Common Word Choice Confusions in Academic Writing

Academic writing often involves the precise use of language to communicate ideas clearly and effectively. However, one of the biggest challenges faced by many writers, including students, researchers, and professionals, is making the right word choices. Certain words in English are commonly confused or misused, which can lead to ambiguity and a lack of clarity in academic texts. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most frequent word choice confusions in academic writing and provide examples to help you avoid these pitfalls.

Understanding the subtle differences between commonly misused words can significantly enhance the quality of your academic writing, ensuring that your ideas are expressed accurately and clearly. If you're unsure about certain word choices in your work, it might be helpful to seek professional proofreading or use AI-based tools for language checking.

Researches vs. Research

One common confusion arises with the word research. Many writers mistakenly use researches as a plural noun, but research is an uncountable noun in English. This means it does not have a plural form. Instead, research is used both as a singular and plural noun.

Incorrect: The researchers conducted several researches on the topic.
Correct: The researchers conducted several pieces of research on the topic.
Alternatively, you can use studies instead of research when you want to refer to specific pieces of research.

However (Conjunction vs. Adverb)

The word however can be used in different ways, and understanding the distinction between them is crucial. As a conjunctive adverb, it connects contrasting ideas, while as a plain adverb, it shows the degree or manner of something.

Conjunctive Adverb (comma after "however"):

• The research was inconclusive; however, further studies are needed to confirm the hypothesis.

Plain Adverb (no comma after "however"):

• He completed the project however he could.

This/These vs. That/Those

In academic writing, this and these are often used to refer to something in close proximity, either physically or conceptually. On the other hand, that and those suggest a greater distance.

Example:

• This study highlights the importance of early intervention in mental health. (Refers to the study just mentioned)
• Those studies from 2008 reveal the same findings. (Refers to studies further in the past or less immediately relevant)

Using the right word depends on how recently or directly you are referring to the subject.

Who vs. That

The word who should be used when referring to people, whereas that is used for things or animals.

Incorrect: The researcher that discovered the theory was awarded a Nobel Prize.
Correct: The researcher who discovered the theory was awarded a Nobel Prize.

Who vs. Whom

In English, who and whom are often confused. A simple rule to remember is that who is used as the subject of a sentence, while whom is used as the object of a verb or preposition.

Example:

• Who is responsible for the research? (Here who is the subject)
• To whom do we send the report? (Here whom is the object of the preposition "to")

Which vs. That (Restrictive vs. Nonrestrictive Clauses)

Which and that are often confused, especially when they are used in restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses.

That is used in restrictive clauses (information that is essential to the meaning of the sentence).

• The book that you recommended was excellent. (The specific book matters)

Which is used in nonrestrictive clauses (information that is extra and can be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence).

• The book, which you recommended, was excellent. (The book is good, but the fact that it was recommended is extra information)

Affect vs. Effect

Affect and effect are often confused, but they serve different functions in a sentence. Affect is usually a verb, meaning to influence something, while effect is a noun, meaning a result or outcome.

Incorrect: The lack of sleep effected the results.
Correct: The lack of sleep affected the results.
Correct: The effect of sleep deprivation was significant.

In rare cases, effect can be used as a verb, meaning to bring about something, but affect is the more common verb.

Accept vs. Except

Accept is a verb meaning to receive something willingly, while except is a preposition or conjunction meaning excluding or other than.

Incorrect: I accept the results except the last one.
Correct: I accept the results, except the last one.

Than vs. Then

Than is used for comparisons, while then refers to time or sequence.

Incorrect: The effect of the treatment was greater then that of the placebo.
Correct: The effect of the treatment was greater than that of the placebo.

Amount vs. Number

The words amount and number are often confused because both relate to quantity, but amount is used with uncountable nouns, and number is used with countable nouns.

Incorrect: The amount of books on the shelf is overwhelming.
Correct: The number of books on the shelf is overwhelming.
Correct: The amount of water in the bottle is sufficient.

Infer vs. Imply

While infer means to deduce something from evidence or reasoning, imply means to suggest something without directly stating it.

Incorrect: The data infers that the hypothesis is correct.
Correct: The data implies that the hypothesis is correct.
Correct: The researcher inferred the results from the data.

Principal vs. Principle

Principal refers to the most important or the head of an institution, while principle refers to a fundamental law or belief.

Incorrect: The principal of the theory is that the experiment should be repeatable.
Correct: The principle of the theory is that the experiment should be repeatable.
Correct: The principal investigator conducted the study.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between "affect" and "effect"? 

• Affect is a verb meaning "to influence," while effect is a noun meaning "a result."

When should I use "who" vs. "that"? 

• Use who when referring to people and that for things or animals.

How do I know whether to use "which" or "that"? 

• Use that for restrictive clauses (essential information) and which for nonrestrictive clauses (additional information).

Can I use "researches" as a plural noun? 

• No, research is an uncountable noun, so use research instead of researches. If you need a countable noun, use studies.

What is the correct usage of "amount" vs. "number"? 

• Use amount with uncountable nouns and number with countable nouns.