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Inventions, innovations and technology are all popular topics in IELTS Speaking, so here are 8 useful phrases to talk about inventions.
Table of Contents
To catch on
To catch on = to become popular
This is a useful phrase to talk about new inventions in IELTS Speaking, such as electric cars or even hybrid cars. For example,
Hybrid cars are really catching on
Electric cars will never catch on, there is no infrastructure for charging the batteries.
To turn something on its head
To turn something on its head = to reverse or change the understanding of an idea
This is a great phrase to use with very powerful inventions that change how we traditionally do things. Speaking generally, we can say,
This invention is turning the way we do things on its head
Here are two more specific examples,
Cryptocurrency is turning the way we buy things on its head
Instagram is turning the way we communicate on its head
To take the world by storm
To take the world by storm = to become very popular
This expression is to do with popularity of an invention, so most likely applied to fashionable inventions, for instance, wearables like the apple watch or fitness trackers.
Wearables are taking the world by storm
To be a game changer
To be a game changer = something that significantly changes the way we do things
Again, this is a useful phrase to talk about big inventions that significantly change how we do things. For example,
The Internet has been a game changer
The invention of smartphones was a game changer
To take someone by surprise
To take someone by surprise = to surprise, astound, startle someone
This is a useful phrase to describe any inventions that were unexpected. For example,
3d printers have taken everyone by surprise
To be cutting edge
It’s cutting edge = it’s very advanced, innovative and leading the field (i.e. leading-edge)
This phrase is ideal to talk about inventions that rely on the latest technology.
I think that robot waiters are cutting-edge. They can take your order, bring your food and even make jokes.
It won’t be long before
It won’t be long before ____ = In the near future ___
This phrase can be used to talk about inventions that we predict are going to happen.
Hybrid cars are great, but I think they are the tip of the iceberg, it won’t be long before we have flying cars.
This will go down in history
This will go down in history as ___ = In the future, we will see this as ___
At the moment of production, some inventions may not be recognised as being important. However, if you want to express the idea that you think it will be very important in the future, you can use this phrase.
I think Virtual Reality (VR) will go down in history as the most important invention ever.
I think Artificial Intelligence (AI) will go down in history as the most expensive invention ever.
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