Academic writing requires a higher level of communication. Check out our list of formal words for academic writing to write on a more elevated level.
In the world of academic writing, formality is a necessity. Words that are too casual, contractions, and sometimes even second-person writing go against the rules and regulations of popular style guides like the MLA and the APA. This list of formal words for academic writing can help writers start writing more professionally.
Contents
What Are Formal Words?
Formal words for MLA academic writing are the words writers place into their writing to make it sound like they are well-educated. These words replace commonplace words like “happy” or “buy,” giving the academic paper an elevated feel without changing the meaning of the writing.
| Acceptable | Difficult | Numerous |
| According | Discard | Notably |
| Acquisition | Discover | Observe |
| Additionally | Distribute | Occupation |
| Adequate | Donate | Omit |
| Alternatively | Effortless | Opportunity |
| Amiable | Elude | Perhaps |
| Analysis | Equipment | Permit |
| Appear | Establish | Persuade |
| Ascend | Evade | Present |
| Aspect | Exceptional | Presumption |
| Assist | Experiment | Primarily |
| Beneficial | Exploitative | Principally |
| Besides | Fabricate | Proceed |
| Cancel | Fail | Postpone |
| Cease | Firstly | Purchase |
| Challenge | Furthermore | Receive |
| Circular | However | Regard |
| Criticize | Importantly | Responsible |
| Commence | Incorrect | Seek |
| Comparably | Increase | Select |
| Complicated | Inevitable | Similarly |
| Conceive | Inform | Subject |
| Considerable | Initially | Subsequently |
| Considering | Initiative | Sufficient |
| Construct | Intermittently | Terminate |
| Contaminated | Intrinsic | Therefore |
| Controversial | Introduce | Transparent |
| Correct | Investigate | Undermine |
| Damage | Invite | Vacant |
| Decrease | Improve | Validity |
| Deficiency | Manage | Verify |
| Demonstrate | Moreover | Whereas |
| Differentiation | Negative |
Formal Adjectives for Academic Writing
Adjectives are words that describe nouns and pronouns. They have their place in academic writing, but writers do need to choose elevated descriptive words.
1. Acceptable
An acceptable outcome would be for the students to earn a passing grade on the exam.
2. Adequate
If the experiment uses an adequate amount of liquid, the result will be a polymer.
3. Amiable
Julius Caesar thought he had an amiable relationship with Brutus, but he was proven wrong by his assassination at his former friend’s hand.
4. Beneficial
A mutually beneficial arrangement between two living organisms is called symbiosis.
5. Circular
Circular reasoning never reaches a conclusion.
6. Complicated
The complicated equation was readily solved by the mathematician.
7. Considerable
A considerable discount is available to veterans.
8. Contaminated
The contaminated solution damaged the experiment.
9. Controversial
A controversial political agreement started the war.
10. Correct
The correct answer is 85.
11. Difficult
Creating alignment between the two chemicals was a difficult challenge.
12. Effortless
The ballerina makes years of work, and challenging movements look effortless.
13. Exceptional
The outcome was exceptional.
14. Exploitative
Exploitative tax laws are often the cause of inflation.
15. Intrinsic
A gem’s intrinsic value is based on what society deems its worth.
16. Negative
Negative emotions can add to feelings of stress and anxiety.
17. Numerous
Numerous complaints against the new tax law caused lawmakers to reconsider their position.
18. Responsible
The responsible party will pay for the activities chosen.
19. Sufficient
Add a sufficient amount of salt to generate the chemical change.
20. Transparent
The chemical reaction created a transparent crystalline structure nearly as clear as glass.
21. Vacant
The child’s vacant expression showed a lack of emotions.
Formal Nouns for Academic Writing
Some nouns are too plain and indistinct for academic writing, but they often have synonyms that can elevate the overall piece. Consider these nouns that work well for academic works.
22. Acquisition
The acquisition of the competitor created a monopoly in the store’s small town.
23. Analysis
Upon further analysis, the experiment was a success.
24. Aspect
All aspects of his personality were under scrutiny.
25. Challenge
The challenge of creating a unified community with different ethnic groups keeps the committee in deliberation.
26. Damage
Damage from the storm cost the community over $2 million.
27. Deficiency
An iron deficiency can cause feelings of exhaustion and lethargy.
28. Differentiation
Differentiation in the classroom can help students excel.
29. Equipment
Keeping equipment clean is an important part of scientific experimentation.
30. Experiment
The test subjects signed their permission to participate in the psychology experiment.
31. Incorrect
An incorrect solution to the first equation will derail the entire system of equations.
32. Inevitable
The inevitable outcome of parenting is sending children to live on their own.
33. Initiative
When the students take the initiative, projects in the classroom get done.
34. Occupation
A college degree is not required for every occupation.
35. Opportunity
When opportunity comes knocking, motivated people take action.
36. Presumption
Making the wrong presumption will lead to the wrong conclusion.
37. Subject
The subject of the experiment responded negatively to the stimuli.
38. Validity
The validity of the research became questionable when the writer’s bias showed through.
Formal Adverbs for Academic Writing
Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Academic writing uses adverbs carefully to avoid having too many, but if your piece requires some, here are the ones you’ll want to choose.
39. According
According to the instructions, the first step is thoroughly cleaning the surface.
40. Besides
Besides the obvious plot line, a closer analysis of The Raven shows a deeper meaning of the famous poem.
41. Comparably
The crops were comparably priced, so the farmer chose the one that would grow better in his area.
42. Initially
When they initially chose the house, they were unaware it sat on a floodplain.
43. Intermittently
The rain intermittently impacted their ability to play baseball.
44. Notably
All non-essential businesses, most notably restaurants, and professional service providers, suffered impacts from COVID-19 closures.
45. Perhaps
Perhaps the most apparent reason for the choice of play for the spring performance was Shakespeare’s ongoing appeal.
46. Primarily
The aim of the new regulation is primarily to help veterans access their benefits.
47. Principally
Walter Frost was principally a poet.
48. Similarly
The two chemicals reacted similarly, except one generating heat and the other staying at the same temperature.
49. Subsequently
The increased taxes subsequently made daily life harder for the peasants.
Formal Verbs for Academic Writing
Even verbs can be too casual. As you write, consider if one of these more formal verbs would fit your piece.
50. Appear
No differences between the two houses appear to be major.
51. Ascend
The politician will ascend to the podium, calm the crowd, and deliver his speech.
52. Assist
The police officer will assist in stopping traffic so the parade can follow its intended path.
53. Cancel
To cancel the agreement, both parties must sign.
54. Cease
The mixture will cease to bubble and fizz, and then the catalyst gets added.
55. Criticize
To criticize the dictator is to break the law in a tyrannical government.
56. Commence
The teams will commence playing after the coin toss.
57. Conceive
When the parents conceive a new idea, the attorneys will meet to discuss it.
58. Considering
For those considering adoption through the foster care system, a long list of important considerations must be made.
59. Construct
The physics class will construct bamboo stick bridges, then test their effectiveness at holding weight.
60. Decrease
Decrease the amount of acid in the solution to make it safe to touch.
61. Demonstrate
To demonstrate proper knowledge of the subject matter, students will write an essay on the topic.
62. Discard
After the reaction, discard the remaining solution safely to avoid damage to the chemistry lab.
63. Discover
The goal of the research project is to discover the most effective teaching strategy for students with ADHD.
64. Distribute
The IRS will distribute the tax rebate checks this month.
65. Donate
Choosing to donate to a charity can help people lower their tax burden.
66. Elude
Though the answer continues to elude scientists as to why the number of honey bees continues to dwindle.
67. Establish
After they establish safety for the refugees, the government will work on immigration paperwork.
68. Evade
The criminal continues to evade capture by the authorities.
69. Fabricate
The small workshop was not large enough to fabricate a boat.
70. Fail
The experiment will fail if the temperatures are not kept at a constant rate.
71. Increase
A vehicle will increase its speed more quickly if it is accelerating on a decline.
72. Inform
The petitioner wishes to inform the court of the change in income.
73. Introduce
The couple will introduce their parents at the wedding reception and provide a toast to each one.
74. Investigate
To investigate the crime thoroughly, the inspector asked for witness statements from everyone in the area.
75. Invite
To invite someone to dinner, use a formal invitation, not an electronic one.
76. Improve
The crime situation did not improve, even with more regulations.
77. Manage
When someone cannot manage their own problems, how can they expect to manage the problems of others?
78. Observe
To observe the changes in material, scientists will need to experiment in a well-lit room.
79. Omit
The recipe will fail to rise if the baker omits the baking soda.
80. Permit
If owners permit their dogs to roam the neighborhood without a leash, chances are high that the animals will be struck by a vehicle.
81. Persuade
The debate team tried to persuade the audience to think differently about their long-held beliefs.
82. Present
It’s important to live in the present and not dwell on the past.
83. Proceed
Pedestrians should proceed with caution through the busy intersection.
84. Postpone
The bride and groom decided to postpone their wedding date so more people could attend.
85. Purchase
A house is a major purchase that requires careful thought and consideration.
86. Receive
Receive gifts with grace and thankfulness.
87. Regard
When athletes regard their coach with respect, the game’s outcome is usually better.
88. Seek
Seek the right advice before making any legal decisions.
89. Select
The scholarship committee will select winners based on academic ability and community service.
90. Terminate
To terminate the contract, read the terms carefully and follow the necessary steps and protocols.
91. Undermine
The senators tried to undermine the work of the committee because they did not agree to the proposed legislation.
92. Verify
Always verify sources on academic papers to ensure they are authoritative.
Transition Words for Academic Writing
Academic writing needs transition words, often at the start of a paragraph or the concluding sentence of a paragraph, to guide the reader to the next idea – these words work well.
93. Additionally
Additionally, the experiment proved the thesis to be true.
94. Alternatively
Alternatively, the parents could agree to a parenting agreement outside of court.
95. Firstly
Firstly, the research study used a double-blind method to ensure little bias in the results.
96. Furthermore
Furthermore, additional research is necessary to come to a conclusion.
97. However
However, one positive outcome was weight loss for all study participants, regardless of the placebo.
98. Importantly
Most importantly, the best interests of the children are at stake.
99. Moreover
Moreover, taking additional time to decide puts the family at risk.
100. Therefore
Researchers concluded, therefore, that the asbestos was a danger to the school children.
101. Whereas
The defendant had no proof, whereas the plaintiff had plenty.
Looking for more? Check out our round-up of unusual words with beautiful meanings!
