A memorised phrase helps only when it says exactly what you mean. Added only to sound impressive, it makes the essay stiff or confusing.
This page explains why, shows how to use phrases well, and says when one-to-one English tuition may help.
What does it look like?
You may have thought: “I learned fifty phrases and put them all in my essay, but my mark did not go up.” “My teacher wrote ‘unnatural’ beside my best phrase.” “I use the phrase because it sounds good, not because I know exactly what it means.”
This is common. A phrase feels like a shortcut to better writing, and after working hard to learn it, you want to use it.
Why do forced phrases cause problems?
Every phrase has its own meaning and its own place. When it does not match your sentence, the meaning goes wrong or the tone clashes with the rest of the essay.
A marker can see that the phrase and the idea do not connect. The reader also loses your own voice, which was clear in your simpler sentences.
A worked example
A student writes about a school charity run. “In a nutshell, the charity run was a blessing in disguise for our school. By and large, every Tom, Dick and Harry took part.”
The phrases are real, but they do not fit. “In a nutshell” belongs at the end of a summary, not at the start. “A blessing in disguise” means something bad turned out good, which is not the case here. “Every Tom, Dick and Harry” is casual and a little rude.
Here is a rewrite that keeps the student’s voice and uses a phrase only where it fits: “The charity run was a great success for our school. Students from every form took part, and they raised money for the local children’s home. In short, it showed how much a small effort can achieve when everyone joins in.”
“In short” now sits where a summary belongs. The rest is plain, clear English.
A fit test
Before a memorised phrase goes into a sentence, ask three questions.
- Meaning: Does the phrase mean exactly what I want to say here?
- Tone: Does it suit the reader and the rest of the essay?
- Place: Does it belong at this point, such as a summary phrase at the end?
If any answer is no, use a simpler way to say it. A plain sentence you control is safer than a fancy phrase you do not.
How can you learn phrases so they help?
Learn a few at a time. For each one, write an example sentence about your own life, and note where it suits: opening, contrast, summary or example.
Use a phrase in your next essay only if that situation comes up naturally. Over time you build a bank of phrases you really understand. The English writing task checklist includes a language check that can remind you to test each phrase.
When might one-to-one tuition help?
If you are not sure whether a phrase fits, a teacher who reads your essay can tell you, and show you why it works or does not, so you can judge it yourself next time.
In an online one-to-one lesson, the teacher works from your own essays, looks at the phrases you chose, and helps you keep the ones that fit. Your writing stays in your own voice.
You can try this with the one-hour trial class (from RM50), a real lesson. The fee is agreed before the trial, and afterwards you decide whether the teacher is a good fit.
Where to go next
For words in context, see vocabulary in context. For the wider balance of content, organisation and language, read balancing content, organisation and language, and for revising in your own voice, see revising an English response without replacing the student voice.
To go through your own essays with a teacher, see online one-to-one English tuition.