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Use ‘Far Be It’ to Impress in IELTS Speaking Part 3

3,300 views · Published 8 November 2018 · 5:16 · Indexed 24 September 2026

Channel: IELTS Energy TV · 2018 · Education

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Today you learn how to use the band 8+ phrase ‘far be it’ in IELTS Speaking Part 3.
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In order to raise your vocabulary scores in Writing and Speaking, you must use high-level phrases, such as that in today’s lesson.

This is a very interesting phrase, ‘far be it from me to…, but…’.

We use it to introduce an idea or piece of advice that, perhaps, is not our place to offer, or is not appropriate to say.

It’s good to introduce an idea from an area that you are not an expert in, but you still want to offer your idea or advice.

For example:

IELTS Part 3 question: Should young people start a family right after university?

‘Far be it from me to tell people what they must do with their lives, but I do think most in their early twenties are not mature enough to settle down for life.’

IELTS Part 3 question: Do you think there should be laws against unhealthy food?

‘Far be it from me to give nutrition advice, lord knows I dig into fast food once in a while, but I do think there are too many who abuse the availability of unhealthy food. So, there should be laws to keep this behavior in check.’

Note two other interesting phrases used in that answer: ‘lord knows’ and ‘keep… in check’. 

Comment on the video with your own examples!

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