9/4/2019 100+ Strong Verbs That Will Make Your Research Writing Amazing :: Wordvice ::

A. Describing the scope of a current project or prior research

Purpose Original Word/Phrase Recommended Substitute

To express the purpose of a paper or
research
This paper/ study/ investigation…
aims to This paper + [use the verb that originally
followed "aims to"] or This paper + (any
other verb listed above as a substitute for
“explain”) + who/what/when/where/how X.
For example:

“This paper applies X to Y,” instead

of, “This paper aims to apply X to Y.”

“This paper explores how lower sun

exposure impacts moods,” instead
of, “This paper aims to address the
impact of lower sun exposure on
moods.”

To introduce the topic of a project or paper discusses surveys

presents questions
The paper/ study/ article/ work…
highlights
Prior research/ investigations…
outlines
features
investigates

To describe the analytical scope of a paper considers evaluates

or study analyzes interprets

The paper/ study/ article/ work… explains clari es

Prior research/ investigations… identi es

delves into
advances
appraises
de nes
dissects
probes
tests
explores

*Adjectives to describe degree can include:

brie y, thoroughly, adequately, su ciently,
inadequately, insu ciently, only partially,
partially, etc.

To preview other sections of a paper covers outlines

deals with highlights
Section X…
talks about sketches
assesses
contemplates

[any of the verbs suggested as replacements

for “explain,” “analyze,” and “consider”
above]

B. Outlining a topic’s background

Purpose Original Word/Phrase Recommended Substitute

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9/4/2019 100+ Strong Verbs That Will Make Your Research Writing Amazing :: Wordvice ::
To discuss the historical signi cance of a plays an important in
topic [nominalization]
Subject/ Mechanism… plays a vital role in [nominalization]
To describe the historical popularity of a …is widely accepted as…
topic …is widely used as…
X Theory…  
To describe the recent focus on a topic Much attention has been drawn to
…has gained much importance in
recent years
To identify the current majority opinion The consensus has been that…
about a topic
To discuss the ndings of existing literature indicate
have documented
Previous studies…
have demonstrated
have shown that
To express the breadth of our current Much is known about…
knowledge-base, including gaps But, little is known about…
To segue into expressing your research Several theories have been
question proposed to explain…
To solve this problem, many
researchers have tried several
methods
C. Describing the analytical elements of a paper
https://wordvice.com/recommended-verbs-for-research-writing/
Topic signi cantly/considerably +
in uences
controls
regulates
directs
inhibits
constrains
governs
+ who/what/when/where/how…
*In other words, take the nominalized verb
and make it the main verb of the sentence.
Widely accepted, … [to eliminate the
weak be verb]
The preferred…
Commonly/Frequently implemented,
… [to eliminate the weak be verb]
The prevailing method for…
Discussions regarding X have
dominated research in recent years.
…has appealed to…
…has propelled to the forefront in
investigations of Y.
… has dramatically/signi cantly
shaped queries on X in recent years.
…has critically in uenced academic
dialogue on Y.
Prior research generally con rms
that…
Several studies agree that…
Prior research substantiates the
belief that…
contend
purport
suggest
pro er
have proven that
evidence
The academic community has
extensively explored X…
Prior research has thoroughly
investigated….
However, little research has been
conducted to show…
However, prior studies have failed to
evaluate/ identify / (any other word
suggested to replace “analyze” above)
Recent/Previous studies have
promoted…
Prior investigations have
implemented/ queried diverse
approaches to…
A number of authors have posited…
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9/4/2019 100+ Strong Verbs That Will Make Your Research Writing Amazing :: Wordvice ::

Purpose Original Word/Phrase Recommended Substitute

To express agreement between one nding supports substantiates

and another con rms

This paper/ study/ investigation corroborates

underlines

To present contradictory ndings calls into question challenges

disputes
This paper/ study/ investigation
rebuts
refutes
disproves
debunks
invalidates
rejects
questions

To discuss limitations of a study The limitations of this paper include: These investigations, however,
disregards…
This method/ approach fails to…
This study only…
…falls short of addressing/
identifying / illustrating…
A drawback/disadvantage of this
framework is…
This framework, however, solely
pertains to…

D. Discussing results

Purpose Original Word/Phrase Recommended Substitute

To draw inferences from results suggest extrapolate

show deduce
The data…
surmise
These ndings…
approximate
derive
extract
evidence

To describe observations appeared manifested

was observed to surfaced
[Observed event or result]…
materialized
yielded
generated
perceived
detected

E. Discussing methods

Purpose Original Word/Phrase Recommended Substitute

To discuss methods used applied

performed administered
This study…
employed
X method…
di used
disseminated
relayed

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9/4/2019 100+ Strong Verbs That Will Make Your Research Writing Amazing :: Wordvice ::

To describe simulations was created to… This study/ research…

was used to…
A simulation… simulated
was performed to…
replicated
imitated

“X environment/ condition to..”

[any of the verbs suggested as replacements

for “analyze” above]

F. Explaining the impact of new research

Purpose Original Word/Phrase Recommended Substitute

To explain the impact of a paper’s ndings demonstrates illustrates

shows proves
This paper/ study/ investigation
evidences
strengthens (the position that)

To highlight a paper’s conclusion establishes attributes

proves illustrates
This paper/ study/ investigation
advances (the idea that)

To explain how research contributes to the o ers ushers in

existing knowledge-base introduces pro ers

This paper/ study/ investigation conveys

promotes
advocates
introduces
broach (issue)
reveals
unveils
exposes
unearths

Additional writing resources

For additional information on how to tighten your sentences (e.g., eliminate wordiness and use active voice to greater e ect), check out the
following articles:

How to Strengthen Your Writing Style (http://wp.me/p6A37e-2WL)

Avoid Fillers If You Want to Write Powerful Sentences (http://wp.me/p6A37e-2Vr)

How to Improve Your Writing: Eliminate Prepositions (http://wp.me/p6A37e-2V1)

How to Improve Your Writing: Avoid Nominalizations (http://wp.me/p6A37e-2UT)

Articles about how to draft speci c parts of a research paper can be found here (http://wordvice.com/category/research-writing/).

Additional grammar tips can be found here (http://wordvice.com/category/grammar/).

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