academic
Academic Writing in English: 50+ Essential Phrases and Expressions
The right phrases make all the difference in an academic paper. Do you find yourself staring at a blank screen, searching for the perfect way to open your thesis? From "This paper examines..." to "Further research is needed..." – every section has its own linguistic conventions. In this interactive lesson, you will learn the most important academic expressions for introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion – with exercises you can apply immediately.
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Learning Content
Academic Phrases for Scientific Writing in English
Whether it is a bachelor thesis, master thesis, or research paper – anyone who writes academically in English needs more than good grammar. The academic world has its own linguistic conventions, and the right phrases determine the professional impression of your work.
In this lesson, we guide you through every section of an academic paper and show you the most important phrases and expressions you need to know:
- Introduction: Formulating research questions and justifying relevance
- Literature Review: Citing sources with the right reporting verbs
- Methodology: Describing your approach in the passive voice
- Results & Discussion: Presenting and interpreting data
- Conclusion: Summarising and providing an outlook
With interactive exercises from fill-in-the-blank to a final quiz, you will consolidate your knowledge immediately.
Includes interactive exercises and final test. Duration: approx. 25 minutes.
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Core Vocabulary: Academic Writing
6 words
hypothesis
nounAn assumption or proposition to be tested through a study
The hypothesis was confirmed by the data.
to investigate
verbTo examine or research something systematically
This study investigates the impact of climate change.
findings
nounResults or discoveries of a research study
The findings suggest a strong correlation.
to argue
verbTo present and support a thesis (not: to quarrel)
Smith (2020) argues that further research is needed.
methodology
nounThe systematic approach used in a research study
The methodology is based on qualitative interviews.
to conclude
verbTo reach a final judgement, to summarise
We conclude that the treatment is effective.
Tip
Academic English is formal: Avoid contractions (don't → do not), colloquial expressions, and unsupported personal opinions. Instead, use impersonal constructions like It can be argued that... or the passive voice: The data were collected...
Phrases for the Introduction
The Introduction: Research Question and Aim
The Introduction is the centrepiece of your paper. Here you formulate the research question, justify the relevance of the topic, and outline the structure of your work. Typical phrases include:
Introducing the topic:
- This paper examines / investigates / explores...
- The purpose of this study is to...
- This research addresses the question of...
Justifying relevance:
- This topic is of particular importance because...
- There is a growing need for...
- Despite extensive research, little is known about...
Outlining structure:
- The paper is structured as follows...
- Section 2 provides a review of the literature...
Exercise: Complete the Introduction Phrases
This paper ______ the impact of social media on academic performance.
True or False: Introduction
'This paper examines...' is an acceptable opening for an academic paper.
Phrases for the Literature Review
Literature Review: Referencing Sources
In the Literature Review, you place your work within the existing research context. You summarise what other scholars have found and identify gaps. The right reporting verbs are essential:
Agreeing with sources:
- Smith (2020) demonstrates / confirms / establishes that...
- As noted by Johnson (2019)...
Neutral reporting:
- According to Brown (2021)...
- Previous research has shown that...
- Several studies have investigated...
Critical reporting:
- However, Miller (2022) challenges this view...
- This approach has been criticised for...
Identifying gaps:
- There is limited research on...
- No study to date has examined...
Matching: Reporting Verbs and Their Function
Click on a word on the left and then on the matching translation on the right.
Phrases for the Methodology
Methodology: Describing Your Approach
In the Methodology section, you describe how you carried out your research. The passive voice is predominantly used here, as the focus is on the process rather than the person.
Data collection:
- Data were collected through / by means of...
- A questionnaire was distributed to...
- Semi-structured interviews were conducted with...
Sample:
- The sample consisted of 200 participants...
- Participants were selected using...
Analysis:
- The data were analysed using...
- A qualitative / quantitative approach was adopted...
Warning
Common Mistake – 'data' is plural: In academic English, 'data' is a plural noun (singular: datum). Therefore write: The data were collected... (not: The data was collected...). In informal English, 'data' is increasingly used as singular, but in academic texts the plural form remains standard.
Exercise: Methodology Phrases
Which sentence is correct for the methodology section?
Phrases for Results and Discussion
Presenting and Discussing Results
In the Results and Discussion sections, you present your data and interpret them. Note the difference: in the Results you only describe what you found. In the Discussion you interpret those findings.
Presenting results:
- The findings indicate / reveal / show that...
- A significant correlation was found between...
- As shown in Table 1 / Figure 2...
- The results are consistent with...
Discussing results:
- These results suggest that...
- One possible explanation for this is...
- This finding is in line with / contradicts...
- A possible limitation of this study is...
Fill in the Blanks: Results and Discussion
The findings ______ that there is a strong link between exercise and mental health.
Translation: Academic Phrases
German
Diese Studie untersucht den Einfluss von sozialen Medien auf das Lernverhalten.
Phrases for the Conclusion
The Conclusion: Summarising and Looking Ahead
In the Conclusion section, you summarise the key findings and provide an outlook for future research. Do not simply repeat the introduction; instead, show what your work has contributed to the field.
Summarising:
- In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that...
- To summarise, the key findings of this research are...
- This paper has argued that...
Stating implications:
- These findings have important implications for...
- The results of this study contribute to...
Looking ahead:
- Further research is needed to...
- Future studies should investigate...
- It would be valuable to explore...
Sentence Builder: Constructing Academic Sentences
Translation: This study has demonstrated that further research is needed.
Information
Hedging – Cautious Language: In academic writing, absolute statements are rare. Instead of 'X causes Y', write: X may contribute to Y, X appears to influence Y, or The evidence suggests that X plays a role in Y. These hedges demonstrate academic rigour.
Word Scramble: Academic Keywords
Final Quiz: Academic Writing
Which phrase is most suitable for the introduction of an academic paper?
More Lessons
English Proofreading for Academic Texts: What You Need to Know
Academic Writing in English: The Complete Guide for German Students
English Proofreading: 10 Tricks for Error-Free Texts
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