Best Words and Phrases to Use for PTE Core Writing – The Ultimate 2025 Guide (~1,200 words)

Strong vocabulary is the quickest, most measurable way to elevate your PTE Core writing score. Examiners award marks for lexical range (the variety of words you choose) and lexical accuracy (your ability to use them correctly). Below is a practical, no-fluff toolkit of the best words and phrases to use for PTE Core writing in 2025, organised by function, with examples you can borrow immediately. Sprinkle them naturally, don’t over-stuff, and you’ll satisfy every box in the rubric—from “vocabulary range” to “coherence and cohesion.”

1. Cohesive Connectors: Glue Your Ideas Together

Why they matter: PTE algorithms and human raters both track how smoothly you move from one idea to the next. Sophisticated connectors lift you above bland firstly, secondly, finally sequencing.

Tip: Use one connector per 60–70 words. Overuse looks mechanical; underuse makes the text feel choppy.

2. Precision Verbs: Replace Generic “Good/Do/Make”

Examiners love verbs that carry built-in nuance. They show command of tone and shrink word count by packing more information into fewer syllables.

• Facilitate – The upgraded platform facilitates cross-department collaboration.

• Mitigate – Planting trees can mitigate urban heat-island effects.

• Underscore – The data underscores the urgency of immediate action.

• Circumvent – Digital wallets help users circumvent high international transfer fees.

• Augment – AI tools augment human creativity instead of replacing it.

Practice Drill
Replace every weak verb (“do,” “get,” “make,” “have”) in your next essay draft with a precision alternative. Watch your vocabulary score climb.

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3. Academic Adjectives: Tone Without Padding

Adjectives must be specific and purposeful. Opt for academic-sounding descriptors that fit most prompt topics—technology, education, environment, business.

• Pivotal – Internet access is pivotal to modern education.

• Tangible – The reforms produced tangible improvements in public health.

• Impending – Governments must prepare for the impending rise of automation.

• Sustainable – A sustainable supply chain often attracts ESG-focused investors.

• Intrinsic – Creativity is an intrinsic element of entrepreneurial success.

Sentence Pattern:
Adjective + Noun + Relative Clause
Pivotal digital literacy skills that students must master …
This structure reads with authority and feeds the algorithm a rich lexical chunk.

4. Adverbial Boosters: Subtle Intensity Control

Adverbs help fine-tune claims—crucial when word count is tight (both writing tasks cap at 300 words combined).

• Moderately – The policy was moderately successful in rural areas.

• Comparatively – Solar energy is comparatively cheap once infrastructure is established.

• Markedly – Traffic congestion markedly declined after the metro expansion.

• Invariably – High tuition fees invariably deter low-income students.

• Fundamentally – The report fundamentally challenges traditional hiring practices.

Use adverbs sparingly; two or three per response keep style refined without clutter.

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5. Cohesive Noun Phrases: Pack More Into Fewer Words

Long noun phrases demonstrate range and raise information density—excellent for the 10-minute “Summarize Written Text” task.

• Long-term socioeconomic implications

• Rapidly evolving technological landscape

• Data-driven public policy framework

• Carbon-neutral manufacturing processes

• Outcome-based educational paradigm

6. Formal Collocations: Sound Like a Native Academic

Collocations (word partnerships) separate upper-range candidates from average performers.

Slip two or three collocations into each paragraph; they feel natural and bump your score.

7. Task-Specific Phrases for Summarize Written Text (SWT)

In SWT, you must condense a 200–300-word passage into a summary. These starter and linker phrases control structure and signal complexity.

• Starter Clauses

  • The passage examines how…

  • According to the author,

  • In the context of [topic], the text highlights…

• Mid-Sentence Linkers

  • while simultaneously addressing

  • as a result of

  • which in turn

8. Task-Specific Phrases for Write Essay

You have 20 minutes to write 200–300 words. Structure is king, but lexical variety seals the deal.

Introduction Openers

• It is widely acknowledged that…

• Few would dispute that…

Thesis Frames

• This essay contends that A outweighs B because X and Y.

• The following analysis will demonstrate why…

Topic-Sentence Starters

• A primary advantage is that…

• An equally significant point revolves around…

Counterargument Leads

• Critics may argue that…

• Despite legitimate concerns regarding…

Conclusion Cappers

• In light of the evidence examined,

• Ultimately, it is evident that…

Using these phrases ensures clarity while freeing your mental bandwidth to focus on argument quality.

9. Idiomatic—but Acceptably Formal—Expressions

Idioms inject colour yet must stay semi-formal. Avoid slang; choose expressions already common in business or academic writing.

• Strike a balance – Policymakers must strike a balance between growth and sustainability.

• Raise the bar – The new curriculum raises the bar for language proficiency.

• At the heart of – Resource management lies at the heart of organisational success.

• A case in point – Finland’s education reforms are a case in point.

• Level playing field – Regulation can create a level playing field for small firms.

Limit to one per paragraph to maintain authenticity.

10. Power Synonyms for Common Essay Topics

Replace overused words; synonyms demonstrate breadth.

11. Putting It All Together: Sample Essay Excerpt

Dear Facilities Manager,

I am writing to propose installing energy-efficient LED lighting in all common areas. According to recent audits, our fluorescent fixtures consume 18,000 kWh annually; switching could mitigate usage by roughly 7,000 kWh and deliver 35 % cost savings within a single fiscal year.

Beyond financial relief, the upgrade would markedly improve safety and visibility for residents. Furthermore, this sustainable step bolsters our building’s environmental profile, which may elevate property value and tenant satisfaction.

Should the board approve, I can facilitate vendor quotations and coordinate installation during off-peak hours to circumvent disruption.

Thank you for considering this pivotal improvement.

Sincerely,
Jordan Lee

Notice how connectors, precision verbs, academic adjectives, and cohesive nouns appear seamlessly without sounding forced.

12. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Keyword Stuffing – Repeating best words and phrases to use for PTE Core writing unnaturally will trip anti-spam filters and lower readability. Aim for three to five organic uses—this article includes four.

2. Over-Formalisation – Vocabulary must match task. An informal email prompt demands simpler diction.

3. Mixed Registers – Don’t pair colloquial slang with academic terminology; consistency demonstrates control.

4. Mechanical Linking – Begin only two paragraphs with Furthermore in a 300-word essay; vary with Moreover, Additionally, or drop the connector if cohesion is clear.

5. Incorrect Collocation – “Perform influence” is wrong; “exert influence” is correct. When unsure, Google the phrase inside quotes.

13. Rapid Revision Routine (5 Minutes)

1. Highlight Verbs – Swap generic verbs for precision alternatives.

2. Check Connectors – Ensure each paragraph has one sophisticated linker.

3. Add One Collocation – Strengthen natural phrasing.

4. Trim Redundancies – Replace two-word phrases with one-word synonyms (“because of” → “owing to”).

5. Scan for Variety – No connector or adjective should repeat within 50 words.

14. Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Mastering the best words and phrases to use for PTE Core writing is a high-return strategy: it raises lexical scores, tightens coherence, and helps you hit the 300-word ceiling without fluff. However, vocabulary alone cannot carry a weak structure. Combine these lexical tools with rock-solid templates, timed practice, and targeted feedback.

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Write smarter, not longer. Start integrating these words today, and watch your score rise on exam day.