The Most Useful 79 TOEFL Writing Phrases | For Those Who Can't Get a Perfect Score

These 79 phrases are common connectors and set expressions that make academic English read more smoothly: ways to introduce an opinion ("It is commonly believed that…"), weigh both sides, and link causes to effects. ("Sth." below is shorthand for "something.")

The list was first written for the old TOEFL essay, but the language still fits the current Write for an Academic Discussion task, where you give and support an opinion in a short post. Most of these phrases are too formal for the Write an Email task; there, simpler and more direct wording works better.

1. as the economy grows / with rapid economic growth
2. as living standards continue to rise
3. advances in science and technology
4. add variety / interest to our daily lives
5. It is commonly believed that…
6. I side with the former / latter view.
7. Sth. has become a matter of public concern. / Sth. has attracted a great deal of public attention.
8. It is undeniable that…
9. a heated discussion / debate
10. a controversial issue
11. As far as I am concerned, / Personally,
12. be supported by sound reasons
13. arguments on both sides
14. play an increasingly important role in…
15. be indispensable to…
16. As the saying goes, …
17. exert positive / negative effects on…
18. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
19. lead to / give rise to / contribute to / result in
20. a complex social issue
21. sense of responsibility / achievement
22. a competitive spirit / a spirit of cooperation
23. broaden one's horizons
24. acquire knowledge and skills
25. financial burden / psychological burden
26. take many factors into consideration
27. from another perspective
28. work together / make a joint effort
29. be beneficial to / be conducive to…
30. make contributions to society
31. lay a solid foundation for…
32. a well-rounded education / well-rounded skills
33. be committed / devoted to…
34. Admittedly,
35. a duty that cannot be ignored
36. satisfy / meet the needs of…
37. a reliable source of information
38. valuable natural resources
39. There are several main reasons for this.
40. convenient and efficient
41. in all aspects of human life
42. environmentally friendly materials
43. a symbol of social progress
44. Sth. has made people's lives much easier.
45. hold different attitudes towards this issue
46. to some extent
47. integrate theory with practice
48. an unstoppable trend toward…
49. increasingly fierce competition for jobs
50. short-term benefits / immediate gains
51. long-term benefits / in the long run
52. … has its own advantages and disadvantages / pros and cons
53. do harm to / be harmful to / be detrimental to
54. exchange ideas / emotions / information
55. keep up with / keep abreast of the latest developments in…
56. the healthy development of…
57. attach great importance to…
58. social status
59. focus one's time and energy on…
60. expand one's knowledge
61. both physically and mentally
62. be directly / indirectly related to…
63. cause a range of problems / create new problems
64. believe / claim / maintain / argue / insist / hold the view that…
65. relieve stress / ease the burden on…
66. give (top) priority to sth.
67. compared with… / in comparison with
68. biodegradable materials
69. replace / substitute / take the place of
70. offer job opportunities
71. reflect changes in society
72. enhance / promote mutual understanding
73. make full use of / take advantage of
74. be under increasing pressure at work
75. contribute to a stable and prosperous society
76. put more emphasis on…
77. adapt to changes in society
78. achieve one's goals / make one's dream come true
79. We still have a long way to go.