Write Like a Professional : Words and Phrases to avoid in Academic Writing

Published at : 16 Jul 2024, 9:00 PM IST

Updated at : 18 Jul 2024, 8:30 PM IST

Words and Phrases to Avoid in Academic Writing

Academic writing—encompassing dissertations, theses, and research papers—demands a specific style characterized by formality, precision, and objectivity. Unlike casual conversation or informal writing, academic prose requires a level of sophistication and clarity that enhances both the credibility and comprehensibility of the content. In this guide, we will examine various words and phrases that should be avoided in academic writing to maintain a formal tone and provide more precise alternatives. Read more, CBSE Class 10 English 2024: Blueprint for Achieving a Score of 90+

Avoid Informal Language

Writing classes should be free of colloquial speech and expressions that are acceptable in everyday language. Here are some common words and their common equivalents:

Less: Instead of saying, “Planning the problems was difficult,” consider saying, “Planning the problems was difficult.” “This subtle change adds a lot of meaning to the sentence.
Many / / two: This phrase can be replaced with more specific words such as ‘many’, ‘many’ or specific numbers. For example, ‘Many studies have shown’ can be reformulated as ‘Many studies have shown’.
Conjugation (can’t, can’t, doesn’t, does): In formal writing, it is best to use the full form of the abbreviation. For example: “The sample is not representative” should be rewritten as “The sample is not representative.” “
Type/Species: This statement lacks specificity and can be misleading. Instead of ‘The findings were significant’, select ‘The findings were significant’ or ‘The findings were moderately significant’.
Til / till: These informal terms can be replaced with “until” or “to.” For example, “From 2008 till 2012” should be revised to “From 2008 until 2012.”

Additionally, the second-person point of view (e.g., “you,” “your”) is generally inappropriate in academic writing. A sentence like “You can see the results” should be transformed into “One can see the results” or “The results can be observed.”

Steer Clear of Informal Sentence Starters

While some words may be acceptable in a particular context, they can make your writing unique when used to begin a sentence. Consider these examples:

Plus: Replace this with ‘More’, ‘Additional’ or ‘Additional’. For example, ‘Also participants agreed’ could be changed to ‘Also participants agreed’. “
So: This word can be replaced by “Therefore”. Therefore, “Therefore we can conclude that the model needs further improvement”, “Therefore we can conclude that the model needs further improvement.”
Also: this can be removed or replaced with ‘Other’. For example, ‘And all the participants are over 30 years old’ can be translated as ‘The participants are over 30 years old’. “
Besides: Instead of “Besides, we asked all the participants to sign an agreement,” consider using “Additionally, we requested that all participants sign an agreement.”

Avoid Vague Terms

Writing lessons are often simple and unstructured. Words with unnecessary emphasis should be used with caution:

Always/never: This can be replaced by ‘often’, ‘usually’ or ‘usually’. For example, “Researchers always say this” could be changed to “Researchers always say that.”
Completed: Consider using “The best answer to the question” or “One of the best answers to the question” instead of “The best answer to the question.
Real/very/super: Replace with more specific words such as ‘important’, ‘critical’ or ‘important’. For example, “This idea is really important” can be expressed as “This idea is important.” “

Limit Exaggerated Terms

Academic writing is typically straightforward and unembellished. Words that create unnecessary emphasis should be used sparingly:

Always / never: These can be substituted with “frequently,” “commonly,” or “typically.” For example, “Researchers always argue that” can be changed to “Researchers frequently argue that.”
Perfect: Rather than saying “The perfect solution to the problem,” consider using “An ideal solution to the problem” or “One of the most effective solutions to the problem.”
Really / so / super: Replace these with more precise terms such as “important,” “critical,” or “crucial.” For instance, “This theory is really important” can be expressed as “This theory is significant.”

Avoid Subjective Language

In order for the topics to remain in academic writing, statements that show personal bias should be avoided:

Correct Common Mistakes

Certain phrases are frequently misused. Avoiding these common pitfalls can enhance the accuracy of your writing:

Literally: Some words are used incorrectly. Avoiding these common pitfalls can improve the accuracy of your writing: Often instead of saying “Students don’t understand,” you say, “Students don’t understand.”, would have in this scenario.
Would of, had of: Use “would have” or “have” instead. For example, “Research Evaluated” should be revised as “Research Evaluated”. “

Additional Tips

In general, avoid jargon, clichés, colloquial abbreviations, slang, and gender-related language. Choose specific words instead of unnecessary words. For example, instead of saying ‘competition’ you can just say ‘competition’.

Conclusion

Maintaining integrity in lessons is essential to clarity, clarity and professionalism. Words and phrases that are vague, ambiguous, exaggerated, and verbose language will help you meet the stringent standards expected of academic communication. These guidelines will help you improve your writing style and make your research and arguments stronger and more persuasive.

Also, read

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Tanu Bhatnagar

Meet Tanu Bhatnagar, an educational expert with extensive experience in teaching, research and mentoring.With a decade in education and research, Tanu combines academic expertise with engaging storytelling. Her research background ensures every article is well-researched and insightful. Beyond textbooks, Tanu's expertise spans writing, exam preparation, economic trends, and global education, delving into the realms of spiritual awakening. This diverse perspective shines through in his writing, offering a fresh take on education. Join Tanu and CollegeChalo for an enriching learning adventure, where his passion ignites yours, and his words light your way.

AAT 2025 Registration From 2 to 3 June 2025, Exam on 5 June 2025

S. Vishnu Sharma

Published at : 21 Dec 2024, 7:40 PM IST

Updated at : 21 Dec 2024, 7:41 PM IST

The schedule to submit applications for JEE Advanced 2025 has been announced along with that of AAT 2025 registration,

Application process for AAT starts after result declaration of JEE Advanced. This year too, the trend is no different.

Sl. No.	Activity	Day, Date and Time (IST)
1	JEE (Main) 2025 [Computer Based Tests by NTA]	JEE (Main) 2025 website
2	Results of JEE (Main) 2025 by NTA	JEE (Main) 2025 website
3	Online Registration for JEE (Advanced) 2025	Wednesday, April 23, 2025 (10:00 IST) to Friday, May 02, 2025 (23:59 IST)
4	Last date for fee payment of registered candidates	Monday, May 05, 2025 (23:59 IST)
5	Admit Card available for downloading	Sunday, May 11, 2025 (10:00 IST) to Sunday, May 18, 2025 (14:30 IST)
6	Choosing of scribe by PwD candidates / candidates with less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing	Saturday, May 17, 2025
7	JEE (Advanced) 2025 Examination	Sunday, May 18, 2025 Paper 1: 09:00-12:00 IST Paper 2: 14:30-17:30 IST
8	Copy of candidate responses to be available on the JEE (Advanced) 2025 website	Thursday, May 22, 2025 (17:00 IST)
9	Online display of provisional answer keys	Monday, May 26, 2025 (10:00 IST)
10	Feedback and comments on provisional answer keys	Monday, May 26, 2025 (10:00 IST) to Tuesday, May 27, 2025 (17:00 IST)
11	Online declaration of final answer key and Results of JEE (Advanced) 2025	Monday, June 02, 2025 (10:00 IST)
12	Online registration for Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) 2025	Monday, June 02, 2025 (10:00 IST) to Tuesday, June 03, 2025 (17:00 IST)
13	Tentative Start of Joint Seat Allocation (JoSAA) 2025 Process	Tuesday, June 03, 2025 (17:00 IST)
14	Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) 2025	Thursday, June 05, 2025 (09:00 IST to 12:00 IST)
15	Declaration of results of AAT 2025	Sunday, June 08, 2025 (17:00 IST)

Who will conduct AAT 2025?

AAT 2025 will be conducted by IIT Kanpur and is expected to see a participation in impressive numbers. The same institution is conducting JEE Advanced 2025.

Details about the exam are available on the official website mentioned above. Students who pass AAT 2025 will be able to study BArch in IIT Roorkee, IIT Kharagpur and IIT (BHU) Varnasi.

Who can take up AAT 2025 registration?

Students who have passed JEE Advanced 2025 with required qualifying marks can take up AAT 2025 registration. Applying for JEE Advanced requires a pass in JEE Mains.

Candidates who have passed plus two with maths, physics and chemistry as subjects will be able to take up JEE Mains registration. The process to take up JEE Advanced AAT 2025 registration is online.

1. The URL has to be typed into the browser and the webpage has to be allowed to download.

2. Once the website is available, students should click the link for JEE Advanced AAT 2025 registration and enter JEE Advanced 2025 registration number, their date of birth, mobile number and email address.

3. Post providing the above details, applicants will be asked if they are interested in AAT. Students have to answer ‘Yes’ to take up JEE Advanced AAT 2025 registration.

4. Candidates have to provide the required information and choose the centers where they wish to write the exam and submit the form.

5. They will receive message indicating successful completion of JEE Advanced AAT 2025 registration.

The message has to be downloaded and a printout of it has to be taken and preserved for use in future. This could be of use during the admission process.

Website for JEE Advanced 2025/AAT 2025 Registration is Here

Exam pattern

Candidates who have completed JEE Advanced AAT 2025 registration must also know the exam pattern if they are to score good marks.

Those who have taken up AAT 2025 registration can take up the exam which will be held in offline mode, as a pen and paper mode test.

Candidates will have three hours time to answer all the questions. The medium of the test is English.

The sections in the question paper are – Imagination and aesthetic sensitivity, three dimensional perception, Geometrical drawing, Freehand drawing and Architectural Awareness.

Syllabus for AAT 2025

The next thing to do after completing AAT 2025 registration is focus on preparing for the test.

The subjects to be studied while preparing for AAT 2025 are mentioned below. Candidates can also refer the official website for more information on syllabus when the registration for the exam begins:

Geometrical Drawing

Exercises in geometrical drawing containing lines, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, circles, etc. Study of plan (top view), elevation (front or side views) of simple solid objects like prisms, cones, cylinders, cubes, splayed surface holders, etc.

Freehand Drawing

This would comprise of simple drawing depicting the total object in its right form and proportion, surface texture, relative location and details of its component parts in appropriate scale.

Common domestic or day-to-day life usable objects like furniture, equipment, etc., from memory.

Three dimension perception

Understanding and appreciation of three-dimensional forms with building elements, colour, volume and orientation. Visualization through structuring objects in memory.

Architectural Awareness

General interest and awareness of famous architectural creations – both national and international, places and personalities (architects, designers, etc.) in the related domain.

Imagination and Aesthetic Sensitivity

Composition exercise with given elements. Context mapping.

Creativity check through innovative uncommon test with familiar objects. Sense of colour grouping or application.

The medium of the test is English. The sections in the question paper are – Imagination and aesthetic sensitivity, three dimensional perception, Geometrical drawing, Freehand drawing and Architectural Awareness.

The admit cards obtained for JEE Advanced 2025 can also be used to gain entry into the test centers for AAT 2024.

Point to remember

Candidates can visit the official website of JEE Advanced exam for more information on JEE Advanced AAT 2025 registration and other related topics.

The students have to quickly take up the AAT 2025 registration as the time left would be very short.

Like JEE Advanced exam where the registration is open for a longer duration, that of AAT 2025 registration is open for only a short period.

The details about AAT 2025 registration provided above are for general understanding purpose of the students.

There could be some changes in the exam, students can visit the official website of the exam at regular intervals to receive updates.

More information could be provided as the time for AAT 2025 registration would commence, till that time, students can refer other sources also.

Also Read – NIRF 2024 Top 20 Architecture Colleges, Great For Studies