Avoid these Words in Academic Writing

Avoid these Words in Academic Writing

by with No Comment BusinessEditingproofreading

Academic writing is comparatively formal, so it is important to avoid certain expressions that are out of place. Common examples include informal expressions, vague expressions, exaggerations, and opinionated or subjective expressions. Academic writing should be as precise as possible, preferring exact values to broader terms. Vague writing should be avoided, as it leaves too much to a reader’s interpretation. Exaggerations should allow for reasonable doubt, and superlatives should be used only if they refer to provable facts or if the writer is quoting another source. Finally, academic writing should be clear and concise, using proper grammar and punctuation.

In academic writing, avoid subjective words like “beautiful” and “better” and use objective language to support the main argument. Replace “naturally” with “clearly” or “perfect” with “strong” or “crucial.” Clichés and colloquialisms are overused expressions that can make a paper appear informal and suggest a lack of clarity. Replacing these phrases with more precise language can improve the tone of your writing. Examples of clichés to avoid include “a happy medium,” “a stumbling block,” “above board,” “in this day and age,” and “think outside the box.”

Fillers are superfluous words that can be stronger when removed and should be replaced with more specific words. Language should be cautious in the first or second person, and jargon should be used appropriately. For example, “aneuploidy” can be replaced with “demurrer,” and “gendered language” should be replaced with gender-neutral alternatives to avoid perpetuating bias. Inclusive language guidelines and professional support can help ensure that your writing meets the requirements of your field.

Cheat Sheet

Academic writing is comparatively formal. To help achieve a formal tone, do your best to avoid the following expressions, which are out of place in academic writing:

  Category Common Examples
Avoid informal expressions good/bad, big/small, sort of/kind of
vague expressions a lot, a couple of, thing, stuff
exaggerations always/never, definitely, every/none, best/greatest
opinionated or subjective expressions naturally/obviously, of course, should
clichés at the end of the day, a happy medium
fillers literally, serves to/helps to, really
contractions can’t, won’t, don’t, isn’t, it’s
Think twice before using the first or second person I, we, our, you, your
jargon Demurrer, cytokinesis, aneuploidy
gendered language man, mankind, congressman, him or his when referring to people of all genders

Informal and Colloquial Expressions

Because academic writing is more formal than other kinds of writing, some words or expressions that may be acceptable in emails, blog posts, or text messages are too informal for academic contexts and may seem unsophisticated. Here are some informal and colloquial words to avoid in academic writing.

Informal word(s) Replacement(s) Example
America the United States, the US, the USA The study focused on America the United States.
bad poor, negative The results were bad poor.
big, humongous, huge large, sizeable, significant A huge significant amount of evidence supports this theory.
has got has, must The senator said that the government has got to must act.
get, got receive The writer got received a prize for her work.
give provide, offer, present Table 5.2 gives provides evidence to support this conclusion.
good optimal, strong, prime (or replace with a more descriptive adjective) The findings were good optimal.
kind of, sort of somewhat, to some degree, in the category of The scholar kind of somewhat agreed.
till until, to, through The study will run from March till until May.
show demonstrate, reveal, illustrate The interviews showed revealed a shared concern over safety.

Vague Writing

Academic writing should be as precise as possible. Unambiguous language strengthens papers, while vague wording leaves too much to a reader’s interpretation. Whenever possible, prefer exact values—percentages, measurements, statistics—to broader terms. Here are some imprecise words to avoid in academic writing.

Vague word(s) Replacement(s) Example
a bit Specify the exact amount. The experiment required a bit 10 mg of catalyst.
a couple of/some Specify the exact amount or replace with many, several, a number of. A couple of A total of 30 students were surveyed.
a lot of, lots of Specify the exact amount or replace with many, several, a great number of, significant, or numerous. The announcement received a lot of significant attention.
a ton Specify the exact amount or replace with many, several, a great number of, a substantial amount of, or significant. The government spent a ton $5 million on the project.
and so on Either finish the thought, eliminate the phrase, or replace with a more specific phrase like including other factors or additionally. Civil engineers must consider load, terrain, weather and so on many other factors when designing a bridge.
anything, something Specify the item(s). The writer could be referencing anything. The writer could be referencing three separate themes: the narrator’s grief, the uneasy political situation, or death in general.
nice Specify the quality. It was a nice colourful painting.
most Specify the amount or replace with many or the majority of. Most Over 95% of scientists support the measure.
stuff, thing Specify the item(s), or replace with object, sample, point, or finding. The report included lots of stuff. The report included multiple relevant findings.

Exaggerations

Academic writing should allow for reasonable doubt. While academic writers can be confident, they must acknowledge that their ideas and theories may be disproven. Avoid language that suggests absolute authority or knowledge.

Superlatives, such as largest and best, should be used only if they refer to provable facts (for example, describing a company as the largest in Europe) or if the writer is quoting another source (for example, saying that Rolling Stone ranked a certain recording as the best single of 2018).

Exaggeration Replacement(s) Example
always Specify the amount or replace with the word frequently. The results were always the same.
The results were the same over 120 iterations.
definitely, absolutely Eliminate or replace with greatly, likely, significantly, or strongly. The findings absolutely provide significant support for the proposed legislation.
every Specify the amount or add a phrase to convey reasonable doubt, such as almost, essentially, or recorded. Every recorded species of this creature genus is found in the Brazilian Amazon.
never Specify the amount or replace with the word rarely. Surveyed respondents never chose the fourth option.
None of the 30 surveyed respondents chose the fourth option.
none Specify the amount or add a phrase to convey reasonable doubt, such as almost, essentially, or recorded. None of the respondents answered positively.
No respondents answered positively.
proves, proof supports This finding proves supports the hypothesis.

Subjectivity

In academic writing, arguments must be supported by evidence. Avoid words that imply conclusions based on the writer’s personal opinions; use objective language to support the main argument. Here are some subjective words to avoid in academic writing.

Subjective word(s) Replacement(s) Example
beautiful, wonderful, awful, ugly, hideous Specify the quality as objectively as possible. The composition was awful full of clashing movements.
The building was beautiful artfully designed.
better Replace with a more objective word or phrase. The candidate had a better more comprehensive plan to address climate change than his opponent.
clearly, naturally, of course, obviously, undoubtedly Eliminate or replace with a more objective word. Naturally, The programmer wrote the application in Java.
Of course, After the war, economic policy changed.
perfect, ideal, best Replace with a more specific qualifier or the words strong, key, or crucial. The applicant was the ideal a strong candidate.
should Explain the rationale behind the recommendation. Activists should study the protest.
Activists could benefit greatly from studying the protest.

Clichés and Colloquialisms

Clichés are overused expressions, while colloquialisms are those patterns of expression typical of informal speech. In addition to making a paper seem overly informal or conversational, these clichés suggest that the writer lacks a clear understanding of her message. Replacing such phrases with more precise language will help improve the tone of your writing. In academic writing, it is advisable to steer clear of certain clichés.

Cliché or colloquialism Replacement Example
a happy medium a compromise The two sides reached a happy medium compromise.
a stumbling block an obstacle The proposal encountered a stumbling block an obstacle when the opposing party mounted a negative press campaign.
above board legitimate Unlike previous proposals, the resolution was above board legitimate.
at the end of the day, when all is said and done ultimately or in conclusion At the end of the day Ultimately, the new law did not impact the rural population.
get through Replace with a more specific verb or use endure or survive. The researcher had to get through read multiple texts.
in this day and age, in recent years Specify the time period or use currently, presently, or today. In this day and age In the past decade, social media use has become prevalent amongst millennials.
think outside the box Specify the idea or replace with words like creative and innovative. The economist was known to think outside the box propose innovative ideas.

Fillers

Some words or phrases are superfluous in academic writing, and sentences tend to be stronger when they are removed. These filler words are best avoided in academic writing.

Filler Replacement Example
literally Eliminate entirely unless you mean ‘in a literal manner.’ The scientist had literally explored every option.The politician’s remarks were not intended to be interpreted literally.
really, too Eliminate or specify the quality. The results were really highly revealing.
serves to, helps to Eliminate entirely. This quote serves to illustrates the author’s primary argument.
so Eliminate entirely or replace with a more specific word. The poem is so interesting because it uses an unusual rhyme pattern.
very, extremely Eliminate the word or replace with important, crucial, critical, significant, key. Her testimony was very crucial.

Language to Be Cautious With

First or second person

The first person (I/we/my/our) is not always deemed acceptable in academic papers. Given that opinions differ on this point, always consult the style guide used in your field; while you may be able to use the first person in certain sections, others may require the third person or passive language.

In contrast, the second person (you/your) is almost never used in academic writing, though it may be appropriate in creative writing or personal communication. Remember that the second person also includes commands, such as add 10 ml to the solution. In most cases, the best way to avoid the second person is to restructure the sentence.

Person Replacement Example
First person:I/we/my/our Replace with a third-person actor (the researcher, the writer) or rewrite the sentence passively. I performed a regression analysis.
A regression analysis was performed.
The researcher performed a regression analysis.
Second person:you/your Restructure the sentence or replace with a neutral term like one or the reader. You might think that this result is unlikely.
Most of those who first heard this result found it unlikely.
The result seems unlikely.
It was an unlikely result under the circumstances.
One might think the result unlikely.

Jargon

Jargon is another aspect of academic writing that can prove particularly problematic for some writers. Despite the abundance of technical terms in academic writing, it’s crucial to take your audience’s familiarity with jargon into account when crafting your text. It’s important to choose appropriate subject-specific terminology, of course, but remember that your ultimate goal is for as many readers as possible to read and understand your paper. To further that goal, introduce complex or industry-specific terms with clear definitions.

Jargon Explanation How to use it
Aneuploidy The presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell. In this study, researchers reviewed the causes of aneuploidy, namely, the presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell.
Demurrer A written response in which the defendant seeks dismissal of an allegation due to insufficient grounds. The party against whom a complaint has been filed may object by demurrer—a legal document in which the defendant requests dismissal of an allegation due to insufficient grounds.

Gendered language

Replace gendered language with gender-neutral alternatives to avoid perpetuating gender bias.

Gendered language Replacement(s) Example
man, mankind person, people, humanity, humankind The wheel is one of mankind’s humanity’s earliest inventions.
professional designations that end in -man or -woman, such as policeman or congresswoman, -ette, such as usherette, or -ess, such as actress Replace with gender-neutral words. police officer, congressperson, legislator, usher, actor
girl, lady in reference to women, such as weather girl Replace with gender-neutral terms. The weather girl reporter warned viewers of the approach of a vicious cold snap.

The drive to reduce bias and improve inclusion has led to the formulation of guidelines by many academic publishers.

Still unsure?

Should you lack confidence in avoiding these problematic words and phrases in your writing, seeking professional support can significantly improve your writing. Submit your paper for proofreading today, and we’ll ensure it meets the requirements of your field. Let’s talk about your project. Call us today.

 

Writing and editing: How to steal AI’s job

Writing and editing: How to steal AI’s job

by with No Comment BusinessEditing

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the landscape of writing and editing. While AI-powered tools can be helpful for tasks like proofreading and grammar checking, they cannot replace the human touch that is essential for creating truly great writing.

Here are a few approaches to take AI’s work in writing and editing:

Develop your unique voice and style. AI-powered tools can generate generic, bland writing. To stand out, you need to develop a strong, unique voice and style. This will make your writing more engaging and memorable.
Focus on the human element. AI-powered tools are not good at understanding or conveying emotions. To connect with your readers, you need to focus on the human element of your writing. This means writing with empathy, humour, and personality.
Develop your critical thinking skills. AI-powered tools can be helpful for generating ideas, but they cannot think critically about those ideas. To be a successful writer or editor, you need to be able to think critically about your work and make sound judgements.
Be a lifelong learner. The field of writing and editing is constantly evolving. To stay ahead of the curve, you need to be a lifelong learner. This means keeping up with the latest trends and technologies.
Build a strong network. Having a strong network of contacts can be invaluable for writers and editors. Your network can help you to find work, get feedback on your writing, and learn about new opportunities.
Here are a few additional tips for stealing AI’s job:

Specialise in a niche. There are many different types of writing and editing. By specialising in a particular niche, you can make yourself more valuable to potential clients.
Develop your marketing skills. To get work, you need to be able to market yourself effectively. This means creating a strong online presence and networking with potential clients.
Be patient. It takes time to build a successful career in writing and editing. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find work immediately. Keep practicing your craft and networking with others in the field.
In conclusion,

AI-powered tools are not going to replace human writers and editors anytime soon. By developing your unique skills and building a strong network, you can steal AI’s job and build a successful career in writing and editing.

I would also like to add that it is important to be aware of the ethical implications of using AI-powered tools. While these tools can be helpful, they should not be used to deceive or mislead readers. Always use AI-powered tools responsibly and ethically.

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Thank you for reading!

Smiling office worker reading news on computer screen

Why do I have to engage a Professional Editor when Grammarly or QuillBot or AI editors are there?

by with No Comment BusinessEditing

In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), many people are turning to AI-powered writing tools like Grammarly, QuillBot, and Jasper. While these tools can be helpful for proofreading and basic editing, they cannot replace the expertise of a professional editor.

Here are a few reasons why:

AI editors can only do so much. AI editors are great at catching basic grammar and spelling errors. However, they cannot understand the nuances of language in the same way that a human editor can. For example, AI editors may not be able to identify awkward phrasing or unclear sentences.
AI editors cannot provide the same level of feedback. A professional editor can provide you with detailed feedback on your writing. This feedback can help you to improve your writing skills and make your work more effective.
AI editors can be biased. AI editors are trained on large datasets of text. This means that they may be biased towards certain writing styles or topics. A professional editor can help you to avoid these biases.
AI editors can be expensive. While there are some free AI editors available, most of the best ones are paid services. A professional editor may be more affordable, especially if you are working on a tight budget.
If you are serious about your writing, it is worth investing in a professional editor. A good editor can help you to take your work to the next level.

Here are some tips for finding a professional editor:

Ask for recommendations. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues who have used professional editors.
Look for editors who specialise in your field. There are many different types of editors, so it is important to find one who has experience in your area of expertise.
Get quotes from several editors. This will help you to compare prices and find the best value for your money.
Ask to see samples of the editor’s work. This will help you to get a sense of their style and expertise.
I hope this blog post has helped you to understand the importance of engaging a professional editor. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Thank you for reading!

In addition to the information above, I would like to add that professional editors can also help you with the following:

Developing your writing voice.
Improving your overall writing style.
Ensuring that your writing is consistent with the style guide you are using.
Preparing your work for publication.
If you are serious about your writing, I highly recommend that you consider working with a professional editor. It is an investment that can pay off in the long run.

I hope this helps!

90408

Is Editing All About Proofreading?

by with No Comment Editing

Proofreading is an important part of the editing process, but it is not the only thing that editors do. Editing also involves checking for clarity, accuracy, and consistency. It can also involve providing suggestions for improvement in the overall structure and organization of a document.

What is the difference between proofreading and editing?

Proofreading is the process of checking a document for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Editing is the process of introducing changes to a document to improve its clarity, accuracy, and consistency.

What are the benefits of professional editing?

Professional editing can help you to:

Improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing
Ensure that your writing is consistent with the style guide you are using
Identify and correct errors that you may have missed
Make your writing more engaging and persuasive
If you are not sure whether you need professional editing, it is always a good idea to ask a friend or colleague to read over your work and give you feedback.

How can I find a professional editor?

There are many ways to find a professional editor. You can ask for recommendations from friends, colleagues, or professors. You can also search online for editors who specialize in the type of writing you are doing.

When you are interviewing editors, be sure to ask about their experience and qualifications. You should also ask for samples of their work.

What should I expect to pay for professional editing?

The cost of professional editing will vary depending on the editor’s experience, the length of the document, and the type of editing you need.

It is important to get quotes from several editors before you make a decision.

How can I make the most of my editing experience?

Here are a few tips for making the most of your editing experience:

Be prepared to answer questions about your writing.
Be open to feedback.
Be willing to make changes to your work.
Editing is an important part of the writing process. By working with a professional editor, you can ensure that your work is the best it can be.

In addition to the information above, here are some other things to consider:

The type of editing you need. There are different types of editing, such as copy editing, line editing, and developmental editing. Each type of editing focuses on different aspects of the writing process.
Your budget. The cost of editing can vary depending on the type of editing you need and the editor’s experience.
Your deadline. It is important to give your editor enough time to complete the editing process.
I hope this blog post has helped you to understand the importance of editing. If you need any clarification, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Thank you for reading!

I would also like to add that editing is an ongoing process. Even after your work has been edited, you may still find ways to improve it. It is important to be open to feedback and to continue to refine your writing skills.

I hope the information helps!

5380

The Unseen Battles: The Hardest Things in Editing

by with No Comment Editing

Editing. It sounds straightforward, right? Catch a few typos, smooth out some sentences, and boom – polished perfection. But anyone who’s spent hours wrestling with a manuscript knows the truth: editing is a complex, nuanced, and often surprisingly difficult art. Beyond the obvious grammar checks, editors face a gauntlet of challenges that test their skills and patience.

1. The Subjectivity of “Clarity”:

One person may perceive something as clear, while another may find it a confusing mess. One of the hardest tasks is balancing the author’s voice with the need for universal comprehension. We’re not just fixing errors; we’re translating ideas. Such work requires a delicate touch. Could the author’s phrasing be intentionally complex, or might it just be confusing? Does simplifying it dilute their intended message? Navigating this tightrope of clarity and authorial intent is a constant mental workout.

2. Deciphering the Author’s Intent:

Sometimes, the words on the page are only the beginning. The real challenge lies in understanding what the author meant to say, especially when they haven’t quite articulated it. This necessitates deciphering hidden meanings, spotting discrepancies, and employing detective skills to locate absent details. Did they intend to imply a certain connection? Are they missing a key argument? This strategy is a process of asking questions and meticulously piecing together the author’s vision, often from fragmented clues.

3. Maintaining Consistency in a Sea of Details:

Imagine editing a 300-page academic thesis. You are managing hundreds of citations, dozens of tables, and countless nuanced arguments. Ensuring consistency in style, formatting, and terminology across such a vast document is a herculean task. One stray comma, one inconsistent capitalization, and the entire piece can feel disjointed. The sheer volume of details that need to be tracked and managed can be overwhelming, requiring meticulous attention and a near-encyclopedic memory.

4. The Art of “Constructive Criticism”:

Editors aren’t just robots correcting mistakes; we’re collaborators. It takes skill to provide feedback that is both honest and encouraging. We must identify the author’s shortcomings without diminishing their confidence. It’s about finding the right balance between highlighting areas for improvement and acknowledging the author’s strengths. This requires empathy, tact, and a profound understanding of the emotional investment authors have in their work.

5. Knowing When to Stop:

Perfection is a mirage. There’s always something that could be tweaked, refined, or reconsidered. One of the toughest lessons for any editor is knowing when to call it quits. When have you reached the point of diminishing returns? When are you contributing value, and when might it be considered overanalyzing? This process requires a sense of judgment and a willingness to accept that “good enough” is sometimes the best outcome.

Editing is far more than just a technical skill. It’s a blend of linguistic expertise, critical thinking, and interpersonal finesse. It’s about navigating the complexities of language, understanding the nuances of communication, and ultimately, helping authors bring their best work to the world. And that, in itself, is a constant and fascinating challenge.