Of course! "A regular thing" is a fantastic, natural-sounding phrase to use in IELTS Speaking. It's exactly the kind of colloquial language that can help you sound more fluent and less like you're just reciting memorized answers.

Let's break it down so you can use it effectively in your test.

What does "a regular thing" mean?

It simply means something that happens often, frequently, or on a consistent basis. It implies a routine or a habit.

Synonyms you can use:

• A habit
• A routine
• Something I do often / frequently / regularly
• A common occurrence
• Part of my daily/weekly life

How to Use It in the IELTS Test

You can use this phrase in all three parts of the speaking test, but in slightly different ways.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

This is the most common place to use it. The questions are about your daily life, habits, and routines.

Example Questions & Answers:

• Q: Do you often drink coffee?

  • A: "Yes, absolutely. It's a regular thing for me. I usually have a cup every morning to kick-start my day, and sometimes I'll have another one in the afternoon if I'm feeling a bit tired."

• Q: Do you like going to the cinema?

  
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  • A: "I do enjoy it, but it's not really a regular thing for me these days. It's more of a special treat, maybe once every couple of months, when there's a film I'm really excited about."

• Q: What do you usually do on weekends?

  • A: "Oh, my weekends are pretty relaxed. It's a regular thing for me to go for a long run on Saturday morning, and then I usually spend Sunday afternoon reading a book in the park."

Why it's effective here:

• It directly answers the question about frequency.
• It sounds natural and conversational.
• It helps you structure your answer by introducing a topic (e.g., "It's a regular thing for me to...").

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

In Part 2, you can use the phrase to describe a habit or routine related to the cue card topic.

Example Cue Card:

• Describe a hobby you have.
• You should say:
  • what the hobby is
  • how often you do it
  • why you started it
  • and explain how you feel when you do it.

Example Answer: "So, I'd like to talk about my hobby, which is cooking. It's a regular thing for me; I try to cook at least four or five times a week. I started it a couple of years ago because I got tired of eating takeout and wanted to make sure I was eating healthy, home-cooked meals. When I'm in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and experimenting with new recipes, I find it incredibly relaxing. It’s a great way to unwind after a long day at work."

Why it's effective here:

• It's a perfect way to answer the "how often" part of the cue card.
• It adds a layer of fluency to your description.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In Part 3, the questions are more abstract. You can use "a regular thing" to discuss general trends or habits in society.

Example Question:

• Q: "In your country, is it common for people to change jobs frequently?"

Example Answer: "That's an interesting question. I think it's becoming more of a regular thing, especially among younger generations. In the past, people often stayed with one company for their entire career for stability. But now, with more dynamic industries like tech and marketing, people see changing jobs as a way to gain new skills and get a better salary. So yes, for many professionals, job-hopping has definitely become a regular part of their career path."

Why it's effective here:

• It allows you to generalize about a trend or a common practice.
• It shows you can discuss broader topics beyond your personal life.
• It helps you structure a more complex answer, e.g., "It's not a regular thing for everyone, but it is for..."

Variations and Advanced Usage

To show a wider range of vocabulary, you can use variations of the phrase.

• It's become a regular thing. (Emphasizes a change over time)

  • "With social media, it's become a regular thing for people to share every detail of their lives online."

• Make something a regular thing. (Talk about intention or habit formation)

  • "I really need to make going to the gym a regular thing again."

• It's not really a regular thing for me. (To say something is infrequent)

  • "I enjoy traveling, but it's not really a regular thing for me due to work commitments."

• Something of a regular thing. (A slightly more formal or nuanced way to say it)

  • "Working from home has become something of a regular thing even for people whose jobs aren't entirely remote."

Key Takeaways for Your IELTS Test

1. Use it Naturally: Don't force it. Use it when the question is about frequency or habits.
2. Combine it with Other Vocabulary: Pair it with words like "ritual," "staple," "part of my routine," or "habit" to sound even more fluent.
3. Use it for Contrast: You can use it to highlight what you do do regularly versus what you don't.
   • "Drinking tea is a regular thing for me, but coffee isn't."

By incorporating phrases like "a regular thing," you demonstrate your ability to use natural, everyday English, which is a key criterion for a high band score in Fluency and Coherence. Good luck