WRITING EXPRESSIONS

Weighing things up

1. advantage /disadvantage

The great advantage of digital cameras is that there is no film to process.

A major disadvantage of these vaccines is that they are very expensive to produce.

Despite the initial outlay, the long-term advantages of this proposal clearly outweigh the .

Aprovecho este ejemplo para insistir en lo que os contaba en la entrada pasada: sentido común por
encima de todo. Esta última frase por ejemplo es de nota, pero puede pasar a jugar en tu contra si luego tu
vocabulario se limita a usar good plan, bad weather, nice food. Hace falta ser (o al menos parecer)
coherente con el nivel de vocabulario mostrado a lo largo de toda la redacción y, clave, NO FALLAR en
el registro formal/informal. Si usas esta expresión para recomendar a un amigo tuyo que se compre unas
zapatillas frente a otras, es para no seguir leyendo. Es lo que me han enseñado y a mí me fue fenomenal

2. good point

One of the good points about the book’s design is that it is easy to use.

3. the good/great/best thing about (rather informal)

The good thing about cycling to work is that you don’t get stuck in traffic jams.

4. drawback (= a disadvantage in the context of other advantages)

This method produces by far the most accurate results, but its major drawback is that it can be
very time-consuming.

Agreeing/Partly agreeing

1. agree (+ that / + on) agree ON, agree ON, agree ON….”IN” caca!

Most experts agree that dieting needs to be accompanied by regular exercise.

Most experts agree on the need for dieting to be accompanied by regular exercise.

2. share sb’s view/concerns

I share her concerns about the lack of women in high academic positions.

A lot of people share the view that tourism will have a negative impact on the island.

3. there is some truth in the argument that…

There is some truth in the argument that there is a link between violence on our TV screens and
violence on our streets.

4. there is (general/widespread) agreement (+that / +on) (agreement is uncountable, so no “a”)

Today there is general agreement that climate change is a major concern.

Today there is widespread agreement on the need for action on climate change.
5. there is a widely held view/belief that… (belief is countable, so “a” is necessary)

There is a widely held belief that body heat is lost mostly through the head.

6. widely/generally accepted

It is now widely accepted that the universe began with the so-called Big Bang.

Aim or purpose

● aim (to do)

This paper aims to show the influence of technology on the work of artists.

● achieve/attain a goal

It took Mandela over forty years to achieve his goal of a democratic South Africa.

● have intention of +ING

Rafsanjani claimed that Iran had no intention of developing nuclear weapons.

Causes

● make (without “to”)

She could always make me laugh.

What makes young people commit crime?

The government’s economic policies have made it unpopular with voters.

The invention of the washing machine made people’s lives a lot easier.

● cause (sth + to do): Generalmente se usa para cosas negativas

The crisis caused oil prices to rise dramatically.

High fat diets can cause heart disease.

● lead to

This research could eventually lead to a cure for many serious illnesses.
 Overfishing has led to a collapse in the numbers of tuna and cod in the Atlantic.

● trigger: Disparar en el sentido de iniciar, provocar.

The First World War was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in
Sarajevo.

● arise from

Inter-ethnic unrest in central Asia is just one of the problems arising from the breakup of the
Soviet Union.

● be a (major/key) factor in

Public outcry against the cuts was a major factor in the government’s decision to rethink their
austerity measures.

Her lack of good looks was, paradoxically, a key factor in her success – millions of people saw
her as a kind of anti-celebrity.

The study tried to identify the key factors affecting economic change.

● source

Housework can become a major source of conflict between couples.

The fact that the two words are so similar can be a source of confusion.

Certainty & Uncertainty

● certain (that / to do)

It now seems certain that life exists elsewhere in the universe.

The committee are almost certain to accept the proposal.

● there is no doubt that / there is no denying the fact that

There is no doubt that there is a link between smoking and lung cancer.

However irritating his arrogance may be, there is no denying the fact that he is a brilliant
player.

● not sure / unsure

I am not sure whether this story is true or not.

The police are still unsure about exactly what happened.

Comparing & Contrasting

● compared to/with; in comparison to/with

Compared to most other European capitals, Vienna has a low crime rate.

In the Philippines wages are very low in comparison with the US.

● unlike – a diferencia de…

Unlike his brother, he has no interest in music.

The drug has almost no side effects, unlike other drugs that are used to treat this illness.

● in contrast to / by contrast (with comma)

In contrast to the south, the north of the country has a low unemployment rate.

The north of the country has a low unemployment rate. By contrast, in the south many people
are desperate to find work.

● make/draw a distinction between

It is important to make a distinction between allowing a patient to die comfortably, and actively
helping them to do so.

Subjects and topics

● as for (to introduce a subject which is connected with what you were saying before)

You can ask the others, but as for me, I’ll be busy in the office.

As for racism, much progress has been made, but there is still much to do.

● focus on

In this report I will focus on the three main search engines currently in use.

Concluding

● the main conclusion to be drawn… is that…

The main conclusion to be drawn from this discussion is that the best way to help slow readers
is to help them recognise individual words.

● in this… I have tried/attempted to…

In this report, I have attempted to demonstrate why improved training is the best solution to the
current problem.
Disagreeing

● disagree /not agree

Scientists disagree about what causes the anomalies.

Scientists do not agree as to the source of the anomalies.

I strongly disagree with his views on immigration.

● take issue with

I feel that I must take issue with her argument that television violence leads to higher crime
rates.

● controversial

The cultivation of genetically modified crops is a highly controversial issue.

Effects

● effect(s) (of sth) (on sth)

She was one of the first scientists to study the effects of radiation on the human body.

The kind of food we eat has a significant effect on our mental ability.

Recent developments in nanotechnology will have far-reaching effects on medicine and other
fields.

● impact (of sth) (on sth)

His work had an enormous impact on the study of genetics.

Population growth will have a profound impact on world demand for food.

● influence (of sth) (on sth)

Marshall McCluhan examined the influence of the media on modern society.

Marshall McCluhan showed how the media have an enormous influence on modern society.

● repercussions

The recent scandal could have serious repercussions for her political career.

● implications

The results of the study will have important implications for educational policy.
Emphasising

● it should be noted that

It should be noted that the research in this area is still at an early stage.

● it is worth bearing in mind that / Please bear in mind that

It is worth bearing in mind that 90% of the scientists researching herbicides in the USA are
employed by chemical companies.

● vital/essential

These insects play a vital part in the food chain.

It is essential that the work is carried out as soon as possible.

● especially/particularly

Unemployment figures have been rising, especially in the north.

Alcohol consumption has increased, particularly among young women.

● above all

Cycling is pollution-free, cheap, and above all, healthy.

● draw attention to

The study was one of the first to draw attention to the problems faced by the disabled.

Explaining

● This means that / which means that (with reference to what has just been said)

Computer technology is constantly being improved. This means that anything you buy will be
out of date within a few months. (Two sentences separated by a full stop)

There is a shortage of doctors, which means that patients often have to wait a long time for
treatment. (One sentence, divided in half by a comma)

● in other words

We want to know if she has the right skills, experience and attitude – in other words, can she do
the job?

● to put it simply

For all the skill of the artists of ancient Egypt, they were bound by rigid conventions in which
foreshortening and perspective played no role. To put it simply, they did not depict the world as
it is seen.
● the purpose of… is to outline

The purpose of the first chapter is to outline the basic principles which form the foundation of the
English legal system.

A selection of important linking words & expressions

● apart from

Apart from one or two minor errors, this is an excellent essay.

It rained on the last day, but apart from that, we had wonderful weather.

● reason (for sth)

The German economy recovered from the recession more quickly than elsewhere in Europe. The
reason for this was large-scale investment on the part of China.

There are good reasons for believing that the new material, graphene, will revolutionise the
computer industry.

● due to / owing to (+ noun phrase)

The number of songbirds has declined. This is partly due to modern farming methods.

Owing to lack of public interest, the programme was abandoned.

● argument(s)

There are strong environmental arguments for reducing car use and promoting public
transport.

● whereas / while

Most urban housing in Spain is in the form of large blocks of flats, whereas in Britain the norm
is individual houses, usually with at least two floors.

Some people visit their doctor once every few weeks, while others may not visit theirs in years.

● otherwise

The committee needs to act quickly, otherwise there could be a serious problem.

The local people are glad the tourists are here. Otherwise, there would be no jobs.

● in case

Doctors have to take out insurance to protect themselves in case they are sued.

Make sure to take some proof of identity in case we get stopped at the border.

● on (the) one hand / on the other hand (things to be balanced against each other)

On the one hand, celebrities owe their wealth and success to being in the public eye. On the
other, everyone is entitled to their own private life.
● as a result

Strong winds had brought down trees and power lines, and as a result none of the local trains
were running.

Some people suffer from stress at work and become ill as a result.

● as follows

The aims of this report are as follows: to set out the ideas behind the proposed new development,
to summarise local opinion about it, and to suggest ways of reducing its impact on the
environment.

Making Generalisations

● most

Most people would agree that the law needs changing. (not “most of the people”)

Pero OJO!!

Most of the class are women. (most people or things in a group)

Most of the research (in this area) supports this point of view.

● mostly / mainly / largely

The people who use the early-morning shuttle flights are mostly businessmen.

Apart from the Nile valley, Egypt is mainly desert.

Their attempts were largely unsuccessful.

● generally/broadly speaking / as a rule

Generally speaking, girls outperform boys at school.

The surface of Mercury can, broadly speaking, be divided into two types of land area.

As a rule, snakes have simple teeth, all roughly the same shape.

● on the whole / by and large

On the whole, the system worked well apart from a few minor setbacks.

The scheme was, by and large, a success.

Problems and Solutions

● solve & resolve

Aprovecho para dejaros las collocations típicas con estas dos palabras:

– Solve collocates most often with problem

 – Resolve collocates with a much wider range of nouns such as issue, matter, conflict, dispute,
contradictions, difficulties, ambiguities, etc. and only sometimes with problem.

The sooner this problem is solved, the better.

The crisis/issue was resolved by negotiations.

● setback

The peace talks suffered a major setback when a bomb exploded outside the conference hotel.

● pitfall (= a trap that you can easily fall into if you are not careful)

This book shows you how to avoid the usual pitfalls when you are at an interview.

● solution

In this report, I shall outline the main causes of air pollution and attempt to put forward some
possible solutions.

● answer

People have been struggling with this problem for a long time, but no one has yet come up with
an answer.

Reporting what other people say

● point out

– Used to show that you agree with the person/people mentioned.

As Rachel Carson points out in her book “Silent Spring”, chemical use in farming is destroying
the countryside.

Many writers have pointed out that globalization, hyper-competition and the Internet are
constantly reshaping markets and businesses.

● claim

– Used to show that you doubt or disbelieve the person/people mentioned.

Es decir, usando “claim” tú das a entender que no te crees demasiado lo que dice, sería como decir:
“Fulanito asegura que ha visto OVNIS” en lugar de “Fulanito ha visto OVNIS”. En castellano, solemos
usar la primera forma para insinuar que nosotros no le damos mucha credibilidad.

Some people have claimed that Kennedy was killed by the CIA.

Indian military scientists are studying an 82-year-old who claims he has not had any food or
drink for 70 years.

An Ohio man claims to have captured evidence of UFOs.

● argue

Rousseau argued that all men were created equal.

Sceptics have long argued that there are other explanations for climate change than man-made
CO2.

Talking about related/unrelated things

● (there is a) connection/link between

Studies in the 1960s showed that there was a link between smoking and lung cancer.

Historically, there is a close connection between productivity and welfare.

● there is no relation / no connection between

There is clearly no connection between a person’s gender and their ability to do the job.

It can be concluded that there is no relation between learning styles and academic achievement.

● have nothing to do with

Intelligence has nothing to do with common sense.

The opinion that art should have nothing to do with politics is itself a political attitude.

● be beyond/outside the scope of

These debates are beyond the scope of this essay.

Talking about results / findings

● suggest

Recent research strongly suggests that high protein diets are in fact bad for you.

New evidence suggests that humans existed on earth much earlier than was previously thought.

● findings

Her findings show that regular exercise can prevent some of the diseases that are common in
old age.