phrases in english for essays

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

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.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

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.”

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. 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…”

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.

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 , business , medicine  and engineering .

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Words to Use in an Essay: 300 Essay Words

Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

Words to use in the essay introduction, words to use in the body of the essay, words to use in your essay conclusion, how to improve your essay writing vocabulary.

It’s not easy to write an academic essay .

Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.

To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.

If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.

The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.

You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.

That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.

Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.

When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:

To use the words of X

According to X

As X states

Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”

Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.

If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:

In this essay, I will…

The purpose of this essay…

This essay discusses…

In this paper, I put forward the claim that…

There are three main arguments for…

Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.

After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.

When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:

First and foremost

First of all

To begin with

Example: First , consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.

All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.

The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.

It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.

Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.

It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.

Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.

The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:

Additionally

In addition

Furthermore

Another key thing to remember

In the same way

Correspondingly

Example: Additionally , public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.

Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:

In other words

To put it another way

That is to say

To put it more simply

Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words , over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”

Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:

For instance

To give an illustration of

To exemplify

To demonstrate

As evidence

Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance , engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.

Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.

When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:

As a result

Accordingly

As you can see

This suggests that

It follows that

It can be seen that

For this reason

For all of those reasons

Consequently

Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus , the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”

When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:

What’s more

Not only…but also

Not to mention

To say nothing of

Another key point

Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover , it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.

Often, you'll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:

On the one hand / on the other hand

Alternatively

In contrast to

On the contrary

By contrast

In comparison

Example: On the one hand , the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand , it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.

Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:

Having said that

Differing from

In spite of

With this in mind

Provided that

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

Notwithstanding

Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that , I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.

Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.

Strong Verbs for Academic Writing

Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.

You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.

For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change , because they give the reader more descriptive detail.

Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.

Verbs that show change:

Accommodate

Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:

Verbs that show increase:

Verbs that show decrease:

Deteriorate

Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:

Comprises of

Is composed of

Constitutes

Encompasses

Incorporates

Verbs that show a negative stance:

Misconstrue

Verbs that show a positive stance:

Substantiate

Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:

Corroborate

Demonstrate

Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:

Contemplate

Hypothesize

Investigate

Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:

Useful Adjectives and Adverbs for Academic Essays

You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.

However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.

Sometimes you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:

Significant

Other times, you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:

Controversial

Insignificant

Questionable

Unnecessary

Unrealistic

Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:

Comprehensively

Exhaustively

Extensively

Respectively

Surprisingly

Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.

The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.

In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:

In conclusion

To summarize

In a nutshell

Given the above

As described

All things considered

Example: In conclusion , it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.

In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.

To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:

Unquestionably

Undoubtedly

Particularly

Importantly

Conclusively

It should be noted

On the whole

Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.

These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.

There are many useful essay words out there that we didn't include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.

If you're writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you're writing about literature.

So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?

The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.

One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.

Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.

You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.

Don't be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.

Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.

There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay . Good luck!

Good writing = better grades

ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of all your assignments.

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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Powerful words and Phrases to use in Essays

Although many might consider essay writing an easy task, it is not always the case with most students. Writing academic papers (essays, term papers, research papers, dissertations, theses, proposals, reports, and other assignments) requires students to hone and practice continuously. Thus, mastering writing at the academic level takes time and much practice, after which most students begin to be confident writing essays. For some, this confidence comes towards the end of the undergraduate course, while some master the art a few months or a week into their undergrad level studies.

This might sound like you, and you do not have to feel sorry about it. We have a list of academic writing power words that you can use when writing academic assignments. These words and phrases to use in your essay and other papers will help you avoid the dead words that probably deny you the top grade. Together with our team of experts in best essay writing, we have listed essential academic words that you can use in your introduction, body, and conclusion for all your essays and research papers .

Although you might have arguments and ideas that might attract the best grade, using the words we have listed could help you articulate, expound, and present the ideas effectively. Consequently, you will end up with a standard academic paper that any professional can grade, or that attracts your reader's attention and keeps them glued to the end.

After all, academic writing is a formal practice that disdains cliches or dead words such as colloquial expressions, controversial phrases, or casual words/slang. This means that the words you use when texting your friends, such as LOL, OMG, TIA, and the rest, should only end in the messages and not on the PDF or Word document you are typing your essay. As we have mentioned, formal academic writing is very delicate; it requires in-depth skills.

We hope that as you plan, write, and polish your essay, you will consider using the words we have listed here for inspiration and to hone your professional writing skills.

Words to Spice up your Introduction

Crafting a perfect introduction is arguably the most challenging part of academic writing. Whether you write the introduction first or last, it is always the invitation point for your readers to enjoy what is in the body. So, naturally, with adequate planning and structuring, you need to ensure that the introduction counts.

To begin an essay, you need to mind that your reader is uninformed about your arguments and topic, which means that the very first sentence has to summarize the central argument and the topic.

Although there is no preserved set of words to use in your essay introduction, you use the following words and phrases to explain what your essay is discussing (its scope) without losing the formality of your academic writing.

• For decades
• Over the years
• Challenging
• Significance
• Complex problem
• To begin with
• As far as is proven in the literature
• From the statistics presented by studies
• The main objective
• This topic resonates

This list of phrases is not complete; you can use the other phrases and words we will cover in the following sections of this guide. As long as you have a good reason to use a phrase, do not feel limited : use it for the glory of excellent grades.

General Explanations

When providing general explanations, both in the body, introduction, and conclusion of your essays, either for complex or easy points, you can use these phrases:

• In order to
• In other words
• To that end
• In another way
• That is to say

We will see (in the course of this guideline) how else you can use the exact phrases in your essay.

Giving Examples in your essay

Any standard piece of academic writing must include examples. For instance, when presenting an argument in an argumentative or persuasive essay, you must illustrate your essay with examples to make the arguments stand out. Examples help clarify explanations, which makes it easy for the reader to connect the dots. Besides, they create an ideal picture in the mind of the reader. Instead of repeating for example when introducing illustrations in your essay, here are other phrases, transitions, and words that you can use in their place.

• To illustrate
• As evidence
• To elucidate
• To exemplify
• On this occasion
• As in the case of
• Take the case of
• In this sense
• In this situation
• In another case
• In this case
• As a demonstration
• As a testament
• To demonstrate
• As an example,
• For instance
• For example
• To give an illustration

Academic essays that receive top scores always have well-kit paragraphs that entail the topic sentence, arguments, examples (illustration), and closing sentences with the relevant transition words. These academic phrases are helpful when introducing examples. You can ideally use them in any academic piece, including theses, proposals, and dissertations. They help you avoid repeating similar phrases, which facilities readability and smooth flow in your essays.

Showing importance of arguments in an essay

When writing academic essays, it is vital to demonstrate that a given argument or point is fundamental. You can highlight this in your essay writing by using the following phrases:

• In particular
• Specifically
• Importantly
• Significantly
• Fundamentally

These words can comfortably be used interchangeably when demonstrating significant ideas that are critical to understanding a topic.

Arguing based on facts from other authors

You can use phrases that acknowledge what others have said concerning a topic at the beginning of your essay. When you begin your essay with such phrases, you are posing your argument based on the authors' findings or a general interest/concern in your area of research. You can use such phrases when the evidence supports or refutes your arguments. Here are the essay phrases to use when acknowledging authors:

• Considering
• In light of
• Taking into consideration
• On account of
• All things considered
• On the whole
• Insomuch as
• Inasmuch as
• Forasmuch as

Introducing the views of an author who is an authority in your area of interest or topic is critical in academic essay writing. For example, when you include a quote but do not want to use parenthetical citation or the exact words, you can use academic phrases such as:

• According to X
• X contends that
• Referring to the views of
• Drawing from X
• As argued by Y
• Findings by Y
• As hypothesized by X
• As proposed/shown/demonstrated/suggested by X
• Studies by X
• A recent study by X

Although you are referencing a quote here, it is not always advisable to use direct quotes at the start of your essay unless directed by your instructor. This means that using the above phrases can help spice up your essay introduction.

Laying Emphasis

When writing an essay, whether it be an English class essay or any essay, you must emphasize the main argument. The idea behind this is to create coherence within your essay. You can use the transition words below to emphasize your paragraphs. This list of academic essay words can be used in the introduction, body, and even conclusion.

• In any case
• Some other words include unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, perennially, eternally, never, emphatically,

Showing some sequence

When describing ideas or presenting arguments in sequence within an essay, here are the proven phrases and words that can earn you the best grades in school.

• First, second, third
• First, secondly, thirdly
• Following this
• At this point
• Before this
• Consequently
• Subsequently
• At this time

It would help if you were extra careful when introducing ideas because each paragraph only has one idea. They are also ideal when giving a list of examples.

You can also show the order of events using the phrases below:

• Furthermore
• In the meantime
• Simultaneously
• In the first place
• First of all
• For the time being
• With this in mind

These phrases come in handy when writing about a linear event or a sequential occurrence of facts. They further help to maintain a good flow, clarity, and coherence.

Creating Flow and providing further information

Essays, even the short ones, should be as informative as possible. Knowing how to present arguments, points, and facts concisely and helps you avoid bluff in the essay. As the flow of your essay matters to the reader and for your grades, we recommend that you use these phrases or words that denote more information or flow. These words will help you to chronologically and structurally present your arguments and ideas

• In addition
• What's more
• Additionally

These are academic phrases that help you expand your argument; add a point you have made without interrupting the flow of your essay. You can also use them when beginning new paragraphs.

The next set of essay words are a great choice when you want to add a piece of information that corroborates the argument or point you just mentioned. When writing academic essays and papers, it is critical to concur with your arguments. Doing so not only helps you to keep your readers glued but also helps you to contextualize your research.  They also help you avoid repeating also many times. Repetitions are a sure way to score poor grades in your essay : they make your writing predictive and boring. Here are some words to save you grades and embracement.

• Another key thing to remember
• Not only but also ( use this when establishing similarity in your arguments- it makes the argument stand out)
• Coupled with
• Firstly, secondly, thirdly

You can also use the essay phrases below when stating your claim or introducing your claim. When your essay requires you to prove how you will achieve a goal- as is with a problem-solution essay or proposal argument essay , you can use these sentences to expand your points.

• To this end

You can also use the academic phrases below to improve continuity in your essay write-up. These essay phrases explain a point that you already made but differently. Avoid repetition when elaborating specific points or arguments in your essay by using the phrases below

• To put it in another way
• To put it more simply

The phrases above can also be used when rounding up a point that came before the sentence that you begin.

An Example: He was already abusive to both the mother and the kids. In other words, it was a long-term domestic violence case.

Comparing and Contrasting Points

In academic essays, there are instances when you are required to include information that proves or refutes a point. For instance, when writing an argumentative essay, you have to include a counterargument. To show the views of the researchers that disagree with your main argument or point of view, you can use these words to introduce alternative arguments:

• Nevertheless
• On the contrary
• On the other hand
• Even though

These phrases are a seamless way to include an alternative perspective.

An Example: While 35% of the population appears to be living below the poverty line, the remaining 65% seem to be doing well.

You can also use phrases that show contrast, present uncertainty, and compare facts associated with your significant arguments. Here are some of the phrases:

• By contrast
• In comparison

The phrases above demonstrate expertise in your topic, authority in writing and help you convince your readers.

When you intend to demonstrate a positive aspect of your subject matter, you can use these phrases in your academic piece:

• Despite this
• Provided that
• Nonetheless

Example : Provided that there is a red flag in a relationship, it is only safe that the victim acts or seeks help.

To add contrast, you can also highlight the relevance of an opinion, argument, point, or fact as regards your research. Here are some academic words that can help you introduce paragraphs or sentences that have big ideas in your essay:

• Another key point

Perfect words to conclude your essay

An essay conclusion carries as much weight as the introduction. Therefore, you must ensure that you have concluding words for your essay good enough to wrap up your arguments. In addition, considering that your conclusion should have a summary of the main ideas, your final statement and road plan to the conclusion must be evident. Here is a list of categorized phrases to use to conclude an essay effectively:

• In conclusion
• To summarize
• In the final analysis
• On close analysis
• As can be seen from the argument above
• The most compelling finding
• The outstanding idea
• The most persuasive point
• This suggests that
• It can be seen that
• The consequence is
• Subsequent to
• Most significantly
• It should be noted
• It is worth noting

These are essay phrases that you use when articulating your reasons in the essay. Some of them summarize the relevant ideas or arguments, while others emphasize the relevant arguments.

Parting Shot

We have explored the list of useful phrases for writing great essays. When coupled with the correct vocabulary words, an essay easily scores the top grade in a rubric. When you use the words above, you automatically sound smart.

Whether you are writing a narrative, argumentative, or descriptive essay, these are words that you can use to convince your readers. They help you maintain a good flow, play around with other vocabularies, present authors' views, and finalize your essay in a bang.

We hope that these words will transform your essays from better to best. So, stay confident while articulating points, arguments, and ideas in your essays.

If writing an essay is not your thing, and these academic words and phrases sound Greek to you, you can hire an essay writer. Sourcing essay writing help from Gradecrest guarantees you a sample academic essay that is well-formatted. In addition, we have writers who specialize in writing different essays and can deliver within the shortest turnaround time.

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

Academic Phrasebank

• GENERAL LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS
• Being cautious
• Being critical
• Classifying and listing
• Compare and contrast
• Defining terms
• Describing trends
• Describing quantities
• Explaining causality
• Giving examples
• Signalling transition
• Writing about the past

The Academic Phrasebank is a general resource for academic writers. It aims to provide you with examples of some of the phraseological ‘nuts and bolts’ of writing organised according to the main sections of a research paper or dissertation (see the top menu ). Other phrases are listed under the more general communicative functions of academic writing (see the menu on the left). The resource should be particularly useful for writers who need to report their research work. The phrases, and the headings under which they are listed, can be used simply to assist you in thinking about the content and organisation of your own writing, or the phrases can be incorporated into your writing where this is appropriate. In most cases, a certain amount of creativity and adaptation will be necessary when a phrase is used. The items in the Academic Phrasebank are mostly content neutral and generic in nature; in using them, therefore, you are not stealing other people’s ideas and this does not constitute plagiarism. For some of the entries, specific content words have been included for illustrative purposes, and these should be substituted when the phrases are used. The resource was designed primarily for academic and scientific writers who are non-native speakers of English. However, native speaker writers may still find much of the material helpful. In fact, recent data suggest that the majority of users are native speakers of English. More about  Academic Phrasebank .

This site was created by  John Morley .  

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60 Useful Words and Phrases for Outstanding 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.”

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. 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…”

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!

Additional Information ( more examples)

+20 examples of important transition words, additional information.

There are many linking words which can lead us into additional information and while it is useful to vary your vocabulary beyond ‘ and ,’ these words are not mere replacements for ‘ and .’ They have nuanced differences, thus, by these particular meanings, we can offer a more delicate illustration of the relationships between our ideas.

• ‘Furthermore’ is used to add information that expands upon the previous point. It precedes information that expands upon that already given. It usually occurs at the beginning of an independent clause.
• ‘Moreover’ and ‘More so’ are both similar to ‘furthermore’ while giving special emphasis to the greater importance of the following clause.
• “Despite cutting back on other staff, her father gave her a position, furthermore , he gave her an enviable office while still not having a role for her.”
• Writers also sequence additional information. ‘Firstly,’ ‘secondly’ and ‘thirdly’ are obvious options used to achieve this, however, there are others. For example, we can look into the past with ‘previously,’ ‘until the present’ or ‘preceded by.’
• “Present growth in the company was *preceded by several quarters of stagnation”*
• ‘Meanwhile’ and ‘simultaneously’ talk about things which are happening at the same time as another, while ‘concurrently’ does this while emphasising that the two ideas have played out in conjunction with one another.
• Usually, ‘incidentally’ is used to add relevant information while downplaying its significance compared with that of other ideas.
• “The priority of the zoo had been to protect species’ from extinction. The panda breeding program was enjoying some rare success, while simultaneously , other programs to increase the numbers of endangered species were being trialled. Meanwhile , the zoo was being visited by an influx of tourists who were, incidentally , able to enjoy seeing the young animals.”
• ‘Subsequently’ and ‘afterward’ lead into information after the fact.

Compare and Contrast

When writers need to illustrate similarity they can employ words such as ‘in like manner,’ ‘comparatively,’ and ‘correspondingly.’ Whereas , when they wish to highlight difference they have phrases like ‘on the contrary,’ ‘however,’ ‘notwithstanding,’ ‘nevertheless’ and ‘on the other hand.’

Notwithstanding the vehement opposition to online education programs being made available to inmates, considerable improvements were made to the re-employment prospects of many offenders who benefited from the trial. On the contrary, prisoners who were not able to access education while incarcerated were found to be more likely to reoffend and return to prison.

Clarification

When it comes time to clarify an argument or point, some of the transitional phrases which are used are, ‘to reiterate,’ ‘specifically,’ or ‘inasmuch as.’

Consequence and Conclusion

When we have lead our reader through our flow of logic, there might be nothing more rewarding than driving our point home by showing consequence or concluding our arguments. There are a lot of strong phrases such as ‘accordingly,’ ‘hence,’ ‘thus’ and ‘thereupon’ which can do this.

I hope you will feel encouraged, by this article, to continue to further your understanding of how transitional words can work to guide your reader through your flow of logic. When used well, they add power and order to your argument and can add to the result you see from your work.

Transitional Words and Phrases

One of your primary goals as a writer is to present ideas in a clear and understandable way. To help readers move through your complex ideas, you want to be intentional about how you structure your paper as a whole as well as how you form the individual paragraphs that comprise it. In order to think through the challenges of presenting your ideas articulately, logically, and in ways that seem natural to your readers, check out some of these resources: Developing a Thesis Statement , Paragraphing , and Developing Strategic Transitions: Writing that Establishes Relationships and Connections Between Ideas.

While clear writing is mostly achieved through the deliberate sequencing of your ideas across your entire paper, you can guide readers through the connections you’re making by using transitional words in individual sentences. Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between your ideas and can help your reader understand your paper’s logic.

In what follows, we’ve included a list of frequently used transitional words and phrases that can help you establish how your various ideas relate to each other. We’ve divided these words and phrases into categories based on the common kinds of relationships writers establish between ideas.

Two recommendations: Use these transitions strategically by making sure that the word or phrase you’re choosing matches the logic of the relationship you’re emphasizing or the connection you’re making. All of these words and phrases have different meanings, nuances, and connotations, so before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely, and be sure that it’s the right match for your paper’s logic. Use these transitional words and phrases sparingly because if you use too many of them, your readers might feel like you are overexplaining connections that are already clear.

Categories of Transition Words and Phrases

Causation Chronology Combinations Contrast Example

Importance Location Similarity Clarification Concession

Conclusion Intensification Purpose Summary

Transitions to help establish some of the most common kinds of relationships

Causation– Connecting instigator(s) to consequence(s).

accordingly as a result and so because

consequently for that reason hence on account of

since therefore thus

Chronology– Connecting what issues in regard to when they occur.

after afterwards always at length during earlier following immediately in the meantime

later never next now once simultaneously so far sometimes

soon subsequently then this time until now when whenever while

Combinations Lists– Connecting numerous events. Part/Whole– Connecting numerous elements that make up something bigger.

additionally again also and, or, not as a result besides even more

finally first, firstly further furthermore in addition in the first place in the second place

last, lastly moreover next second, secondly, etc. too

Contrast– Connecting two things by focusing on their differences.

after all although and yet at the same time but

despite however in contrast nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding

on the contrary on the other hand otherwise though yet

Example– Connecting a general idea to a particular instance of this idea.

as an illustration e.g., (from a Latin abbreviation for “for example”)

for example for instance specifically that is

to demonstrate to illustrate

Importance– Connecting what is critical to what is more inconsequential.

chiefly critically

foundationally most importantly

of less importance primarily

Location– Connecting elements according to where they are placed in relationship to each other.

above adjacent to below beyond

centrally here nearby neighboring on

opposite to peripherally there wherever

Similarity– Connecting to things by suggesting that they are in some way alike.

by the same token in like manner

in similar fashion here in the same way

likewise wherever

Other kinds of transitional words and phrases Clarification

i.e., (from a Latin abbreviation for “that is”) in other words

that is that is to say to clarify to explain

to put it another way to rephrase it

granted it is true

naturally of course

finally lastly

in conclusion in the end

to conclude

Intensification

in fact indeed no

of course surely to repeat

undoubtedly without doubt yes

for this purpose in order that

so that to that end

to this end

in brief in sum

in summary in short

to sum up to summarize

Improving Your Writing Style

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Clear, Concise Sentences

Use the active voice

Put the action in the verb

Tidy up wordy phrases

Reduce wordy verbs

Reduce prepositional phrases

Reduce expletive constructions

Avoid using vague nouns

Avoid unneccessarily inflated words

Avoid noun strings

Connecting Ideas Through Transitions

Using Transitional Words and Phrases

Top 94 Analytical Words & Phrases to Use in Your Research Paper

When you work on your analytical paper, you need proper academic language, right?

You are at the right place.

The following ready to use analytical phrases will help you a lot. You’re welcome to use this academic phrase bank by filling in the gaps or for inspiration.

Let’s not lose any minute!

We are starting right now 🏁

• ❗ The Importance of the Topic

🔤 Words to Use in Analytical Paragraph

• 📚 Literature References
• 🗣️ How to Refer to the Author
• 🔍 Contradicting Evidence
• 🕳️ A gap in Knowledge
• 📊 Data from Tables/ Charts
• 📈 Describe Trends
• 📜 Classifications and Listings
• ↔️ Cause and Effect
• ↪️ Writing Conclusion

❗ Analytical Words about the Importance of the Topic

Any paper requires justification of why your topic is relevant. Here are analytical words and phrases for this purpose.

• X has been studied in the recent several decades because
• One of the most significant current discussions is
• In the past years, X has attracted much attention as
• Much attention has been drawn to
• Recently there has been an increasing interest in
• In the recent decades, X has been one of the major interesting research questions due to
• Discussions about X have dominated the research community in recent years/ decades/ months
• X has significantly influenced academic discussion on Y

An analytical paragraph is a paragraph that gives an in-depth analysis of a certain topic. It helps readers make sense of a complex issue and can be written on any subject, including films , music, historical events, philosophy, etc. The peculiarity of an analytical paragraph is that it not only presents information but also analyzes it, that is, explains its components, evaluates its significance, and draws conclusions using specific words and phrases.

Generally, an analytical paragraph contains four sections: a topic sentence, evidence, analysis, and a closing sentence. Below, we’ve listed phrases you can use in each part.

📚 Literature References with Analytical Words

What are the most successful words to use in analytical paragraph about literature ? Let’s see 👇

• There is a consensus between scholars that
• The relationship between X and Y has been widely investigated by
• A number of studies have concluded that
• Previous research has confirmed that
• Several studies agree that
• Previous studies indicate/ demonstrate/ suggest that
• Prior research has documented/ has shown/ has proffered
• The latest studies have found evidence that
• In recent years studies contend about

🗣️ How to Refer to the Author in Analytical Phrases

While writing a literature review, you probably will have several authors you want to pay special attention to. These are the ways to do it succinctly:

• X highlights the need to
• X has pointed out the challenges and strategies for
• X raised several concerns about
• X indicated that
• X has demonstrated that
• X argues/ claims/ suggests/ maintains/ concludes/ offers/ proposes
• In their review/ major study/ analysis/ introduction to/ classic critique, X identify
• X draws on an extensive range of sources to assess
• X highlights the need to break the link between A and B
• X questions whether X is the best Y for

🔍 Analytical Phrases for Contradicting Evidence

Sometimes, you can face a piece of conflicting information. There are multiple ways to place such elements into text.

• Despite prior evidence
• In contrast, the study conducted by X concluded that
• However, this is contrary to a study conducted by X
• However, X has later shown that
• To date, there has been no agreement on
• In the literature on X, the role of Y is debated.
• X has already drawn attention to the paradox in
• Debate continues about
• Several studies have recently challenged this concept, demonstrating
• X found out differences suggesting that

🕳️ A gap in Knowledge Analytical Phrases

Wondering how to introduce a gap in knowledge about your topic? Here are linking words for such situations.

• There has been little discussion about
• Few studies have been carried out on
• Little attention has been paid to
• It is still not known whether
• […] much less is known about X
• Research to date has not yet identified/ determined/ found out
• The impact of X on Y is not clear yet
• Causal factors leading to X remain debatable/ unreliable/ speculative
• This claims about a need to understand the various existing angles of X
• The problem of X has not been investigated/ considered in any of the reviewed resources
• Prior studies have failed to evaluate/ identify/ reveal/ state

📊 Analytical Words for Data from Tables/Charts

Now let’s see how to use analytical words and phrases to describe data from tables and charts .

• As shown in Table 1
• Figure 1 clearly shows/ extrapolate/ presents
• Figure A illustrates/ compares/ evidences
• Figure A exhibits an overview of
• Table A provides the experimental data on X
• In this table, you can see the summary statistics for
• This diagram demonstrated the results obtained from the preliminary analysis of X
• The results of correlational/ comparative/ descriptive analysis are presented in Table A

📈 Analytical Words and Phrases to Describe Trends

For a more in-depth analysis of the data from your visualization, try using these academic phrases.

• The graph shows that there has been a gradual increase in
• The number of Xs is likely to grow after steadily
• X peaked (reached a low) in 1993
• The amount of X is expected to remain steady
• The graph shows that there has been a slight/ sharp/ gradual/ steady decline/ drop/ rise/ increase in
• What stands out/ is striking/ can be clearly seen in this table is
• The rate of X will probably/ is likely to decline steadily

📜 Analytical Words and Phrases for Classifications and Listings

You may use classifications and listings in your text for different purposes. These are some options to include listings in the paper.

• X may be divided into three main categories
• This system of classification needs a revision
• There are three main approaches currently being used in investigating X
• The critical aspects of X can be listed as follows: A, B, and C
• There are three reasons why the X has become so important. These are:
• The section has been included for several reasons: it is …; it illustrates …; and it describes…
• To better understand X’s mechanisms, the author classified it into three distinct types, based on
• X is generally classified into two main types

↔️ Cause & Effect Analysis Words for Essays

If you are writing a cause-effect essay, this part is for you. However, not only cause-effect papers discuss causal relations.

Don’t miss our amazing Cause-Effect Essay Topics Compilation !

↪️ Concluding Words to Use in Analytical Essays

And finally, it’s time to write a good conclusion . Look at these phrases to use in your work.

• This study set out to/ has argued that/ discussed the reasons for
• In this paper, the aim/ goal was to assess/ to examine/ to determine
• This study identified/ showed that
• Another major finding was
• These experiments confirmed that
• A, B, and C emerged as reliable factors of
• The findings reported in this work shed new light on
• The study contributes to our understanding of X in multiple ways
• This project can be seen as the first comprehensive investigation of X
• The empirical findings in this study provide a new understanding of

Use this collection as a starting point or inspiration for your work.

Needless to say, the English language is richer and more flexible than this list. Try to find new word combinations and uncommon usages. However, don’t overplay – it’s still academic writing that requires certain formalities.

That’s all!

Check more useful resources for academic phrases below in the list of references.

Good luck 😊

🔗 References

• Academic Phrasebank, The University of Manchester
• Verbs in Academic Writing; The Writing Centre – University of Toronto
• Vocabulary for Essays; The Learning Centre – The University of Sydney
• Glossary of Research Terms; University of Southern California
• Using Appropriate Words in an Academic Essay

Research Paper Analysis: How to Analyze a Research Article + Example

Film analysis: example, format, and outline + topics & prompts.

Geography, History, Art, ESL Learning 

Useful phrases for your essays (advanced level)

Here you have some phrases to include in your essays (CEFR C1-C2). Hope you like it and find it useful !!

Introducing the phenomenon to be discussed

• More and more families are choosing to have only one child.
• The trend nowadays is towards having smaller families.
• Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of ……………
• Recent research indicates that the number of teenagers who smoke is increasing.
• Hardly a week goes by without another report of …………….. appearing in the media.
• This raises the issue of whether ……………..
• Although most people would generally agree that …………… few would deny that …………….

Stating your opinion

• As I see it,
• It seems to me that ………… I would also say that ….
• I am convinced that ……………
• I am inclined to believe that ………………
• There is no doubt in my mind that ………………
• One of the drawbacks of ……. is ……….
• However, one of the benefits is that …………

Changing topic

• As regards the causes for this, …………..
• Concerning the causes for this, ………
• As for the causes, ………..

Presenting arguments

• One justification often given for ……….. is that……………..
• Advocates/Proponents would claim that ………………
• Those who object to …………….. often argue that ……………….
• Another objection is that ……
• However, it should not be forgotten that …………..
• ……….. are opposed to ……………. on the grounds that ……………..
• From the point of view of ……………..
• According to ………………..

Describing causes

• One factor which has led to ………… is …………..
• One of the factors which has brought this about is ………
• The problem often stems from ………………..
• The situation has been exacerbated by …………….
• ………….. has only made the situation worse.
• One consequence of ……………. is …………….

Proposing steps and measures

• As regards the most appropriate response to this situation, one suggestion would be to ………
• The first step to be taken would be to ……..
• To alleviate the situation people should ………..
• In addition they ought to ……………
• To begin to tackle this situation society/individuals/the government need/s to ……….
• ………….. would certainly ameliorate the situation.
• This can only be dealt with if …………
• To overcome this problem, …………..
• Were the government to ……………, the situation would doubtless improve.
• Individuals can do a great deal to …………
• The burden of responsiblity lies in the hands of ……..
• It is vitally important that ………
• Legislation should be introduced to control ……………..
• It would be a grave error if we ……………..
• All in all it seems to me that ………..
• The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that …………………..
• All things considered, ………….
• On balance, I tend to believe that …………
• The world would surely be a better place to live in if …………..
• If people stopped ….ing, we would have/ we could look forward to a ……………
• The prospects for the future will be bleak/grim unless ……………….

I think you should also have a few pages somewhere where you can keep a record of other useful essay phrases that you come across in your reading. Write them down and practise using them in your own writing.

Look out for more advanced expressions that you can use in place of phrases that weren’t even impressive at the B2 level – phrases like “solve the problem”. Here are a few alternative problem and solution phrases to get you going.:

a  crisis  in education which must be  addressed

something that must  be tackled  /  be dealt with

a  challenge  which must  be met

something must be done  to restore  law and order in the inner cities

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Useful Linking Words and Phrases to Use in Your Essays

By: Author Sophia

Posted on Last updated: October 26, 2023

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Linking words and phrases are used to show relationships between ideas. They can be used to join two or more sentences or clauses.

We can use linking words to give a result , add information , summarize , give illustrations , emphasize a point , sequence information , compare or to contrast idea .

Useful Linking Words and Phrases

In this article, you will learn about the most common linking words and phrases:

Giving a Result

Usage : To provide the result of what has been stated or has occurred

Linking W ords :

• As a result
• As a consequence
• Consequently
• For this reason
• His wife left him.  As a result , he became very depressed.
• She has lived in France, and  as a consequence  she speaks French fluently.
• We do not have enough money.  T herefore  we cannot afford to buy the new car.
• We do not own the building.  Thus , it would be impossible for us to make any major changes to it.
• There has been a great deal of rain and  consequently  the reservoirs are full.
• The customer was displeased with her meal,  hence  the chef prepared a replacement.
• For this reason , they are not a good choice for exterior use.
• Due to  a broken wing, this bird can’t fly.

Adding Information

Usage : To add to what has been previously stated

Linking Words:

• Additionally / an additional
• Furthermore
• As well as that
• In addition
• In addition to this
• Apart from this
• Additionally , the bus service will run on Sundays, every two hours.
• He said he had not discussed the matter with her.  Furthermore , he had not even contacted her.
• We are unable to repair this watch.  Also , this is the fourth time this has happened.
• I love wearing earrings. I design and make them  too .
• We went to the park today.  As well as that , we did some shopping.
• Along with  parties and parliaments, elections have lost their charm.
• I can’t afford to go to the concert.  Besides , I don’t really like classical music.
• You haven’t paid the rent yet.   In addition , you owe me money.
• The report is badly presented.  Moreover , it contains inaccuracies.
• John’s grades are terrible because he has been so lazy these days.  In addition to this , his relationship to his parents got worse.
• Apart from this  paragraph, the report contains a number of sensible initiatives.

Summarizing

Usage : To sump up what has been previously stated

Linking words :

• In conclusion
• To summarize
• To conclude
• In conclusion , walking is a cheap, safe, enjoyable and readily available form of exercise.
• To summarize , this is a clever approach to a common problem.
• The food was good and we loved the music.  Altogether  it was a great evening.
• His novels belong to a great but vanished age. They are,  in short , old-fashioned.
• To sum up , there are three main ways of tackling the problem…
• In summary , this was a disappointing performance.
• Briefly , our team is now one of the best in the world.
• To conclude , I want to wish you all a very happy holiday season.

Giving Examples

Usage : To provide examples

Linking words:

• For example/ For instance
• In this case
• Proof of this
• There are many interesting places to visit in the city,  for example / for instance , the botanical garden or the art museum.
• I prefer to wear casual clothes,  such as  jeans and a sweatshirt.
• Including  Christmas Day and Boxing Day, I’ve got a week off work.
• We need to concentrate on our target audience,  namely  women aged between 20 and 30.
• I think I would have made a difference  in this case .
• This building are a living  proof of this  existence, so we must preserve it.
• I also make other jewellery  like  rings and bracelets.

Emphasizing a Point

Usage : To put forward a point or idea more forcefully

• Undoubtedly
• Particularly / in particular
• Importantly
• Without a doubt
• It should be noted
• Unquestionably
• Undoubtedly , the story itself is one of the main attractions.
• I don’t mind at all.  Indeed , I would be delighted to help.
• Obviously , we don’t want to spend too much money.
• I love silver earrings,  in particular  ones from Mexico
• The car is quite small,  especially  if you have children.
• Clearly , this will cost a lot more than we realized.
• More importantly , can he be trusted?
• He’s an  absolutely  brilliant cook.
• I  definitely  remember sending the letter.
• We still believe we can win this series  without a doubt .
• I’m  neve r  surprised at what I do.
• It should be noted  that   if you have something to note, then note it
• Unquestionably , teaching has been a paramount part of his career.
• Above all , this forest is designed for wear and tear.
• This is  positively  the worst thing that I can even imagine.

Sequencing Ideas

Usage : To indicate the order of what is being said

• First/ firstly (Second/ secondly, Third/ thirdly, Finally)
• At this time
• Subsequently
• Lastly and most importantly
• Last but not least
• First and foremost
• Firstly , I prefer the train because I can see the landscape.
• At this time , the young man leapt into the air and flew off towards sunset.
• They arrived on Monday evening and we got there the  following  day.
• I had visited them three days  previously .
• Your name is  before  mine on the list.
• Subsequently , new guidelines were issued to all employees.
• Above all , keep in touch.
• Lastly, and most importantly , you should be optimistic.
• Last but not least , I find I seriously cannot relate to women.
• We will continue to focus on our players  first and foremost .

Comparing Ideas

Usage:  To show how things are similar

• Compare / compare(d) to(with)
• By the same token
• In the same way
• Correspondingly
• Similarly , the basketball and hockey games draw nearly full attendance.
• Equally , not all customers are honest.
• Her second marriage was  likewise  unhappy.
• She’s  just as  smart as her sister.
• Working with housecats is  just like  working with lions or tigers.
• Some people say I have a running style  similar to  him.
• Having a power is not  the same as  using the power.
• He gets the ball off quickly  compared to  two years ago.
• Teenagers should be more respectful;  by the same token , parents should be more understanding.
• Alex enjoys telling jokes;  in the same way/similarly/likewise ,his son adores funny stories.
• Correspondingly , the roles each of them played were soon different.

Contrasting Ideas

Usage : To show how things are different

• Nevertheless
• On the other hand
• Nonetheless
• Despite / in spite of
• In contrast (to)
• Alternatively
• Differing from
• Contrary to
• Unlike  most systems, this one is very easy to install.
• There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law.  Nevertheless , it is important that we try.
• Laptops are convenient;  O n the other hand , they can be expensive.
• The problems are not serious.  Nonetheless , we shall need to tackle them soon.
• Despite/ In spite of  the rain, I went for a walk.
• In contrast to  the diligent bee, the butterfly flies hither and yon with no apparent purpose.
• The agency will make travel arrangements for you.  Alternatively , you can organize your own transport.
• Northern European countries had a great summer.  On the contrary/conversely , Southern Europe had poor weather.
• Even so , many old friends were shocked at the announcement.
• Differing from  his white colleagues, he preferred instructing his scholars to the ambition of acquiring personal renown.
• The situation in Ireland is quite  contrary to  this principle.

Linking Words for Essays | Images

Below is a handy list of words that are both useful and appropriate to academic language:

Other linking words to give an example or an illustration:

• In  this  case,
• In  another  case
• Take  the  case  of
• To  illustrate
• As  an
• Illustration
• To  take  another  example
• That  is
• As  shown  by
• As  illustrated  by
• As expressed by

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10 English Phrases to Express Your Opinion in an Essay

This is a guest post by  Sam Pealing.  Make sure to visit his website EnglishForStudy.com for more academic English help!

I admire international students. Seriously.  If you’re a non-native English speaker doing a degree or doctorate in English, then I take my hat off to you.

I get a lot of questions about writing essays, and I’ve taught hundreds of students how to write effective essays (which get good grades).  One of the most common mistakes that I see is a lack of opinion.

Most of the time, students describe a situation, but they don’t give their opinion or stance. This can really damage your grade because lecturers are always looking for ‘critical thinking’. If you don’t give your opinion in your essays, your lecturers can’t see your critical thinking.

To put it simply: If you don’t put your opinion or stance in an essay, then you’ll probably lose marks.

In this article, you’ll learn 10 effective phrases that you can use to give your opinion in your essay.  I’ve also created a free lesson pack which will help you to practice the phrases in this article. CLICK HERE to download it.

Introducing the Phrases

If you’re looking for a quick fix for your essay, these phrases should help you to start putting your own opinions in your essays.

But, before you rush over to your essays to start putting these phrases in, there’s something you need to know.

If you’re writing an academic essay, you will need to support your opinions with strong evidence . This is especially true if you are using some of the stronger phrases.

This evidence can be a journal article, a lecture, a textbook, or something else which is a trustworthy source of information.

In a more informal essay, like one in an IELTS or TOEFL language test, you don’t need to support your answers with strong evidence. Your experiences or opinions will be enough.

Quick note : I know! You’re ready to see the phrases.

This won’t take long and it’s really important.

1. For these phrases to be really effective, you’ll need to review your grammar. Shayna has some great videos on her Espresso English Youtube channel .

I recommend these:

• Subject/Verb agreement
• Formal and Informal English
• Correcting Grammar Mistakes

2. If you want to know the structure of a good essay paragraph, check my post here .

Informal English Phrases

These phrases are suitable for language tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. In an academic essay, these phrases will probably be too informal because they are too personal.

“In my opinion, + [your sentence]”

• In my opinion , a good education is more important than a good car.

“I believe that + [your sentence]”

• I believe that schools should encourage students to walk or cycle to school rather than drive.

“In my mind, + [your sentence]”

• “ In my mind , no-one should have to pay for medical care.”

More Formal Academic Phrases With ‘That’

These phrases are more suitable for academic essays. If you are unsure whether you should use an informal phrase or an academic phrase, use an academic one. If you think your writing might be informal, read this post to learn more.

The patterns here are quite straightforward. Just add your sentence after ‘that’.

“It would seem that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you support your opinion with evidence.

• “ It would seem that children learn best when they are feeling comfortable.”

“It could be argued that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you want to challenge an existing opinion.

• “ It could be argued that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks in this situation.”

“This suggests that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you don’t want to fully commit to an opinion. You’re giving yourself some distance.

• “ The evidence suggests that people who speak more than one language have more job opportunities.”

“This proves that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you are confident with your opinion. This phrase is quite strong*

• “ This proves that the best way to lose weight is through a controlled diet and a good exercise program.”

“This supports the idea that + [your sentence]”

Use this one when you are supporting an opinion that you have already made.

• “ This new research supports the idea that successful English learners look for opportunities to use English.”

Other Ways to Express Opinion

“although [idea you disagree with], [idea you agree with]”.

Use this when you want make your opinion seem balanced.

• “ Although reports suggest that cigarettes could help people to lose weight, there are too many serious health problems associated with smoking.”

Note: The ‘ although’ pattern is very effective because it shows two sides of the argument. In the example, I support the idea that smoking is bad for your health –BUT- I recognise that it could have some benefits.

Structure your ‘ although’ sentence like this: Although, [weaker argument you disagree with], [stronger argument you agree with].

Using Adverbs, Adjectives and Nouns

You can use adjectives to show your opinion.

• “This research was poorly conducted with a lack of control .”

The adjective and nouns in the example are negative . You can get some good ideas from this video on Extreme Adjectives . Note: try not to use any emotional adjectives .

Make Your Own Phrases!

Of course, these phrases aren’t the only ones that you can use! You can find more – or – you can create your own by combining different patterns.

Here’s an example of #7, #9 and #10 used together.

“Although it is difficult for older adults to learn a second language, an important study by Smith (2014) proved that the elderly can successfully learn new languages.”

What Should You Do Now?

So now you should have a better idea of how to include more opinions in your essays. But that’s not all; there are probably some new words here that you don’t know.

So here’s what you should do:

• Choose three of the opinion expressions and phrases that you want to try.
• Practice writing sentences using them (if you don’t have a topic, try this: should students do homework? You can see examples of this in the lesson pack )
• Get the Lesson Pack for this lesson (which contains the vocabulary and the phrases from this lesson) CLICK HERE to download it .

Learn more:

• Basic English phrases
• Intermediate English phrases
• Advanced English phrases

About Sam Pealing

Sam Pealing is an English language coach who specialises in two important areas: 1. helping you to get great grades at university, and 2. helping you to become an effective and confident English user. If you’re feeling frustrated or confused with English, Sam has created the perfect email course for you! You can join his course here –or- you can read more by him on English For Study .

Get corrections on your written English:

More Espresso English Lessons:

About the author.

Shayna Oliveira

Shayna Oliveira is the founder of Espresso English, where you can improve your English fast - even if you don’t have much time to study. Millions of students are learning English from her clear, friendly, and practical lessons! Shayna is a CELTA-certified teacher with 10+ years of experience helping English learners become more fluent in her English courses.

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Useful phrases

We use certain common phrases to introduce new information, make suggestions, or express our opinions in speech or writing. Other phrases, such as approximations, can make what we are saying less formal or less direct.

Click on a topic to learn more about these useful phrases.

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Phrases are the building blocks of sentences, enriching text with depth and complexity. Understanding how to use them effectively can dramatically improve your writing, whether for academic purposes, communication in real Life , or creative expression.

What is Phrases?

A phrase is a group of words that stands together as a single grammatical unit, typically as part of a sentence or a clause. Unlike a complete sentence, a phrase does not contain a subject and a verb and therefore cannot convey a complete thought by itself.

Types of Phrases

Different types of phrases in English grammar is essential for constructing clear and effective sentences. Here’s a breakdown of the main types of phrases and their function.

1. Noun Phrases (NP)

A noun phrase includes a noun —the main word—and the modifiers that distinguish it. These modifiers can include adjectives, articles, and pronouns . Noun phrases can act as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence.

• Example : “The cheerful little girl” waved at us.

2. Verb Phrases (VP)

A verb phrase consists of a main verb along with its helping (auxiliary) verbs . Verb phrases express actions or states of being.

• Example : She “has been preparing” dinner for two hours.

3. Adjective Phrases

An adjective phrase modifies a noun or pronoun by describing it, usually consisting of an adjective and its modifiers.

• Example : He is “extremely knowledgeable” about European history.

4. Adverbial Phrases

Adverbial phrases modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They typically tell when, where, how, and to what extent an action is performed.

• Example : She sings “with great emotion.”

5. Prepositional Phrases (PP)

Prepositional phrases start with a preposition and end with a noun or pronoun, known as the object of the preposition. They can function as adjectives or adverbs, providing additional details about time, location, or relationship.

• Example : He sat “on the old wooden bench.”

6. Infinitive Phrases

An infinitive phrase includes the infinitive form of a verb (to + verb) and any modifiers or complements associated with it. Infinitive phrases can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

• Example : “To win the championship” is his ultimate goal.

7. Gerund Phrases

Gerund phrases consist of a gerund (a verb ending in -ing that serves as a noun) and any modifiers or objects related to it.

• Example : “Swimming in the ocean” has always terrified her.

8. Participial Phrases

Participial phrases include a present or past participle and any modifiers. These phrases usually act as adjectives, providing further information about a noun or pronoun.

• Example : “Running toward the finish line,” the athlete collapsed in joy.

Utilizing phrases effectively in sentences is essential for crafting clear, engaging, and nuanced writing. Phrases add detail and complexity, enhancing the reader’s understanding and interest. Here’s a guide on integrating various types of phrases into your sentences.

How to Use Phrases in a Sentence

Noun phrases examples.

• A bouquet of vibrant flowers brightened the room.
• She adopted a cat with white fur .

Verb Phrases Examples

• They have been preparing for the exam all week.
• She can sing beautifully.

Adjective Phrases Examples

• The runner, tired from the long race , collapsed at the finish line.
• We entered a room full of busy people .

Adverbial Phrases Examples

• She spoke with great enthusiasm .
• Due to the storm , the event was postponed.

Prepositional Phrases Examples : :

• He sat on the old wooden bench .
• Before the show , we had dinner.

Tips for Using Phrases in Sentences:

• Enhance clarity and detail : Use phrases to provide specific details that clarify or add depth to your sentences.
• Maintain balance : While phrases enhance sentences, too many can make them cumbersome. Balance detail with brevity.
• Match the context : Ensure the phrases you use are appropriate to the sentence’s context and overall message.

Importance of Phrases in English

• Phrases are the core components that form sentences. Without phrases, sentences would lack detail and structure, making communication less effective.
• Phrases add precision and clarity to sentences by providing essential information about the action, location, time, and manner.
• Through adjective and adverbial phrases, English allows speakers and writers to describe concepts and actions in vivid detail, enhancing imagery and understanding.
• Phrases enable the expression of complex ideas by allowing the inclusion of additional information without the need for multiple sentences, thus keeping communication concise yet comprehensive.
• The use of different types of phrases (noun, verb, prepositional) gives speakers the flexibility to rearrange words and change the emphasis within sentences, tailoring their speech or writing to different contexts and audiences.
• Mastery of phrases helps in developing language fluency. Understanding and using various phrase structures can significantly enhance a learner’s speaking and writing skills.
• Learning about phrases supports overall language development by helping individuals grasp the nuances of English syntax and grammar.
• Effective communication often depends on the speaker’s ability to strategically use phrases to convey thoughts in an organized, clear, and engaging manner.

Phrases Function in a Sentence

• Phrases can act as the subject of a sentence, performing the action of the verb.
• Example : “The barking dog” keeps the neighbors awake.
• Verb phrases constitute the predicate, expressing what the subject is doing or being.
• Example : She “is preparing for the exam.”
• Phrases can function as objects, either direct or indirect, receiving the action of the verb.
• Example : John enjoyed “a long, relaxing walk.”
• Phrases can serve as complements, providing more information about the subject or object, often after linking verbs.
• Example : His greatest fear is “being alone.”
• Phrases can modify nouns (adjective phrases) or verbs (adverbial phrases), providing additional details like description, time, place, reason, or manner.
• Example (adjective phrase): The car “with the black stripes” is faster.
• Example (adverbial phrase): They danced “with great enthusiasm.”
• An appositive phrase renames or provides more information about a noun mentioned earlier in the sentence, adding descriptive detail or clarification.
• Example : My sister, “an experienced pilot,” will join us tomorrow.
• Prepositional phrases begin with a preposition and end with a noun or pronoun, adding context such as location, direction, time, or manner.
• Example : He found his keys “under the couch.”

Fill in the Blanks

• Answer: “The beach”
• Answer: “has been living”
• Answer: “on the shelf”
• Answer: “beautifully renovated”
• Answer: “well ahead”

Convert to Phrase

• Answer: “The loudly barking dog”
• Answer: “can swim very fast”
• Answer: “blooming in the garden”
• Answer: “in a very loud voice”
• Answer: “by the old oak tree”

Find Out the Phrase in the Sentence

• Answer: “The old man”
• Answer: “have been working”
• Answer: “expensive and sleek”
• Answer: “beautifully in the choir”
• Answer: “under the bed”
• Answer: “To win the championship”
• Answer: “Swimming in the ocean”
• Answer: “Running toward the finish line”

What is Simple Phrases?

A simple phrase is a group of two or more words that function as a single unit within a sentence but do not contain a subject and a verb. Simple phrases can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, depending on their construction and usage in context.

What is a Phrase for Kids?

For kids, a phrase can be explained as a small group of words that are used together to add meaning to a sentence. Unlike sentences, phrases do not have both a subject and a verb and do not express a complete thought.

Is Two Words a Phrase?

Yes, two words can form a phrase if they function together as a unit in a sentence. Examples include “on time,” “high school,” and “very cold.” These combinations provide additional information but do not form complete sentences on their own.

What are the 4 Common Types of Phrases?

The four common types of phrases in English are noun phrases, verb phrases, adjective phrases, and adverbial phrases. Each serves a specific function in the sentence, such as acting as a subject, describing actions, or modifying other words.

Can a Single Word be a Phrase?

Typically, a single word does not constitute a phrase because phrases are defined as groups of words that work together. However, in some contexts, a single-word expression might function as a phrase if it behaves like one grammatically.

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The Intensive English Program is designed for international college students who want to improve their academic English language skills among a dynamic, diverse group of students. This summer, develop the skills, fluency, and confidence you need to communicate effectively in English. You will improve your overall abilities in both spoken and written English, as well as your understanding of the cultural diversity in the U.S.

You can expect to improve your English in the following ways: 

• communicate more confidently
• speak more accurately and fluently
• improve your written English
• expand your vocabulary
• improve your understanding of grammar
• socialize and network with greater confidence

At the beginning of the program, students take an English Placement Exam to determine their levels and are placed in class with students of a similar level.

Date: Program Dates: Session B, July 1 - August 2, 2024 Application Deadline:  May 6, 2024

Our application for Summer 2024 courses and programs is now open.

Intensive English Daily Schedule*

*Individual schedules may vary. This is for reference only.

Intensive English Courses

Core classes meet Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 12:15 pm.  

Morning Class​es 

Academic reading and writing.

• Read, discuss and write about dynamic issues
• Create projects with international colleagues
• Investigate U.S. cultures
• Develop critical reading and writing skills
• Improve revising and editing skills
• Increase your reading comprehension and analytical skills
• Study literature and learn to write critically about it

Academic Speaking and Listening

• Participate effectively in academic discussions and presentations
• Expand your knowledge through presentations and videos
• Practice American English pronunciation
• Conduct oral presentations on topics of interest

Afternoon Elective Classes

Elective classes are designed to be engaging, student-centered and participatory. The courses help you improve your English language skills while learning about a unique aspect of American culture.

Sample Elective classes:

• TOEFL Preparation - Practice for the TOEFL
• Pronunciation -  Practice American English pronunciation
• American Idioms and Pronunciation
• Society Today
• Video Production Workshop
• Business Games
• Sports in the USA

Tuition and Fees

For other fees and residential costs, please visit our Tuition and Fees page . All tuition and fees, including room and meal charges, must be paid in full by Friday, June 7, 2024.

Financial Assistance

Yale Summer Session only offers financial assistance to Yale College students. Financial assistance is not available for visiting students at this time. Visiting students should contact the financial aid office at their home institutions to discuss their options for financial assistance.

Application Information

The application for the Intensive English Program is now open.

When prompted to select a program in the application, select Yale Summer Session . Then, select 2019 Session B: July 1 - August 2. You will see Intensive English Program ( SUMR S011)  listed on the course selection page. 

To be considered for admission, you must submit the following materials before May 20, 2019:

• Online application
• Application fee and visa processing fee
• Financial documents
• Photocopy of passport
• If under 18, two letters of recommendation
• High school transcript, if current high school student

This is a full time program.  You may not take a second YSS course in addition to this program.

Summer 2019 application is now open.

Courses & Programs

• Courses at Yale
• Yale Summer Online
• Intensive English
• Postgraduate Seminar
• Law Seminar
• Business Seminar
• University Preparation
• Conservatory for Actors
• Yale Writers' Workshop
• Yale Young Writers' Workshop
• Programs Abroad

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An English Town Drops Apostrophes From Street Signs. Some Aren’t Happy.

The move has prompted some resistance, with someone writing an apostrophe on a sign for St. Mary’s Walk. “What’s next?” one North Yorkshire resident asked. “Commas?”

By Jenny Gross

Malcolm Wood, an English teacher in North Yorkshire, did a double take recently as he passed by a quiet road, St. Mary’s Walk. The street’s new sign had no apostrophe.

The change, part of the North Yorkshire Council’s move to phase out apostrophes from its street signs, has elicited dissent in Harrogate, a Victorian spa town in northern England. Soon after the new sign was erected, someone drew an apostrophe on it.

“If you get rid of the apostrophe, what’s next?” said Mr. Wood, who has spent years teaching students the rules of English grammar. “Commas? Full stops?” He asked, “We just use emojis?”

The North Yorkshire Council said that its policy of phasing out apostrophes was not new.

“We appreciate that residents value the meaning and history behind official street names which often date back centuries, and that the removal of punctuation is seen as a reduction in standards,” Karl Battersby, the council’s director of environment, said in a statement on Thursday. “However, the decision does have benefits, such as helping to prevent complications while searching on databases, for instance.” He said the council would be reviewing the matter.

Andrew Jones, the member of Parliament for the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency in North Yorkshire, sent a letter on Wednesday to the head of the council on behalf of several constituents who had complained to him that apostrophes had been dropped from signs for St. Mary’s Walk and King’s Road in Harrogate.

“We spend time, effort and money educating children about the correct use of punctuation so our councils should use punctuation correctly too,” Mr. Jones said in a statement that urged the council to reverse its policy.

The apostrophe policy was reported last month by a local news site, The Stray Ferret, after a resident complained to the publication about the new sign for St. Mary’s Walk.

While some grammarians said apostrophes were as essential as proper spelling, others said they served no real purpose.

John McWhorter, a Columbia University linguist and associate professor, said that he cringes a little bit when he sees a misused apostrophe, but he is never confused about the writer’s meaning.

“Ultimately, no coherent case could be made that apostrophes help with clarity,” said Dr. McWhorter, who writes a weekly column for The New York Times. They are merely “a kind of decoration,” he added.

Dr. McWhorter said apostrophes were the “fish forks” of punctuation. “They sit there, you’re not quite sure how to use them; you’re almost sure to use them wrong.”

Apostrophes crept into written English for arbitrary reasons, Dr. McWhorter said. “It’s one more way to look down on people who never quite mastered ‘its’ and ‘it’s’ when really we should be thinking about how effectively they get their message across.”

Debates about grammar usage elicit strong feelings because language is an important part of identity, said Ellie Rye, an English lecturer at the University of York in England. Still, in the history of the English language, apostrophes are “quite modern,” she said. They were not used to mark possession until the 16th century, in a limited capacity, and more widely in the 17th or 18th centuries, Dr. Rye said.

Over the years, apostrophes have been dropped from some British store names, such as one of Harrogate’s most famous shops, Bettys Café Tea Rooms, which removed its apostrophe decades ago. The British bookseller Waterstones, founded by Tim Waterstone, dropped the apostrophe from its name in 2012.

Bob McCalden, the chairman of the Apostrophe Protection Society, a tiny group in Britain focused on promoting proper usage of the apostrophe, said he took no issue with businesses dropping apostrophes from their names, but phasing them out of street names was “cultural vandalism.”

Dropping the apostrophe from St. Mary’s Walk obscured the history of the street, named after the nearby St. Mary’s Church, he said. “We should be acknowledging and celebrating our social history, rather than trying to erase it."

Mr. McCalden said he was drafting a letter to the chief executive of the North Yorkshire Council to try to persuade it to reverse its decision. There’s some precedent: A decade ago, the Cambridge City Council reversed its decision to remove apostrophes from new road names. Last year, after residents complained that a new sign for St. Mary’s Terrace did not have an apostrophe , local leaders replaced the sign with one that included one.

Rebecca Evans, a writer in Harrogate, acknowledged that languages change over time. But she said the council’s reason for changing the signs was uninspiring. “It’s a bit sad if computer software is dictating how the language of the town is changing,” she said.

Mr. McCalden, who is also a retired information technology director, questioned what computer system was unable to cope with apostrophes. He said that in the case of the post office, for example, it was not as if postal workers said about their computer system, “Oh dear, it fell over because we came across an apostrophe in a street name.”

Jenny Gross is a reporter for The Times in London covering breaking news and other topics. More about Jenny Gross

ESL Classes Offered to BU Dining Services Workers

Dining Services worker Carlos Surillo (left), with his completion certificate, alongside instructor Gina Giamei, a CELOP senior lecturer. Photo by Jake Belcher

Recent graduation ceremony celebrated their hard work and commitment

Amy laskowski.

For the last 12 weeks, during the lull between the lunch and dinner shifts at Warren Towers, BU Dining Services employee Kerrine Tang has been working hard to improve her English. Tang, a native Cantonese speaker from Hong Kong and a 16-year Dining Services employee, enrolled in the relatively new BU Center for English Language & Orientation Programs (CELOP) course English for Dining Services.

The program is designed to teach Dining Services employees the essential English language skills they need to do their jobs more efficiently. These skills include writing, vocabulary around cleanliness and sanitation, enhanced communication about allergies and dietary restrictions with customers (i.e., students) and other staff, and understanding written recipes and instructions, as well as a tutorial in the quirks and rules of the English language.

Consider the “th” sound, which exists in virtually no other language, or how certain English nouns (eyeglasses, salmon) are the same whether they are singular or plural. Although English is the most spoken language in the world , it is also considered one of the toughest to learn.

“I took an English class over 20 years ago at my church, but it was all old ladies,” Tang says during a recent break in the class. She wanted to enroll in this class because she knew it could help her better communicate with her manager at Warren Towers. “And my grandchildren,” she says with a smile.

To date, the free twice-a-week program has graduated nearly 50 students in three cohorts—with more eager to start in the fall. There are also talks about creating a second level of the class during future semesters. Dining Services managers, the CELOP team, and perhaps most important, its students, say the program has been a resounding success. 

When course instructor Gina Giamei , a CELOP senior lecturer, designed the program last year, she shadowed Dining Services workers to see what language skills they needed. The answer was “everything,” she says: listening skills, speaking, reading, writing, building confidence, and new this semester, a digital literacy component. “I’m cocreating these classes with the students, getting the information from them about what they need,” says Giamei, who has been at CELOP for 18 years and teaching ESL courses for 13 years prior to that. “It’s been a joy to teach them. They are so motivated and so grateful. It makes my job easy.”

It’s been a joy to teach them. They are so motivated and so grateful. It makes my job easy. Gina Giamei

“To learn a language while also working at the same time, as well as managing families and personal lives? It’s really difficult,” says Maria Arruda , CELOP managing director. “Some [students] even have two jobs. It’s an amazing accomplishment.” Arruda says that CELOP would love to offer similar ESL workplace programs to other staff departments at BU in the future. 

Increasing confidence

The program’s spring cohort had 18 Dining Services employees, whose native tongues included Spanish, Burmese, Cantonese, French, Haitian Creole, and Amharic. Many of the students, who need their manager’s approval to enroll, say they found out about the program through word-of-mouth.

CELOP’s placement tests are usually digital, but while designing this high beginner–low intermediate level course, Giamei realized many students had issues with digital literacy, so she incorporated some lessons into the classes. These included topics like how to write an email and set up voicemail, using digital menus, and using a translation app on a phone.

She says she’s been impressed with the workers’ dedication (some even asked for extra homework) and their commitment to building community and helping each other. “Their managers have said how they have noticed increased confidence,” says Giamei, beaming. “That was really important to me.”

In one recent class, they talked about shopping, covering topics like when to use the articles “a” or “an,” the difference between the verbs “need” and “want,” and how to use color as an adjective. Giamei says that sometimes students are more challenged by language points (like grammar and pronunciation) in English that vary only slightly in their native tongues. For instance, in Spanish, an adjective usually follows a noun (“a dress blue”), but in English, the adjective comes first (“a blue dress”). 

Giamei reads the phrase “a purple skirt” out loud. “Skerrrrrt,” she says, and the class repeats. “That’s better,” she replies.

They then review the differences between “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.”

“What is that ?” she asks.

“ That is a blue dress,” a student calls out.

“Good!” Giamei says. “He used ‘that’ because it is far away.” 

Now, the lesson gets trickier. “What are these?” she says, pointing to pants, a plural noun, although in this case the word refers to only one item. “Aye-aye-aye,” a student responds, and the class laughs. They move on to practicing conversational English—asking and answering questions, handling money, how to talk about receipts. 

Pomp and Circumstance

CELOP and Dining Services organized a small graduation ceremony for the employees on May 3 to celebrate the end of the course. The organizers invited students’ families, managers, and supporting staff to attend. 

Jon Webster, director of Dining Services, says the ceremony is one of his favorite things his team does during the year. “I think lowering the barrier of communication so that we can all talk to each other is a great way to make friends, and a way to make a great and more productive work environment,” he said at the ceremony. “It’s not necessarily the most comfortable thing to learn a new language. So we’re really celebrating you guys taking the opportunity to do that.” 

“We’re delighted this program is here,” says Paul Riel, associate vice president of Auxiliary Services, which oversees Dining Services. “We love the results of this program and like the way that people are able to do their work and get the opportunity to also study,” and take full advantage of the fact that BU is an educational institution. 

Mark Yates, food service director at Warren Towers, says he’s seen a “tremendous improvement” in the English skills of his employees who’ve taken the class. “It’s not just a benefit to me as their manager, it has helped them communicate with students. For example, they can answer questions about the menu. They’ve also told me it has helped them feel a lot more comfortable in their daily lives, like at the grocery store.”

Graduate Witney Chow, who is from Myanmar, says she learned about the class from her manager and wanted to sign up to improve her English. Before, she says, “I was nervous, afraid to speak. Now, people can understand me more.” 

Classmate Tang volunteered to deliver a short speech at the ceremony and worked with Giamei to help translate it. “This course is a turning point in my life,” Tang said, as she read carefully from a piece of paper in front of the audience. “Now, I dare to speak. I learned English grammar, and I am confident to take further steps to improve my English skills. Thank you for opening doors.”

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Amy Laskowski is a senior writer at Boston University. She is always hunting for interesting, quirky stories around BU and helps manage and edit the work of BU Today ’s interns. She did her undergrad at Syracuse University and earned a master’s in journalism at the College of Communication in 2015. Profile

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Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

There are 3 comments on ESL Classes Offered to BU Dining Services Workers

im glad that dinning services and celop helped the workers learn english, hopefully the program will be offered to dining service workers who wish to continue to learn further english will continue

How wonderful to read about BU’s effort to make learning English available to the staff. It was so exciting to see the confidence in the faces of these graduates after feeling more at home in their environment. CONGRATULATIONS to all for their effort and accomplishment!

This is a terrific service provided by BU! Learning languages late in life can be intimidating, but is possible in a welcoming, caring environment. Congratulations to the students and to the CELOP team for opening this door for our BU co-workers. This should be offered to all BU employees interested in developing their English proficiency.

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12 Language Proficiency Tests Worth Taking

Language proficiency tests have undeniable benefits that will serve you well in your language learning journey.

Indeed, these tests can open doors of opportunities for you—provided you’re able to prepare for and pass them, of course.

Let’s dive into the most common language proficiency tests that cover various linguistic skills. And if you need extra motivation for those upcoming exams, make sure you read until the end!

1. TOEFL (English)

2. ielts (english), 3. toeic (english), 4. cambridge english tests (english), 5. tcf (french), 6. dele (spanish), 7. testdaf (german), 8. telc (german), 9. plida (italian), 10. hsk (chinese), 11. jlpt (japanese), 12. celpe-bras (brazilian portuguese), websites to test your language skills, why take language proficiency tests, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

What it is: TOEFL stands for “Test of English as a Foreign Language.”

Why take it: If you want to enroll in a school in an English-speaking country like the United States, Australia, Canada or the United Kingdom, and you come from a country where English is not the first language, passing the TOEFL proves that you can handle English as the language medium for the coursework.

What the test includes: The TOEFL tests your reading , listening , speaking and writing skills. Each skill has its own section, so expect to go through four sections in all. There are specific elements in the TOEFL designed to assess each of these skills in different ways.

For example, in the Reading Comprehension section, you may be asked to read three to four academic passages and answer a few questions afterward. In the Independent and Integrated Writing sections, you’ll be asked to write an essay or opinion piece on a given topic, and you’ll also need to make a structured argument about something said within a given passage.

How to register for the test: You can register for the test here . Choose “I am a test taker,” then “TOEFL iBT” for a more comprehensive exam.

Validity period: TOEFL results are valid for two years. You can ask the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the exam’s administrator, to independently send your results to the schools and universities you’ve applied to.

What it is: IELTS stands for “International English Language Testing System.”

Why take it: It’s jointly managed by the British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge English Language Assessment—all of which are internationally recognized names in English language education.

What the test includes: You can take one of two IELTS exams. The “Academic” one is geared toward students applying for advanced studies and postgraduate degrees. Meanwhile, the “General Training” is for migrants who wish to demonstrate their English competence as part of their visa or employment application.

Both will test you on all four English communication skills: reading (60 minutes), writing (60 minutes), listening (30 minutes) and speaking (11-14 minutes). The whole test should be finished in two hours and 45 minutes.

How to register for the test: Follow the instructions here .

Validity period: Your IELTS test scores will be valid for two years.

What it is: The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) was developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to measure business English proficiency.

Why take it: According to ETS, the test is recognized by 14,000 organizations in 160 countries. In other words, if you want to get a job in an English-speaking country, an excellent TOEIC score can give you an edge over your competition. 

What the test includes: You have three options for the TOEIC test: (1) the Listening and Reading Test, which is exactly what it sounds like (with the caveat that it’s for those who are already at the intermediate/advanced stage of their English language learning); (2) the Speaking and Writing Test, which is also what it says on the tin and is geared toward intermediate/advanced learners and (3) the Bridge Test, which covers all four of the skills mentioned above and is at the beginner to intermediate level. 

How to register for the test: To register for the test, click here . Make sure you carefully read the PDF files in the registration link to help you better prepare for the test.

Validity period: Like the last two tests above, this one has a two-year validity period.

What it is: The Cambridge English Tests are administered by the Cambridge University Press & Assessment. They are one of the organizations that conduct the IELTS.

Why take it: The Cambridge University Press & Assessment helped to develop the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in the English language. That means their tests follow the standards laid out by an officially recognized language organization in Europe.

What the test includes: Since the Cambridge English Tests follow the CEFR, they have at least one exam for each of the language levels from the lowest to the highest—A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2, respectively.

If you want to test your business English skills specifically, they have the following exams based on your level: (1) B1 Business Preliminary; (2) B2 Business Vantage and (3) C1 Business Higher. 

How to register for the test: To register for the Cambridge English Tests, you need to find an authorized exam center near you, then book with them. Here’s a page with more info on the topic.

Validity period: Unless you took the IELTS, Cambridge English exam results generally don’t have an expiry date .

What it is: TCF stands for Test de Connaissance du Français (literally “French Knowledge Test”). It’s designed for non-native French speakers who want to prove their mettle in the language for any reason—whether it’s personal, academic or professional.

Why take it: Not only does it have an accreditation from the French Ministry of Education, but the TCF also follows the standards set forth in the CEFR.

What the test includes: The TCF is a 76-item, multiple-choice test further divided into three compulsory exams: reading comprehension (29 items), listening comprehension (also 29 items) and grammar (18 items).

In addition to the above, you can take two optional exams—one written and one oral .

How to register for the test: To register for the TCF, fill out this registration form , submit a photo that follows these requirements and e-mail your application to [email protected].

Validity period: TCF exam results are valid for two years.

What it is: Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera ( DELE ) are tests administered by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

Why take it: DELE adheres to the standards set forth by the CEFR.

What the test includes: The DELE is designed to gauge your Spanish reading comprehension and grammar across all of the CEFR levels from A1 (beginner) to C2 (upper advanced). 

How to register for the test: You can usually register online or via the closest examination center. Visit the website of your nearest Instituto Cervantes and look up the current year’s registration details.

Validity period: DELE results don’t have an expiry date, since you’re basically getting a diploma.

What it is: The TestDaF is for examinees at the B2 to C1 language proficiency level for German.

Why take it: If you’re aiming to enroll in an institution of higher education in Deutschland , passing this exam can prove that you’re able to handle both the linguistic and academic requirements of German universities .

What the test includes: Although the Goethe-Institut website says you don’t need “specialist knowledge” to pass the exam, you should at least be able to comprehend most academic materials in German.

How to register for the test: Register for the exam here . Make sure you double-check the icons under the heading “Format” to see if you’re taking an online or paper exam.

Validity period: TestDaF exam results don’t have an expiration date.

What it is: This test is designed to evaluate your German aptitude according to CEFR standards. It’s administered by the European Language Certificates (TELC) Deutsch , in partnership with the German federal government.

Why take it: Compared to TestDaF, this test is much more comprehensive. You can take the version of the exam that suits your specific language level from A1 to C2.

What the test includes: Like the other tests listed so far, this one covers reading and listening comprehension, as well as writing and speaking skills. 

Unlike other speaking exams where you’ll be tested individually, this one requires you to pair up with one other examinee. In this case, the examiner will take the role of facilitator and mediate the conversation .

How to register for the test: Find the closest TELC examination center and ask how you can take the German TELC exam with them.

Validity period: Because these exams are taken on a per-level basis, their validity periods don’t expire.

What it is: PLIDA ( Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri or “Dante Alighieri Society Diplomas”) is named after the institution administering it: the Dante Alighieri Society. The Dante Alighieri Society is to Italian what Instituto Cervantes is to Spanish and Goethe-Institut is to German: an institution that aims to promote a specific language around the world.

Why take it: Because PLIDA is officially recognized by the Italian government, you can use it to prove that you’re proficient enough in the language to study, live in and even become a citizen of Italy.

What the test includes: Like many of the tests on this list, PLIDA covers CEFR levels A1 to C2.

How to register for the test: Search for the PLIDA examination center closest to you and contact them regarding specific registration details.

Validity period: Generally, the PLIDA certification doesn’t expire. But if you’re taking it for a very specific purpose (like working in an Italian company), you should double-check whether having taken the exam, say, 10 years ago is still valid proof of your current proficiency in the language. 

What it is: To date, the Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì (HSK) administered by Hanban (an agency of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China) is the only official standardized test for Mandarin Chinese.

Why take it: As I’ve mentioned, it’s literally the only standardized test to prove your mastery of 中文, so you don’t have a choice.

What the test includes: The test covers six proficiency levels from HSK1 to HSK6. Here’s a more comprehensive guide on what you can expect from the test.

It’s worth noting that the oral portion can be taken separately. For this separate speaking section , there are just three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.

How to register for the test: Click on the level you want to take here and follow the instructions.

Validity period: The HSK certificate has a lifetime validity.

What it is: The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is administered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

Why take it: It’s probably the most well-known Japanese language proficiency test in the world. If you apply for any employer that requires you to have a handle on the Japanese language, chances are your results from this exam are what they’ll be looking at.

What the test includes: The test covers five levels from N5 (the lowest proficiency level) to N1 (near-native or native level proficiency).

The JLPT has reading and listening formats comparable to the other language tests featured here, testing your knowledge of different grammatical structures and characters . Strangely enough, it doesn’t have a writing or speaking section—though you should definitely pay attention to these if you’re serious about becoming fluent in Japanese.

How to register for the test: If you’re taking the JLPT in Japan, you have to create a MyJLPT account and follow the instructions here . Otherwise, you should visit your friendly local JLPT testing center and confirm the specific registration requirements with them.

Validity period: The JLPT certification itself doesn’t expire, though the company you work for may set limits on how long you can hold on to it before you have to take the test again.

What it is: Similar to the HSK, the Celpe-Bras is the only official proficiency test in Brazilian Portuguese. (By “official,” I mean it’s sanctioned by the Brazilian government.)

Why take it: If you plan to work or live in Brazil, having a Celpe-Bras certification won’t hurt.

What the test includes: The exam has two main components: an oral section and a written section.

The written section is rather grueling: you have to go through all four tasks in three hours without a break.

On the other hand, the oral section only lasts for about 20 minutes. Five of those minutes will be spent in a recorded face-to-face conversation with an examiner, while the remaining 15 will involve reading three texts and answering oral questions based on those texts.

How to register for the test: Register for the exam here . Make sure to check if there’s an open testing center near you here .

Validity period: The Celpe-Bras certification is valid for life. Like the JLPT, however, the company you’re applying for might impose restrictions on how long ago the test should have been taken to be considered valid for employment purposes.

Aside from language proficiency tests from official bodies, you can also use the following websites to test your mettle:

• Transparent Language. Transparent Language offers free proficiency tests in 26 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Latin, Irish, Dutch, Swedish, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Brazilian Portuguese. Each proficiency test has two sections on grammar, a section on vocabulary and a section on reading comprehension.
• Cactus Language. Cactus offers free tests for 24 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, Dutch, Czech, Polish, Russian, Croatian, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Thai, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Norwegian and Japanese. Each test contains 40 questions, and you should be able to complete the whole test in about 10 minutes.
• Language Trainers. Language Trainers offers tests for 20 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, Russian, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, Hebrew, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Polish, Swahili and Japanese. What makes this one stand out is that it asks that you only answer when you’re sure it’s correct since guessing could lead to inaccurate scores—beyond that, the tests are fairly flexible.
• Sprachcaffe. Sprachcaffe offers free online proficiency tests for seven languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic and Chinese. To take the tests, you must complete a brief signup for the site, but then you’re immediately free to take the tests. Each test contains about 70 questions, and once you’ve completed the test, you’ll receive your approximate level.
• Language Testing International. Language Testing International offers certifications in over 100 languages, including popular languages like Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Japanese, along with less common ones like Kazakh, Lao, Somali and countless others. Taking a test through this site can provide you with language certification from the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) , which will certainly be a bright spot on any résumé.
• They can be used as proof of competence for job applications and advanced studies. Your language proficiency test results are clear and succinct statements of your competency in the language. I’m not saying the tests are perfect, but they  are a handy shortcut when you want to prove your linguistic chops. That’s why many governments, companies and institutions require them from applicants. A standard measure like C2 tells them more than they need to know about you and your skills. So, for someone who wants to work in a specific country or take advanced classes, a language proficiency test might be a required element of your application.
• Passing language proficiency exams is a major confidence booster. They add a spring to your steps, scaffolding your chin so that it always remains up. To know that you’re good enough can make you want to brag, even if it’s just to yourself or your mom. You passed a hurdle and knocked one out of the park. So, what can life throw your way that you can’t handle? You already have personal proof that as long as you put your mind into it, you’ll make it.
• They can give you that extra motivation to take your language studies more seriously. When you’re anticipating that you’re about to take a major life-changing test soon, you’re more motivated to hit the books , work the flashcards and stay in on Saturday evenings. You get motivated because you’re paying for it yourself and because you don’t get to take it every day. You’ve got one shot to prove yourself (unless you want to pay the fee and sit down to take the test again). And you can boost your chances of passing your exam if you use a language learning platform like FluentU .

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

Try FluentU for FREE!

To end this post, let me simply say that language fluency tests are not the monsters of the deep they’re often purported to be.

They’re simply a gauge, a way of telling you where you are in your language journey. They’re a check, a guide you can use to plan your way and achieve your goals.

So, have at it already, and good luck!

If you dig the idea of learning on your own time from the comfort of your smart device with real-life authentic language content, you'll love using FluentU .

With FluentU, you'll learn real languages—as they're spoken by native speakers. FluentU has a wide variety of videos as you can see here:

FluentU App Browse Screen.

FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.

Didn't catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.

Interactive, dual-language subtitles.

You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentU's "learn mode." Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU Has Quizzes for Every Video

And FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You get a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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Poet David Biespiel takes students on an exploration of happiness

SWLF Student publishes in the Oregon Stater Magazine

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Author and botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer will receive the 2024 Stone Award at PRAx on May 17

SWLF Celebrates!

The School of Writing, Literature, and Film celebrates our graduating students and 2023 scholarship and award recipients.

Welcome to the School of Writing, Literature and Film!

The School of Writing, Literature and Film is the privileged place at Oregon State University for students, scholars, creative writers, and rhetoricians to gather together to discuss, critique, love, and celebrate the English language in all its diverse forms. We offer a number of degree programs, including undergraduate majors in English and Creative Writing and minors in English , Writing , Film , and Applied Journalism . We also host two fully-funded graduate programs: an MA in English and an MFA in Creative Writing .

These degrees testify to both the marvelous capaciousness of the English language and the enduring importance of learning its many modes and forms. It is a medium that can, after all, bring people together or push them apart. It is a platform that enables us to tell our stories--real or imagined--in poetry, prose, and film.  It is a communication system through which we share our worldviews and think through our most pressing local, national, and global problems. It is our bridge to older cultures, histories, stories, and traditions that challenge and inform the values of the present. Students therefore leave our programs not only with skills suitable for a variety of careers and professions but also, and as importantly, with a deeper knowledge of the many ways in which our language and culture give meaning to our lives. 

Look for these highlights on our website:

• Our English Letter , which tells current stories about the lives and achievements of our talented students and faculty
• Our Events page, which offers a glimpse into the many lectures, readings, and meetings that make Moreland Hall a vibrant community space
• Our Stone Award prize, which is one of the most substantial awards for literary achievement offered by any university in the country
• Our popular public outreach projects, including The Oregon State Guide to Literary Terms , The Oregon State Guide to Grammar , and the online Romeo and Juliet , which have been viewed by millions of students, teachers, and lovers of English language and literature around the world

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The School of Writing, Literature, and Film supports and welcomes all students, including those who represent historically and currently marginalized communities and identities. As an academic unit, we challenge injustice and recognize the importance of the lived experiences of race, economic background, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, ability, citizenship status, and religion. While we navigate past and present institutional discrimination, we continuously evolve and remain aware of future barriers that our students, faculty, and staff may face as sociopolitical climates change and legal rights of minoritized populations are threatened. As a community of learners, scholars, and writers, we strive to build welcoming classes and environments and embody equity in the work that we do while recognizing the role that systemic privilege plays in educational environments, creative endeavors, and academic scholarship.

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