Please note in a writing exam like IELTS you can use some of these to show off your vocabulary and get marks. If you are doing a formal piece of writing, you should be taking this advice.
1. Very, basically, totally, essentially, really
Why are you using these words before an adjective, it would look better if you used an extreme adjective or something.
Which sounds better?
It is almost never needed “I got up, then I brushed my teeth and went to work.”
Is there any real difference with or without then?
3. Each and every
Unless you want to emphasize something in particular, just use one
4. All adverbs
A descriptive verb works better in your writing “I quickly ran to the bus.” Or “I sped to the bus.”
5. Firstly, secondly, thirdly
These are correct, but it sounds better to just say ‘first’, ‘second’ or ‘third’
6. Just
It is just filler, it doesn’t add much to your writing
7. That
If the sentence makes sense without ‘that’, it is not needed
“The boy that arrived first took the test first.”(Here that is needed)
“The person that called didn’t leave a message.”
8. As a matter of fact
You might say it, but in writing it doesn’t make your work longer. “As a matter of fact the issue is a serious one.”
9. Past history / Past experience
Experience and history are both in the past, so why do you need to use the word
“In my past experience, I have helped a lot of students with IELTS.”
10. As to whether / whether or not
Just you ‘whether’ or ‘if’, you do not need the whole phrase
“Whether or not you pass is up to you.”
“If you pass is up to you.”
11. For all intents and purposes
It is filler, it adds nothing
12. Due to the fact
A wordy expression where you could just use ‘because’
13. Frequently
A more precise frequency adverb would be better
“I frequently teach IELTS.”
“I teach IELTS every day.”
14. In terms of
Again it makes your writing look weak. Just delete it
15. Personal opinion
Do you have opinions that are not personal? No you don’t, so why add the word personal?
16. In the process of
Get to the point don’t waste your words?
17. With the possible exception of
This the long way to say ‘except for’
18. The month of (December)
Just say December; everyone knows it is a month
19. Quite
Sometimes it is useful, but sometimes it isn’t
“These tips will help your writing improve, I am quite sure.”
20. Many, few
How many? If you know say, if you don’t then use
21. During the course of
‘the course of’ is not needed, during implies there is a course
22. All of
This one is often overused.
23. Perhaps, maybe
Think about why you are writing; if you are sure don’t use these words. If you want to hedge like in IELTS, then use them.
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