How To Use Time Conjunctions Correctly
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Imagine you are asked to deliver an impromptu speech on some topic. Chances are that you would just focus on producing sentence after sentence, paying little attention to the order in which they appear.
However, when speaking at length, it’s important that what we say is coherent, i.e. our thoughts appear in a logical sequence. Using conjunctions of time is one way of achieving this.
Wondering what conjunctions of time are? They are tiny words (such as before, after, once, while, etc.) which connect an action to a point in time. Put simply, they indicate when something happens.
In part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test, candidates need to speak continuously on a topic for two minutes. Here’s how time conjunctions can help structure your answer better:
Topic
| IELTS Speaking: Part 2
Describe a holiday you went on recently. |
Sample Answer
I love exploring new places, so holidays are something I always look forward to. The last holiday I went on was to a place called Kumarakom, which is in Southern India.
I first heard about Kumarakom when a friend spoke of her trip to India. Her vivid descriptions of the place and its people intrigued me so much that I knew I had to visit it. In fact, while she was busy recollecting her holiday experiences, I’d already started comparing tour packages on my phone. The following week, I found a great deal on a travel website. Before booking the holiday, I checked with my sister if she wanted to come. She jumped at the chance, and thus began our exciting journey.
Once we reached Kumarakom, I couldn’t contain my excitement. To be honest, since a visit to Egypt in my teens, never had I been to such an exotic location. As soon as we checked into the resort we were staying at, my sister and I decided to go for a swim. We enjoyed ourselves so thoroughly that we remained in the pool until sunset. After a sumptuous dinner that night, we decided to ….
Remember, time conjunctions also help create complex grammar structures, which is a major plus in a test situation.
GLOSSARY
| impromptu | ||
| Form | : | adjective |
| Meaning | : | not planned in advance |
| Example | : | He gave an impromptu performance at the wedding. |
| chances are that | ||
| Form | : | phrase |
| Meaning | : | used to say that something is likely to happen |
| Example | : | Chances are that Lilly will be moving abroad soon to join her parents. |
| at length | ||
| Form | : | phrase |
| Meaning | : | for a long time and in great detail |
| Example | : | Mike and I spoke about his career choices at length. |
| plus | ||
| Form | : | noun |
| Meaning | : | advantage |
| Example | : | Knowledge of current fashion trends would be a major plus in this job. |