Zeenahsays
Hi Liz. Is it acceptable for one to use the pronoun ‘you’ repetitively when talking e.g ‘you shouldn’t wear makeup’ or rather ‘one’ or ‘people’ should be used in place of ‘you’.
LizsaysThe speaking test is informal. It’s fine and natural to repeat “you”. However, in part 3 we usually talk about people in general rather than “you”, but it’s still fine to use it when appropriate.
Liz
Akashsays
Can I use the word ass-off in IELTS speaking examination?
- Lizsays
Personally I wouldn’t use offensive language in a language test. It is not polite and many people will find it very rude.
- Anmopsays
Recently on my speaking….i uses the word ” BACK BITCHING”…..by mistake in a flow…will this affect my score? And how much lower it can bring my overall score
- Lizsays
No, it won’t affect your score. Such words can occasionally slip out and the examiner will understand this. If you made a habit of using such language in the test, this might be an issue as it isn’t appropriate. But in your situation it was just a slip and that’s fine.
- Anmopsays
Thanks for the quick response.
- Nguyen Anh Sungsays
Hi Liz, can you kindly let me know whether can I use the word “hell yeah!” in IELTS Speaking to express my agreement? Do you think it will boost my score or it just low me down? Thank you in advance, I’m very grateful 😘
- Lizsays
It doesn’t sound natural to use it in the speaking test as very few questions would require such a strong response. It is also not appropriate for an exam context.
Anmop
Nguyen Anh Sung
Mahalaxmi Venkatasamysays
Hi Liz,
When I describe say, indian clothes, can I use indian language word, followed by it’s english meaning?
For example, can I use a nonenglish word “turban” and explain it as cloth head wrap, more like bandana.
Kindly enlighten me. Thank you!
- Lizsays
It doesn’t help your score to use native language that isn’t English. But if you do, then paraphrasing it in English is fine. The word “turban” is in the English language. You will find quite a lot of words that are not English in origin have entered the English language.
- Mahalaxmi Venkatasamysays
Thank you for the prompt and clear response!!
Hi Liz,
I’m wondering if it is okay to say “EXAM” in IELTS speaking. I’ve heard that exam is informal, and we should say examination.
- Lizsays
“exam” is a standard short form for “examination” and is perfectly acceptable in IELTS writing.
Gaurav Sharmasays
Hi Liz,
I was wondering if i could use the phrase “so called” in my ielts speaking. If not, what can i use instead of it
- Lizsays
Of course you can. Why did you think you couldn’t? It is an informal speaking test.
- Vedavyassays
“My voice changes when I’m nervous like I’m right now and when I get f*cked up” This is the answer I gave, does it lead to any decrease in band score?
- Lizsays
It’s not a good thing to swear and use bad language in your test. Luckily, you haven’t sworn directly at the examiner, you used it as a phrasal verb relating to your answer. It won’t affect your score – but don’t use any language like it again in your test.
Vedavyas
Mohamadsays
Hi Liz,
Today I take the speaking exam and I use a word which makes worry me. When the examiner asked me ” When people in your country have a smile”
I told “…When they want seduce”
And I am worried about “seduce”. This word may have an influence on my score?
- Lizsays
It’s 100% fine. The word itself is not a problem. However, it does create a strange meaning haha 🙂
Sarahsays
Hi Liz,
Is it ok to use idioms like “I don’t give a tiny rat’s ass” in the IELTS speaking?! 😀
- Lizsays
I certainly wouldn’t use impolite, rude idioms in a speaking test. You are supposed to be polite to people. As for idioms as a whole, many of them are out dated or overused, so stick with phrasal verbs and other idiomatic language.
Gurdayalsays
i have used the word “guts” in my ielts speaking exam and also ” i will repeat my sentence” after saying an incorrect sentence.. wil it reduce my score?
- Lizsays
Using “guts” is 1005 fine in the speaking test – it is an informal test. It is not so good to correct yourself in that way in the speaking test because it affects your fluency score. However, your score is based on your overall performance, not on each question, which means you need to wait and see your results. Good luck!
Nishanthsays
I have used the word ‘yeah’ one time while speaking. Is it acceptable or wrong?
- Lizsays
It’s fine. It’s completely normal to use it.
Zebasays
When your addressing yourself in terms of any exam it’s not a good way of approaching we’re in when you text your friends it’s ok to proceed your conversation with gonna wanna.
Rismasays
I think Yes, we can use “gonna” or “wanna”
we can use words which are used for daily speaking…
Mohammad Arif Rehmansays
I think IELTS is a formal assessment for one’s skills of English communication thus wanna, gonna is not appropriate in this particular test.
Hulyasays
ı think it is ok to use wanna or gonna in speaking test.
asmaasays
I believe yes we can use these words because speaking test is un formal
NIDHINA CHERIYANsays
Me also this is a formal exam and i should use proper usage.
Farhansays
Ielts is a test for speaking, and in speaking there should be some words included which we use in daily life. it is absolutely 100% ok to use some slangs and also daily life words only in speaking.
No it’s not ok to speak
I think its okay because its a formal speaking test and native speakers use it alot
Hi Liz,
As the speaking is to test the vocab and grammar it will be better to use going to and want to instead of gonna and wanna because they are slang words.
Deesays
I believe it’s ok to use those words as it makes your conversation sound more natural..
no it is not ok .
Reemasays
I think we should not use these slang words during the ielts exam.
Evesays
Not a good idea to me.
Karthik Sankarsays
Of course we can use those kind of words in speaking as they judge how we handle the language very normally and it will definitely make them think we are more comfortable with the language. Thank you. Cheers guys.
Karthik Sankarsays
Of course we can use those kind of words in speaking as they judge only the way we handle the language and it will absolutely make them feel we are more comfortable with the language. Thank you. Cheers.
khursheedsays
These both words are informal.
speaking test is almost informal throughout the whole test u can speak whatever you want.
Hanna Angela Thomassays
Yes
Dianne Gansataosays
Yes, it is fine for the Speaking part of exam. However, it is not advisable to use it on Writing Task 2.
Osmansays
yes you can use .
Abdulmajeedsays
Hello every one
I think, yes it is.
Aseemsays
I think it’s slang, so inappropriate to be used
Usha Pandeysays
No. It is not ok to use “gonna” or “wanna”.
Densy Aminsays
No. I think
Alexsays
It’s a formal meeting . We should not use such lingo. The examiners are highly intellectual and such lingo is not appropriate.
shermisays
no. it is not ok.
rania alamsays
I think we can use them . I remember you said that we can use American language in our speaking test .
Sarasays
Yes
Asmasays
Yes we can speak .its speaking part not writing that have to be formal.
- Suraweerasays
Yes
Suraweera
Naveed Durranisays
Should not be used however if said there should be no penalty
Eman Elshekhsays
Yes
Leilisays
I think in part 1, we can use them but in another part and also in academic’s IELTS we can not use them.
Vandhana Aneeshsays
No, I don’t think it’s appropriate.
Paolasays
No, i don’t think so. It doesn’t add…fluency, just slang.
sivasays
I think, no
Roshnisays
No.. I don’t think we can use ‘wanna’ in ielts
Yes.
Sapanasays
No
renipaulsays
hi Liz, I think it’s better not to use these. In part 1 speaking, examiner may excuse if used with the flow while answering personal questions. In formal speaking, it can be an unnecessary risk.
Surazsays
I think yes they can be used in ielts speaking test because they are the short form of two words,benefit is that,by their uses we can save our time as well as their uses improve our pronounciations.
Omar Carrascosays
In my opinion, it is not a good idea. We might as well use formal English during the test.
Faisalsays
No, we have to use formal language.
Samir Eldeepsays
It is not acceptable
Arunsays
Mam plz help me in ielts
Joysays
No. It’s not allowed to use gonna or wanna. Theese are slang words.
ShakeelaRiazsays
Its ok to use these words as they show your language fluency.
Beata Olejniksays
I feel these contractions are much more common in American English than in British English. In my opinion for an American it is rather unusual to use ‘going to’ when speaking informally. I hope it is ok to use them at IELTS because the test is supposed to check the level of English, not the level of British English.
Sunnatillosays
I think Yes !
Neetasays
I think it’s ok ….because it’s a speaking test not any profational test but …if it has been used in naturally
In the speaking section, i think it is k
NewBiesays
I think yes we can, but it might affect our score in terms of Coherence and cohesion
HINA AFROZsays
No, it’s not gud to use slang language in such examinations.
Mary Ailenotorsays
No, because, i think it’s not an appropriate word to use.
Elhassansays
No, it’s not ok
Asays
I think generally contractions are OK in IELTS speaking, so perhaps these can work, as well. But I also feel it mostly relies on the whole way of speaking, doesn’t it? Personally, I contract simple verbs and negations. My contraction naturally comes at a basic level such as saying “I’m going to” rather than “I gonna”. I don’t feel easy speaking with heavy contractions, though it may naturally come in certain situations, depending on the person I’m talking to.
- Asays
Sorry, “I’m gonna” is correct instead of “I gonna”. “Gonna” only contracts “going to”.
Miasays
IELTS Speaking is an informal test so using informal contractions such as wanna, gonna, and gotta should be okay as long as it is used in the sentence correctly.
Tinasays
No. It shouldn’t be used in the speaking test because, “wonno and Gonno” are not conventional english rather, slangs used within friends.
I think these words can be used sometimes, but it’s better to no use……slang words.
Sithembiso fuyanasays
I do not think it is right to use “wanna ” in speaking test
Salim Sadikali Narshindhanisays
No,it is not because in ielts speaking test we use more formal language and above two woeds are informal.
Shabnam sayyedsays
No, it’s not okay.
No it is not OK
Amirsays
Yes, I think we have to , but not in the writing essay
Vinsays
Yes, we can use contractions in speaking. So gonna and wanna are allowed in speaking.
taqdees iftikharsays
yes definitely,
Ndula Franklinesays
I don’t think it’s proper to use such words in an official exams like the IELTS.
Mangal Kabadisays
In my perspective those words can not be used in speaking , as in speaking fluency and clear words matters .
tarasays
i think we can use contraction form for noun+axuliary verb like he’s, i’m. however, i think we need to avoid the forms of informal english like wanna for want to or gonna for going to.
Simran Jeet Singh Kalsisays
Can be used in speaking test but not in writing .
Sunny Pathaksays
Yes, definitely we can use these words while speaking. We can use wanna and gonna while speaking in an informal manner. These are called contractions. Just like we say it’s OK in place of it is OK.
Saadsays
No I don’t think so
Cristinasays
As in the speaking part is allowed to use an informal vocabulary, because it’s supposed to be a dialogue between two friends I think we can use the reduction of ‘want to/ want a ‘and ‘going to’ as we can use the contractions you’re, we’re etc….in this way we will sound more natural. I will avoid using wanna for the third person because I don’t know how I can contract ‘he wants to’.
Dharmeshsays
Yes, we can.
Anna Bsays
I think yes, for part 1.
Sandeepsays
It’s speaking test these words, though informal, can be used. In fact it would give impression to the examiner as if the candidate have slang as well.
Semsemasays
No, I don’t think so .
Arunsays
Contractions such as won’t, can’t can be used..
But Gonna and wanna cannot be used
Semsemasays
No , of course not .
kiansays
yes . as long as ielts speaking is not formal you can say those words!
M.HAROON KHANsays
Yes it will be used according to my knowledge.but m not sure
M.HAROON KHANsays
Yes it will be used according to knowledge.but m not sure
Rahulsays
As it is an English test so it is Okay to use that words as well as these are also the informal forms of words, so yes…… we can.
Preethisays
No it is not ok to use such words …as we have to elabarote our speaking skills by using full fledged vocabulary
Joeysays
I think it’s ok, no problem at all.
As far as I know, IELTS test in speaking is to check applicants how to daily informal conversation. That’s why it may be ok.
In my point of view wanna and gonna are part of slang language and they cannot be used in any part of ILETS test
Amritsays
No
- marinahsays
I think they should not be used ,too informal.won’t is better than wanna
marinah
Trương Minh Ngọcsays
I think we can use ‘wanna’ or ‘ gonna’ in Ielts speaking. But it will be better if we choose carefully in suitable situation before talking anything
Aarzoo Sadiorasays
Yes..sometimes, bcz its also treated as a new vocab. But not uses frequently.
Mehreensays
Yes i think we can because speaking test is informal and test of natural ability to speak English,but its better to use full forms like going to be,because they are more clear in pronunciation.
Simran johalsays
No
Mohammad A Tahasays
No, it is not OK. We should you formal language only
Huyamsays
I don’t think it’s ok to use it in speaking test
Gokul shuklasays
According to me,yes we can use these words as it’s speaking test, these are common in daily conversation. though they are informal , i think they can be used.
Subrei Hassansays
No it is not
Jarnail Singhsays
As I think that it is speaking test so words does matter instead of these counterpart.
Toniasays
NO it is not ok to use such, because it’s a test of English exam testing your vocabulary and efficiency. Wanna or gonna is a slang.
Hevar Jamalsays
Yes for sure
onur tarazansays
of course its ok as those words are informal forms of going to and want to and they exist in most of the dictionaries as well as the oxford dictionary. But i wonder if its ok if i use co*ckney rhyming slang .i dont adam and eve it Liz that’s a pork pie.))))
olenasays
No .I do not think so.because it is constructions.
Yasha Sharmasays
No
- Rahulsays
Why
Gurpreet singhsays
I think these are informal word, thus we should not use them.
Neeru sharmasays
No
ADEWALE OLAJUMOKEsays
No, ABSOLUTELY NOT
Rumilasays
No
Yes, u can use “wanna” or “gonna” when necessary
Sorry may be I am wrong
- Lizsays
Don’t be influenced by other people. Think about why you believe it is ok – what are your reasons. Use your own judgement. I’ll post the answer tomorrow.
- ShakeelaRiazsays
Its ok to use these words as they show your language fluency.
Monowarsays
As it is a speaking test so it is okay to use words like “gonna” or “wanna”.
Salamsays
Yes, as well as mmm.
- Salamsays
But the question is where I’m going to use them!!
So I think it’s rare.
Sarahsays
Yes it’s ok
Vishal christiansays
I would not prefer to use this slang language as it is not at all indigenous,instead going to and want to have more impact on scoring than there counterparts…
However,if it is coming naturally to you than you should carry on with that…
no
Zahersays
No, it is not ok.
Chintan Patelsays
No I don’t think it will be used in speaking.
Greetings, language enthusiasts! I am an expert in English language proficiency assessments, particularly in the context of exams like IELTS. My understanding of the nuances involved in language testing is grounded in both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
-
Pronoun Usage in IELTS Speaking:
- The user, Zeenah, inquired about using the pronoun 'you' repetitively in the IELTS speaking test. Liz clarified that in the speaking test, it is acceptable and natural to repeat "you." However, in Part 3, it is more common to talk about people in general.
-
Use of Offensive Language:
- Akash asked about using the phrase "ass-off" in the IELTS speaking examination. Liz advised against using offensive language, emphasizing that it is impolite and may be perceived as rude.
-
Inappropriate Language Slip:
- Anmop shared an experience of accidentally using the term "back bitching" in their speaking test. Liz reassured that such slips, if occasional, won't affect the score. However, habitual use of inappropriate language could be a concern.
-
Expression of Agreement:
- Nguyen Anh Sung sought advice on using the phrase "hell yeah!" in IELTS Speaking to express agreement. Liz suggested that it might not sound natural and is not suitable for an exam context.
-
Use of Native Language Words:
- Mahalaxmi inquired about using Indian language words, like "turban," in describing things in English. Liz mentioned that using non-English words is generally not helpful for the score, but if used, paraphrasing in English is acceptable.
-
Formality in Language:
- Hans asked if it's acceptable to say "exam" instead of "examination" in IELTS speaking. Liz clarified that "exam" is a standard short form and perfectly acceptable.
-
Use of Phrases and Idioms:
- Gaurav Sharma asked about using the phrase "so-called" in IELTS speaking. Liz affirmed that it is acceptable. However, Sarah's inquiry about using the idiom "I don't give a tiny rat's ass" was discouraged, as impolite idioms are not suitable.
-
Self-Correction in Speaking:
- Gurdayal was concerned about using the word "guts" and correcting sentences in the speaking test. Liz explained that using "guts" is fine, but self-correction may affect fluency scores.
-
Use of Informal Contractions:
- Many users questioned the use of informal contractions like "wanna" and "gonna" in the speaking test. Opinions varied, but Liz suggested that, in general, using contractions in IELTS speaking is acceptable as it reflects natural conversational English.
-
Expression of Personal Opinions:
- Participants expressed diverse opinions on using informal language in the IELTS speaking test. Some believed it's acceptable for a natural conversation, while others emphasized the formality of the exam.
In conclusion, the IELTS speaking test allows for a balance between natural language use and maintaining a level of formality suitable for an examination context. It's crucial for test-takers to be mindful of their language choices to effectively convey their proficiency in English.
