Academic Collocations

Academic Collocations

Word List

Word Definition Example
Mount evidence build up evidence / amass datato accumulate an increasing body of supporting evidenceThe evidence is mounting that early intervention is most effective.
Yield results produce results / generate findingsto produce results, especially after research or effortThe new methodology yielded surprising results.
Underpin a theory support / substantiate / groundto provide the foundation or support for a theoryClassical mechanics underpins much of modern engineering.
Pervade the literature dominate / saturate / run throughto be present throughout an area of academic writingA lack of longitudinal data pervades the literature in this field.
Compelling evidence persuasive / overwhelming / strong evidenceevidence that is very convincing and difficult to disputeThere is compelling evidence that diet affects cognitive function.
Nuanced analysis sophisticated / subtle analysisanalysis that takes account of fine distinctions and avoids oversimplificationThe paper offers a nuanced analysis of the political dynamics involved.
Rigorous methodology robust / systematic methodologya research method that is thorough, precise, and scientifically soundThe study employed a rigorous methodology, including blind peer review.
Widely acknowledged broadly recognised / generally acceptedaccepted or recognised by the majority of people in a fieldIt is widely acknowledged that the causes are multiple and interrelated.
Empirically supported evidence-based / data-drivenbacked by evidence from observation or experiment, not just theoryThe hypothesis is empirically supported by three independent studies.
Profoundly shaped deeply influenced / fundamentally formedfundamentally influenced or determined by somethingModern science has been profoundly shaped by the digital revolution.
Scant attention insufficient attention / neglectvery little attention or consideration given to somethingThis area of research has received scant attention in the literature.
Call into question challenge / cast doubt on / undermineto cause doubts about the validity or truth of somethingNew data calls into question the assumptions of the original model.

Academic Collocations — Practice

Which word is it?

  1. To accumulate an increasing body of supporting evidence:  
  2. To produce results, especially after research or effort:  
  3. To provide the foundation or support for a theory:  
  4. To be present throughout an area of academic writing:  
  5. Evidence that is very convincing and difficult to dispute:  
  6. Analysis that takes account of fine distinctions and avoids oversimplification:  
  7. A research method that is thorough, precise, and scientifically sound:  
  8. Accepted or recognised by the majority of people in a field:  
  9. Backed by evidence from observation or experiment, not just theory:  
  10. Fundamentally influenced or determined by something:  
  11. Very little attention or consideration given to something:  
  12. To cause doubts about the validity or truth of something:  

Complete the sentences

  1. A lack of longitudinal data   the literature in this field.
  2. This area of research has received   in the literature.
  3. The paper offers a   of the political dynamics involved.
  4. The evidence is   that early intervention is most effective.
  5. It is   that the causes are multiple and interrelated.
  6. Classical mechanics   much of modern engineering.
  7. Modern science has been   by the digital revolution.
  8. There is   that diet affects cognitive function.
  9. New data   the assumptions of the original model.
  10. The study employed a  , including blind peer review.
  11. The new methodology   surprising results.
  12. The hypothesis is   by three independent studies.

Academic Collocations — Answer Key

Which word is it?

  1. Mount evidence
  2. Yield results
  3. Underpin a theory
  4. Pervade the literature
  5. Compelling evidence
  6. Nuanced analysis
  7. Rigorous methodology
  8. Widely acknowledged
  9. Empirically supported
  10. Profoundly shaped
  11. Scant attention
  12. Call into question

Complete the sentences

  1. pervades
  2. scant attention
  3. nuanced analysis
  4. mounting
  5. widely acknowledged
  6. underpins
  7. profoundly shaped
  8. compelling evidence
  9. calls into question
  10. rigorous methodology
  11. yielded
  12. empirically supported