Words and Phrases to Avoid in Academic Writing
When writing a thesis, research paper, or dissertation, use language that conveys a formal, sophisticated, and objective tone. Conversational and casual expressions that may be suitable for informal writing or everyday discussions are often inappropriate for academic writing.
To maintain a scholarly voice, avoid using words and phrases that fall into the following categories:
- Informal language
- Vague or imprecise terminology
- Exaggerated expressions
- Subjective or opinionated statements
- Unnecessary or incorrect words and phrases
Note: These guidelines apply to your own writing and not to direct quotations from sources, such as excerpts from books, articles, or interviews. When quoting directly, preserve the original language as it appears in the source material. Here is a detailed explanation of each category:
Too informal
When you are writing for academic purposes, it’s essential to use language that is formal, precise, and objective. Informal or colloquial expressions that are common in everyday conversations or casual writing can undermine the credibility and professionalism of your work.
| Taboo | Example | Alternative |
| A lot, lots | We have a lot of work to do. | We have much work to do. |
| Thing, stuff | The stuff in this box is important. | The items in this box are important. |
| Contractions (don’t, can’t, wouldn’t) | I can’t find the right source. | I cannot find the right source. |
| Good, bad, interesting, difficult | The book was good. | The book was engaging and well-written. |
| People, some people, many | Many believe this theory is true. | A significant number of researchers believe this theory is true. |
| Extremely, incredibly, unbelievably | The results were extremely surprising. | The results were highly unexpected. |
| I think…, I believe…, In my opinion… | I believe this argument is flawed. | This argument appears to be flawed based on the evidence presented. |
| Cliches (think outside the box, at the end of the day) | We need to think outside the box to solve this problem. | We need to consider innovative solutions to solve this problem. |
Informal sentence starts
Certain words and phrases, while acceptable in some contexts, can come across as too informal when used at the beginning of a sentence in academic writing. To maintain a professional and scholarly tone, consider replacing these informal sentence starts with more appropriate transition words or phrases. In some cases, removing the word or phrase from the beginning of the sentence altogether is the best solution.
| Taboo | Example | Alternative |
| And | And, the study found that… | Additionally, the study found that… |
| But | But, this theory has some limitations. | However, this theory has some limitations. |
| So | So, we can conclude that… | Therefore, we can conclude that… |
| Besides | Besides, there are other factors to consider. | Furthermore, there are other factors to consider. |
| Anyway | Anyway, let’s move on to the next point. | Moving on to the next point… |
| Well | Well, this is a complex issue. | This is a complex issue that requires careful consideration. |
| Actually | Actually, the data suggests otherwise. | In fact, the data suggests otherwise. |
| Basically | Basically, this theory states that… | In essence, this theory states that… |
Too vague
Similarly, when you use vague or imprecise language, it can make your ideas unclear and difficult for readers to understand. You should always strive for specific, concrete terminology that accurately conveys your meaning.
| Taboo | Example | Alternative |
| Good, bad | The movie was good. | The movie was engaging, with well-developed characters and a compelling plot. |
| Big, small | The company faced a big problem. | The company faced a significant problem that threatened its financial stability. |
| Stuff, things | The stuff in the box is important. | The documents and resources in the box are essential for the project. |
| Kind of, sort of | The results were kind of surprising. | The results were somewhat surprising and unexpected. |
| Really, very | The book was really interesting. | The book was captivating and provided deep insights into the subject matter. |
| Seems, appears | It seems that the theory is flawed. | The theory appears to be flawed based on the available evidence. |
| Few, many, some | Some people disagree with this idea. | Approximately 30% of the surveyed population disagreed with this idea. |
| Important, significant | This finding is important for future research. | This finding has significant implications for future research in this field. |
Too exaggerated
In academic writing, it’s important for you to make measured, qualified statements that are well-supported by evidence. If you overstate your claims with words like “always,” “never,” “best,” or “worst,” it can come across as unreliable or unscholarly. You should aim for a balanced, reasonable tone that acknowledges the complexity of the issues you’re discussing.
| Taboo | Example | Alternative |
| Always, never | Researchers always encounter limitations in their studies. | Researchers often encounter limitations in their studies. |
| Perfect, best, worst | This is the perfect solution to the problem. | This is a highly effective solution to the problem. |
| Extremely, incredibly, unbelievably | The results were incredibly surprising. | The results were unexpected and thought-provoking. |
| Really, very | The theory is really important for understanding the phenomenon. | The theory is crucial for understanding the phenomenon. |
| Huge, enormous, tremendous | The study had a huge impact on the field. | The study had a significant impact on the field. |
| Absolutely, totally, completely | The evidence completely supports the hypothesis. | The evidence strongly supports the hypothesis. |
| Definitely, certainly, undoubtedly | This approach is definitely the most effective. | This approach appears to be the most effective based on the available data. |
| Amazing, incredible, unbelievable | The findings were amazing and groundbreaking. | The findings were remarkable and contributed significantly to the field. |
Too subjective
While it’s okay for you to have opinions, back them up with solid evidence and reasoning. You should avoid using subjective or self-referential phrases like “I think,” “I believe,” or “in my opinion,” as these can make your arguments seem less credible. Instead, let the facts and evidence speak for themselves.
| Taboo | Example | Alternative |
| Obviously, of course | Obviously, this theory is correct. | This theory is supported by substantial evidence. |
| In my opinion, I think, I believe | In my opinion, the results are inconclusive. | The results appear to be inconclusive based on the available data. |
| It seems, it appears | It seems that the methodology was flawed. | The methodology has several limitations, as evidenced by… |
| Naturally, surely, clearly | Naturally, this approach is the most effective. | This approach has demonstrated a high degree of effectiveness in multiple studies. |
| Should, must, have to | Researchers should always consider ethical implications. | It is important for researchers to consider ethical implications. |
| Fortunately, unfortunately | Unfortunately, the study had a small sample size. | The study’s small sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings. |
| Surprisingly, unexpectedly | Surprisingly, the results contradicted the hypothesis. | The results contradicted the hypothesis, suggesting a need for further investigation. |
| As everyone knows | As everyone knows, this theory is widely accepted. | This theory has gained widespread acceptance in the field. |
Generally incorrect
You should be mindful of words and phrases that are commonly misused or that don’t belong in formal academic writing. For example, “firstly,” “secondly,” and so on should be replaced with “first,” “second,” etc. “Irregardless” is not a word; you should use “regardless” instead. Watch out for incorrectly used homophones like “would of” instead of “would have.”
| Taboo | Example | Alternative |
| Would of, could of, should of | The results would of been different if the sample size was larger. | The results would have been different if the sample size was larger. |
| Irregardless | Irregardless of the limitations, the study provides valuable insights. | Regardless of the limitations, the study provides valuable insights. |
| Firstly, secondly, thirdly | Firstly, the methodology was sound. Secondly, the results were significant. | First, the methodology was sound. Second, the results were significant. |
| i.e. and e.g. confusion | The study had several limitations (i.e., small sample size, lack of control group). | The study had several limitations (e.g., small sample size, lack of control group). |
Other tips
In addition to the specific categories of words and phrases discussed earlier, there are a few other types of language you should generally avoid in academic writing:
- Jargon: Be cautious when using specialized terminology that may be unfamiliar to readers outside your field. While some jargon is necessary to discuss your topic effectively, overusing it can make your writing less accessible.
- Clichés: Avoid expressions that are heavily overused, such as “think outside the box” or “at the end of the day.” These phrases have lost their original impact and can make your writing seem unoriginal and cliché.
- Everyday abbreviations: In academic writing, avoid casual abbreviations like “approx.,” “ASAP,” “corona,” “stats,” or “info.” Instead, use the full forms of these words to maintain a more formal tone.
- Slang: Refrain from using informal language, such as “cops” instead of “police” or “cool” instead of “impressive.” Slang terms are generally inappropriate for academic writing, as they can make your work seem unprofessional and less credible.
- Gender-biased language: Use gender-neutral language whenever possible to avoid bias and ensure inclusivity. This helps create a more welcoming and respectful tone in your writing.
- Generally unnecessary phrases: Eliminate redundant expressions that do not add meaning to your writing.
Exceptions
While the guidelines discussed above apply to most academic writing situations, there are some exceptions to keep in mind:
Direct quotations
When quoting directly from a source, you should maintain the original wording, even if it includes informal language, jargon, or other elements that you would typically avoid in your own writing. However, be sure to use quotations sparingly and only when they genuinely contribute to your argument or analysis.
Discipline-specific conventions
Some academic disciplines may have specific conventions or expectations regarding language use that differ from the general guidelines. For example, creative writing or personal narratives may allow for more informal or figurative language. Always familiarize yourself with the norms and expectations of your particular field.
Intentional use for emphasis or effect
In rare cases, you might choose to use a more informal word or phrase intentionally to add emphasis or to create a specific effect in your writing. However, be cautious when doing so, as it can be risky and may not always be well-received by your audience.
Explaining or defining terms
When introducing a complex or technical term, it may be necessary to use jargon or specialized language. In these cases, be sure to provide a clear explanation or definition for your readers, especially if the term is likely to be unfamiliar to some of them.
Personal reflection or anecdotes
In certain types of academic writing, such as personal statements or reflective essays, it may be appropriate to use more informal or personal language when discussing your own experiences or opinions. However, even in these cases, it’s important to maintain a balanced and professional tone overall.
In certain types of academic writing, such as reflective reports and personal statements, a less formal tone may be acceptable. These assignments often involve discussing your own experiences, opinions, or growth, and as such, a more personal and less rigid writing style can be appropriate. However, it’s still important to maintain a balanced and professional tone overall, even if the language is slightly more casual compared to other forms of academic writing.
