Phrases You Can Omit From Your IELTS Essays

Although the phrases mentioned in this lesson might give the impression that they are important, they add nothing to the meaning of a sentence and hence can be left out.

All things considered

All things considered, India’s mangrove forests are in worse shape now than ever before.

‘All things considered’ can be left out and then the sentence would read:

India’s mangrove forests are in worse shape now than ever before.

As a matter of fact

As a matter of fact, Susie is more interested in finding a job than in pursuing higher education.

‘As a matter of fact’ can be left out.

Susie is more interested in finding a job than in pursuing higher education.

As far as I am concerned

As far as I am concerned, there is an urgent need for the protection of our open spaces.

‘As far as I am concerned’ can be left out.

There is an urgent need for the protection of our open spaces.

At the present time

Avoid this wordy phrase. The same idea can be expressed using the adverb now.

Most people use computers at the present time.

Most people use computers now.

Because of the fact that

Many forms of cancer have become curable because of the fact that improved treatment options are now available.

Write ‘because’ instead of ‘because of the fact that’

Many forms of cancer have become curable because improved treatment options are now available.

By virtue of the fact that

I didn’t go to the party by virtue of the fact that I was feeling a bit tired.

Write ‘because’ instead of ‘by virtue of the fact that’.

I didn’t go to the party because I was feeling a bit tired.

Due to the fact that

We had to postpone the meeting due to the fact that the chairperson was ill.

Write ‘because’ instead of ‘due to the fact that’.

We had to postpone the meeting because the chairperson was ill.

For all intents and purposes

The era in which newspapers were the only source of news has, for all intents and purposes, ended.

Remove ‘for all intents and purposes’ from the sentence.

The era in which newspapers were the only source of news has ended.

Have a tendency to

This policy has a tendency to isolate some communities.

Write ‘tends to’ instead of ‘has a tendency to’.

This policy tends to isolate some communities.

In the event that

In the event that enough people protest, this new policy will be revoked.

Write ‘if’ instead of ‘in the event that’.

If enough people protest, this new policy will be revoked.

In the nature of

Something in the nature of a new legislation may soon come into force.

Write ‘like’ instead of ‘in the nature of’.

Something like a new legislation may soon come into force.

In the process of

Policy makers are already in the process of drafting new policies.

‘In the process of’ can be removed.

Policy makers are already drafting new policies.

The point I am trying to make

The point I am trying to make is that sometimes anti-corruption laws don’t accomplish what they are supposed to achieve.

Just write: Sometimes anti-corruption laws don’t accomplish what they are supposed to achieve.