List of 125 Words and Phrases You Should Never Use in an Essay

about/around	Use "approximately" instead.
absolute best	"Absolute" is redundant—just use "best."
absolute worst	For the same reason as above, just use "worst."
absolutely	Eliminate unnecessary adverbs in academic writing.
absurd	Don't say something is absurd; show that it is by using logical argumentation.
actual	It is unlikely that the meaning of your sentence will be altered by deleting this usually redundant word.
add an additional	"Additional" is redundant—remove it.
all throughout	"All" is redundant.
almost	Specify the level of progress instead of using vague language.
alternative choice	Use either of these words but not both together.
amazing	Do not use emotive language in academic writing.
and etc.	This is grammatically incorrect—just use "etc."
area	Specify which area you are talking about.
as a matter of fact	This is colloquial language and inappropriate for an essay.
ask the question	Just use "question."
assemble together	Just use "assemble."
at a later time/date	The concept of time is implicit, so just use "later."
basic	Try deleting this word; nine times out of ten, it will make your sentence read better.
beautiful	Do not use emotive language in academic writing.
belief	Rephrase this using the verb "believe."
big, small, short, tall	Describe the exact size rather than using these words.
blend together	"Together" is redundant—just use "blend."
careful scrutiny	"Careful" is redundant—just use "scrutiny."
caused considerable confusion	Rephrase this using the verb "confuse."
certainly	Skepticism is a key academic value; certainty has no place.
close proximity	This is wordy; just use "near."
completely	Remove unnecessary adverbs.
connect together	"Together" is redundant—just use "connect."
cut down on	Use "reduce" instead of employing a figure of speech.
decrease in strength	Say "weaken" instead—it's more concise.
depreciate in value	The word "depreciate" already implies a value is being discussed, so delete "in value."
different kinds	"Different" is usually unnecessary in this phrase.
disagreeable	This is an emotional word, which should be avoided in academic writing.
disgusting	Use less emotive and more descriptive language.
due to	Use "because" instead.
during the course of	"The course of" is redundant—just use "during."
dwindle down	"Down" is redundant—just use "dwindle."
each and every	Use either "each" or "every."
equal to one another	"To one another" is redundant—just use "equal."
evolve over time	All evolution happens over time, so delete "over time."
exceptional	If something is exceptional, demonstrate how so using facts and allow your reader to reach their own conclusion.
fellow classmate/colleague	All colleagues and classmates are fellows, so there is no need to use that word.
filled to capacity	"To capacity" is redundant—just use "filled."
first and foremost	Choose one, don't use both.
first conceived	"First" is unnecessary.
first of all	"Of all" is redundant—just use "first."
fly through the air	"Through the air" is redundant—just use "fly."
for all intents and purposes	This phrase is a mouthful and usually redundant.
for the most part	Wordy; try "predominantly" instead.
for the purpose of	This concept can be expressed in fewer words than this.
foreign imports	All imports are foreign, so just say "imports."
former graduate	Once a graduate, always a graduate—"former" is inaccurate.
fuse/join/merge/mix together	The word "together" is redundant when used with any of these verbs.
future plans	All plans are for the future, so just say "plans."
gather together	The word "together" is redundant—just use "gather."
general public	"General" adds nothing—just use "public."
go on	This phrase is too casual in most contexts; use "continue" instead.
gorgeous	Overly emotive for academic writing.
here’s the thing	This phrase is too colloquial for use in academic writing.
hollow tube	Tubes are hollow by definition.
I might add	If you want to add something, just add it—no need to say you're doing so.
in my opinion	The whole essay is your opinion—focus on supporting your argument coherently.
in order to	"In order" is redundant—just use "to."
in spite of the fact	Too wordy—just say "although."
in the event of/that	This phrase is wordy; you can express the same concept with a two-letter word—"it."
incontrovertibly	Nothing is incontrovertible in academia. If you want to assert something, back it up.
integrate with each other	"With each other" is redundant—just use "integrate."
introduce the new	Just say "introduce."
irrefutable	Nothing is irrefutable in academic writing. This word will only make your reader question why you haven't backed up your assertion.
it seems like	Use "probably" instead.
joint collaboration	All collaborations are joint, so delete "joint."
kind of	This phrase is too casual for an essay.
knowledgeable expert	All experts are knowledgeable, so just use "expert."
look no further	Telling an academic to "look no further" tends to have the opposite effect.
made out of	Just use "made of."
major breakthrough	All breakthroughs are major, so delete "major."
may/might possibly	"Possibly" is redundant—just use "may" or "might."
meaningful	Meaningful in what sense? Use more specific language.
miraculous	Overly emotive for academic writing.
more or less	This phrase is imprecise; be more specific.
mutual cooperation	"Mutual" is redundant—just use "cooperation."
needless to say, it goes without saying	If it's truly needless to say something, don't say it at all.
never before	"Before" is redundant—just use "never."
new innovation/invention	All innovations and inventions are new, so delete "new."
now pending	"Now" is redundant—just use "pending."
on a regular basis	Wordy; try "frequently" or "regularly" instead.
originally created	"Originally" adds nothing here—just use "created."
past experience	"Past" is redundant—just use "experience."
period of time	All periods are "of time," so just use "period."
pick out	Somewhat colloquial; try "highlight" instead.
point out	Somewhat colloquial; try "emphasize" instead.
polar opposites	"Polar" adds nothing to the meaning of this phrase, so just use "opposites."
present an analysis/recommendation/conclusion	Instead of saying you will "present" an analysis/recommendation/conclusion, turn the nouns into verbs: "analyze/recommend/conclude."
present time	"Time" is redundant—just use "present."
prove	Instead of saying something is proven, focus on proving it.
reason why	"Why" is redundant—just use "reason."
refer/reply/revert back	"Back" is not needed in these examples—delete it.
repulsive	Overly emotive for academic writing.
ridiculous	Overly emotive for academic writing.
sensational	Exaggerated language like this feels out of place in an essay and usually has the opposite effect to that intended.
settles the debate	The objective of an essay is to contribute to a debate, not to settle it. This phrase comes across as arrogant and ignorant.
sickening	Overly emotive for academic writing.
and so on, and so forth	Adding "and so on" at the end of a list of examples looks either lazy or like you are trying to pad your essay.
something	Specify what "something" is.
sort of	Replace this with a more specific and formal qualifier.
stuff	Colloquial and vague; specify the stuff you are talking about.
stupid	Insulting people or ideas is rude and inappropriate; if you want to advance an alternative idea, do so using logic.
superb	"Boosters" like this feel out of place in an essay and overusing it will hurt your grades.
take a look at	Instead, use "examine."
talk about	Use "examine" or "discuss" instead.
the first step is to	Wordy; replace with a simple verb such as "start."
make it to	Use "reach" instead.
good, bad	These words risk being subjective.
thoroughly convincing	There is no need to use "thoroughly" here.
time and time again	This colloquial phrase can be deleted from most sentences without changing their meaning.
try to figure out	This is too colloquial for an essay—try a verb like "determine" instead.
unbelievable	This exaggerated, emotional language is not appreciated in an academic context.
undeniable	Saying this makes you look dogmatic.
very, quite, really, totally, actually	These overused modifiers look like padding—examiners hate them.
when it comes to	If you restructure the sentence, you can probably just use "when."
which is	Try deleting "which is" from the phrase "the emu, which is endemic to Australia," and you'll find that your sentence is equally coherent.
who is	Instead of saying "Karen Lee, who is an astronomer," just say "Karen Lee, an astronomer."
with absolute certainty	Saying "with absolute certainty" does not increase the certainty of anything, so work on your argument instead.
within that time frame	"Frame" is redundant—delete it.
without a doubt	Don't assert that something is certain; it is important to be open to new possibilities.

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