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Good words for composition - 20 Good Words and Phrases for Primary School Composition Writing


Good Words for Composition
Good Words for Composition

Good words for composition: Bring Your Story to Life with These Vivid Expressions!

If you've ever read a model composition and wondered what makes it so gripping, the secret often lies in word choice. Using powerful phrases and idiomatic expressions helps create emotional depth and make your writing more memorable.

Whether you're preparing for the PSLE English Paper 1 or just want to improve your storytelling skills, in this list of Good words for composition, we provide 20 vivid expressions that will help your composition shine.


✍️ Why Use These Phrases?

These phrases:

  • Make characters feel real

  • Show emotions clearly

  • Add drama and interest

  • Impress exam markers


Let’s dive into the list!


✅ 20 Powerful Phrases for Composition Writing


  1. Turning over a new leaf

    1. Meaning: Changing for the better

      1. Example: After the incident, John turned over a new leaf and became more responsible.


  2. In the nick of time

    1. Meaning: Just in time

      1. Example: I arrived at the bus stop in the nick of time as the doors were about to close.


  3. Caught red-handed

    1. Meaning: Caught while doing something wrong

      1. Example: The boy was caught red-handed copying answers during the test.


  4. Face the music

    1. Meaning: Accept the consequences

      1. Example: I knew I had to face the music for breaking the vase.


  5. Apologise profusely

    1. Meaning: Say sorry many times, very sincerely

      1. Example: I apologised profusely for shouting at my friend.


  6. Face turned beet red

    1. Meaning: Extremely embarrassed

      1. Example: My face turned beet red when the teacher read my name out loud.


  7. Chastised severely

    1. Meaning: Scolded harshly

      1. Example: We were chastised severely for playing pranks in class.


  8. Received an earful

    1. Meaning: Got a long scolding

      1. Example: I received an earful from Mum after coming home late.


  9. Got a tongue-lashing

    1. Meaning: Was harshly told off

      1. Example: He got a tongue-lashing from the coach for missing training.


  10. Was given a dressing down

    1. Meaning: Received a serious scolding

      1. Example: I was given a dressing down for not completing my homework.


  11. Given a stern warning

    1. Meaning: Warned seriously

      1. Example: The principal gave me a stern warning not to fight again.


  12. Tears streamed down my cheeks

    1. Meaning: Cried a lot

      1. Example: Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched my pet being taken away.


  13. Proud as a peacock

    1. Meaning: Very proud

      1. Example: She was proud as a peacock after winning first prize.


  14. Heart sank

    1. Meaning: Felt disappointed or afraid

      1. Example: My heart sank when I saw the “F” on my test paper.


  15. Over the moon

    1. Meaning: Extremely happy

      1. Example: I was over the moon when I was chosen as class monitor.


  16. Grinned from ear to ear

    1. Meaning: Smiled very widely

      1. Example: I grinned from ear to ear when my mother praised me.


  17. A chill ran down my spine

    1. Meaning: Felt scared or nervous

      1. Example: A chill ran down my spine as I heard footsteps behind me.


  18. Laughed till my sides hurt

    1. Meaning: Laughed a lot

      1. Example: We laughed till our sides hurt at the silly joke.


  19. Fell on deaf ears

    1. Meaning: Was completely ignored

      1. Example: My complaints about the broken chair fell on deaf ears.


  20. It was a bitter pill to swallow

    1. Meaning: A hard or painful truth to accept

      1. Example: Losing the competition after months of training was a bitter pill to swallow.


🧠 Composition Tip:

Don’t overstuff your writing with fancy words—choose 2 to 3 of these expressions that fit your story naturally. Use them in key moments to highlight emotion or drama.

Happy writing, and may your next composition score top marks! 🎉


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