“Owing to” is a sophisticated transition often used in academic writing to express cause and effect. Mastering its usage can significantly enhance your IELTS writing score, demonstrating a strong command of grammatical structures and vocabulary. Let’s explore how to effectively incorporate “owing to” into your IELTS writing.
Example Sentences:
- Owing to the increasing demand for online education, numerous platforms have emerged in recent years. (This sentence explains the reason behind the emergence of online education platforms.)
- The project was delayed owing to unforeseen circumstances. (This sentence highlights the cause of the project delay.)
- Owing to his exceptional communication skills, John excelled in his role as a customer service representative. (This sentence attributes John’s success to his strong communication abilities.)
Understanding “Owing To” and Its Significance in IELTS
“Owing to” is a preposition meaning “because of” or “as a result of.” It indicates a direct causal relationship between two events or situations. Using “owing to” instead of simpler alternatives like “because” or “due to” showcases a more advanced vocabulary, contributing to a higher lexical resource score.
Mastering the Grammar and Usage of “Owing to”
Formula:
Owing to + Noun Phrase
Analysis:
- “Owing to” is always followed by a noun phrase, which can be a single noun, a noun phrase, or a gerund.
- It is typically used at the beginning or middle of a sentence, and is followed by a comma when it introduces the sentence.
Examples:
- Writing Task 2: Many traditional shops have closed owing to the rise of e-commerce.
- Speaking Part 3: Owing to globalization, cultural exchange has become increasingly common.
Achieving IELTS Success: Strategies for Utilizing “Owing to”
1. Formal Register:
Remember, “owing to” is more formal than “because” or “due to.” Use it in formal writing tasks, like IELTS Writing Task 1 (describing graphs or processes) and Task 2 (essays).
Example:
- IELTS Writing Task 1: Owing to the implementation of stricter environmental regulations, air pollution levels have decreased significantly over the past decade.
2. Cause and Effect:
When you want to highlight the direct cause of a particular outcome, “owing to” becomes very effective.
Example:
- IELTS Writing Task 2: Some people believe that the increase in crime rates is owing to the lack of job opportunities for young people.
Common Errors to Avoid
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Incorrect Word Order: Do not place the noun phrase before “owing to.”
- Incorrect: The heavy rain owing to, the match was canceled.
- Correct: Owing to the heavy rain, the match was canceled.
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Overuse: Using “owing to” repeatedly can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms.
Conclusion
“Owing to” is a valuable phrase to add to your IELTS vocabulary arsenal. By using it correctly and strategically, you can demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency, leading to a better score in your IELTS exam. For further practice, explore how other transition words are used in the context of IELTS essays on websites like ielts.net.