Essay Writing
Thanks to Shahzeb for contributing the notes!
Useful Expressions for Essay Writing
Introduction
first of all
to begin with
in order to decide whether.... or not
to outline the main points
firstly, secondly, thirdly, finally / eventually
Enumerating arguments
in addition to
additionally
besides
moreover
furthermore
above all
Weighing arguments
on one hand..... on the other hand
to consider the advantages and disadvantages
arguments for and against
to discuss the pros and cons
in theory ... in reality
both... and....
not only ... but also
anyway / at any rate / in any case
in fact / actually / as a matter of fact
up to a point
so to speak
by no means / not at all
Making comparisons
compared to / in comparison with
to draw / make a comparison between ...and
similarly
as well as
Restrictions
however / though
nevertheless
whereas
although / though / even though
in spite of / despite
unlike
in contrast to / with something
on the contrary
something is contrary to something
Refering to
with reference to
regarding
as regards
as far as ... is concerned
according to (according to is used to introduce someone else's opinion. Don't say "according to me")
Emphasizing
I’d like to point out that
I’d like to emphasize
Generalizing
on the whole
in general / generally speaking
as a rule
to some extent
to a large extent / to what extent ?
in many ways
in all respects
in most / many cases
basically
Giving examples
for example / for instance
such as / including
in particular / particularly
to give you an example of what I mean
to illustrate this point
what I mean is
et cetera / and so on / and so forth
that is to say / i.e
Making exceptions
apart from
except
with the exception of
Giving reasons
because
as / since
because of
the reason for this is
the reason why
for some reasons or another
I have every reason to believe that
Consequences
therefore
consequently / as a result
for this reason / all these reasons
Personal point of view
I think that
in my opinion/ in my view / to my mind
this is a matter of opinion
in my experience
as far as I know
as far as I am concerned
to be aware / unaware of a problem
to tell the truth
the fact is that
I am convinced that
I firmly believe that
I feel something should be done about that
Agreeing
I entirely / absolutely agree with
that’s exactly my own view
I’m of exactly the same opinion
that’s perfectly true
I’d like to support this view
Disagreeing
I partly disagree with
I don’t entirely agree with
I agree in principle, but
That’s not the way I see it
I see things rather differently myself
I’m not at all convinced that
I’m not absolutely sure
Interest, Plans, Intentions
to be interested in something / in doing something
It interests me a lot
My main / particular interest is
I have the intention of doing
I am prepared to do something
I am determined to do something
I’m planning to do something
I’m very keen on doing something
Lack of interest
I find ... rather uninteresting / boring
I don’t take any interest in
It’s all the same to me whether
It means nothing to me
Summarizing and drawing conclusions
finally
last of all
last but not least
in conclusion / to conclude
we can draw the conclusion
to sum up / to summarize we can say
all in all
in short / in brief / briefly
all things considered
the subject under discussion
I find it difficult to reach a conclusion but I’m tempted to say
Modifying adverbs
totally / entirely / completely
mostly / mainly / chiefly
partly
comparatively / relatively
extremely / incredibly