How to Express your Mixed Feelings in IELTS Writing & Speaking?

Some have an easy time expressing how we feel or think. However, all have moments when they are unsure about their own sentiments and beliefs. This article examines the words and phrases that can be used to communicate the uncertainty, whether about how one feels or how one thinks, in order to employ them in IELTS Speaking and Writing to improve your IELTS score to band 7.0+.

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General Human Sentiments

Humans have diverse emotions. While giving the IELTS speaking exam there are different emotions that come across the candidate’s mind. Here are some of these:

Mixed Feelings/ Emotions

We can say that someone has mixed feelings about something when they are both delighted and dissatisfied with it at the same time.

For instance: I have mixed feelings about studying abroad — I am both anxious and enthusiastic.

Ambivalent/Have Ambivalent Feelings towards Something

You have ambivalent feelings towards anything if you have two competing feelings at the same time and are unsure about what you think.

For instance: I felt ambivalent about studying overseas.

She has fairly ambivalent feelings towards her studying overseas.

Conflicted

To express that you are unsure and have conflicting thoughts about something, use a bolder and slightly formal term.

For instance: I'm still conflicted about my decision to move to New Zealand; I'm glad I did it, but I'm also glad I didn't.

Blow Hot and Cold

This is an excellent idiom to use when you're not sure how you feel about someone or something; sometimes you like them, and sometimes you don't.

For instance: I’m blowing hot and cold about traveling alone to Australia.

Make of someone/something

The IELTS phrasal verb can be used to suggest that we don't fully comprehend someone or something. In other words, it's difficult to get an impression/opinion/understanding of someone/something when you can't make sense of them.

For instance: I don’t really want to make her my new colleague, although we have been working in a team for a couple of weeks.

Make somebody out

The words "make someone out" and "make of someone" have the same meaning. It indicates that you are unable to comprehend what someone is saying.

For instance: I can’t completely make him out even though we have gone through a lot of obstacles together.

Torn

We can say that someone is torn when they can't make a decision on anything and are confused and upset as a result.

For instance: I can’t make up my mind whether I should move to Australia or New Zealand. I'm torn between two options.
I was torn between taking a gap year and approaching a tertiary education straight away after finishing high school.

(UK) In two Minds/(US) of two Minds

You can't determine whether or not to do something if you're undecided about it.

For instance: I’m in two minds about whether to support the new policy of smoking ban in public places.

Can’t Quite Pin Down/ Can’t Put my Finger On

When we are unable to fully comprehend or define something, we use the expression can't quite pin down or can't put our finger on.

For instance: I can’t put my finger on how I feel about this opportunity, but I am looking forward to it.

Don’t have the Foggiest Idea

The IELTS idiomatic expression refers to a lack of knowledge or comprehension of something.

For instance: I don't have the foggiest idea about how I feel about this concept.

It’s Beyond Me

It's beyond me is a phrase we use to describe anything that is too puzzling, perplexing, or startling for us to explain.

For instance: It's beyond me to say anything about this decision right now.

I am All Over the Place

When we don't have a single feeling about something and our sentiments about it are rapidly evolving, we say I'm all over the place.

For instance: The government is all over the place on unemployment and covid-19 problem.

On the Fence

When we are undecided or unsure about how we feel or what we want to do, we use the expression "on the fence."

For instance: I am on the fence about what to do. I want to buy a smartphone, but I also want to go on a vacation.