B2 First (FCE) Essay: Useful Phrases & Expressions

Introduction
● The trend nowadays is towards ….
● Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports
of ….
● Recent research indicates that ….
● Hardly a week goes by without another report of ……….. appearing in
the media.
● This raises the issue of whether ……
● Although most people would generally agree that ………… few would
deny that ….

Stating your opinion

❖ As I see it,
❖ It seems to me that ………… I would also say that ….
❖ I am convinced that ……………
❖ I am inclined to believe that ………………
❖ There is no doubt in my mind that ………………
❖ One of the drawbacks of ……. is ……….
❖ However, one of the benefits is that …………
❖ Changing topic
❖ As regards the causes for this, …………..
❖ Concerning the causes for this, ………
❖ As for the causes, ………..

Presenting arguments
➢ One justification is often given for ……….. is that……………..
➢ Advocates/Proponents would claim that ………………
 ➢ Those who object to …………….. often argue that ……………….
➢ Another objection is that ……
➢ However, it should not be forgotten that …………..
➢ ……….. are opposed to ……………. on the grounds that ……………..
➢ From the point of view of ……………..
➢ According to ………………..

Describing causes
One factor which has led to ………… is …………..
One of the factors which has brought this about is ………
The problem often stems from ………………..
The situation has been exacerbated by …………….
………….. has only made the situation worse.
One consequence of ……………. is …………….

Proposing steps and measures

★ As regards the most appropriate response to this situation, one
suggestion would be to ………
★ The first step to be taken would be to ……..
★ To alleviate the situation people should ………..
★ In addition they ought to ……………
★ To begin to tackle this situation society/individuals/the government
need/s to This can only be dealt with if …………
★ To overcome this problem, …………..
★ Were the government to ……………, the situation would doubtless
improve.
★ Individuals can do a great deal to …………
★ The burden of responsiblity lies in the hands of ……..
★ It is vitally important that ………
★ Legislation should be introduced to control ……………..
 ★ It would be a grave error if we ……………..

Concluding
➔ All in all it seems to me that ………..
➔ The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that …………………..
➔ All things considered, ………….
➔ On balance, I tend to believe that …………
➔ The world would surely be a better place to live in if …………..
➔ If people stopped ….ing, we would have/ we could look forward to a
……………
➔ The prospects for the future will be bleak/grim unless ……………….
B2 First (FCE) Report: Useful Language & Phrases

Introduction (the goal of the report)

The aim of this report is to
As requested, I am writing this report to
This report aims to outline/assess
The purpose behind this report is to

Development
The first observation to make concerns…
It has to been stressed that…
According to (the majority of respondents)…
In spite of (the fact that)…
Despite (the fact that)…
The outlook for …… is (far from) bright/optimistic/depressing/daunting
The future looks bleak/remains uncertain/is promising
This seems unlikely in the near/foreseeable future

Recommendations
I suggest/recommend
I would like to suggest/recommend
I therefore suggest
I advise you (not) to
I believe it would be beneficial
It would be advisable to
You may wish/want to consider
If you wish to…, you should
If we wish to…, we ought to

Conclusion
Provided that these recommendations are taken into consideration,…
In conclusion,…
From the research one can conclude that…

First (FCE) Formal Letter/Email: Useful phrases

Greetings
Dear Sir
Dear Madam
Dear Sir/Madam
Dear Mr Brown
Dear Ms Jones etc

Reason for writing

I am writing in response to your article/advertisement/letter.
I am writing with regard to your article/advertisement/letter.
I am writing regarding your article/advertisement/letter.
I am writing on behalf of

Referring to their letter

As you stated in your letter, …
Regarding … Concerning … With regard to …

Ending the letter:

I look forward to receiving your reply.
I look forward to your reply.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Closing
I am, yours faithfully (if you don’t know the name of the person you are writing
to).
I am, yours sincerely (if you know the name of the person you are writing to).
Yours faithfully.
Yours sincerely

Letters to complain: Useful phrases

Reasons for writing

I am writing in order to complain about.
I am writing to complain about

Introducing the complaint:

Firstly.
In the first place.
First of all.
My first complaint is
The first problem is
The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is.
My first concern is

Introducing further complaints:

Secondly.
In the second place
Not only …….but also
In addition.
In addition to this.
Added to this
….was also unacceptable

Demanding action:
I suggest that you replace the item.
I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund .
I would be grateful if my money was refunded
I would be grateful if you could give me a full refund

Letters to request information: Useful phrases

Reason for writing:

I am writing to receive further information about.
I am writing to enquire about. I am writing to receive more detailed information
about.
I am writing to receive further details about

Requesting first piece of information

The first thing I would like to know is.
First of all I would like to know
I wonder if you would mind telling me first of all ….?

Requesting further information:

Could you also tell me….?
Could you also inform me ….?
Would you also mind informing me ….?
Would you also mind telling me ….?
Do you know ….?
I would also like to know if.
I would also like to know whether
I hope you might also let me know about …

Thanking for information:

I would like to thank you in advance for this information.
Thanking you in advance for this information.
Letter of Application: Useful Phrases & Language

Reasons
I’m writing to apply for the post/position of…..as advertised in……..
I’m writing with reference
I’m writing in response to your advertisement which I saw….
I’m writing in connection with your advertisement

Qualifications /Experience
I gained some experience while …
I am currently working as …
I have been working for … for the last four years.
I worked part-time for three years as …
At the moment| am employed by …
My qualifications include …
I have a diploma in …
I graduated from Barcelona University last year with a degree in …
Please find attached my CV
As you can see from the attached CV …

Personal Qualities
I see myself systematic, meticulous in my approach to work…..
I have a clear insight of………
I value time and not squander……
I tackle a problem…..

Closing remarks
I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience
Please contact me with any queries you may have,
I would be glad to attend an interview at any time convenient
I look forward to hearing from you in due course….

First (FCE) Informal Letter/Email: Useful phrases

Greetings:
○ Dear Sarah,
○ Hello Sara,
○ Hi Sara,

Introductory paragraph:
○ How’s it going?
○ How are you doing?
○ How are things?
○ How are things going?
○ It’s great to hear from you!
○ Long time, no see!
○ Sorry I haven’t written for ages, but
○ I’m really sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you.

Reacting to good news:

○ I’m glad to hear that
○ I’m so happy that
○ Great news about your
○ I’m very happy to hear about
○ It’s so great that

Reacting to bad news:

○ I’m so sorry to hear about
○ Sorry to read about
○ I can’t tell you how sad I am that
○ I’m extremely sorry to hear about
○ It’s just awful to hear that

Introducing paragraphs:
○ Oh, by the way,
○ Hey, did you hear about…?
○ One more thing,
 ○ As for
○ By the way, tell me about

Ending the email or letter:

○ Well, I gotta go now.
○ Anyway, I should get going.
○ I’ve got to leave you now.
○ I’d better get going.
○ Well, it’s time to go
○ Make sure you write soon
○ Don’t forget to drop me a line soon.
○ Look after yourself.
○ Take care of yourself.

Closing the email or letter:

○ All my love,
○ Love,
○ Lots of love,
○ All the best,
○ Take care,
○ Best wishes,
○ Best,
○ Regards,
○ Kind regards,

Giving news

● Listen, did I tell you about …? You’ll never believe what …

● Oh, and another thing … This is just to let you know that …
● I thought you might be interested to hear about / know that …
● By the way, have you heard about / did you know that …?

Apologies

● I’m writing to apologise for missing your party but I’m afraid I was with
flu.
● I’m really sorry that I forgot to send you a birthday card but I was busy
with my new job.

Invitations
 ● I’m / We’re having a party on Friday 19th and I / we hope you’ll be able
to come.
● Would you like to come / go to see ‘Room With a View’ with me at the
weekend?
● I was wondering if you’d like to go to the theatre / come on holiday with
us.
● Could you let me / us know if you can come / you’d like to join us?
● Thank you very much for your invitation. I’d love to come.
● Thank you for asking / inviting me to … but I’m afraid I won’t be able to
…

Requests

● I’m writing to ask for your help / you (if you could do me) a favour.
● I wonder if / I was wondering if you could help me / do me a favour.
● I hope you don’t mind me asking but could you (possibly) …?
● I’d be very / really / terribly grateful if you could …

Thank you / Congratulations / Good Luck

● I’m writing to thank you for your hospitality / the wonderful present.
● It was so kind of you to invite me to stay with you.
● I really appreciated all your help / advice.
● Congratulations on passing your exams / your excellent exam results!
● I wish you good luck / Good luck in / with your exams / your driving test
/ your interview.
● Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll do well / pass.
● Do be on time, won’t you, and don’t forget to …

Making suggestions and recommendations

● Why don’t you …? / Maybe you could …? / How about …?

● You can’t leave New York without (…doing sth)
● I’m sure you will enjoy (…doing sth). If you like, we can …
● Do visit … / Don’t forget to …