Useful vocabulary

Last updated: 13 Oct 2008

Just as a good cook knows how to uses spices to make an otherwise dreary meal interesting, a good writer knows how to pepper her writing with words and expressions that make it more interesting, eye-catching and effective.

At the very least, we can try to eliminate or use some words a lot more sparingly. For example, the word "nice" was infamous for being overused in the 1980s, very few writers use it more than occasionally, and you should do the same. Try to find a synonym for words like "nice", for instance pleasant, easy-going, amiable, likable, etc.

Watch out for other overused words such as "good", "bad", "big", and "little" as well. These points are especially important for test-takers whose first language is not English.

You should understand both the meaning of the following words, and the context in which they should be used.

Try to use those you are less comfortable or familiar with when you are practicing your essay writing.

Continue the Thought Words

Similarly
Moreover
Additionally
In the same way
Likewise

Conclusion Words

Thus
Therefore
Hence
So
In summary
In conclusion

Contradiction or Contrast Words

Neverthless
Nonetheless
However
But
Although
Though
Even though
Notwithstanding
Yet
But
Despite
In spite of
On the one hand...on the other hand
While
Unlike

Now we will take a look at the final result.

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