Words to Avoid in Academic Writing: How Language Shapes Tone

When you work on a thesis or research paper, the first trap is language that feels natural in conversation but collapses under the weight of an academic essay. A phrase like 'very important' seems harmless until you realize it carries no measurable meaning. A sentence packed with 'absolutely' or 'really' mirrors speech patterns, not the precision a professor or journal expects.

types of words to avoid in academic writing

This is why professional writers are mindful of words to avoid in academic writing and choose more specific language. EssayWriter was built to help you practice these habits and give you guidance that pushes past surface expressions and into the level of precision academic writing demands.

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Informal Words

Informal words might sound fine in conversation, but can confuse readers when placed in an academic essay. Colloquial language, idioms, and filler words create distance between the writer and the intended audience.

Word(s)	Example in a Sentence	Alternative (Formal)
a lot	A lot of studies show different results.	many, several, numerous
stuff	The writer explains stuff about history.	material, information, details
really	The data is really important for the paper.	significantly, especially, critically
kind of	This theory is kind of confusing.	somewhat, partially, to some extent
get	Students get better results with practice.	achieve, obtain, receive
big	A big problem in research is bias.	major, significant, substantial
good/bad	This is a good method, not a bad one.	effective/ineffective, reliable/unreliable
thing	The thing that matters is clarity.	factor, aspect, element
okay/ok	It is okay to use this source.	acceptable, appropriate
awesome	The results are awesome in this study.	impressive, notable, remarkable

Vague Words

Vague language is taboo when it comes to academic writing. It sounds fine when chatting with friends, but in academic writing, it leaves readers guessing about what you really mean. If you say something is 'interesting' or 'some people think,' you haven’t given readers evidence or direction.

Word(s)	Example in a Sentence	Alternative (Formal)
things	Many things affect health outcomes.	factors, elements, variables
something	The study proves something about climate.	evidence, concept, phenomenon
interesting	This is an interesting result.	significant, notable, remarkable
people say	People say this theory works.	researchers argue, studies suggest
some	Some believe the data is correct.	several scholars, specific studies
nice	The results are nice for the field.	valuable, meaningful, effective
etc.	The lab tested chemicals, plants, etc.	specify items or list completely

If you want extra tips, check out these writing techniques to prevent yourself from making common academic mistakes.

Exaggerations

Words like 'always' or 'everyone knows' sound strong, but they oversimplify complex ideas. Few claims are absolute in research. Overstating results makes arguments sound less credible and leaves readers doubting the evidence. A more specific phrase not only avoids confusion but also reflects the cautious, logical style of academic essays.

Word(s)	Example in a Sentence	Alternative (Formal)
always	This method always works in experiments.	often, frequently, in most cases
never	Data never supports this claim.	rarely, seldom, few instances
everyone	Everyone agrees with this theory.	many researchers, several scholars
absolutely	The results are absolutely true.	clearly, strongly, convincingly
perfect	This model is a perfect solution.	effective, reliable, well-designed
best	This is the best approach in science.	leading, widely used, highly effective
no doubt	There is no doubt this theory is correct.	evidence strongly suggests, it is likely
completely	The findings completely change history.	significantly, substantially, meaningfully

Subjectivity

We’re all tempted to phrase ideas in a personal way. However, subjectivity and emotional language only make sense when you’re reflecting on your own experiences, yet in a research paper, they often weaken the argument.

Word(s)	Example in a Sentence	Alternative (Formal)
I think	I think this theory is useful.	The evidence suggests this theory is useful.
I believe	I believe the results are correct.	The results indicate accuracy.
in my opinion	In my opinion, the essay is effective.	The essay demonstrates effectiveness.
I feel	I feel this argument is weak.	The argument appears weak based on evidence.
I guess	I guess the study is flawed.	The study seems flawed according to data.
to me	To me, this point seems important.	This point appears important in the context.
I would say	I would say this outcome matters.	This outcome is significant for researchers.

Clichés

Just like subjective writing, clichés are hard to avoid since they slip into our essays due to how effortlessly they come to mind. If you write something like ‘at the end of the day,’ the reader will think you’re leaning on stock language instead of precise and insightful thinking.

Cliché	Example in a Sentence	Alternative (Formal)
at the end of the day	At the end of the day, results matter.	Ultimately, in conclusion
the tip of the iceberg	The issue is only the tip of the iceberg.	a small part of a larger problem
in this day and age	In this day and age, technology dominates.	today, currently, in the modern era
think outside the box	Researchers should think outside the box.	use creative approaches, adopt new methods
easier said than done	Reforming policy is easier said than done.	difficult to achieve, challenging to implement
few and far between	Reliable studies are few and far between.	rare, uncommon, infrequent
every cloud has a silver lining	Every cloud has a silver lining.	some benefits exist, despite challenges
the fact of the matter	The fact of the matter is that data is limited.	the reality is, in fact
avoid like the plague	Students avoid exams like the plague.	strongly avoid, deliberately avoid
time will tell	Time will tell if the theory holds up.	future research will show, outcomes will reveal

Fillers

We toss filler words when searching for the next thought. While they smooth conversation in real life, they act like clutter on the page. An academic essay doesn’t need 'actually' or 'basically' to sound convincing.

Word(s)	Example in a Sentence	Alternative (Formal)
actually	This is actually a common issue.	This is a common issue.
basically	Basically, the study shows strong results.	The study shows strong results.
really	The results are really significant.	The results are significant.
very	This is a very important factor.	This is an important factor.
in order to	The test was done in order to measure growth.	The test was done to measure growth.
kind of	This kind of proves the argument.	This somewhat proves the argument.
just	It just means the data is limited.	It means the data is limited.

Jargon

When writers want to sound professional, they turn to jargon. It belongs to experts but almost always excludes everyone else. It looks impressive on the page, but risks confusing readers instead of convincing them.

Jargon Word/Phrase	Example in a Sentence	Alternative (Formal/Plain)
paradigm	This paradigm dominates current research.	model, framework
synergy	The study shows synergy between variables.	interaction, cooperation
leverage	Researchers can leverage data to prove a point.	use, apply
impactful	The program was impactful for students.	effective, significant
holistic	A holistic view was taken in the essay.	comprehensive, complete

Other Phrases to Avoid in Academic Writing

Below are some of the extra words and phrases to avoid when writing an academic paper.

Overused Intensifiers: These words inflate sentences without adding precision.

Extremely
Totally
Absolutely
Incredibly

Empty Transitions: Transitions should guide the reader, not pad the page.

Needless to say
As everyone knows
In today’s world
At this point in time

Casual Contractions: Contractions are fine in conversation, but they often look too informal in a research paper.

Can’t
Won’t
Shouldn’t
Doesn’t

Vague Quantifiers: Numbers and data are expected in an academic context, so loose terms stand out as imprecise.

Several
Some
Many
A Few

Idiomatic Phrases: Idioms are culture-bound and can confuse international readers.

Hit the nail on the head
A double-edged sword
The ball is in your court
Rule of thumb

If you want your writing to sound even smoother, check out these transition words.

PDF with the List of 100+ Words to Avoid in Academic Writing

This list brings together over one hundred words to avoid in formal writing that frequently weaken an essay, academic journal, or research paper. Use it as a reference when revising your work to keep your writing professional.

100+ Words to Avoid in Academic Writing

Final Words

Clarity holds power in academic writing. A sentence needs to be precise enough that nothing gets lost in translation. Everyday habits of speech, like fillers, clichés, sneak onto the page and blur arguments that deserve sharper edges. Strip them out, and what remains feels stronger and harder to ignore.

This is where EssayWriter becomes more than convenient. We help students move past the easy phrasing and into language that earns attention!

FAQs

AWELU. (n.d.). Dos and don’ts. Lund University. Retrieved September 11, 2025, from https://www.awelu.lu.se/language/register-and-style/dos-donts/
University of York. (n.d.). Objective language. Academic Language. Retrieved September 11, 2025, from https://subjectguides.york.ac.uk/academic-language/objective
Antioch University. (2018, June). Academic tone for formal writing [PDF]. Retrieved September 11, 2025, from https://www.antioch.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Academic-Tone-for-Formal-Writing.pdf