Most Common Academic Words for IELTS and TOEFL Success
Research & Analysis
- Analyze/Analysis
- Evaluate/Evaluation
- Hypothesize
- Investigate
- Methodology
- Research
- Theory
- Data
- Evidence
- Validate
Cause & Effect
- Affect/Effect
- Consequence
- Impact
- Influence
- Lead to
- Result in
- Trigger
- Generate
- Cause
- Outcome
Comparison & Contrast
- Compare
- Contrast
- Differ
- Distinguish
- Similar
- Whereas
- While
- However
- Despite
- Nevertheless
Academic Process
- Compile
- Conduct
- Document
- Implement
- Process
- Review
- Study
- Survey
- Examine
- Observe
Description & Features
- Characteristic
- Feature
- Aspect
- Component
- Element
- Factor
- Quality
- Structure
- Pattern
- Nature
Change & Development
- Adapt
- Develop
- Evolve
- Transform
- Transition
- Modify
- Alter
- Shift
- Progress
- Innovation
Quantity & Measurement
- Decrease
- Increase
- Fluctuate
- Significant
- Substantial
- Minimal
- Abundant
- Scarce
- Sufficient
- Inadequate
Argumentation
- Argue
- Claim
- Conclude
- Demonstrate
- Indicate
- Propose
- Suggest
- Support
- Valid
- Justify
Categories & Classification
- Category
- Class
- Group
- Type
- Variety
- Classification
- Division
- Section
- Range
- Spectrum
Academic Phrases
- Introduction
- This paper examines…
- The purpose of this study…
- Recent research indicates…
- Development
- Furthermore
- Moreover
- In addition
- Subsequently
- Consequently
- Examples
- For instance
- To illustrate
- Such as
- Particularly
- Specifically
- Conclusion
- In conclusion
- To summarize
- Therefore
- Thus
- Ultimately
Subject-Specific Terms
- Environmental
- Economic
- Political
- Social
- Cultural
- Technological
- Scientific
- Historical
- Psychological
- Philosophical
Writing Task Words
- Analysis
- Analyze
- Examine
- Investigate
- Explore
- Consider
- Discussion
- Discuss
- Debate
- Address
- Present
- Explain
- Evaluation
- Assess
- Evaluate
- Determine
- Judge
- Measure
Essential Collocations
- Conduct research
- Draw conclusions
- Gather evidence
- Make assumptions
- Present findings
- Raise issues
- Support arguments
- Reach consensus
- Form hypothesis
- Establish criteria
Usage Tips
- Writing Tasks
- Use formal alternatives for common words
- Avoid repetition by using synonyms
- Include topic-specific vocabulary
- Speaking Tasks
- Practice pronunciation of academic terms
- Use transitional phrases fluently
- Incorporate field-specific terminology
- Reading Tasks
- Recognize word families
- Understand context clues
- Identify key academic phrases
- Listening Tasks
- Note signpost words
- Recognize lecture vocabulary
- Follow academic discussions
