7 BOMBASTIC WORDS FOR YOUR ESSAYS |

GOOD VOCABULARY
 Cristobal Gomez
 22 January, 2021
It’s not easy trying to write an essay in a language that is not your native tongue. If you’re planning
on studying abroad in an English-speaking country, you’re going to have to get used to completing
assignments in English. When writing an essay, you’ll use different terminology than you would if
you were speaking with your friends or your classmates. We’ve put together a list of some of the
most impressive words you can include in your essay writing in English. Take a look and see how
many you can use.

1. Indeed
A term used by academics. Put this word at the beginning of a sentence and no one will ever
question whether your point is correct or not. It is a way to let people know you are 100% sure of
what you are saying.

Example: Indeed, Shakespeare was one of the most famous writers of his time.

 
2. Nonetheless
For every argument you make in an essay, the opposite arguments must also be made so you can
prove that your side of the argument is more correct. This is where the word nonetheless comes in.
It says that in spite of the opposite argument, the point of your essay is still valid.

Example:  Their donation was quite small. Nonetheless, it was for a worthy cause.

3. Thus
Short, but elegant. This means “as a result of,” or “due to this.” Thus is a great word that can be
used to begin your concluding sentence.

Example: I crossed the finish line first, thus becoming the winner

 
4. Furthermore
This word is perfect for combining ideas; furthermore lets people know that you are adding more
information to a sentence without sounding too boring about it.  
Example: Paris is a great place to visit because of its scenery. Furthermore, it has beautiful
summers.”

5. Anomaly
An anomaly is something that stands out from the rest of your argument. If you have a series of
results, or a list of objects, and a particular result does not fit in with the rest, then this is
an anomaly.

Example: All of the results fit my theory, except for one anomaly, which appears to disagree.

6. Methodology
The “must-have” word of any academic essay. If your essay has an argument, how did you get to it?
Whether you read a few books, or conducted an extensive set of interviews and studies, the way you
form your argument sounds instantly smarter by calling it your methodology.

Example: The methodology I used for this essay was complicated yet revealing.

7. Concur
To agree with, or to be of the same opinion. This can be very useful in an essay when going through
the opinions of other researchers and/or academics.

Example: A selection of academics concur that the results show and increase in city pollution.

TEEN  • ★★★★★

21 WORDS TO USE IN YOUR ESSAYS TO

IMPRESS YOUR ENGLISH TEACHER ...
By Sabrina
@lighthouse_retouch
 Share

After years of writing assignments all throughout school, you start to become
repetitive when choosing what words to use in your essays. But there is a
whole language out there full of words that are sure to impress your English
teacher! Teachers grow tired of reading commonplace words like “good”
“says” and “thinks” in essay after essay! So next time you walk into English
class, keep in mind these great words to use in your essays!

And if you occasionally need help with paper research and writing, there are
some trusted services like Mypaperwriter.com that can significantly simplify
your life as well the life of your English teacher!

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Table of contents:

1. Myriad
2. Asserts
3. Egregious
4. Erroneous
5. Engenders
6. Employs
7. Salient
8. Reasons
9. Advantageous
10. Galvanize
11. Craft
12. Substantiate
13. Caustic
14. Elucidate
15. Esoteric
16. Tenuous
17. Perfunctory
 18. Anomaly
19. Facet
20. Plethora
21. Ubiquitous

1 MYRIAD

Definition: (noun) a countless or extremely great number

Replaces: a lot
Myriad is one of the greatest words to use in your essays! We all have a
tendency to say things like “a lot of examples” or “many experiences” in our
essays, but that doesn’t make your essay stand out to your teacher. If you
want to make your teacher perk up, be sure to include this word in your essay!
An example sentence could be “The author suggests a myriad of solutions for
the problem.” If you still find writing overwhelming, you can always count on
authors from write my essay service. They are true experts in writing essays
and student papers, their work is full of synonyms and colorful expressions
your English teacher will love.

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2 ASSERTS
Definition: (verb) state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully
Replaces: says
Another stellar word to add to your mental dictionary is “asserts”. This verb is
much more powerful than the alternative “says”, but it doesn’t make you
sound like a vocabulary nerd when you write it! Asserts can be used in a
myriad of situations, but make sure you don’t say it so frequently that it
becomes just as repetitive as “says”! An instance where asserts would fit
perfectly is “The author asserts that the issue is lacking simple solutions”.

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3 EGREGIOUS

Definition: (adjective) outstandingly bad; shocking

Replaces: bad
Why use an adjective like “bad” when you could easily switch it out for a
scholarly word like “egregious”! This word is sure to impress your English
teacher, so you should remember to use it in your next essay! While there are
a myriad of words that can replace “bad”, such as "dreadful", and "terrible",
egregious is one of my favorite words! It rolls off the tongue and makes you
sound like a literary genius! A sample sentence could be “The author asserts
that other solutions to the problem are simply egregious.”

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 4 ERRONEOUS

Definition: (adjective) wrong; incorrect

Replaces: wrong
Erroneous is an easy word to remember because the word means what it
sounds like - something containing error. Including erroneous in your essays
will take your writing to the next level! After reading a myriad of essays
containing simple words like “wrong” and “flawed”, your teacher will be
refreshed by your vast vocabulary! When you assert your opinions using
elevated vocabulary, your teacher will note that you’re a real brainiac, and
respect you for that! A perfect opportunity to use this word is when describing
an egregious statement from the author : “The author’s solutions for the
problem were merely erroneous and absurd ideas.”

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5 ENGENDERS

Definition: (verb) to cause or give rise to

Replaces: causes
When you replace “causes” with engenders, you’re sure to knock your
teacher’s socks off! While “causes” isn’t the most egregious word to write in an
essay, it can still get worn out after too much use. A myriad of students will
write about what causes events in their next essay, but you’ll be the only one
to describe what engenders events! Here’s a sample sentence so you know
exactly what you’re doing: “The author is not at all erroneous when she asserts
that solving the problem will engender a better quality of life.”

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6 EMPLOYS

Definition: (verb) to make use of

Replaces: uses
For the longest time, I couldn’t think of another word to replace “use”.
Eventually I came across “utilize”, but I used it so frequently that it became as
egregious as “use”! Finally, I began writing “employs” instead. There are a
myriad of ways to use “employs” in your essay, but no matter how you say it,
this word will engender more success in your essay! Employ has a double
meaning, because it also means to give a job to someone. But it isn’t
erroneous to use “employ” in the second sense of the word. For example :“The
author employs rhetorical questions in order to assert her beliefs in a more
persuasive manner.”

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7 SALIENT
Definition: (adjective) most notable or important
Replaces: important
Salient is a great word to employ when writing your next essay. While a myriad
of other words can easily replace “important”, I usually rely on this word to
take my essay to the next level! Salient can easily replace words like “main” or
“important”, just be sure not to use it erroneously! I don’t think anyone could
argue that replacing “important” with salient wouldn’t engender a better
written essay. A great way to use this word is “The author’s most salient
solution is rather egregious, because one can assert that her suggestions
would fail to solve the problem.”

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8 REASONS

Definition: (verb) think, understand, and form judgments by a process of

logic
Replaces: thinks
Like employs, reasons is a word with two very different definitions. But
“reasons” will most likely engender success when you employ the verb form of
the word to replace “thinks”. A myriad of instances come up when writing an
essay where you’ll need to describe what a person thinks, but we all know
variety is a salient component of every good essay! You can switch out
“thinks” for “reasons”, but be sure not to switch it out for erroneous words like
“extrapolates” just to sound smarter! To-the-point writing with loads of variety
is what most teachers crave! So you can definitely write something along
these lines in your next essay :“The author reasons that we can solve the
problem if we all work together, but the methods she asserts will help us do
so are egregious.”
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9 ADVANTAGEOUS

Definition: (adjective) providing an advantage; favorable; beneficial

Replaces: good
One word all teachers see far too much is “good”! Teachers all of my high
school career have asserted that they do not wish to see “good” in any student
essays that year, but the word always sneaks in! Good has become an
egregious word that no teacher can escape! While it isn’t erroneous to use
“good” to describe pleasing things in your essay, there are a myriad of better
replacement words that you can turn to when you need to describe something
“good”. My go-to alternative for good is “advantageous”, and employing this
word engenders a fabulous essay! You could write “The author’s most salient
solution is her most advantageous, as one can reason that it would effectively
solve the problem.”

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10 GALVANIZE

Definition: (verb) shock or excite (someone), typically into taking action

Replaces: motivates
Often times while writing, it's advantageous to address how the author's
words and technique affect the reader. If the writer aims to galvanize his
readers, he or she is basically calling the reader to action, to stand up against
egregious crimes, erroneous accusations, or a myriad of other injustices. If you
notice that the author employs intense diction, or asserts outright that his
speech is meant to engender change, you should probably us the word
“galvanize” at least once in your essay! After seeing that word in your essay,
your teacher will reason that you understood the text well and were able to
create an essay regarding the most salient theme in the piece.

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lolguy sentence? ...
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11 CRAFT

Definition: (verb) to make or manufacture (an object)) with skill and careful

attention to detail.
Replaces: makes/produces/writes
I love the word “craft” because it instantly fills your teacher’s mind with
imagery that will galvanize her to keep on reading! Instead of asserting that a
writer “produces a speech” or “writes a story”, employ this artful word! “The
speaker crafts his lecture by including a myriad of allusions to other salient
speeches” is a great start to a thesis statement! Varied word choice is always
advantageous in writing, whereas a limited vocabulary can prove to be
egregious! While your peers write essays filled with erroneous grammar and
improper uses of diction, you’ll be creating a unique essay! Since “craft” alters
the tone of your entire essay, you can reason that it will engender a higher
score on your paper!

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12 SUBSTANTIATE

Definition: (verb) provide evidence to support or prove the truth of

Replaces: proves
Throughout an analysis essay, you probably craft a myriad of phrases
employing the word “prove”. After all, every author’s goal is to prove
something, right? However, it’s advantageous to include a greater variety of
words, in order to engender an essay worthy of an A! You never want to use
this word erroneously, though, or else you’ll have an egregious outcome! Your
teacher wants to see that the piece you read galvanized you to assert your
opinion with a wider vocabulary, but tossing in big words incorrectly won’t
help you. Before you use this word, a very salient step is ensuring that you
reason through all of your vocabulary options; does the author vindicate,
confirm, justify, or actually substantiate the claim? There are so many words
out there, make sure you choose the right one!

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13 CAUSTIC

Definition: (adjective) able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical

Replaces: mean/harsh
In order to substantiate that an author’s tone is confrontational, sarcastic, or
rude, you should use one precise term: caustic. Like “craft”, “caustic” is a word
filled with imagery that is sure to engender advantageous results regarding
your grade and your teacher’s opinion of you. While it certainly isn’t egregious
to replace “caustic” with a word like “bitter”, “abrasive”, or a myriad of other
terms, in my opinion, employing caustic stirs a much stronger emotion in the
grader. Upon reading that word, one will reason that the caustic person is
dangerous and malicious. Make sure you don’t overuse this word though; you
should only use it to accurately describe some salient topics, otherwise it may
slip out and erroneously describe something. Ultimately though, asserting
your opinions with the help of this word will galvanize your teacher to give
you an A!

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14 ELUCIDATE

Definition: (verb) to make clear

Replaces: explain
While writing essays, there's no doubt that you'll be doing some elucidating.
You'll want to ensure that your readers clearly understand your ideas and
follow your train of thought. At the same time, you can also plug in elucidate
in some of your essays to show off your sophisticated vocab!

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 15 ESOTERIC

Definition: (adjective): intended for or likely to be understood by only a small

number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.
Replaces: obscure
Esoteric is one of those words that you probably don't commonly use so it
might not exactly replace an overused word but it perfectly captures
something that's not so easy to explain. The next time you're trying to explain
something to a school friend or teacher, let 'em know that they clearly don't
share your esoteric knowledge on the subject.

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16 TENUOUS

Definition: (adjective) very weak or slight

Replaces: weak or fragile
Tenuous is often used to describe the state of a relationship or feelings so
don't be surprised if you start using this word to relay your feelings about a
new guy in your life or maybe even how you feel about your latest impulse
purchase.

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victoria i am going to use this word alot in life....
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17 PERFUNCTORY

Definition: (adjective) (of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of

effort or reflection.
Replaces: hasty, careless
I personally love this word because it's a grown-up way to say "half-ass." I'm
certain you've never written an essay in a perfunctory manner but for those
times that you want to express how your classmate did a perfunctory job in
contributing to your group project or tell your boyfriend that he gave you a
perfunctory kiss and he needs to step it up, it's perfect!

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18 ANOMALY

Definition: (noun) out of the ordinary; irregular; something different from the

norm
Replaces: oddity, abnormality
Anomaly isn't a word you'll probably use very often, but if you can figure out a
use for it in your essay, you're sure to impress your teacher. It's a way of
saying something is strange or not normal, but has such a class to it so you're
not stuck saying, "It's so weird" but instead can say, "That's quite an anomaly."
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19 FACET

Definition: (noun) piece or component of something larger; aspect of

something bigger
Replaces: face, side, plane
This one is another good word to use, though not sure how you'd configure it
into your essay depending on the subject. You could describe someone's
personality as "multi-faceted" if you're trying to describe their uniqueness, or
if you're trying to kindly imply they're two-faced. The decision is yours how it's
used but it's definitely a word to add to your vocab to sound more intelligent.

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20 PLETHORA

Definition: (noun) an abundance; wide variety; excess

Replaces: A lot, tons, a bunch
Plethora is a great word to use even if everyday life! If you're trying to say
there is a lot of something, you can say you have a plethora, and you'll sound
super smart. Throwing that word into a paper, correctly used of course, is
bound to impress your teacher because it's basic yet shows you can use larger
words.

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21 UBIQUITOUS

Definition: (adjective) omnipresent; widespread; everywhere at once

Replaces: all over, everywhere, worldwide
This is a great word to use when you're trying to describe something
everywhere. A world-wide flu outbreak is something you could say is
ubiquitous. It's a big word to have on hand in your vocabulary and you're
bound to sound smarter just by using it.

There you have it! Great scholarly words that are sure to blow away your
English teacher! I hope that after adding these words to your vocabulary, your
writing will improve, but I know there are plenty of fabulous words I didn’t
mention! What are some of your favorite words to use in your essays?

This article was written in collaboration with editor Sabrina Yates and Lisa
Washington

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great
point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial
if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you
with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of
how to utilise them.
It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words
and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more
than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing
skills.

This article is suitable for native English speakers and those who are learning
English at Oxford Royale Academy and are just taking their first steps into essay writing.

General explaining
Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to
Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an
argument.
Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words
Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way
(more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point.
Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in
particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem
may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance.
Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the
sun.”

4. That is to say
Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your
explanation, or to be more precise.
Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end
Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”.
Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with
each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds
and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to
add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument.
Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover
Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support
of a point you’re making.
Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling
evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore
Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information.
Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more
Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”.
Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise
Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what
you’ve just mentioned.
Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this
point of view.”

10. Similarly
Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”.
Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it
was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with
surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to
remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”.
Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between
humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the
Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as
Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”.
Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s
in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information.
Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the
summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the
British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time.
Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the
other.
Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And
thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information
with a bit of emphasis.
Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to
mention its impact on the country’s economy.”
 

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or
opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X
says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in
these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However
Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said.
Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the
same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or
an opposing opinion.
Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other
hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of
what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”.
Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that
this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology
tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting
pieces of evidence.
Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast,
Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion.
Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s
possible that he was being paid to say this.”
22. That said
Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”.
Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much
of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

23. Yet
Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea.
Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees
that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a
proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that
stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence.
Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of
something else.
Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always
live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it
difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study
to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just
“providing” to mean the same thing.
Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear
in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else.
Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding
of…”

28. Nonetheless
Usage: This is similar to “despite this”.
Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its
day.”

29. Nevertheless
Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”.
Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding
Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”.
Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important
study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples
Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use
the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the
same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance,
leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance
When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several
ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly
Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be
immediately apparent.
Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’
accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably
Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used
interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these
ways of using it).
Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly
Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”.
Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work,
and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably
than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising
You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to
end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the
arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Writing a compelling
conclusion is just one of the skills you’ll learn as part of our essay writing courses for 13-
15-year-olds and academic writing for 16-18-year-olds. Here are some words and
phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion
Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay,
summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview.
Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main
takeaway from the essay.
Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive
Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most
convincing.
Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain –
seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s
death.”

39. Compelling
Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above.
Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it
seems reasonable to assume that…”
At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of summer school courses for young
people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of
our courses today, including law, politics, business, medicine and engineering.
How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of
your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments
below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your
essays.

When you are ready to choose a school, we recommend you use our ranking of the top 100 best
online colleges as your starting point.
1. Advantageous (adjective) beneficial; creating a favorable situation to give an
advantage.My volunteer work puts me in an advantageous position over other applicants.
2. Alacrity (noun) pep in your step; lively, cheerful and eager behavior.She lit up the dull
room with her alacrity; her energy was palpable. She was thrilled to have been chosen to
help.
3. Amiable (adjective) friendly and good-natured.He was amiable and well-liked in the
community prior to the discovery in his basement.
4. Aptitude (noun) talent or abilityShe discovered her aptitude for real life math at a young
age, while shopping with her mother.
5. Assiduity (noun) dedication, diligence and great focus.I studied with assiduity for the
exam and feel confident and fully prepared.
6. Candor (noun) open; honest; sincere.The senator’s candor during his speech won many
voters over.
7. Cumulative (adjective) accumulative, all added together.Exercising for one day may not
yield results, but the health benefits are cumulative over time.
8. Debase (verb) to corrupt or contaminate.I don’t allow mainstream media to debase my
common sense.
9. Deferential yielding out of respect.The commissioner became accustomed to deferential
treatment.
10. Diligent (adjective) attention to detail; careful and hard-working.My diligent work on the
project was critical to its success.
11. Eloquent (adjective) fluent; having a way with words; perfectly said.Her eloquent
speech moved the audience to tears.
12. Elucidate (verb) to explain very clearly.She was eager to elucidate the problem to the
mechanic so that it could be fixed.
13. Emboldened (adjective) being made bold.We were emboldened by our success and
ready to take it to the next level.
14. Ephemeral (adjective) fleeting or short lived.Summer romance is often ephemeral, as is
the season itself.
15. Equitable (adjective) a fair division between all parties.My equitable share of the profit
was 45%.
16. Extol (verb) to give high praise.He gave a speech to extol the benefits of online college.
17. Gratuitous (adjective) unnecessary; uncalled-for.Both parties hurled gratuitous insults
at each other and nothing was accomplished.
18. Gregarious (adjective) outgoing; extroverted.The gregarious host made us feel welcome
and comfortable in her home.
19. Hypocrisy (noun) the insincerity of pretending to believe something you do not
believe.My mother’s hypocrisy was exposed when I caught her cursing and smoking after
speeding home from a late night out.
20. Incisive (adjective) the ability to identify or draw sharp distinctions.Her incisive remarks
were hurtful, mostly because they were pointedly accurate.
21. Industrious (adjective) hard-working and persevering.In order to stand out from others,
you must be smart, polite and industrious at your job.
22. Innate (adjective) born with it.He has the innate ability to make people smile and uses it
to his advantage.
23. Insular (adjective) isolated; an island unto itself.Small town life has many advantages,
but can also be insular in many ways.
24. Intrepid (adjective) Bold or brave.The intrepid explorer has seen things the rest of us
can only imagine.
25. Latent (adjective) there, but not there; having potential to be realized, but hidden.Since
the virus is latent there are no obvious signs of infection.
26. Lithe (adjective) supple, bending easily.The dancers were lithe, yet also very strong.
27. Maxim (noun) a widely known saying that is accepted as truth.Gandhi’s maxim “be the
change you wish to see in the world” is one to live by.
28. Meticulous (adjective) precise attention to every detail.She is always meticulous about
her research, leaving no stone unturned.
29. Modicum (noun) a small token amount.We enjoyed only a modicom of success so far,
but are optimistic about the next project.
30. Myriad (noun) a large amount; countless.With online college, there are a myriad of
career possibilities.
31. Nuance (noun) a very subtle difference.The nuance of her voice added new dimensions
to the song she covered.
32. Obsequious (adjective) subservient; brown-nosing.His obsequious behavior failed to
flatter his boss and quickly became annoying to everyone.
33. Panacea (noun) a cure-all.Mom’s homemade chicken soup is the ultimate panacea.
34. Pellucid (adjective) clearly understandable.The assembly instructions were surprisingly
pellucid, which made the desk easy to put together.
35. Penchant (noun) a strong preference or liking.He has a penchant for antique
automobiles and frequently attends car shows.
36. Perusal (noun) studying with the intent to memorize.A perusal of the material the night
before made me feel confident about taking the test.
37. Plethora (noun) an abundance or extreme excess.With the plethora of choices, making a
decision about which car to buy came down to consumer reviews.
38. Pragmatic (adjective) realistic and practical.Her pragmatic approach offered no frills,
but worked perfectly.
39. Predilection (noun) a preference or bias.Her predilection for the color blue was evident
by her wardrobe choices.
40. Repudiate (verb) to reject or refuse to recognize as valid.He began to repudiate my
excuse without even letting me finish.
41. Salient (adjective) something that stands out and is obvious.There may be some
advantages to buying in early, but they are not immediately salient.
42. Staid (adjective) dignified and with decorum.I have lived a particularly staid life, so as
not to embarrass myself.
43. Studious character trait involving diligent study.She was always quite studious; it was
not uncommon to find her books lying about.
44. Substantiate (verb) to give facts to support a claim.He said he was robbed, but there is
nothing to substantiate his claim.
45. Superfluous (adjective) in excess; more than is needed.Don’t waste your precious breath
with superfluous flattery; it will get you nowhere.
46. Surfeit (noun) the quality of overabundance.Considering the surfeit of food in America it
is amazing that we still have some of our population go hungry.
47. Sycophant (noun) someone who sucks up to others for personal gain.She often wondered
if Bruce really liked her or if he was simply being a sycophant because of her wealthy
parents.
48. Taciturn (adjective) reserved or aloof.I tried to talk to my mother about what happened,
but she remained taciturn.
49. Venerable (adjective) honorable; highly regarded.I was nervous about performing on
opening night because of all the venerable guests in attendance.
50. Zenith (noun) the highest point.Looking back, Bradley realized that winning the
tournament was the zenith of his high school career.
Useful Words and Phrases to Write a
Great Essay
Overview of an Essay

Pi
n
Useful Phrases for Proficiency Essays
Developing the argument

 The first aspect to point out is that…

 Let us start by considering the facts.
 The novel portrays, deals with, revolves around…
 Central to the novel is…
 The character of xxx embodies/ epitomizes…
The other side of the argument
  It would also be interesting to see…
 One should, nevertheless, consider the problem from another angle.
 Equally relevant to the issue are the questions of…
Conclusion

 The arguments we have presented… suggest that…/ prove that…/ would

indicate that…
 From these arguments one must…/ could…/ might… conclude that…
 All of this points to the conclusion that…
 To conclude…
Ordering elements

 Firstly,…/ Secondly,…/ Finally,… (note the comma after all these

introductory words.)
 As a final point…
 On the one hand, …. on the other hand…
 If on the one hand it can be said that… the same is not true for…
 The first argument suggests that… whilst the second suggests that…
 There are at least xxx points to highlight.
Adding elements

 Furthermore, one should not forget that…

 In addition to…
 Moreover…
 It is important to add that…
Accepting other points of view

 Nevertheless, one should accept that…

 However, we also agree that…
Personal opinion

 We/I personally believe that…

 Our/My own point of view is that…
 It is my contention that…
 I am convinced that…
 My own opinion is…
Others’ opinions

 According to some critics…

Critics:
  believe that
 say that
 suggest that
 are convinced that
 point out that
 emphasize that
 contend that
 go as far as to say that
 argue for this
Introducing examples

 For example…
 For instance…
 To illustrate this point…
Introducing facts

 It is… true that…/ clear that…/ noticeable that…

 One should note here that…
Saying what you think is true

 This leads us to believe that…

 It is very possible that…
 In view of these facts, it is quite likely that…
Certainty

 Doubtless,…
 One cannot deny that…
 It is (very) clear from these observations that…
Doubt

 All the same, it is possible that…

 It is difficult to believe that…
Accepting other points to a certain degree

 One can agree up to a certain point with…

 Certainly,… However,…
 It cannot be denied that…
Emphasizing particular points

 The last example highlights the fact that…

  Not only… but also…
 We would even go so far as to say that…
Moderating, agreeing, disagreeing

 By and large…
 Perhaps we should also point out the fact that…
 It would be unfair not to mention the fact that…
 One must admit that…
 We cannot ignore the fact that…
 One cannot possibly accept the fact that…
Consequences

 From these facts, one may conclude that…

 That is why, in our opinion, …
 Which seems to confirm the idea that…
 Thus,…/ Therefore,…
Comparison

 Some critics suggest…, whereas others…

 Compared to…
 On the one hand, there is the firm belief that… On the other hand, many
people are convinced that…
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Phrases For Balanced Arguments
Introduction

 It is often said that…

 It is undeniable that…
 It is a well-known fact that…
 One of the most striking features of this text is…
Thesis

 The first thing that needs to be said is…

 First of all, let us try to analyze…
 One argument in support of…
 We must distinguish carefully between…
 The second reason for…
 An important aspect of the text is…
 It is worth stating at this point that…
Antithesis

 On the other hand, we can observe that…

 The other side of the coin is, however, that…
 Another way of looking at this question is to…
Conclusion

 What conclusions can be drawn from all this?

 The most satisfactory conclusion that we can come to is…
 To sum up… we are convinced that…/ …we believe that…/ …we have to
accept that…
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 4.3

Big Words to Use for

Impressive Speaking &
Writing
Whether you’re writing an essay or speaking in front of a group, there are certain big words you
can use to impress your audience. Big words don’t actually have to be long; instead, they are
precise and perfectly express what you’re trying to say. Before your next speech or paper, take a
moment to familiarize yourself with these terms so you’ll be able to replace boring words with
these much more interesting big words.
 Advertisement

Big Words for Speeches and Debates

If you’re speaking in front of an audience or participating in a debate, take a moment to look at
this word list. Substituting a big word gives your speech more power.
 fundamentally - Instead of the often-overused “basically,” try “fundamentally.” You use
it in exactly the same way, but it’s a stronger choice. It means getting to the core of something.
Example: The idea that all people have the same chances in life is fundamentally unsound.

 essential - Use “essential” instead of “important.” Technically, it’s not a longer word, but
it’s bigger because it’s more powerful.
Example: Art is an essential part of any school curriculum.

 ingenious - Instead of saying something or someone is “smart,” say that person or things
is “ingenious.” It’s a stronger statement of intelligence.
Example: Henry Ford's implementation of the assembly line was nothing short of ingenious.

 superior - Rather than saying something is “good” or “great,” call it superior. This
means it’s the very best, and it is a strong word choice.
Example: My proposal offers a superior solution to the problem of how to fairly divide new
technology resources in the school.

 examine - Instead of saying “talk about,” say “examine.” This implies that you’re
looking more closely at the topic, and it’s a more impressive word.
Example: Today, I plan to examine the role of grades in student success.

 subsequently - Much better than “next,” this word indicates that one thing naturally
flows from another. It’s a good transition word that is not overused.
Example: Subsequently, the United States became allies with Great Britain and went on to have
a long and friendly relationship.

Big Words for Academic Writing

 Academic writing requires thoughtful word choice, and there are a few big words you can
substitute for more common options.
 demonstrate - Instead of saying “show,” say “demonstrate.” It’s a bigger word because it
implies you’ll be personally showing something; it’s an active, powerful choice.
Example: These results demonstrate that rats can be trained to push a lever if the reward is
compelling.

 unequivocally - Much stronger than its more common synonym “definitely,” this word
means there’s no argument that can be made to disprove what you’re saying.
Example: The results unequivocally indicate that fertilizer may help plants grow, but it can also
contribute to pollution.

 significant - “Significant” is a much more impressive word than “important.” It’s a good
choice if you need to talk about a development or offer strong supporting evidence for
something.
Example: One significant result of women stepping into the workplace during World War II was
a newfound financial independence.

 plethora - Instead of saying there are lots of something, say there is a “plethora.” It’s a
more impressive big word.
Example: These claims are supported by a plethora of evidence.

 beneficial - Anyone can use the word “good,” but if you want to try a bigger and more
impressive alternative, use “beneficial.”
Example: This proved to be a beneficial investment of time and money, and the company
created many new products during this period.

 immense - Don’t call something “big” in an academic paper. Instead, use the more
impressive alternative: “immense.”
Example: There were some immense problems with this approach.
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How to Improve your Vocabulary

100 words to Impress an Examiner!

https://quizlet.com/10565568/100-words-to-impress-an-examiner-
flash-cards/ QUIZ SULLE 100 PAROLE

Here are 100 advanced English words which should you be able to use them in a
sentence will impress even educated native speakers! Perfect if you want to impress
the examiner in examinations like: IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge CAE and CPE. If you
are really serious about having an extensive and impressive vocabulary, try learning
these and then try these advanced vocabulary tests.

Part ONE / Part TWO

aberration

(n.) something that differs from the norm (In 1974, Poland won the World Cup,
but the success turned out to be an  aberration, and Poland have not won a
World Cup since).

abhor

(v.) to hate, detest (Because he always wound up getting hit in the head when
he tried to play cricket, Marcin began to abhor the sport).
acquiesce

(v.) to agree without protesting (Though Mr. Pospieszny wanted to stay outside
and work in his garage, when his wife told him that he had better come in to
dinner, he acquiesced to her demands.)

alacrity

(n.) eagerness, speed (For some reason, Simon loved to help his girlfriend
whenever he could, so when his girlfriend asked him to set the table he did so
with alacrity.)

amiable

(adj.) friendly (An amiable fellow, Neil got along with just about everyone.)

appease

(v.) to calm, satisfy (When Jerry cries, his mother gives him chocolate
to appease him.)

arcane

(adj.) obscure, secret, known only by a few (The professor is an expert

in arcane Kashubian literature.)

avarice

(n.) excessive greed (The banker’s avarice led him to amass an enormous

personal fortune.)

brazen

(adj.) excessively bold, brash, clear and obvious (Critics condemned the

writer’s brazen attempt to plagiarise Frankow-Czerwonko’s work.)

brusque

(adj.) short, abrupt, dismissive (Simon’s brusque manner sometimes offends

his colleagues.)

cajole

(v.) to urge, coax (Magda's friends cajoled her into drinking too much.)

callous

(adj.) harsh, cold, unfeeling (The murderer’s callous lack of remorse shocked

the jury.)

candor

(n.) honesty, frankness (We were surprised by the candor of the politician’s

speech because she is usually rather evasive.)

chide

(v.) to voice disapproval (Hania chided Gregory for his vulgar habits and sloppy
appearance.)

circumspect

(adj.) cautious (Though I promised Marta’s father I would bring her home

promptly by midnight, it would have been more circumspect not to have
specified a time.)

clandestine

(adj.) secret (Announcing to her boyfriend that she was going to the library,
Maria actually went to meet George for a clandestine liaison.)

coerce

(v.) to make somebody do something by force or threat (The court decided

that David Beckham did not have to honor the contract because he had
been coerced into signing it.)

coherent

(adj.) logically consistent, intelligible (William could not figure out what Harold
had seen because he was too distraught to deliver a coherent statement.)

complacency

(n.) self-satisfied ignorance of danger (Simon tried to shock his friends out of

their complacency by painting a frightening picture of what might happen to
them.)

confidant
 (n.) a person entrusted with secrets (Shortly after we met, he became my
chief confidant.)

connive

(v.) to plot, scheme (She connived to get me to give up my plans to start up a

new business.)

cumulative

(adj.) increasing, building upon itself (The cumulative effect of hours spent

using the World English website was a vast improvement in his vocabulary and
general level of English.)

debase

(v.) to lower the quality or esteem of something (The large raise that he gave
himself debased his motives for running the charity.)

decry

(v.) to criticize openly (Andrzej Lepper, the leader of the Polish Self Defence
party decried the appaling state of Polish roads.)

deferential

(adj.) showing respect for another’s authority (Donata is always

excessively deferential to any kind of authority figure.)

demure

(adj.) quiet, modest, reserved (Though everyone else at the party was dancing
and going crazy, she remained demure.)

deride

(v.) to laugh at mockingly, scorn (The native speaker often derided the other

teacher’s accent.)

despot

(n.) one who has total power and rules brutally (The despot issued a death
sentence for anyone who disobeyed his laws.)
diligent

(adj.) showing care in doing one’s work (The diligent researcher made sure to

double check her measurements.)

elated

(adj.) overjoyed, thrilled (When he found out he had won the lottery, the
postman was elated.)

eloquent

(adj.) expressive, articulate, moving (The best man gave such

an eloquent speech that most guests were crying.)

embezzle

(v.) to steal money by falsifying records (The accountant was fired

for embezzling €10,000 of the company’s funds.)

empathy

(n.) sensitivity to another’s feelings as if they were one’s own (I feel

such empathy for my dog when she’s upset so am I!)

enmity

(n.) ill will, hatred, hostility (John and Scott have clearly not forgiven each
other, because the enmity between them is obvious to anyone in their
presence.)

erudite

(adj.) learned (My English teacher is such an erudite scholar that he has

translated some of the most difficult and abstruse Old English poetry.)

extol

(v.) to praise, revere (Kamila extolled the virtues of a vegetarian diet to her

meat-loving boyfriend.)

fabricate

(v.) to make up, invent (When I arrived an hour late to class, I fabricated some
 excuse about my car breaking down on the way to work.)

feral

(adj.) wild, savage (That beast looks so feral that I would fear being alone with
it.)

flabbergasted

(adj.) astounded (Whenever I read an Agatha Christie mystery novel, I am

always flabbergasted when I learn the identity of the murderer.)

forsake

(v.) to give up, renounce (I won't forsake my conservative principles.)

fractious

(adj.) troublesome or irritable (Although the child insisted he wasn’t tired,

his fractious behaviour - especially his decision to crush his jam sandwiches all
over the floor - convinced everyone present that it was time to put him to
bed.)

furtive

(adj.) secretive, sly (Claudia’s placement of her drugs in her sock drawer was
not as furtive as she thought, as the sock drawer is the first place most parents
look.)

gluttony

(n.) overindulgence in food or drink (Helen’s fried chicken tastes so divine, I

don’t know how anyone can call gluttony a sin.)

gratuitous

(adj.) uncalled for, unwarranted (Every evening the guy at the fish and chip
shop gives me a gratuitous helping of vinegar.)

haughty

(adj.) disdainfully proud (The superstar’s haughty dismissal of her co-stars will

backfire on her someday.)
hypocrisy

(n.) pretending to believe what one does not (Once the politician began
passing legislation that contradicted his campaign promises,
his hypocrisy became apparent.)

impeccable

(adj.) exemplary, flawless (If your grades were as impeccable as your

brother’s, then you too would receive a car for a graduation present.)

impertinent

(adj.) rude, insolent (Most of your comments are so impertinent that I don’t

wish to dignify them with an answer.)

implacable

(adj.) incapable of being appeased or mitigated (Watch out: once you shun

Grandmother’s cooking, she is totally implacable.)

impudent

(adj.) casually rude, insolent, impertinent (The impudent young woman looked

her teacher up and down and told him he was hot.)

incisive

(adj.) clear, sharp, direct (The discussion wasn’t going anywhere until

her incisive comment allowed everyone to see what the true issues were.)

indolent

(adj.) lazy (Why should my indolent children, who can’t even pick themselves

up off the sofa to pour their own juice, be rewarded with a trip to Burger
King?)

inept

(adj.) not suitable or capable, unqualified (She proved how inept she was when

she forgot two orders and spilled a pint of cider in a customer’s lap.)

infamy

(n.) notoriety, extreme ill repute (The infamy of his crime will not lessen as
 time passes.)

inhibit

(v.) to prevent, restrain, stop (When I told you I needed the car last night, I
certainly never meant to inhibit you from going out.)

innate

(adj.) inborn, native, inherent (His incredible athletic talent is innate, he never

trains, lifts weights, or practices.)

insatiable

(adj.) incapable of being satisfied (My insatiable appetite for blondes was a real

problem on my recent holiday in Japan!)

insular

(adj.) separated and narrow-minded; tight-knit, closed off (Because of the

sensitive nature of their jobs, those who work for MI5 must remain insular and
generally only spend time with each other.)

intrepid

(adj.) brave in the face of danger (After scaling a live volcano prior to its
eruption, the explorer was praised for his intrepid attitude.)

inveterate

(adj.) stubbornly established by habit (I’m the first to admit that I’m

an inveterate cider drinker—I drink four pints a day.)