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Academic Grammar

Academic Grammar

Reference

Rule Example
Nominalisationverbs/adjs → nounsdecision, importance, expansion
Hedgingmay, could, appears, tends tocautious claims
ImpersonalIt is + passive + that / one / inanimate subjectIt is argued that...
Avoidcontractions · phrasal verbs · absolutes · I think · veryreplace with formal alternatives

Common mistakes

  1. I think this is a big problem. → This appears to be a significant issue.
    academic: impersonal + precise vocab
  2. A lot of people don't agree. → A considerable proportion of respondents disagree.
    precise quantifier + formal verb
  3. The economy is growing fast. → The economy is expanding at a rapid rate.
    nominalisation + precise modifier

Academic Grammar — Exercises

Choose the academic version

Circle the correct answer.

  1. Which sentence is the most academic? (A considerable proportion of respondents disagreed. / Loads of people didn't agree. / Lots of people said no.)
  2. Which is a hedged claim? (Social media may contribute to poorer sleep. / Social media ruins sleep. / Social media always ruins sleep.)
  3. Choose the nominalised version of "The government failed to act quickly." (The government's failure to act quickly / The government failing quick / Government fail acting)
  4. It is widely _____ that early intervention is effective. (acknowledged / acknowledging / acknowledge)
  5. The data _____ using statistical software. (were analysed / we analysed / analysed)
  6. Findings are broadly _____ with previous research. (consistent / consist / consisting)
  7. Which verb is most academic? (investigate / look into / check out)
  8. The economy is expanding at a _____ rate. (rapid / really fast / super quick)

Make it academic

Write the missing word.

  1.   could argue that the policy is misguided.
  2. There is evidence to   that sleep affects memory.
  3.   70% of respondents agreed.
  4. The results were   significant. (= very, academic)
  5. The study   that exercise improves mood. (= shows, inanimate subject)
  6. The researchers attempted to   the cause. (= find out)

Academic Grammar — Answer Key

Choose the academic version

  1. A considerable proportion of respondents disagreed. — Precise quantifier + formal noun → a considerable proportion of respondents.
  2. Social media may contribute to poorer sleep. — may contribute to — cautious.
  3. The government's failure to act quickly — fail → failure.
  4. acknowledged — It + passive + that → acknowledged.
  5. were analysed — Agentless passive → were analysed.
  6. consistent — consistent with — standard academic phrase.
  7. investigate — Single Latinate verb → investigate.
  8. rapid — Precise modifier → rapid.

Make it academic

  1. One
  2. suggest
  3. Approximately
  4. highly
  5. indicates
  6. discover