Imran from Hyderabad began eleven answers with “I think” in one practice test. His ideas were good; the language carrying them wasn’t varied.

Part 3 asks you to explain opinions, analyse and speculate, for example by imagining the future, comparing past and present, and explaining causes. A few natural IELTS Speaking Part 3 phrases for each — “I’d imagine…”, “Compared with my parents’ generation…”, “This is largely because…” — add range without sounding rehearsed.

Practice question: How do you think shopping will change in the next twenty years?

Five Language Functions for Part 3

Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy are two of the four criteria assessed throughout the test. At Band 7, the public descriptors mention vocabulary used flexibly across a variety of topics, and a range of structures used flexibly, with frequent error-free sentences.

Relying on “I think” alone can flatten your speech. These functions give you other ways in:

Function Natural phrases Example
Speculating I’d imagine that, it seems likely I’d imagine small shops will struggle
Comparing then and now Compared with my parents’ generation Compared with my parents’ generation, we buy far more online
Giving reasons This is largely because, that’s partly why That’s partly why smartphones have changed shopping
Giving examples For instance, take the case of Take the case of instant grocery apps
Softening an opinion I’m inclined to think, arguably Arguably, it’s convenient, but it carries risks

These phrases work best inside full answers. For a step-by-step method, see our guide to extended answers in Part 3.

The Grammar Behind the Phrases

Each function leans on a grammar point:

  • Speculating: modal verbs such as might, could and will probably. Review modal verbs for possibility.
  • Comparing: comparatives and phrases such as “compared with”. Study comparative structures.
  • Possible or unreal situations: conditionals, as in “If more people worked from home, small shops would struggle.” Practise conditional sentences.
  • Softening: cautious words such as “arguably” and “probably”. The hedging language lesson uses written examples, but the phrases work in speech too.

Sample Answer: Putting the Functions to Work

Here is how three of these functions combine to answer the practice question.

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

I’d imagine that within the next twenty years, most of us will do the bulk of our shopping on our phones. Compared with my parents’ generation, we already order groceries and electronics online without thinking twice. This is largely because delivery has become so much faster and cheaper, and apps make it easy to compare prices. Small shops will probably survive if they offer something an app can’t, such as friendly advice or a personal touch, and I suspect some will close if they don’t.

Functional language used in this sample:

  • Speculating: “I’d imagine that”, “will probably”, “I suspect”
  • Comparing then and now: “Compared with my parents’ generation”, “already”
  • Giving reasons: “This is largely because”

For the vocabulary side, see our guide on idioms in IELTS Speaking.

Phrases Are Tools, Not Templates

Use a phrase when it fits what you are doing in the sentence, not in every answer. IDP IELTS says examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a stock phrase that doesn’t fit the question can sound the same way.

Incorrect: “In future, shopping will be more online, I think so.”

Correct: “I’d imagine that within twenty years, people will buy most everyday goods online.”

Incorrect: “I think prices will fall. I think people will buy more. I think it’s a good thing.”

Correct: “Prices will probably fall, so I’d expect people to buy more. Arguably, that’s a good thing.”

Tip

Record yourself answering three discussion questions and count how many times you say “I think” before trying other phrases.

Try It

Rewrite each sentence using the function shown in brackets, with a phrase from the table.

  1. “I think electric cars will replace petrol cars soon.” (speculating)
  2. “I think people were healthier in the past than today.” (comparing then and now)
  3. “I think traffic is terrible because public buses are unreliable.” (giving reasons)
Show sample answer
  1. I’d imagine that electric cars will gradually replace petrol cars as charging stations spread.
  2. Compared with modern desk workers, earlier generations had far more active daily routines.
  3. Traffic is so bad largely because public buses are overcrowded and unreliable.

Key Takeaways

  • Swap repeated “I think” starters for phrases that speculate, compare or explain.
  • Speculating draws on modal verbs and words like “probably”.
  • Comparing past and present uses comparatives and phrases like “compared with”.
  • Use phrases as flexible tools, not memorised templates.

The bottom line: Choose the phrase that fits what you are doing in the sentence, whether guessing, comparing or explaining, and the variety follows.