Words to Avoid in an Essay and Their Alternatives

In an effective essay, every word counts. Certain terms, however, can weaken your arguments and make your writing seem less precise. For example, consider these words to avoid in an essay:

• Very
• Really
• Basically
• Kind of
• Sort of
• Good
• Bad
• Stuff
• Actually

Instead of relying on them, choose more specific and impactful alternatives. This article will explain why these words should be avoided and offer suggestions on how to improve your academic writing.

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Informal Language

It's no secret that in academic writing, it's important to maintain a formal tone. This section will cover three common types of informal language to avoid: contractions, slang and colloquialisms, and idioms, and suggest better alternatives.

Contractions

Contractions are shortened forms of words, typically combining a pronoun or noun with a verb (e.g., "don't" for "do not" or "isn't" for "is not"). While they are fine in casual conversation, they make your writing sound informal and can weaken your argument in an essay. Using the full form of words is always preferred in academic writing, as it sounds more professional and polished. Here are some contracted words not to use in an essay:

• Don't (do not)
• Can't (cannot)
• Isn't (is not)
• Won't (will not)

Slang and Colloquialisms

Slang consists of informal words or phrases that are often specific to a particular group or region, while colloquialisms are expressions that have meanings different from their literal interpretations, commonly used in casual speech. These types of language can confuse readers and lower the professionalism of your essay. Instead, use standard academic language to ensure your message is clear and universally understood.

Examples of colloquial language:

• Cool (acceptable, good)
• Gonna (going to)
• Bummer (disappointment)
• Hit the books (study)

Idioms

Idioms are phrases where the meaning isn't derived from the individual words used but from a cultural or figurative context. For instance, "break the ice" means to initiate conversation, not literally break any ice. While idioms are often colorful and lively in conversation, they have no place in formal writing because they can cause confusion or be misinterpreted. Instead, choose direct and clear language to express your ideas.

• Break the ice (start a conversation)
• Hit the nail on the head (exactly right)
• A piece of cake (easy)
• In the blink of an eye (very quickly)

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Vague and Overused Words

Vague or overused words can muddle your ideas and make your arguments less effective. This section will cover general terms that lack specificity and should be avoided. By using more specific language, you can improve the quality of your writing and make it more engaging.

General Terms

General terms are often too broad and fail to convey the exact meaning you intend. Words like "things," "stuff," and "a lot" are often used when something more precise could be said. Such vague language can weaken your essay by leaving too much to interpretation.

• Things
• Stuff
• A lot
• Anything
• Everything
• Something

To strengthen your essay, replace these general words with specific nouns or more descriptive terms. This shift will help convey your ideas more clearly and give your writing more authority.

Weak Modifiers

Weak modifiers are words that dilute the strength of your writing. Terms like "very," "really," and "quite" are often used to emphasize something, but they don't add significant value. In academic essays, these words can weaken your argument because they make statements sound less confident and more uncertain. Instead of using weak modifiers, it's better to choose stronger, more direct language to make your points clearer and more authoritative.

• Very
• Really
• Quite
• Extremely
• Just

Run-On Expressions

Run-on expressions are phrases that try to connect too many ideas without clear punctuation or structure. These often appear as long-winded phrases that lack focus or clarity. Using these unnecessary words can confuse your readers, making it harder for them to follow your arguments. Instead, break up long phrases into smaller, more focused statements to improve readability and precision. Examples of run-on expressions:

• At this point in time
• In the event that
• Due to the fact that
• With regards to
• For the most part

Redundancies and Filler Words

Redundancies and filler words can clutter your writing, making it longer without adding any value. These types of words often repeat ideas unnecessarily or take up space without contributing to the argument. Removing them can make your writing more concise and powerful.

Redundant Phrases

Redundant phrases are expressions that repeat the same idea. Often, one word is enough to convey the message, and using a phrase is simply repetitive. Including redundant phrases in an academic essay can weaken your writing, making it less clear and less effective. Instead, choose a single word that expresses the idea more efficiently.

Examples of redundant phrases:

• End result (result)
• Past history (history)
• Final outcome (outcome)
• Each and every (each)
• In close proximity (near)

Filler Words

Filler words are unnecessary terms that do not add meaning to a sentence. Phrases like "basically," "actually," and "just" are often used to fill space or make the writer seem more conversational, but they make the writing less direct. Using too many filler words can dilute your argument and make your writing less concise.

Examples of filler words:

• Basically
• Actually
• Just
• Really
• Quite
• Very

Subjective and Emotional Language

In academic writing, using subjective or emotional language can undermine the credibility of your argument and make it appear biased. Instead, aim for neutral, factual language to support your points.

Emotive Words

Emotive words are terms that convey strong emotions or opinions, often in a way that appeals to the reader's feelings rather than logic. Subjective language like "terrible," "amazing," and "disastrous" is emotionally charged and can create bias in your writing. While emotive terms may be useful in other types of writing, they have no place in essays, where facts and evidence should take center stage.

Examples of emotive words:

• Terrible
• Amazing
• Disastrous
• Horrible
• Fantastic
• Horrific

Personal Opinions

Personal opinions are expressions that reflect your own beliefs or feelings, which can undermine the academic tone of an essay. Phrases like "I believe," "I think," and "in my opinion" make the writing seem subjective. In writing, it's important to rely on evidence and research rather than personal perspective.

Examples of personal opinions:

• I believe
• In my opinion
• I think
• It seems to me
• Personally

See our full guide on how to edit your essay.

Clichés

Clichés are phrases that have been overused to the point of becoming predictable and lacking originality. These phrases often sound trite or tired, making your writing feel uncreative. In academic essays, there are some cliché words to never use in an essay since they fail to offer new insights or strengthen your argument. Instead, aim for precise language that adds value to your work.

• Think outside the box
• At the end of the day
• The bottom line
• In the nick of time
• A win-win situation
• It goes without saying

Exaggerations and Absolutes

Exaggerations and absolutes can distort the tone and clarity of your academic writing. These types of language make claims sound overly dramatic or unsubstantiated, undermining the credibility of your argument. This section covers absolute terms and hyperbolic language, explaining why both should be avoided in essays. Instead, aim for balanced, measured statements that reflect a more realistic perspective.

Absolute Terms

Absolute terms are words that imply certainty or extreme conditions, often without sufficient evidence. These terms make sweeping generalizations and can mislead readers into thinking a claim is universally true. In academic writing, it's important to avoid words like "always," "never," or "everyone" unless you can provide concrete proof. Such terms limit the nuance and complexity of your argument. Examples include:

• Always
• Never
• Everyone
• Everything
• All
• None

Hyperbolic Language

Hyperbolic language involves exaggerated statements or claims that are not meant to be taken literally. These over-the-top expressions can make your writing sound less objective and more opinionated. Phrases like "unbelievably good" or "the best ever" can detract from the academic tone. Avoid using hyperbole, as it weakens the impact of your argument and reduces the professionalism of your work.

• Unbelievably good
• The best ever
• A million times better
• Totally amazing
• Never-ending
• Completely perfect

Informal Pronouns and Address

In order to maintain a formal tone in academic writing, it's important not to use second-person or first-person pronouns that make your work less professional. Let's explain why these pronouns should be avoided and give better options for formal writing.

Second-Person Pronouns

Second-person pronouns, such as "you," directly address the reader. While this can be effective in some types of writing, it is generally inappropriate in academic essays. Addressing the reader directly can make the essay seem less formal and more conversational. Instead of using "you," focus on general statements or refer to the audience indirectly.

Examples of second-person pronouns:

• You
• Your

First-Person Pronouns

First-person pronouns, like "I" and "we," are also considered informal in academic essays. Using "I" or "we" can make the writing seem subjective, reflecting personal opinions rather than evidence-based arguments. Academic writing typically emphasizes objectivity, so avoid using personal pronouns in favor of more neutral language.

Examples of first-person pronouns:

• I
• We
• My
• Our

See a related article on ESL essay writing.

Jargon and Technical Terms

While some technical language is needed, using too much jargon or unclear terms can confuse readers who aren't familiar with the topic. This section explains why these terms should be used carefully and how to replace them with simpler language, making your essay easier for a wider audience to understand.

Unexplained Terms

Unexplained terms are words or phrases that are not defined or clarified for the reader. When words like these appear in your essay, they can confuse or disengage your audience, especially if they lack the background knowledge to understand them. It's important to define specialized terms when you introduce them or, when possible, use simpler alternatives that convey the same meaning.

Examples of unexplained unnecessary words:

• Paradigm
• Synergy
• Disruptive innovation
• Holistic approach

Industry-Specific Language

Industry-specific language refers to terms that are specific to a particular field or profession. While these terms might be common within the field, they can be confusing to those outside of it. In academic essays, aim to reduce the use of these terms unless absolutely necessary. When you do use them, make sure to provide definitions or explanations to help readers understand their meaning.

Examples of industry-specific language:

• ROI (Return on Investment)
• KPI (Key Performance Indicator)
• Cloud computing
• Blockchain

To Wrap Things Up

To wrap things up, here are some of the most common words and phrases you should steer clear of in your essay:

• Sort of
• Stuff
• I, We (first-person pronouns)
• Things
• Obviously
• Always, Never (absolute terms)
• A lot
• Totally
• Literally

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