23/06/2021
Avoid using these 22 Words and Phrases In Your IELTS Essays:
নিচের উল্লিখিত শব্দগুলো প্রায়ই টেস্ট টেকারদের সমস্যায় ফেলে।
IELTS Writing Task 2 তে কয়েকটি শব্দ একেবারেই ব্যবহার করা উচিৎ নয়, আর কয়েকটি শব্দ ঠিকঠাক মডিফাই করে ইউজ করতে পারবেন।
1. And also-
Use either 'and' or 'also'. Using them both is often redundant.
2. And / or-
This construction is quite common in legal texts. But it is neither necessary nor logical in other situations. Use one of these words, but don’t use them both.
3. As to whether-
The single word 'whether' will suffice in most cases.
4. Basically, essentially or totally-
These words are possible, but they hardly add anything useful to a sentence. Try writing a sentence without these superfluous discourse markers and in most cases you will notice that the sentence has improved.
5. Being that / being as / being-
These words must not be used as a substitute for 'because'.
Because I was the youngest child, my parents pampered me silly.
(NOT Being the youngest child, my parents pampered my silly.)
(NOT Being that I was the youngest child, my parents …)
6. By means of-
In most cases, a simple 'by' will do.
Someday we may travel to the stars by (means of) nuclear powered rockets.
7. Concerning the matter of-
Use about instead. A phrase as wordy as this must be eliminated when something as simple as a single word will do the job.
The principal wants to see you about the broken window. (Much better than ‘The principal wants to see you concerning the matter of the broken window.’)
8. Considered to be-
That to be can be dropped before an adjective or a noun.
I considered him an excellent choice. (Better than I considered him to be an excellent choice.)
9. Due to the fact that-
Be careful with this phrase: It will unnecessarily land your sentence in trouble. Due to means ‘because of’.
The match was cancelled because of bad weather.
OR The match was cancelled due to bad weather.
But avoid constructions like: The match was cancelled due to the fact that the weather was bad.
10. Each and every
Use one or the other. Don’t use them both.
The nation expects each citizen to do his or her duty.
OR The nation expects every citizen to do his or her duty.
(BUT NOT The nation expects each and every citizen to do his or her duty.)
11. Etc.-
This overworked Latin abbreviation must be banned from all composition. It simply shows that you are too lazy to add another example.
12. He/she-
This construction is used to avoid gender bias in writing but it can offend a reader if it appears too often. Use ‘he or she’ or the plural form they (where appropriate).
13. Got-
Got is an overworked word. If you can avoid it in writing, do so. Write ‘He earned $200 last week’ instead of ‘He got $200 last week’.
14. In this day and age-
Use today instead.
Today we all use computers. (NOT In this day and age we all use computers)
15. Is one who-
This phrase can and should be eliminated.
She likes dancing to that kind of music. (Better than ‘She is one who likes dancing to that kind of music.’)
16. Kind of or sort of-
They are alright in informal situations, but you must avoid them in formal academic prose. Instead, use words like somewhat, rather or slightly.
I am kind of pleased with your performance. (Informal)
I am somewhat pleased with your performance. (Formal)
17. Only-
Place it immediately before the word it modifies.
18. Owing to the fact that-
Avoid this wordy phrase. Use because instead.
I was late because the train broke down. (Better than ‘I was late owing to the fact the train broke down.’)
19. Per-
This word is frequently used in legal texts, but it is not appropriate in other situations. Use according to instead.
We did it according to your instructions. (NOT We did it per your instructions)
20. Plus-
Plus is not a conjunction. Use 'and' instead.
21. Regardless of the fact that-
Use 'although' instead. Why should anyone want to write five words when a single word will suffice?
22. Thru-
This is the nonstandard spelling of through. It must be avoided in academic prose.
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