IELTS Speaking: 20 Band 9 Phrases to Sound More Natural

One of the biggest differences between a Band 6 and a Band 9 speaking candidate is not vocabulary size — it is the ability to sound natural. Band 9 speakers use idiomatic phrases, natural connectors, and colloquial expressions that make their English sound fluent and unforced.

In this guide, I will give you 20 phrases that will help you sound more natural in the IELTS Speaking test. Use them in context, not as memorised scripts.

Phrases for Giving Opinions

1. To be honest with you… — A natural way to introduce an honest opinion. “To be honest with you, I have never really enjoyed cooking.”

2. If I am being totally honest… — Emphasises sincerity. “If I am being totally honest, I found the exam quite difficult.”

3. I would say that… — A softer, more natural way to give an opinion than “I think”. “I would say that technology has made our lives easier overall.”

4. From my point of view… — Formal but natural. “From my point of view, education should be free for everyone.”

Phrases for Buying Time

5. That is a good question… — Gives you a moment to think. “That is a good question. Let me think about that for a second.”

6. Well, let me see… — Natural filler. “Well, let me see… I suppose I would say that…”

7. Off the top of my head… — Indicates you are answering spontaneously. “Off the top of my head, I cannot remember the exact figure, but I think it is around 30%.”

Phrases for Adding Detail

8. To give you an example… — Introduces an example naturally. “To give you an example, my brother learned to code entirely on his own.”

9. What I mean by that is… — Clarifies your point. “I prefer independent travel. What I mean by that is I like to plan my own itinerary rather than join a tour group.”

10. It is a bit like… — Makes a comparison. “Learning a language is a bit like learning to play an instrument — it takes regular practice.”

Idioms That Sound Natural

11. A double-edged sword — Something with both good and bad aspects. “Social media is a double-edged sword — it connects us but can also be addictive.”

12. To be on the same wavelength — To think similarly. “My best friend and I are always on the same wavelength.”

13. Out of the blue — Unexpectedly. “My old teacher called me out of the blue last week.”

14. To get the hang of something — To learn how to do something. “It took me a while to get the hang of driving a manual car.”

15. To go the extra mile — To make more effort than necessary. “My manager always goes the extra mile to help the team.”

Phrases for Structuring Your Answer

16. On top of that… — Adds another point. “The city has great transport links. On top of that, there are plenty of parks.”

17. Having said that… — Introduces a contrasting point. “I enjoy my job. Having said that, the hours can be quite long.”

18. When it comes to… — Introduces a topic. “When it comes to music, I have very eclectic taste.”

19. As far as I am concerned… — States your position. “As far as I am concerned, there is no substitute for hard work.”

20. At the end of the day… — Summarises a point. “At the end of the day, family is what matters most.”

How to Use These Phrases

The key to using these phrases effectively is naturalness. Do not force them into every sentence. Use them where they fit naturally, and vary your language so you do not repeat the same phrases over and over.

The best way to learn these phrases is to hear them in context. Watch English films and TV shows, listen to podcasts, and pay attention to how native speakers use these expressions. Then practise using them in your own speaking.

A word of warning: Do not overuse idioms. Using one or two idioms naturally will boost your score. Using five idioms in a single answer will sound forced and unnatural, and could actually lower your score.

With practice, these phrases will become part of your natural speaking style, and you will sound more fluent and confident in the IELTS Speaking test. Good luck!