Many students ask me if it’s ok to use the passive voice to give your own opinion in an IELTS essay. And some people think that they will get a higher band score if they use a passive voice in their essay. But is this true?
For example:
Is it possible to use “it is believed …” or “it is thought …” instead of “in my opinion” or “I believe”
This lesson will
- explain when to use passive voice
- explain about using passive voice for opinions
- explain what the examiner is looking for in IELTS writing task 2 opinion essay
- provide Free Video Lessons:
- Expressing your Opinion for IELTS Writing Task 2
- Language for Discussion Essays
- give useful links for IELTS
Examples of passive and active voice:
- The road was built a long time ago = passive
- The Romans built the road a long time ago = active
Which should we use and when?
When to Use Passive Voice
We use passive voice in the following situations and ways:
- when the performer (the person doing the action) is unknown or irrelevant
- “More wind power is used than solar power.” In this sentence, the people using the power is irrelevant to the information so passive voice is used.
- “The information was hacked from the computer.” In this sentence, the person doing the hacking is possibly not known or the person is not important to the person speaking so passive voice was used.
- when it refers to a group of unspecified people
- “It is thought that the government should improve the infrastructure of all major cities.” In this sentence, we do not know who the people are that think this. We only know that it refers to “some people” but not a specified group.
- when the person doing the action is less important than the action itself
- “The decision was made by the committee.” In this sentence, “the decision” is more important than “the committee” so the decision becomes the subject and passive voice is used. The person doing the action is added after using “by ….”
- depending on what is most important to the person speaking or the thing doing the action
- “Trees produce more oxygen.” is an active sentence and “trees” is the subject. “More oxygen is produced by trees.” is passive voice. This is used because “oxygen” is more important than “trees”.
Does using the passive voice give you a higher score?
Actually, the passive voice does not give you a higher score. No particular tense of grammar feature gives you a higher score. There are no special tenses. Each tense and each grammar feature is value simply because it shows the examiner a broader range of grammar. You should only use the passive voice when it is suitable to do so.
Using Passive Voice for Giving Opinions
From the above information, we can see that the passive voice “it is thought” does not refer to you. It refers to other people who are not specified, for example “It is thought by some people that ….” is NOT your opinion.
You use the passive voice in IELTS writing task 2 to write about other people’s opinions. For example, “It is believed by some that children should focus on sciences at school, while it is believed by others that children should spend time focusing on the arts.” Two opposite views belonging to other people – not you.
This means you could use the passive voice in a Discussion Essay or in your Background Statement when you introduce other people’s views before you give your own in the Thesis Statement.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Your Opinion
When the IELTS writing task 2 instructions ask for your opinion, you must state your opinion clearly. This means it will be an active sentence. You will need to state:
I think / I believe / In my opinion
If you use “it is believed”, this is not your opinion. It belongs to other people. The examiner give you a lower score because you didn’t give your opinion. You can’t use “it is believed” to express your own view. It is grammatically incorrect in English and it is a big mistake in IELTS writing task 2.
How to Give your Opinion: Free Video Lesson
Watch this video lessons to help tips about expressing your opinion in IELTS writing task 2. It’s an old video, but still completely relevant today.
How to Give Your Opinion in IELTS Writing Task 2
Giving your opinion in IELTS Writing Task 2 is a crucial skill that can directly affect your Task Response score. Many candidates struggle with whether, when, and how to express their opinion correctly. In this guide, we’ll answer three important questions:
-
Do you need to give your opinion in every Task 2 essay?
-
Can you use "I" or "my" in your essay?
-
What are the best ways to express your opinion?
1. Do You Need to Give Your Opinion in IELTS Writing Task 2?
The answer is simple: read the instructions carefully.
IELTS provides very clear instructions for each essay type. If the question says:
-
Do you agree or disagree?
-
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
-
What is your opinion?
...then yes, you must give your opinion. The examiner will be looking for it as part of your Task Response score.
However, not all Task 2 questions ask for your opinion. For example, a discussion essay may ask you to discuss both views and give your opinion, in which case, your opinion is required. But if the task only asks you to discuss views or explain problems and solutions, then your personal opinion may not be needed.
If you're unsure which task types require an opinion, it’s worth studying the different types of IELTS essays and their instruction keywords.
2. Can You Use "I" or "My" in an IELTS Essay?
Yes—if the task asks for your opinion, you must use personal pronouns like "I think", "In my opinion", or "I believe". These are the clearest and most direct ways to state your view.
Using “I” or “my” in this context is not only allowed but expected.
✅ Acceptable in opinion essays:
-
I think public transport should be improved.
-
In my opinion, this approach is more effective.
However, if the instructions do not ask for your opinion, then avoid using “I” or “my.” In that case, your essay should be written in a more objective, third-person tone.
3. How to Express Your Opinion: What Phrases Are Appropriate?
Over the years, IELTS teachers have seen a wide range of phrases that students use to express opinions—some good, some informal, and some incorrect. Below is a breakdown of common phrases and whether they’re suitable for formal academic writing.
❌ Informal or Inappropriate Phrases (avoid in writing)
-
I reckon
-
I suppose
-
From my perspective
-
If you ask me
-
As far as I’m concerned
-
In my belief
-
To my mind
While some of these may be useful in the Speaking Test, they are not suitable for academic writing.
✅ Recommended Academic Phrases
Use these to clearly and appropriately express your opinion in your thesis statement or topic sentences:
-
I think...
-
I believe...
-
In my opinion...
-
In my view...
-
I agree / I disagree...
These expressions are direct, formal, and commonly used in IELTS essays. Choose the one that feels most natural to you—but avoid overcomplicating it.
📝 Example Thesis Statement:
In my opinion, governments should invest more in public transportation to reduce environmental pollution.
Final Tips
-
Use simple and clear language to express your opinion.
-
Make sure your opinion is easy for the examiner to find—usually in the introduction and conclusion.
-
Be consistent: don't switch positions halfway through the essay.
-
Avoid overly informal or conversational language.
Summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to give my opinion? | Yes, but only if the task instructions ask for it. |
| Can I use "I" or "my" in my essay? | Yes, if the task asks for your opinion. |
| What phrases are appropriate? | Use: I think, I believe, In my opinion, In my view. Avoid: I reckon, From my perspective, etc. |
Giving your opinion effectively and appropriately is a vital part of IELTS Writing Task 2. Use the right expressions, follow the instructions carefully, and keep your tone academic—and you’ll be one step closer to your target band score.
