring to the views of others, you can say:

1. a point of view
2. an opinion
3. a belief
4. a position
5. a way of thinking
6. an attitude about/on/to/towards something

Examples: Let me show you how to use the last two in sentences.

• A way of thinking is something you can say about someone’s views on big subjects. Some people think that finding a stable job is the best way to build a successful career. However, this way of thinking is more common among the older generation.
• Some people may have a negative attitude towards private schools. (Memorize this collocation, this combination of words, a negative attitude)
• There is a sign of changing attitudes on issues such as early marriage.

Students Also Read: How to Start Task 2 in IELTS

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Synonyms for Agree/Disagree

The next type of essay is an agree/disagree essay. Here are a couple of useful words.

To agree Synonyms

1. to support a certain view or position.

Example:

I support the view that this policy should be promoted but not enforced. [Synonyms For Writing Task 2] (This means that people should be encouraged to do something but not made, not forced to do it against their will).

To Disagree Synonyms

1. to oppose
2. not to support
3. to be against

Examples:

I disagree that raising taxes is an effective way to… do something. You could say:

• I am opposed to raising taxes.
• I am against the proposal to raise taxes.

In my opinion

In some essays, for example, two views and your opinion, you need to clearly express your opinion. Here are some alternatives to saying ‘in my opinion’:

1. It seems to me that…
2. In my view… (You can use it in the middle of your sentence)
3. My own view is that… (You can use this phrase to disagree with something you’ve just mentioned).
4. I entirely support this position (In a situation when you want to agree with what you’ve said)
5. I am convinced
6. I think
7. I believe

Examples:

• Homeschooling, in my view, should be discouraged. (Don’t forget to put commas before and after this phrase).
• Some people believe that universities are not for everyone. My own view is that higher education benefits every person without exception. (Here, I show the contrast between the opinion of other people and my own opinion).
• Some people believe that higher education benefits every person, and I entirely support this position.

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Synonyms for Problem and Solutions Essays

Then, there are essays about the causes of a problem and solutions.

Problem

1. Issue
   • A problem can be called an issue if that’s the problem people discuss or argue about. It’s common to say to solve/tackle the problem/issue.
2. Hurdle
   • Another synonym is a hurdle, but this is a problem that you have to deal with before you can make progress. A hurdle prevents you from doing something you want. For example: Passing the IELTS exam is the first hurdle to overcome.
3. Obstacle
   • This is something that makes it difficult for you to achieve something else. [Synonyms For Writing Task 2] For example, a lack of qualifications can be a major obstacle to finding a job. (Please note the preposition: an obstacle TO something).

Cause of the Problem

How can we talk about the cause of our problem?

1. A root of
   • You can refer to the root of the problem or a root cause. For example, The root cause of air pollution is…
2. A reason for
   • You can say a reason for something. For example: The main reason for air pollution.

Note: I want to draw your attention to prepositions, a root cause of something but a reason for something.

Solutions to the problem

Now, the solutions TO the problem. There aren’t many synonyms, to be honest. You could simply paraphrase it by saying:

1. a way to solve this problem
2. to offer a solution
   • For example: Education may offer a solution to the country’s economic problems.
3. Effective/ acceptable/ long-term/ immediate solution
   • For example: Education is seen as a long-term solution to poverty.
4. Way out
   • You could say a way out. For example, Education is seen as a way out of poverty. (This is a way of escaping from a difficult situation).

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More IELTS Writing Task 2 Vocabulary

1. A lot

We use it well, A LOT. But it’s informal and not really suitable for Task 2. Lots/plenty are informal too. Avoid them. Here are synonyms:

• often/usually
  • Often and usually are the most important ones, the most common ones.
• frequently
• generally
• on certain/numerous occasions
• in some/many/most cases
• in some/many instances
• repeatedly
• A (large) number of

For example:

• That’s how instead of saying Many people support something… you can say People generally support something, the provision of free medical services for everyone.
• Vegetables are generally low in calories.
• A large number of people support this.

Few/Less

What if you don’t have enough of something?

You can say few for countable nouns: few cars or less for nouns that we can’t count: less preparation. Here are some synonymes you can use in IELTS writing task 2:

1. A couple of
   • this expression is informal and isn’t suitable for Task 2. Instead, say a small/insufficient number of something or in rare cases, in rare instances.
2. A small/insufficient number of
3. In rare cases
4. In rare instances

Good

1. Suitable
   • It means it’s right or appropriate for a particular purpose. For example: This program is not suitable for children.
2. Acceptable
   • it means that you agree that it’s of a good enough standard or it’s allowed. A political solution should be acceptable to all parties.
3. Satisfactory explanation/answer/solution/conclusion
   • When something is good enough for a particular purpose.

Bad

1. Harmful
   • It means causing damage or injury. We use it to talk about our health or the environment. [Synonyms For Writing Task 2] For example, The harmful effects of alcohol are well established.
2. Detrimental
   • this is an even more formal synonym of harmful but the meaning is wider. For example, The policy will be detrimental to the peace process.
3. Inappropriate
   • it means not suitable in a particular situation. For example, The existing practice is totally inappropriate to the needs of modern society.

Students Also Read:

Writing Task 2 Introduction Starting Lines: 3 Sentences

How to Generate Ideas for IELTS Writing