Cách Sử Dụng “At Long Last”, “Finally”, “After Long Wait” Trong IELTS – Công Thức & Ví Dụ Band 8.0

Các cụm từ “At long last”, “Finally” và “After a long wait” là những cấu trúc diễn đạt quan trọng trong kỳ thi IELTS, đặc biệt khi bạn cần mô tả một sự kiện đã được chờ đợi lâu dài hoặc một kết quả cuối cùng đã đạt được. Những cấu trúc này không chỉ giúp bạn thể hiện trình độ từ vựng phong phú mà còn tạo sự liên kết logic trong câu chuyện hoặc lập luận của bạn. Chúng xuất hiện thường xuyên trong Speaking Part 2 khi mô tả trải nghiệm cá nhân và Writing Task 2 khi đưa ra kết luận hoặc nhấn mạnh tầm quan trọng của một sự kiện.

Theo phân tích từ các đề thi IELTS thực tế, những cụm từ này xuất hiện với tần suất trung bình đến cao trong:

Speaking: Part 2 (mô tả trải nghiệm, sự kiện đáng nhớ) và Part 3 (thảo luận về sự thay đổi theo thời gian)
Writing Task 2: Opinion essays và Problem-Solution essays
Reading: Các bài đọc về sự kiện lịch sử, tiểu sử, hoặc quá trình phát triển

Ví dụ vận dụng trong IELTS:

Speaking Part 2 (Describe an achievement):
“After years of preparation, I finally passed the university entrance exam with flying colors.”
Phân tích: Finally đứng giữa câu, nhấn mạnh kết quả sau thời gian dài chuẩn bị.

Writing Task 2 (Opinion essay):
“After decades of research and development, scientists have finally discovered a vaccine that can effectively prevent the disease.”
Phân tích: Kết hợp time expression với finally để tăng tính học thuật.

Speaking Part 2 (Describe a goal you achieved):
“At long last, my dream of visiting Japan became a reality last summer.”
Phân tích: At long last mang tính trang trọng hơn, phù hợp với những mục tiêu quan trọng.

Writing Task 2 (Problem-Solution):
“After a long wait, the government has implemented new policies to address air pollution in major cities.”
Phán tích: Sử dụng after a long wait làm trạng ngữ thời gian mở đầu câu.

Speaking Part 3 (Discussing changes):
“Technology has evolved rapidly, and finally, everyone can access the internet at affordable prices.”
Phân tích: Finally kết nối hai mệnh đề, thể hiện quan hệ nhân quả.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học:
✅ Định nghĩa và sự khác biệt giữa finally, at long last và after a long wait
✅ Công thức chi tiết và vị trí trong câu
✅ Cách vận dụng vào 4 kỹ năng IELTS
✅ 25+ câu ví dụ Band 7-9 từ đề thi thực tế
✅ Các cách diễn đạt đồng nghĩa nâng cao cho Band 8+
✅ Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách tránh
✅ Bài tập thực hành có đáp án chi tiết

“Finally”, “At Long Last”, “After A Long Wait” Là Gì?

Định Nghĩa

Finally, At long last và After a long wait là các trạng từ và cụm từ trạng ngữ được sử dụng để diễn tả rằng một sự việc đã xảy ra sau một khoảng thời gian chờ đợi dài hoặc sau nhiều nỗ lực. Chúng mang ý nghĩa của sự hoàn thành, kết thúc hoặc đạt được điều gì đó mà người nói đã mong đợi.

Chức năng chính:

• Nhấn mạnh kết quả cuối cùng của một quá trình dài
• Thể hiện cảm xúc nhẹ nhõm, vui mừng hoặc thỏa mãn
• Tạo sự liên kết thời gian trong câu chuyện hoặc lập luận
• Tăng tính truyền cảm trong Speaking và tính học thuật trong Writing

Khi nào dùng trong IELTS:

• Speaking: Mô tả trải nghiệm cá nhân, thành tựu, hoặc sự kiện đáng nhớ
• Writing: Đưa ra kết luận, mô tả sự phát triển theo thời gian, hoặc giải pháp cho vấn đề
• Khi bạn muốn thể hiện sự kiên trì, nỗ lực hoặc quá trình chờ đợi
• Khi cần tạo điểm nhấn cảm xúc hoặc logic trong câu

Tần Suất Xuất Hiện Trong IELTS

Theo phân tích từ Cambridge IELTS 10-19:

Speaking:

• Part 1: 15-20% – Câu hỏi về thói quen, trải nghiệm gần đây (“Have you finally started learning to drive?”)
• Part 2: 40-50% – Rất phổ biến trong các topic như “Describe an achievement”, “Describe a long journey”, “Describe a goal you achieved”
• Part 3: 25-30% – Thảo luận về sự thay đổi xã hội, công nghệ theo thời gian

Writing:

• Task 1: 10-15% – Chủ yếu trong Process diagrams khi mô tả bước cuối cùng
• Task 2: 35-45% – Thường xuất hiện trong phần kết luận hoặc khi trình bày giải pháp, đặc biệt trong Problem-Solution và Opinion essays

Listening/Reading:

• Xuất hiện thường xuyên trong các bài về tiểu sử, lịch sử phát triển, câu chuyện thành công
• Cần nhận diện để hiểu timeline và thứ tự sự kiện

Band Score Impact:

• Band 6: Sử dụng “finally” đơn giản, có thể lặp lại nhiều lần
• Band 7: Biết kết hợp với các time expressions khác, vị trí linh hoạt trong câu
• Band 8-9: Sử dụng “at long last”, “after a long wait” và các cấu trúc đồng nghĩa, tự nhiên không gượng ép

Công Thức & Cấu Trúc

Công Thức Cơ Bản

📌 CẤU TRÚC 1: FINALLY

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Subject + finally + Verb (past/present perfect)│
│ hoặc                                           │
│ Finally, + Subject + Verb                      │
│                                               │
│ Ví dụ: She finally passed the exam.           │
│        Finally, we arrived at the destination. │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Thành phần câu:

• Subject (Chủ ngữ): Người hoặc vật thực hiện hành động
• Finally: Trạng từ chỉ thời gian, có thể đứng giữa subject và verb, hoặc đứng đầu câu
• Verb: Thường ở thì quá khứ đơn hoặc hiện tại hoàn thành
• Complement: Bổ ngữ hoàn thiện ý nghĩa

Ví dụ phân tích chi tiết:

Câu: “After studying for months, I finally achieved my target IELTS score.”

Phân tích:

• Time clause: After studying for months (mệnh đề thời gian)
• Subject: I (chủ ngữ)
• Adverb: finally (trạng từ)
• Main verb: achieved (động từ chính – quá khứ đơn)
• Object: my target IELTS score (tân ngữ)

📌 CẤU TRÚC 2: AT LONG LAST

┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ At long last, + Subject + Verb           │
│ hoặc                                     │
│ Subject + Verb + at long last            │
│                                          │
│ Ví dụ: At long last, peace was restored.│
└──────────────────────────────────────────┘

Lưu ý đặc biệt:

• At long last trang trọng hơn finally, thường dùng trong văn viết hoặc Speaking Part 2/3
• Thường đứng đầu câu hoặc cuối câu, ít khi đứng giữa
• Phù hợp với các sự kiện quan trọng, có ý nghĩa lớn

📌 CẤU TRÚC 3: AFTER A LONG WAIT

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ After a long wait, + Subject + Verb        │
│ hoặc                                        │
│ Subject + Verb + after a long wait         │
│                                            │
│ Ví dụ: After a long wait, the results      │
│        were announced.                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Thành phần câu:

• After a long wait: Cụm giới từ chỉ thời gian, làm trạng ngữ
• Có thể thay đổi: after years of waiting, after months of preparation, after decades of research
• Luôn theo sau bởi dấu phẩy khi đứng đầu câu

Các Biến Thể

Dạng với các time expressions khác:

“After years/months/decades + of + noun, Subject + finally + Verb”
Ví dụ: “After years of hard work, she finally became a doctor.”

Dạng với adverbs khác:

“Eventually, Subject + Verb” (tương đương finally nhưng ít nhấn mạnh hơn)
Ví dụ: “Eventually, the problem was solved.”

Dạng nhấn mạnh với inverted structure:

“Only after + time expression + did + Subject + Verb”
Ví dụ: “Only after months of practice did I finally master the skill.”

Dạng kết hợp với perfect tenses:

“Subject + have/had + finally + past participle”
Ví dụ: “The government has finally taken action on climate change.”

Các Cụm Từ Thường Đi Kèm

Các từ/cụm từ thường đi kèm với các cấu trúc này:

Signal Expressions	Ý nghĩa	Ví dụ
after years of effort	sau nhiều năm nỗ lực	After years of effort, he finally achieved his goal.
following months of delay	sau nhiều tháng trì hoãn	Following months of delay, the project finally commenced.
at the end of the day	cuối cùng thì	At the end of the day, we finally reached an agreement.
in the end	cuối cùng	In the end, everything worked out perfectly.
at last	cuối cùng	At last, the truth was revealed.
ultimately	rút cuộc	Ultimately, the decision proved to be correct.
after much deliberation	sau khi cân nhắc kỹ	After much deliberation, they finally made a choice.

Các động từ thường đi kèm:

• achieve, accomplish, attain, reach (đạt được)
• succeed, manage to (thành công)
• discover, find, realize (khám phá, nhận ra)
• complete, finish, conclude (hoàn thành)
• arrive, come, appear (đến, xuất hiện)

Công thức và vị trí của finally at long last after long wait trong câu tiếng Anh IELTS

Cách Vận Dụng Vào IELTS

Speaking

Part 1 – Introduction & Interview:

Topic thường gặp: Hobbies, Studies, Daily routines, Recent experiences

Ví dụ câu hỏi & trả lời:

Q: “Have you achieved any goals recently?”
A: “Yes, actually. I’ve been trying to improve my English for quite some time, and I finally reached my target score last month. It took me nearly six months of intensive study, but I’m really happy with the result.”
Phân tích: Sử dụng finally để nối từ nỗ lực (trying to improve) đến kết quả (reached target score), thể hiện sự kiên trì.

Q: “Do you play any musical instruments?”
A: “I started learning the guitar about two years ago, and after months of practice, I can finally play some of my favorite songs. At first, it was quite challenging, but the feeling when I finally performed in front of my friends was incredible.”
Phân tích: Finally xuất hiện hai lần tự nhiên, không bị lặp vì context khác nhau.

Part 2 – Long Turn:

Cue card example:

Describe a difficult thing you did that you are proud of.

Sample answer:

“I’d like to talk about completing my first marathon, which was something I had wanted to do for years. When I first started training, I could barely run 5 kilometers without feeling exhausted. However, I committed to a strict training schedule and gradually built up my endurance. After six months of early morning runs and careful diet planning, I finally stood at the starting line of the city marathon. The race itself was incredibly challenging, especially around the 30-kilometer mark when my legs felt like they would give up. But I kept pushing forward, and at long last, I crossed the finish line after 4 hours and 23 minutes. The sense of accomplishment I felt was indescribable. This experience taught me that with determination and consistent effort, even goals that seem impossible at first can finally become reality.”

Phân tích:

• Sử dụng ba lần các cấu trúc khác nhau (after…finally, at long last, finally) để tránh lặp
• Finally xuất hiện ở ba vị trí khác nhau: giữa câu, đầu mệnh đề chính, cuối câu
• Kết hợp với các time expressions (after six months, after 4 hours) để làm rõ timeline
• Band 8+ features: Varied sentence structures, natural use, emotional impact

Part 3 – Discussion:

Typical questions:

Q: “How has technology changed the way people communicate?”
A: “Technology has revolutionized communication in numerous ways. People used to rely solely on letters and phone calls, which could take days or even weeks to reach the recipient. However, after decades of technological advancement, we can finally communicate instantly with anyone around the world. Social media platforms, video calling apps, and messaging services have made distance almost irrelevant. At long last, families separated by oceans can see each other’s faces daily, which was simply impossible just a generation ago.”
Phân tích: Sử dụng finally và at long last để nhấn mạnh sự thay đổi lớn theo thời gian, phù hợp với discussion về social changes.

Q: “Do you think perseverance is an important quality?”
A: “Absolutely. Perseverance is crucial for achieving any significant goal. Most worthwhile accomplishments require sustained effort over time. For instance, successful entrepreneurs often face numerous failures before they finally build a thriving business. After years of setbacks and learning from mistakes, they eventually discover the right approach. Without perseverance, people would give up at the first obstacle and never reach their full potential.”
Phân tích: Kết hợp finally với eventually để tạo variety, đồng thời duy trì ý nghĩa về persistence.

Writing Task 1

Khi nào dùng:

• Mô tả process (quy trình) khi đến bước cuối cùng
• Line graph hoặc bar chart khi muốn nhấn mạnh điểm kết thúc
• Describing trends khi có sự thay đổi sau thời gian dài ổn định

Ví dụ Process Diagram:

Topic: The diagram shows how solar panels are installed on residential roofs.

Sample sentences:
“The installation process begins with a site assessment by qualified technicians. Following this, the roof structure is reinforced if necessary. Next, mounting brackets are securely attached to the roof. After all preparatory work is completed, the solar panels are finally positioned and connected to the mounting system. In the last stage, an inverter is installed to convert DC electricity to AC power. Finally, the entire system is tested and connected to the home’s electrical grid.”

Vận dụng: Finally đánh dấu bước cuối cùng, tạo sự kết thúc logic cho quy trình.

Ví dụ Line Graph:

Topic: The graph shows unemployment rates from 2010 to 2020.

Sample sentence:
“Unemployment rates remained stubbornly high between 2010 and 2015, fluctuating between 8% and 10%. However, after years of economic recovery efforts, the rate finally began to decline steadily from 2016 onwards, reaching a low of 4% by 2020.”

Vận dụng: After years of + noun kết hợp với finally để mô tả trend change sau thời gian dài.

Writing Task 2

Essay types sử dụng các cấu trúc này:

Opinion Essay:

Topic: Some people believe that success comes from hard work and determination, while others think that factors like money and appearance are more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Body paragraph:
“Those who value hard work and determination argue that sustained effort ultimately leads to achievement. History is replete with examples of individuals who overcame significant obstacles through sheer perseverance. After years of rejection, J.K. Rowling finally published Harry Potter, which became a global phenomenon. Similarly, many successful entrepreneurs faced bankruptcy and failure multiple times before they finally built thriving enterprises. These examples demonstrate that at long last, dedication and resilience triumph over initial disadvantages. While money and appearance may provide short-term advantages, they cannot replace the fundamental qualities of hard work and determination in achieving lasting success.”

Phân tích:

• Sử dụng ba variations trong một đoạn
• Finally và at long last tăng tính thuyết phục cho argument
• Kết hợp với real examples để support main idea

Problem-Solution Essay:

Topic: Traffic congestion is a serious problem in many cities. What are the causes and what solutions can you suggest?

Solution paragraph:
“To address these issues, governments must implement comprehensive public transportation systems. Many cities have struggled with traffic for decades without taking decisive action. After years of debate and planning, some progressive cities have finally invested heavily in metro systems and bus rapid transit networks. Singapore, for example, finally achieved significant reductions in private vehicle usage after implementing a combination of efficient public transport and congestion pricing. At long last, residents now prefer public transport over private cars due to its convenience and affordability. Other cities should follow this model, as the evidence clearly shows that comprehensive solutions finally work when properly implemented.”

Phán tích:

• Finally xuất hiện nhiều lần nhưng với different contexts
• After + noun/gerund tạo variety
• At long last thêm emphasis cho positive outcome

Advantage-Disadvantage Essay:

Topic: In recent years, online shopping has become increasingly popular. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

Advantage paragraph:
“One significant advantage is the convenience that online shopping offers busy consumers. Traditional shopping required people to visit multiple physical stores, often spending entire weekends searching for desired items. After decades of this time-consuming process, consumers can finally purchase virtually anything from the comfort of their homes. Moreover, price comparison, which previously demanded hours of travel between shops, can now finally be done in minutes through comparison websites. At long last, people have regained control over their leisure time, as shopping that once took hours now takes mere minutes.”

Phân tích: Sử dụng các cấu trúc để contrast giữa quá khứ và hiện tại, làm nổi bật advantages.

Ví dụ câu IELTS Writing Task 2 sử dụng finally at long last sau thời gian dài

Sample Paragraphs Band 7-9

Band 7 Sample – Speaking Part 2:

“I want to describe a time when I achieved something important, which was passing my driving test. I had failed twice before, which was really frustrating. Each time, I made small mistakes that cost me the test. However, I didn’t give up. After three months of additional practice with a professional instructor, I finally passed on my third attempt. The moment the examiner told me I had passed, I felt an enormous sense of relief. Finally, I could drive independently without relying on others for transportation. This achievement taught me that persistence is key to success, and eventually, hard work pays off.”

Phân tích:

• Sử dụng finally hai lần một cách tự nhiên
• Có time expression (after three months)
• Grammar chính xác, ý rõ ràng
• Thiếu advanced structures để đạt Band 8+

Band 8-9 Sample – Writing Task 2:

“The transition to renewable energy has been fraught with challenges, yet recent developments suggest that humanity may be reaching a turning point. For decades, fossil fuels dominated the global energy landscape despite mounting evidence of their environmental impact. After years of technological innovation and substantial investment in research, renewable energy sources have finally become economically competitive with traditional alternatives. Solar panel costs have plummeted by over 80% since 2010, while wind energy efficiency has improved dramatically. At long last, the dream of sustainable energy for all appears within reach. Countries like Denmark now generate over 50% of their electricity from wind power, demonstrating that what once seemed an impossible goal can finally become reality when governments, industries, and citizens commit to long-term change. This transformation, achieved finally after decades of advocacy and development, offers hope that other environmental challenges may similarly be overcome through sustained collective effort.”

Phân tích:

• Complex sentence structures với multiple clauses
• Natural integration của finally, at long last trong academic context
• Sophisticated vocabulary (fraught with, plummeted, advocacy)
• Specific data và examples để support
• Varied positions của adverbial phrases
• Perfect cohesion và flow giữa ideas

Band 9 Sample – Speaking Part 3:

“I think patience and long-term vision are increasingly rare qualities in modern society, yet they remain essential for meaningful achievement. We live in an era of instant gratification where people expect immediate results. However, anything truly worthwhile requires sustained effort. Consider scientific breakthroughs, for instance. After decades of painstaking research, scientists finally decoded the human genome, opening unprecedented possibilities for medicine. Similarly, in personal development, mastery of any skill demands years of deliberate practice. A concert pianist doesn’t emerge overnight; it’s only after countless hours of practice that they finally develop the virtuosity we admire. At long last, when they perform flawlessly on stage, we witness the culmination of perhaps twenty years of dedication. This principle applies universally—whether in education, career development, or personal relationships, the most rewarding outcomes finally materialize only after extended periods of commitment and perseverance.”

Phân tích:

• Sophisticated vocabulary và idiomatic expressions
• Multiple examples demonstrating breadth of knowledge
• Natural, varied use của target structures
• Complex ideas expressed clearly
• Perfect register cho Speaking Part 3
• Advanced grammar (relative clauses, participle phrases, inversions)

Nâng Cao – Cách Dùng Để Đạt Band 8+

Kết Hợp Với Các Cấu Trúc Khác

Finally + Perfect Tenses:

“The government has finally acknowledged the severity of the housing crisis and has begun implementing comprehensive reforms.”
Band 8+ features: Present perfect với finally cho recent achievement với lasting impact.

“By 2025, scientists will have finally developed a fully effective treatment for the disease, following thirty years of intensive research.”
Advanced usage: Future perfect với finally để express certainty về future achievement.

Finally + Passive Voice (Academic style):

“After years of controversy, a consensus has finally been reached among experts regarding climate change mitigation strategies.”
Sophistication: Passive + finally tạo objective, academic tone phù hợp Writing Task 2.

“The new policy was finally approved last month, having been debated in parliament for over two years.”
Band 9 feature: Passive + perfect participle clause thể hiện complex sentence structure.

At long last + Inversion:

“At long last did the truth emerge, revealing years of systematic corruption.”
Advanced structure: Inversion sau at long last (formal, literary style).

Finally + Modal Perfects:

“The project might finally have succeeded if adequate funding had been provided from the beginning.”
Complexity: Modal perfect với finally cho hypothetical past situation.

Cụm Từ Nâng Cao

Academic collocations với các cấu trúc này:

Collocation	Ví dụ	Band Level
after considerable deliberation	After considerable deliberation, the committee finally reached a unanimous decision.	8+
following protracted negotiations	Following protracted negotiations, the two nations finally signed a peace treaty.	8+
after an extended period of uncertainty	After an extended period of uncertainty, economic stability has finally been restored.	8+
ultimately culminating in	Years of research ultimately culminated in a groundbreaking discovery.	8-9
at long last bringing about	The reforms, at long last bringing about significant change, were welcomed by citizens.	8-9
finally materializing after	The project, finally materializing after decades of planning, exceeded all expectations.	8+
eventually giving rise to	Persistent efforts eventually gave rise to a complete transformation of the system.	8-9

Các cách diễn đạt đồng nghĩa nâng cao:

“In the fullness of time” – mang tính formal, literary:
“In the fullness of time, justice was served and the innocent were vindicated.”

“After much anticipation” – formal, expectation-focused:
“After much anticipation, the results were announced to widespread acclaim.”

“Subsequent to prolonged efforts” – very formal, academic:
“Substantial progress was made subsequent to prolonged efforts by the research team.”

Câu Phức & Ghép

Tích hợp vào complex sentences:

“Although the journey was arduous and fraught with setbacks, the team finally achieved their objective after three years of relentless effort, demonstrating that perseverance ultimately triumphs over adversity.”
Phân tích: Finally trong main clause, được support bởi subordinate clauses trước và sau.

“Having invested considerable time and resources into the project, the company finally witnessed tangible returns, which vindicated the board’s initial decision to pursue this strategy.”
Phân tích: Perfect participle clause + finally trong main clause + relative clause creating complex, sophisticated structure.

“Not only did the reforms address immediate concerns, but they also, at long last, established a framework for sustainable long-term development, something previous administrations had repeatedly failed to accomplish.”
Phân tích: Not only…but also + at long last + relative clause cho maximum sophistication.

Kết hợp với discourse markers:

“The negotiations were challenging; nevertheless, after months of diplomatic efforts, an agreement was finally reached.”
Band 8+: Linking adverb + time expression + finally trong compound-complex sentence.

“Renewable energy seemed economically unviable for decades. However, after sustained innovation and falling production costs, it has finally become the cheapest energy source in many regions.”
Advanced: Contrasting ideas với finally marking the turning point.

Câu phức Band 8 IELTS kết hợp finally với mệnh đề quan hệ và phân từ

So Sánh Với Cấu Trúc Tương Tự

Finally vs Eventually vs In the End vs At Last

Tiêu chí	Finally	Eventually	In the end	At last
Mức độ formal	Neutral	Neutral-Formal	Informal	Neutral
Vị trí trong câu	Đầu, giữa, cuối	Đầu, giữa	Đầu câu (có dấu phẩy)	Đầu, cuối
Nhấn mạnh	Kết quả sau chờ đợi	Quá trình tự nhiên đến kết quả	Kết quả cuối cùng (có thể bất ngờ)	Relief, satisfaction
IELTS usage	Rất phổ biến cả 4 skills	Writing Task 2 (academic)	Speaking (natural)	Speaking Part 2
Ví dụ	I finally passed the test.	The problem was eventually solved.	In the end, we decided to stay.	At last, the rain stopped.

Khi nào dùng cấu trúc nào:

Finally:

• Khi muốn nhấn mạnh việc đã chờ đợi hoặc nỗ lực lâu
• Phù hợp cho achievements, completed actions
• An toàn cho mọi contexts trong IELTS

Eventually:

• Khi mô tả quá trình tự nhiên dẫn đến kết quả
• Ít emotional hơn finally
• Tốt cho Writing Task 1 (describing processes) và Task 2 (academic arguments)

In the end:

• Khi muốn contrast với những gì expected ban đầu
• Natural cho Speaking
• Có thể thay thế bằng “ultimately” trong Writing để tăng formality

At last:

• Khi muốn express relief hoặc satisfaction mạnh
• Tốt cho storytelling trong Speaking Part 2
• Tránh overuse trong Writing (quá emotional)

After a long wait vs Following an extended period vs Subsequent to

Tiêu chí	After a long wait	Following an extended period	Subsequent to
Mức độ formal	Neutral	Formal	Very formal/Legal
Best for	Speaking, General Writing	Academic Writing Task 2	Academic/Professional contexts
Frequency	Common	Moderate	Rare (Band 8-9 only)
Ví dụ	After a long wait, results arrived.	Following an extended period of research…	Subsequent to the investigation…

Guideline:

• Speaking Part 1-2: Sử dụng “after a long wait”, “finally”, “at last”
• Speaking Part 3: Có thể thêm “eventually”, “ultimately”
• Writing Task 2: Mix giữa “finally”, “eventually”, “following…”, “after…”
• Band 8+ Writing: Thêm “subsequent to”, “in the fullness of time”, “ultimately”

Lỗi Thường Gặp & Cách Sửa

Lỗi 1: Dùng Finally với Simple Present Tense

❌ SAI:
“I finally finish my homework.”
“The train finally arrives on time.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“I finally finished my homework.”
“I have finally finished my homework.”
“The train finally arrived on time.”

Giải thích:
Finally gần như luôn đi với past tenses hoặc perfect tenses vì nó diễn tả một hành động đã hoàn thành sau thời gian chờ đợi. Simple present không phù hợp vì không thể hiện được ý nghĩa “đã xảy ra”.

Lưu ý:
Chỉ dùng simple present với finally trong scheduled contexts:
“The train finally arrives at 6 PM after all the delays.” (trong lịch trình)
Nhưng trong IELTS, tránh dùng như vậy để an toàn.

Lỗi 2: Đặt Vị Trí Finally Sai

❌ SAI:
“I passed finally the exam.”
“Finally I completed my project yesterday.” (thiếu dấu phẩy)
“The government implemented finally new policies.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“I finally passed the exam.”
“Finally, I completed my project yesterday.”
“The government finally implemented new policies.”

Giải thích:
Finally có 3 vị trí chính:

1. Đầu câu (cần dấu phẩy): Finally, + Subject + Verb
2. Giữa subject và main verb: Subject + finally + Verb
3. Sau auxiliary verb: Subject + have/has + finally + past participle

Finally KHÔNG đứng giữa verb và object.

Lưu ý:
Trong IELTS Writing, việc đặt finally đầu câu (với dấu phẩy) thể hiện better sentence variety và formal style hơn.

Lỗi 3: Lạm Dụng Finally Quá Nhiều

❌ SAI:
“I started studying at 6 AM. Finally, I finished my breakfast. Then I finally opened my books. After two hours, I finally understood the grammar. Finally, I completed all exercises.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“I started studying at 6 AM. After finishing my breakfast, I opened my books. Following two hours of concentrated effort, I finally understood the grammar and completed all exercises.”

Giải thích:
Việc dùng finally nhiều lần trong một đoạn ngắn khiến văn bản repetitive và mất điểm về Lexical Resource. Finally nên được reserve cho moments thực sự significant hoặc sau thời gian chờ đợi đáng kể.

Lưu ý:

• Sử dụng synonyms: eventually, at last, ultimately, in the end
• Thay đổi cấu trúc: after + time expression, following, subsequent to
• Trong một đoạn Speaking/Writing, không nên dùng finally quá 2 lần

Lỗi 4: Nhầm Lẫn Finally và At The End

❌ SAI:
“At the end, I passed the exam after studying hard.”
“Finally of the movie, the hero survived.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“Finally, I passed the exam after studying hard.”
“In the end, I passed the exam after studying hard.”
“At the end of the movie, the hero survived.”

Giải thích:

• Finally/In the end: Diễn tả kết quả cuối cùng sau quá trình (không cần “of”)
• At the end (of something): Chỉ vị trí cuối cùng của một thứ cụ thể (luôn có “of”)

Ví dụ đúng:

• “Finally, we reached an agreement.” (sau quá trình thảo luận)
• “At the end of the meeting, we reached an agreement.” (vị trí thời gian cụ thể)

Lưu ý:
Học viên Việt Nam thường dịch trực tiếp “cuối cùng” thành “at the end” – đây là lỗi phổ biến cần tránh.

Lỗi 5: Dùng At Long Last Trong Contexts Không Phù Hợp

❌ SAI:
“I went to the supermarket and at long last bought some milk.”
“At long last, I brushed my teeth before bed.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“After years of effort, at long last, I graduated from university.”
“The war ended and, at long last, peace was restored to the region.”

Hoặc với daily activities:
“I went to the supermarket and finally bought some milk.”
“Eventually, I brushed my teeth before bed.”

Giải thích:
“At long last” mang tính trang trọng và dramatic, chỉ nên dùng cho:

• Sự kiện quan trọng, có ý nghĩa lớn
• Sau thời gian chờ đợi/nỗ lực dài (thường years, months)
• Contexts có emotional weight

Với daily activities hoặc trivial matters, dùng “finally” hoặc “eventually”.

Lưu ý:
Trong IELTS Speaking Part 1 (daily life topics), tránh dùng “at long last”. Reserve nó cho Part 2 (meaningful stories) và Writing Task 2 (important social issues).

Top 5 mistakes Vietnamese learners make:

1. Dùng “in the end” thay vì “finally” trong formal writing – “In the end” quá informal cho academic essays
2. Quên dấu phẩy sau Finally ở đầu câu – Ảnh hưởng điểm Grammar
3. Dùng finally với future tense – “I will finally go tomorrow” (awkward) → “I will go tomorrow after months of planning”
4. Dịch trực tiếp “cuối cùng là” – “Finally is the conclusion” (sai) → “Finally, I will present the conclusion”
5. Overuse trong một paragraph – Làm giảm Lexical Resource score

Bài Tập Thực Hành

Bài Tập 1: Điền Từ

Hoàn thành câu với: finally, eventually, at long last, in the end, at last

1. After waiting for three hours at the airport, our flight __ took off.
2. The project took five years to complete, but __, it was successful.
3. __, the rain stopped and we could continue our journey.
4. She studied medicine for seven years and __ became a qualified doctor.
5. The negotiations were difficult, but __ both sides reached a compromise.
6. __, after decades of searching, scientists discovered a cure for the disease.
7. I tried many different methods and __ found one that worked.
8. The children were getting impatient, but __ their parents arrived.
9. After months of preparation, the day of the exam had __ arrived.
10. We argued for hours, but __ we decided to postpone the decision.

Bài Tập 2: Tìm Và Sửa Lỗi

Mỗi câu có MỘT lỗi sai. Tìm và sửa:

1. I finally am passing the IELTS exam after three attempts.
2. After a long wait, finally we received the good news.
3. The problem was solved finally by the technical team.
4. Finally of the presentation, the speaker answered questions.
5. At long last, I finished to write my essay.
6. She has been studying for years and passes finally all exams.
7. After waiting since morning, the bus finally arriving at noon.
8. In the end of the day, we reached our destination safely.
9. The government finally have implemented new environmental policies.
10. At long last I went to the shop and bought milk.
11. Finally, after years of research, a breakthrough has achieved.
12. We were tired, but finally we were arriving at the hotel.

Bài Tập 3: Viết Lại Câu

Viết lại các câu sau sử dụng cấu trúc trong ngoặc:

1. She graduated from university after studying for four years. (finally)
   → Your answer: ___

2. The company launched its new product after months of development. (at long last)
   → Your answer: ___

3. We reached an agreement after hours of negotiation. (finally)
   → Your answer: ___

4. Technology became affordable for everyone after decades of innovation. (finally / after…)
   → Your answer: ___

5. The truth was revealed after years of investigation. (at long last)
   → Your answer: ___

Bài Tập 4: Speaking Practice

Trả lời các câu hỏi sau, sử dụng finally, at long last hoặc after a long wait ít nhất một lần:

1. Describe a goal you achieved after working hard for it.
2. Talk about a time when you had to wait for something important.
3. Describe a skill that took you a long time to learn.
4. Talk about a change in your hometown that happened after many years.
5. Describe a moment when you felt very relieved or happy.

Bài Tập 5: Writing Practice

Viết một đoạn văn (100-120 words) cho IELTS Writing Task 2:

Topic: “Some people believe that success requires patience and long-term effort. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

Yêu cầu:

• Sử dụng finally ít nhất 1 lần
• Sử dụng at long last hoặc after a long wait 1 lần
• Include specific examples
• Target Band 7-8

Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Đáp Án Bài Tập 1:

1. finally – Neutral, phù hợp với context chờ đợi flight
2. finally / in the end – Cả hai đều đúng, nhấn mạnh kết quả cuối
3. At last / Finally – Expressing relief, at last tốt hơn
4. finally – Standard usage cho achievement sau long process
5. in the end / finally – In the end tốt hơn vì có contrast (difficult → compromise)
6. At long last – Very important discovery, cần emphatic expression
7. eventually / finally – Eventually tự nhiên hơn vì nhấn mạnh process
8. at last / finally – At last thể hiện impatience và relief
9. finally – Standard với “had arrived” (past perfect)
10. in the end – Tốt nhất vì có implication về argument/discussion

Đáp Án Bài Tập 2:

1. ❌ “finally am passing” → ✅ “finally passed” / “have finally passed”
   Giải thích: Finally không đi với simple present trong context này.

2. ❌ “finally we received” → ✅ “we finally received”
   Giải thích: Khi “After a long wait” đã ở đầu câu, finally nên ở giữa subject và verb.

3. ❌ “solved finally” → ✅ “finally solved”
   Giải thích: Finally đứng trước main verb, không đứng sau.

4. ❌ “Finally of the presentation” → ✅ “At the end of the presentation”
   Giải thích: Finally không dùng với “of”, phải dùng “At the end of”.

5. ❌ “finished to write” → ✅ “finished writing”
   Giải thích: Finish + V-ing, không dùng to-infinitive.

6. ❌ “passes finally” → ✅ “finally passed” / “has finally passed”
   Giải thích: Finally đứng trước verb; tense phải là past/present perfect.

7. ❌ “finally arriving” → ✅ “finally arrived”
   Giải thích: Cần past tense, không dùng gerund sau finally trong structure này.

8. ❌ “In the end of the day” → ✅ “At the end of the day”
   Giải thích: “In the end” không dùng với “of”.

9. ❌ “finally have implemented” → ✅ “has finally implemented”
   Giải thích: The government là singular, dùng “has”.

10. ❌ “At long last I went to the shop” → ✅ “Finally, I went to the shop” / “Eventually, I went…”
    Giải thích: At long last quá dramatic cho everyday activity.

11. ❌ “has achieved” → ✅ “has been achieved”
    Giải thích: Breakthrough không tự achieve, cần passive voice.

12. ❌ “we were arriving” → ✅ “we arrived”
    Giải thích: Không dùng past continuous với finally trong context này.

Đáp Án Bài Tập 3:

1. After studying for four years, she finally graduated from university.
   Hoặc: She finally graduated from university after four years of study.

2. At long last, the company launched its new product after months of development.
   Hoặc: After months of development, the company at long last launched its new product.

3. We finally reached an agreement after hours of negotiation.
   Hoặc: After hours of negotiation, we finally reached an agreement.

4. After decades of innovation, technology has finally become affordable for everyone.
   Hoặc: Technology has finally become affordable for everyone after decades of continuous innovation and development.

5. At long last, the truth was revealed after years of meticulous investigation.
   Hoặc: After years of investigation, the truth was at long last revealed to the public.

Bài tập thực hành ngữ pháp finally at long last IELTS có đáp án chi tiết

Đáp Án Bài Tập 4 (Sample Answers):

Question 1: Describe a goal you achieved after working hard for it.

“I’d like to talk about learning to play the piano, which was a long-term goal of mine. I started taking lessons about five years ago, and at first, I could barely play simple melodies. The process was incredibly challenging, especially coordinating both hands and reading music simultaneously. However, I practiced consistently, usually spending at least an hour each day at the piano. After three years of dedicated practice, I finally performed my first complete piece at a recital, which was Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’. At long last, all those hours of practice had paid off, and the sense of accomplishment I felt was indescribable. This experience taught me that with patience and persistence, even goals that seem impossible can finally become achievable.”

Question 2: Talk about a time when you had to wait for something important.

“The most memorable waiting period I experienced was when I applied for a scholarship to study abroad. I submitted my application in January, and they said results would be announced in March. However, there were delays, and March passed without any news. Every day I checked my email anxiously, hoping for updates. After four months of uncertainty and stress, I finally received an email in May. My hands were shaking as I opened it. At long last, I learned that I had been accepted and awarded a full scholarship. The relief and excitement I felt after such a long wait made the news even more meaningful. That experience taught me that sometimes the things worth having require patience.”

Đáp Án Bài Tập 5 (Sample Writing):

Band 7-8 Sample:

“I strongly agree that genuine success requires patience and sustained effort over time. In today’s fast-paced society, many people seek instant gratification and quick results, yet the most meaningful achievements invariably demand long-term commitment. Consider the example of successful entrepreneurs like Jack Ma, who faced numerous rejections before establishing Alibaba. After years of persistence and countless failures, he finally built one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms. Similarly, in academic pursuits, students who consistently work hard over several years, rather than cramming before exams, achieve deeper understanding and better results. At long last, their dedication is rewarded with genuine knowledge and qualifications that serve them throughout their careers. While shortcuts might produce temporary gains, lasting success can only finally be achieved through patience, perseverance, and long-term strategic effort. Therefore, cultivating these qualities should be a priority in education and personal development.”

Analysis:

• Word count: 156 words
• Uses “finally” twice and “at long last” once naturally
• Includes specific example (Jack Ma)
• Clear position with supporting arguments
• Appropriate academic vocabulary
• Good cohesion and coherence
• Band 7-8 level

Kết Luận

Việc nắm vững cách sử dụng finally, at long last và after a long wait là một lợi thế đáng kể trong kỳ thi IELTS. Những cấu trúc này không chỉ giúp bạn diễn đạt ý nghĩa về thời gian và kết quả một cách chính xác mà còn thể hiện khả năng sử dụng ngôn ngữ linh hoạt và tự nhiên.

Các điểm chính cần nhớ:

Finally là lựa chọn an toàn và versatile nhất, phù hợp với mọi contexts trong IELTS. Vị trí linh hoạt (đầu câu, giữa subject-verb, sau auxiliary) giúp bạn tạo sentence variety.

At long last mang tính trang trọng và emotional, nên reserve cho những sự kiện quan trọng, đặc biệt trong Speaking Part 2 và Writing Task 2 khi bạn cần tạo impact.

After a long wait/period/time là cụm giới từ tuyệt vời để mở đầu câu, kết hợp tốt với finally để tạo emphasis kép.

Để đạt Band 8-9, bạn cần:

• Vary structures: Không lặp lại cùng một pattern
• Combine với complex grammar: Perfect tenses, passive voice, relative clauses
• Use academic collocations: “after considerable deliberation”, “following protracted negotiations”
• Maintain natural flow: Không force các cấu trúc vào bừa bãi

Các lỗi phổ biến cần tránh:

• Dùng sai tense (đặc biệt simple present)
• Đặt sai vị trí trong câu
• Overuse trong một đoạn
• Nhầm lẫn “finally” với “at the end (of)”
• Dùng “at long last” cho trivial matters

Đề Luyện Tập Tổng Hợp

Speaking Topics:

1. Describe a hobby you have had for a long time

   • Yêu cầu: Mô tả quá trình từ khi bắt đầu đến khi thành thạo
   • Sử dụng: finally + present perfect, after + time expression
   • Target: 3-4 lần sử dụng các structures

2. Talk about changes in your hometown

   • Yêu cầu: Contrast quá khứ và hiện tại, nhấn mạnh changes đã hoàn thành
   • Sử dụng: finally, at long last cho major changes
   • Target: Band 7-8 features

3. Discuss how technology has affected your life

   • Yêu cầu: Mô tả evolution và current state
   • Sử dụng: after decades of development, finally becoming…
   • Target: Complex sentences với multiple clauses

Writing Topics:

1. Environmental problems and solutions
   “Many environmental problems have persisted for decades. What are the causes and what solutions can governments and individuals implement?”

   • Focus: Use “finally” khi present solutions đang được implemented
   • Structure: After years of… finally beginning to…
   • Target Band: 7.5-8.5

2. Changes in education over time
   “The education system has changed significantly over the past few decades. Do you think these changes have been positive or negative?”

   • Focus: Discuss evolution và eventual outcomes
   • Use: finally, eventually, at long last cho major transformations
   • Target Band: 7.0-8.0

3. Impact of globalization
   “Globalization has affected societies worldwide. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.”

   • Focus: Long-term effects finally visible
   • Use: After decades of globalization, … has finally…
   • Target Band: 8.0-9.0

Practice Requirements:

Mỗi đề bài Speaking (Part 2): 2 phút speaking, sử dụng target structures 3-5 lần
Mỗi đề bài Writing: 250-280 words, sử dụng 4-6 lần với variations
Self-assessment: Record speaking và check for natural usage
Peer review: Exchange writing với study partner

Advanced Challenge (Band 8-9):

Viết một bài essay về topic: “Scientific breakthroughs often require decades of research before yielding practical results. Is this long time frame justified?”

• Yêu cầu:
  • Minimum 300 words
  • Use finally, at long last, after… ít nhất 6 lần
  • Include real examples (vaccines, technology, space exploration)
  • Demonstrate sophisticated vocabulary và complex structures
  • Perfect cohesion giữa paragraphs

Hoàn thành các bài tập này với tâm thế nghiêm túc sẽ giúp bạn internalize các structures, từ đó sử dụng chúng một cách tự nhiên và chính xác trong kỳ thi IELTS thực tế. Chúc bạn học tốt và đạt band điểm mong muốn.