What is special about academic English?

A Everyday words and academic uses

Many words in academic English are the same as everyday vocabulary, but they are often
also used with a slightly different meaning, which may be specialised.

everyday or academic use meaning academic use meaning

Standards of discipline in ability to control Nanotechnology is a relatively area of study
schools have declined. oneself or other new discipline.

people
Underline your family draw a line The research underlines the gives emphasis to
name on the form. under it importance of international trade

agreements.
The lake was frozen solid. not liquid or gas We have no solid evidence that certain or safe; of a
radiation has caused the problem. good standard

B Vocabulary and academic style

• In writing, academics use many expressions which are neutral, but they also use rather
formal expressions which are not common in everyday language. Knowing whether an
expression is formal or just neutral is important.

neutral more formal neutral more formal

in short, briefly, basically in sum, to sum up try attempt
only sole(ly) mainly/mostly primarily
almost / more or less virtually typical of characteristic of

However, very informal vocabulary may be used in spoken academic styles in classes and
lectures. Learn to understand such language when you hear it but be careful not to use it in

essays some examples of teachers using informal language.

and written assignments. Here are
'0K. Have a shot at doing task number 3.' [more formal: Try/Attempt to do ... )
'There's no way schools can be held responsible for failures of government policy.' [more
formal: Schools cannot in any way be held ...l

Academic language tries to be clear and prccise, so it is important to keep a vocabulary

notebook (see page 8) and learn the differences between similar words, as well as typical
word combinations (underlined here).
The building is a prime example of 1920s architecture. [excellent in quality or value]
The group's primary concern is to protect human rights. [main / most important]

C Noun phrases
Academic language puts a lot of information into noun phrases rather than spreading it out
over a whole sentence. For example, instead of saying Radiation was accidentally released
over a 24-hour period, damaging a wide area for a long time, an academic might say The
accidental release of radiation over a 24-hour period caused widespread long-term damage.
It is therefore important to learn the different forms of a word, for example:

noun verb adjective(s) adverb(s)

accident accidental accidentally

quantity/quantification quantify quantitative/quantifiable quantitatively/quantifiably

Finally, be aware of 'chunks' or phrases which occur frequently, and learn them as whole
units. Examples: in terms of, in addition, for the most part, in the case of, etc. (See Unit 16.)

10 Academic Vocabulary in Use

 Exercises

II Each word in the box can be used in two ways, one an everyday way, the other a typically
academic way. Complete each pair of sentences using the same word for both sentences and
making any necessary grammatical changes.

generate turn solid confirm identify underline character pose nature focus

1 A She loves to pose for photographs in front of her fabulous house.

B The events a threat to stability in the region.
2 A It was difficult to focus the camera on the flower as it was so small.
B We should our attention on the most important issues.
3 A I called the airline and confirmed my reservation.
B The data my hypothesis that animal-lovers enjoy better health.
4 A The power plant generates electricity for the whole region.
B This issue always a great deal of debate among academics.
5 A The murderer was identified from fingerprints discovered at the scene.
B In this theory of history, progress is closely with technology.
6 A She became interested in nature conservation.
B The first lecture in the series was on the of human communication.
7 A Jim's a very interesting
character . I hope you meet him.
B The book attempts to explain the fundamental of social life.
8 A I saw her turn to her husband and whisper something in his ear.
B Let us now to the subject of town planning.
9 A He always underlines every new word when he's reading.
B The study the fact that very little research exists.
10 A The liquid became solid as the temperature was lowered.
B The study lacks evidence and therefore its conclusions are doubtful.

1.2 Use more formal alternatives to the words in bold. Make any necessary grammatical
2. Every school in the country
changes. primarily
had virtually reported problems
1 The book is mainly concerned with the problem of policing the internet. w the new system
2 Almost every school in the county had reported problems with the new system.
3 The work of the Institute is not only devoted to cancer research. sole
To sum up 4 Basically, we believe we have demonstrated a significant link between the two events.
5 We tried to find a new way of understanding the data. attempted
6 The study is a really good example of the way sociologists collect their data. prime
characteristic 7 The reaction is typical of the way large corporations keep control of their markets.
8 There's no way London can be compared to Sydney asa place to live and work.
London cannot in any way be compared to Sydney as a place to live and work
1.3 Read the text and then answer the questions.

The production of plastics depends heavily on petroleum, but a novel way of making
plastics out of sugar could reduce our reliance on oil. The discovery that a chemical

in sugar can be converted relatively easily into a substance similar in structure to the
material obtained from petroleum has led to the claim that plastics could soon be

produced cheaply using the new method.

1 Underline two verbs with adverbs after them which it would be useful to learn as pairs.
2 Underline two adverbs next to each other which it would be useful to learn together.
3 What are the noun forms of the verbs produce, rely, discover and claim?

Academic Vocabulary in Use I I

 2 Key nouns
This unit focuses on some frequent and important nouns in academic English. See also Units
10, 11 and 15.

A General nouns referring to ideas

example (with prepositions underlined) comment
She wrote an article on the subject Of class. thing which is being discussed, considered or studied

The theme Of the poem is emigration. main subject of a talk, book, etc.

The students were given a list of essay topics. used to refer to what one is studying or writing about

There was a lively debate on the issue Of subject]problem which people are thinking/tatking about
globalisation in the seminar yesterday.

Political theory is a popular undergraduate subject statement of the rules on which a subject of study is

Einstein's theory Of gravitation has been based or, more generally, an opinion or explanation
questioned recently.
The model of climate change presented in the a representation of something as a simple description
Stern Review seems to be becoming a reality. which might be used in calculations

The book is called 'The Nature gf Intelligence'. main characteristic of something

Human behaviour is based on the principle of basic idea or rule that explains how something happens
least effort. or works

B More specific nouns connected with ideas and phenomena

example (with prepositions underlined) comment

Repetition is an important aspect of speech one individual part of a situation, problem, subject,
development in children. etc.

Automatic backup is a feature Of the new software. a typical quality of something

The political motives for the government's actions are range of a subject covered by a book, discussion,
beyond the scope Of this essay. class, etc.

The study revealed a pattern Q.f results which showed a regularly repeated arrangement
could be interpreted in either of two ways.
During 2005, the number Of violent attacks amount or level

increased to an alarming degree.

C Nouns referring to ways of thinking, processes and activities

Read these titles of academic books and articles. Note the key nouns and their prepositions.
2
Micro-organisms in water: their significance and identification
Renewable energy: a critical assessment3 of recent research
The Case4 for Change: Rethinking Teacher Education. Towards a New Approach5
Perspectives6 on Ecological Management: A study of public awareness of river pollution

Citizens' Views on Healthcare Systems in the European Union

9
Epidemiological research int08 asthma and allergic disease: establishing a standardised methodology

importance 2 ability to establish the identity of something judgement of the amount, value,
quality or importance of 4 arguments, facts and reasons in support of or against something
way of considering something 6 different particular or individual ways of considering
something 7 having special interest in or experience of something, and so being well informed
research is often also used with the preposition on a system of ways of studying something

Research js uncountable. Don't say They carried out some interesting reseorches.To make it

plural you can just say 'studies', or 'research studies' or 'pieces of research'.

12 Academic Vocabulory in Use

 Exercises

2.1 Look at A. Choose the most appropriate noun to complete each sentence.
1 Environmental topics / issues / principles should be at the top of today's political agenda.
2 In the exam students had to choose three from a choice of ten essay subjects / theories /
topics.
3 There are still people who are reluctant to accept Darwin's model / topic / theory of
evolution.
4 The professor decided to take moral courage as the issue / theme / model for his

inaugural lecture.
5 The London underground map is best understood as a model / principle / topic showing
how the different stations relate to one another rather than a precise representation of
their distances from each other.
6 The Peter Issue / Principle / Theme states that members of a hierarchical group will
usually end up being promoted to the point at which they become incompetent.
2.2 There are six phrases containing errors underlined in this paragraph. Can you correct them?

The study showed that local police can play an important role in
crime prevention. It makes a strong case of boosting the numbers of
community police officers although it warns against increasing police
presence on the streets at an alarming degree. Its methodological was
based on a range of interviews asking members of the public for their

views in how best to prevent crime. Unfortunately, how to implement

this recommendation was out of the scope of the study but at least it

serves a useful purpose in raising awareness to the issue.

2.3 Look at these titles of academic books (A—H). Then match them to their subject areas (1—8).

A The Nature of Democracy 1 economics

B The Significance of Dreams 2 education
C The Features of Glaciated Landscapes 3 literature
D The Assessment of Language Skills 4 history
E An Approach to Free Verse 5 geography
F The Identification of Bees 6 psychology
G Perspectives on Modern Taxation 7 politics
H New Perspectives on Cleopatra 8 zoology

2.4 Match the beginning of each sentence with the most appropriate ending.
1 The study revealed a regular scope of your research.
2 The research focuses on one particular awareness of the problem.
3 The writer makes a powerful issues facing the world today.
4 The writers take an original into the environmental effects of nanoparticles.
5 Until recently there was little approach to their theme.
6 I think you should broaden the aspect of modern society.
7 To date, there has been little research pattern of changes in temperature.
8 There are many important case for restructuring parliament.

Academic Vocabulary in Use 13