IELTS Speaking Natural Connectors: Idiomatic Expressions for Parts 1, 2, and 3

When many students practice IELTS Speaking, they directly transfer writing connectors into their answers:

• firstly
• secondly
• moreover
• furthermore
• nevertheless
• in conclusion

These words aren’t unusable, but if you use them frequently in speaking, you will sound like you are reciting a written essay. The thing about IELTS Speaking is that it truly needs natural connectors.

These are the expressions that help you:

• Bridge smoothly to the next sentence
• Buy yourself a bit of thinking time
• Clearly explain examples
• Transition between views seamlessly
• Make Part 2 stories flow better
• Make Part 3 discussions feel like a real conversation

This article systematically compiles the most practical natural connectors and sentence patterns for IELTS Speaking.

I. The Difference Between Spoken and Written Connectors

Writing connectors seek formality, clarity, and a sense of structure.

Spoken connectors seek naturalness, flow, and sounding human.

For example, in writing you might say:

Furthermore, online learning provides students with greater flexibility.

But in speaking, a more natural approach is:

Also, online learning is pretty flexible, so students can study whenever they have time.

Another example from writing:

Nevertheless, this approach has several limitations.

In speaking, a more natural phrase is:

But having said that, it does have some downsides.

So, don't turn your spoken answers into a short written essay. Speaking requires clarity, but it doesn't need to be overly formal.

II. Basic Addition Connectors

Use these expressions when you want to continue adding information.

1. Basic Expressions

• also
• and
• plus
• as well
• another thing is
• on top of that
• not only that
• besides that

2. Spoken Sentence Patterns

• Also, I think...
• And another thing is that...
• Plus, it's much cheaper.
• I like it as well because...
• On top of that, it's really convenient.
• Not only that, but it also saves time.

3. Example Sentences

Question: Do you like reading?

Answer: Yes, I do. I think reading is relaxing. Also, it helps me learn new words.

More Natural: Yes, definitely. I find it relaxing, and on top of that, it helps me pick up new vocabulary.

III. Contrast Connectors

You don't always need however for a contrast in speaking. Often, but is sufficiently natural.

1. Basic Expressions

• but
• though
• still
• however
• having said that
• on the other hand
• at the same time
• then again

2. Spoken Sentence Patterns

• But I have to say...
• Having said that, ...
• At the same time, ...
• It's good, but...
• I like it, though.
• Then again, it depends on...

3. Example Sentences

Question: Do you like your hometown?

Answer: Yes, I like it because it's quiet and safe. Having said that, it can be a bit boring sometimes.

Question: Is online shopping popular in your country?

Answer: Yes, it's extremely popular, mainly because it's convenient. At the same time, some people still prefer going to physical stores because they can see the products in person.

IV. Cause Connectors

Answering IELTS Speaking questions often requires explaining the "why."

1. Basic Expressions

• because
• since
• as
• mainly because
• probably because
• the main reason is
• I guess it's because
• that's why

2. Spoken Sentence Patterns

• I think it's because...
• That's mainly because...
• The main reason is that...
• I guess one reason is...
• Probably because...
• That's why I like it.

3. Example Sentences

Question: Why do people like watching movies?

Answer: I think it's mainly because movies help people relax. After a long day, watching a good film is a simple way to switch off.

Question: Why do some people prefer living in big cities?

Answer: The main reason is that big cities offer more job opportunities. That's why a lot of young people move there after graduation.

V. Example Connectors

Part 3 of the Speaking test especially needs examples. Don't just say for example repeatedly; try some more natural expressions.

1. Basic Expressions

• for example
• for instance
• like
• such as
• say
• a good example would be
• take...for example
• something like that

2. Spoken Sentence Patterns

• For example, ...
• Like, when I was at school...
• Take my city, for example.
• A good example would be public transport.
• Say, if someone wants to learn English...
• Things like that are quite common.

3. Example Sentences

Question: How can people stay healthy?

Answer: There are lots of ways. For example, they can exercise regularly and eat less processed food. Even simple things like walking more every day can help.

Question: Do young people use technology a lot?

Answer: Yes, definitely. Take my friends, for example. Most of them use their phones for studying, shopping, entertainment and even ordering food.

VI. Explanation and Re-phrasing

Sometimes after you say a sentence, you need to explain it further. These expressions make your answers clearer.

1. Basic Expressions

• I mean
• what I mean is
• in other words
• basically
• to put it simply
• that is to say
• you know

2. Spoken Sentence Patterns

• I mean, it's not always easy.
• What I mean is that...
• In other words, ...
• Basically, people want convenience.
• To put it simply, it's a time-saving tool.

3. Example Sentences

Question: Do you think children should learn music?

Answer: Yes, I think so. I mean, not every child needs to become a musician, but learning music can help them become more creative.

Question: Why is public transport important?

Answer: Basically, it makes daily life easier, especially for people who don't drive. In other words, it gives people more freedom to move around.

VII. Expressing Uncertainty and Hesitation

You don't need to answer every question in IELTS Speaking with absolute certainty. Expressing uncertainty appropriately makes you sound more natural.

1. Basic Expressions

• maybe
• perhaps
• probably
• I guess
• I suppose
• it depends
• I'm not sure, but...
• to some extent

2. Spoken Sentence Patterns

• I guess it depends on the person.
• I'm not completely sure, but I think...
• Maybe it's because...
• It probably has something to do with...
• To some extent, yes.
• I suppose that's true in some cases.

3. Example Sentences

Question: Do you think people are happier today than in the past?

Answer: I'm not completely sure, but I guess it depends on how we define happiness. People today have more convenience, but they may also face more pressure.

VIII. Comparison Connectors

Part 3 often asks comparison questions, such as past vs. present, young vs. old, city vs. country.

1. Basic Expressions

• while
• whereas
• compared with
• compared to
• in contrast
• on the other hand
• unlike
• instead

2. Spoken Sentence Patterns

• Compared with the past, ...
• Young people tend to..., while older people usually...
• In cities, people often..., whereas in rural areas...
• Unlike my parents' generation, ...
• On the other hand, some people prefer...

3. Example Sentences

Question: Do young people and old people use phones in the same way?

Answer: Not really. Young people tend to use phones for almost everything, like social media, shopping and studying, while older people usually use them mainly for calls and messages.

Question: How has shopping changed in recent years?

Answer: Compared with the past, shopping is much more convenient now. People can buy almost anything online, whereas before they had to go to physical stores.

IX. Concession Connectors

Concession expressions make Part 3 answers sound more mature and nuanced.

1. Basic Expressions

• although
• even though
• while
• to be fair
• admittedly
• I understand that
• I can see why
• that may be true, but

2. Spoken Sentence Patterns

• To be fair, ...
• I can see why some people think that, but...
• That may be true, but...
• While I agree with that to some extent, ...
• Admittedly, it can be useful, but...

3. Example Sentences

Question: Should children be allowed to use smartphones?

Answer: I can see why some parents allow it, because phones can be useful for learning and safety. But I still think children need limits, otherwise they may spend too much time on screens.

Question: Is advertising always bad?

Answer: Not necessarily. To be fair, some advertisements are useful because they introduce new products. That may be true, but misleading ads can definitely be harmful.

X. Conclusion and Ending Expressions

You don't need in conclusion for spoken answers like you do for essays, but you can wrap up naturally.

1. Basic Expressions

• so
• overall
• in general
• generally speaking
• all in all
• that's why
• that's pretty much it

2. Spoken Sentence Patterns

• So yeah, I think...
• Overall, I'd say...
• In general, I think...
• That's why I prefer...
• All in all, it's a good thing.

3. Example Sentences

Question: Do you like cooking?

Answer: Yes, I do. It helps me relax, and I like trying new recipes. So yeah, I guess cooking is one of my favorite things to do at home.

Question: Is teamwork important?

Answer: Definitely. It helps people share ideas and solve problems more efficiently. Overall, I'd say teamwork is essential in both study and work.

XI. Phrases for Pausing/Thinking (Without Awkward Silence)

In IELTS Speaking, it is perfectly normal to fight for some thinking time. The key is to avoid just sitting in silence.

1. Use for Part 1

• Let me think.
• That's an interesting question.
• I haven't really thought about that before.
• Well, I'd say...
• Hmm, probably...

2. Use for Part 3

• That's a difficult question.
• I suppose there are several reasons.
• It depends on the situation.
• I think there are two sides to this.
• I haven't considered that deeply, but I would say...

3. Example Sentences

Question: Do people in your country prefer tea or coffee?

Answer: Let me think. I guess it depends on age. Older people may prefer tea, while younger people often drink coffee, especially in big cities.

Question: Will libraries disappear in the future?

Answer: That's a difficult question. I don't think they will disappear completely, but their role may change. They might become more like community learning spaces.

XII. Part 1 High-Frequency Natural Connectors

Part 1 answers don't need to be long, usually 2 to 4 sentences are sufficient.

1. Questions about Likes

Sentence Patterns:

• Yes, I do, mainly because...
• Yes, definitely. I find it...
• Not really, because...
• I used to like it, but now...

Example: Yes, definitely. I find it relaxing, especially after a busy day. Also, it helps me take my mind off work.

2. Questions about Frequency

Sentence Patterns:

• I usually...
• I do it quite often, especially when...
• Not very often, to be honest.
• It depends. If I have time, I...

Example: I do it quite often, especially on weekends. During the week, I'm usually too busy, so I don't have much time for it.

3. Past vs. Present Questions

Sentence Patterns:

• I used to..., but now...
• When I was younger, I...
• These days, I tend to...
• Compared with the past, I...

Example: When I was younger, I used to read a lot of comics, but these days I tend to read articles online instead.

XIII. Part 2 Storytelling Connectors

Since Part 2 requires you to talk for 1 to 2 minutes, the focus here is on making the story flow smoothly.

1. Opening

• I'd like to talk about...
• The person I'd like to describe is...
• The place that comes to mind is...
• One experience I still remember is...

2. Time Progression

• at first
• then
• after that
• later on
• a few days later
• eventually
• in the end

3. Adding Details

• what impressed me most was...
• another thing I remember is...
• the best part was...
• the reason I remember it is...

4. Feelings and Conclusion

• I felt really...
• It was a memorable experience because...
• That's why I still remember it.
• Overall, it was...

5. Part 2 Example

Topic: Describe a place you visited and liked.

Answer Snippet: I'd like to talk about a small seaside town I visited last year. At first, I didn't expect much, because it wasn't very famous. But when I arrived, I was really impressed by how peaceful it was. After that, I spent most of the afternoon walking along the beach and taking photos. What impressed me most was the sunset, which was absolutely beautiful. That's why I still remember that trip.

XIV. Part 3 Discussion Connectors

Part 3 is more like a discussion, so it requires viewpoints, reasons, examples, concessions, and conclusions.

1. Expressing Opinions

• I think...
• I would say...
• In my opinion...
• From my perspective...
• I tend to believe that...

2. Analyzing Reasons

• The main reason is...
• That's probably because...
• One possible reason is...
• It may have something to do with...

3. Expanding Examples

• For example...
• Take...for example.
• A good example would be...
• This is quite common in...

4. Adding Concession

• Having said that...
• I can see why...
• That may be true, but...
• At the same time...

5. Part 3 Example

Question: Do you think schools should teach students how to manage money?

Answer: Yes, I think they should. The main reason is that many young people leave school without any practical financial knowledge. For example, they may not know how to budget or avoid unnecessary debt. Having said that, I don't think it needs to be a separate subject. It could be included in existing courses, like maths or social studies.

XV. Connecting Words to Use Sparingly or Avoid

These are common in writing but should be used sparingly in speaking.

1. Furthermore / Moreover

You can use them, but don't overuse them.

More Natural in Speaking:

• also
• plus
• on top of that
• another thing is

2. Nevertheless / Nonetheless

Too academic/write. In speaking, replace them with:

• but
• still
• having said that
• even so

3. In Conclusion

Usually not used for spoken answers.

More Natural:

• so yeah
• overall
• all in all
• that's why

4. Firstly / Secondly

You can use them occasionally in Part 3, but don't use them for every answer.

More Natural:

• one reason is
• another reason is
• the first thing is
• another thing is

XVI. Final Speaking Connector Cheat Sheet to Memorize Before the Exam

Addition

• also
• plus
• as well
• on top of that
• another thing is

Contrast

• but
• though
• still
• having said that
• at the same time

Reasons

• because
• mainly because
• the main reason is
• I guess it's because
• that's why

Examples

• for example
• like
• such as
• take...for example
• a good example would be

Explanation

• I mean
• basically
• in other words
• to put it simply
• what I mean is

Comparison

• compared with
• while
• whereas
• unlike
• on the other hand

Concession

• to be fair
• I can see why
• that may be true, but
• while I agree to some extent
• admittedly

Ending

• so yeah
• overall
• in general
• all in all
• that's why

XVII. How to Practice These Connectors

Don't memorize a list of words by rote. A more effective way is to practice by putting them into your answers.

I recommend doing this:

1. Select 5 Part 1 questions every day, and force yourself to use also / because / but.
2. Select 1 Part 2 topic every day, and use at first / then / after that / eventually.
3. Select 2 Part 3 questions every day, and use the main reason is / for example / having said that.
4. After recording, check if you are constantly repeating and, but, or because.
5. Swap written expressions for spoken ones, for example, trading moreover for plus.

The most important thing is naturalness.

If you say: Furthermore, I am fond of playing basketball due to the fact that it is beneficial to my physical health.

Your grammar might be correct, but your spoken sense will be weak.

A more natural version is: Plus, I like playing basketball because it's good for my health and it helps me relax.

You can use Youshow IELTS while practicing speaking and use this article as a checklist. Every time you finish recording, check if you naturally add, contrast, give examples, explain, and wrap up.

Official Website: <https://ielts.youshowedu.com/en> If you are using an iPhone or iPad, you can also search for Youshow IELTS directly in the Apple App Store.

Finally, remember this:

IELTS Speaking connectors are not meant to make you sound fancy; they are meant to make your answers sound like a real person clearly expressing themselves.

Natural, accurate, and smooth is much better than stuffing formal connectors in.