I was just about to tell someone how something «wouldn’t really be much useful» if they leave it the way it is — which is like a much more polite version of useless, but I just couldn’t find the word. I’m guessing I just don’t know it.
What is an idiomatic euphemism for non-useful?
EDIT:
It was actually an answer to a question, and I was wondering how I would say this answer is not really useful without hurting the person.
asked Oct 30, 2012 at 19:21
Chibueze OpataChibueze Opata
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According to this list of British «euphemisms»…
«Very interesting« means «I don’t agree/I don’t believe you»
(the hapless American assumes the Brit means «I am impressed», so the euphemism has worked!). But I personally think it’s a good way of saying «Although what you say is interesting, and might be useful in some other context, it has no practical value in relation to my current problem.»
Older Americans may recall Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, featuring the catchphrase
«Very interesting … but stupid!»
answered Oct 30, 2012 at 22:07
FumbleFingersFumbleFingers
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«This answer doesn’t suit (or doesn’t fit) my needs.» In my opinion, this puts the perception of shortcoming on my needs instead of their answer.
answered Oct 31, 2012 at 3:08
Kristina LopezKristina Lopez
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The appropriate euphemism for «completely useless but still quite nice» is entirely decorative. See for example its use on Wikipedia, for Dutch Gable and this review of some headphones.
Edit: Another option might be well-intentioned. This would even be applicable for the edited version of this question; that is, the «useless» thing is an answer to a question.
RegDwigнt
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answered Oct 30, 2012 at 20:05
4
«Not exactly the thing» or «not quite it».
RegDwigнt
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answered Oct 31, 2012 at 5:44
In the context of addressing an answer, I think it’s fine to be direct (no need to be euphemistic or use a substitute word like «interesting»), as long as you do it politely. You don’t have to use the word «useless» but don’t hide what you are trying to say either behind a word that does not mean what you are actually trying to say. The exact wording would depend upon the question asked and the answer given, but some examples might look like:
I appreciate the input, but unfortunately that doesn’t work in this
case.
or
Thanks, but I don’t think that can be applied to this problem.
As long as you thank them for trying and acknowledge that what they offered was a fair attempt at helping, they probably will not be offended/upset/hurt that it happens to not be useful to your particular circumstance.
answered Nov 16, 2012 at 21:19
Ben LeeBen Lee
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«Thanks, that’s certainly the most recent answer I’ve received.»
answered Aug 16, 2017 at 2:59
3
One of these days I’m going to surprise you by making use of your gems of wisdom.
Your excellent advice has been duly noted.
Wait, I’m just going to write it all down.
answered Nov 17, 2012 at 0:47
ChrisChris
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For Part Two of our Beautiful, Useless Words, click here.
For Part Three, click here.
Definition:
bad handwriting
Degree of Usefulness:
Pretty useful. Also, pretty evocative.
An Example:
Nor do I correct much of his Cacography, except in some Proper Names, and his Spanish, which he strangely mangles.
— J. Morgan, Phonix Britannicus, 1731
Acersecomicke
Definition:
“one whose hair was never cut”
(Henry Cockeram, English Dictionarie, 1623)
Degree of Usefulness:
This curious word is rarely, if ever, found in natural use. It appeared occasionally in 17th-century dictionaries, largely disappeared for a few hundred years, and then reappeared in the 20th century in books of trivia or writing about 17th-century lexicography. That’s history’s way of saying: useless.
Definition:
rambling alone : marked by solitary wandering
Degree of Usefulness:
Almost too useful, honestly. At least for us dictionary folk.
An Example:
Long years had wept by rock and hill and glade,
To fields of asphodel, was seen no more
Solivagant, upon the Attic shore.
— New Statesman and Nation (London, Eng.), 11 Nov. 1944
Definition:
suspended by or strung upon a thread
Degree of Usefulness:
Not an everyday word, but a good one to have in your back pocket.
An Example:
Filipendulous tubers are attached to the parent plant by underground runners, or cords, which spring not from the roots but the lower part of the stem.
— Anthony Todd Thomson, Lectures on the Elements of Botany, 1822
Flingee
Definition:
«one at whom anything is flung»
(Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd Ed., 1989)
Degree of Usefulness:
If you find yourself needing it often, maybe it’s time to rethink some things.
An Example:
Moments later, someone was sweeping around left end, following his spindly blockers, dodging would-be tacklers until a mass of arms surrounded him, latched on and flung him into the mush. Flinger or flingee, this was heaven.
— Neil Chethik, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 1994
Jentacular
Definition:
«pertaining to breakfast»
(Webster’s New International Dictionary, 2nd Ed., 1934)
Degree of Usefulness:
Some might say it’s the most important word of the day.
An Example:
…spending the remaining hours of every day in reading, or taking exercise by way of fitting himself for his labours, or, to use his own strangely-invented phraseology, taking his ante-jentacular and post-prandial walks, to prepare himself for his task of codification.
— Carlisle Journal (Carlisle, Eng.), 2 May 1840
Definition:
a person skilled in table talk
Degree of Usefulness:
Basically, this is a four-syllable word for «great dinner party guest,» which could very well be a great dinner party topic.
An Example:
His Table you might well call a repast for the ears as well as for the belly, not unlike those Attick Nights, or the Banquets of the Deipnosophists, at which men might feast their mindes and intellects no less then their bodies.
— William Winstanley, England’s Worthies, 1660
Definition:
having a strong urge to write
Degree of Usefulness:
Something tells us our audience is feeling seen right now. It you.
An Example:
Here lies the corps of William Prynne,
A Bencher late of Lincolns Inn,
Who restless ran through thick and thin.
This grand scripturient paper-spiller,
This endless, needless margin-filler,
Was strangly tost from post to pillar.
— Anthony Wood, Athenæ Oxonienses, 1691
Penultimatum
Definition:
«A demand or proposal approaching an ultimatum»
(Webster’s New International Dictionary, 2nd Ed., 1934)
Degree of Usefulness:
Although it might appear that this is simply an ultimatum one delivers with a pen, such is not the case. The initial portion of the word comes from the Latin paene («almost») and ultimus («last»). Any parents reading this have probably issued more than a few of these.
An Example:
Great Britain’s ultimatums are generally only penultimatums, commonly called bluffs.
— The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, KS), 2 Nov. 1895
Definition:
of, relating to, or occurring in the morning
Degree of Usefulness:
It could be useful, but do you really want to have to explain an obscure word before you’ve had any coffee?
An Example:
But before he tiptoed out of his room with shoes and socks under his arm, he leaned over and peered at the sleeping serenity of his wife: to him a daily matutinal miracle.
— Can Themba, The Will to Die, 1972
Definition:
one that excites contention and quarrels
Degree of Usefulness:
Who wants to know?
An Example:
Lord Stanley is, beyond dispute, the worst specimen of these mischievous make-bates. He is one of those hasty and overweening spirits who provoke contests which they lack courage to fight out.
— Daily News (London, Eng.), 26 May, 1849
Definition:
a mania for holding public office
Degree of Usefulness:
Both sides of the aisle agree: useful.
An Example:
This jewel of prime ministers is the living impersonation and type of the prevailing Spanish vice of empleomania, or rage for office.
— The Morning Chronicle, (London, Eng.), 18 Oct. 1845
Definition:
an act of foolishness or stupidity
Degree of Usefulness:
You already know the answer to that. This (useful) word comes directly from the French, and in that language bêtise comes from bête, meaning «idiot, fool» or (literally) «beast.»
Definition:
to imitate one’s father or forebears
Degree of Usefulness:
Slightly useful. The corresponding word matrisate (which the OED informs us appears only in dictionaries, and has never enjoyed natural use) was defined by Nathan Bailey in 1727 as «to imitate the mother.»
Catillate
Definition:
“to licke dishes”
(Henry Cockeram, English Dictionarie, 1623
Degree of Usefulness:
Somewhat. We’re sure that no one reading this is so uncouth as to catillate at the dinner-table, but your dog would be happy to help clean up.
Tongue-hero
Definition:
“A self-professed hero; a braggart”
(Webster’s New International Dictionary, 2nd Ed., 1934)
Degree of Usefulness:
Tongue-hero is now obsolete, and found infrequently. Tongue-heroes, however, can be found essentially everywhere.
Definition:
going about in the night : night-wandering
Degree of Usefulness:
Oh, you sleep fine at night and don’t find this word relatable? Well la-di-da. For the rest of us: useful. The word comes from the Latin nox (“night”) and vagus (“wandering”).
Definition:
composed of both good and evil
Degree of Usefulness:
Sometimes we find words that have the ‘good’ affix, as with agathology (“the science or doctrine of the good”), and sometimes we find words that begin with the ‘bad’ one, as with kakistocracy (“government by the worst people”). And sometimes as with agathokakological, we get both in the same word. Ain’t that just life.
Definition:
to laugh loudly or immoderately
Degree of Usefulness:
We could all use a little cachinnation here and again, couldn’t we?
An Example:
’Done, done,’ says the fellow. ‘Hurrah! hurrah!’ cachinnated the delighted audience. The auctioneer had the good sense to join the laugh, and coolly forked out the V.
— Pensacola Gazette (Pensacola, FL), 1 Oct. 1836
Definition:
“suggestive of pigeons”
(Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd ed.)
Degree of Usefulness:
The perfect word for those special moments when something does not quite resemble pigeons, but is merely suggestive of them. Not very useful.
Abligurition
Definition:
“A prodigal spending in Belly-Cheer”
(Nathan Bailey, An universal etymological English dictionary, 1724)
Degree of Usefulness:
Otherwise known as «spending big on food,» this word is a bit too specific for widespread usefulness. Plus, if everyone uses it, how are we going to split the check?
Definition:
obsolete : gratification of the belly : gluttony
Degree of Usefulness:
Slightly more useful than abligurition.
An Example:
Possessing the true primitive character for matchlesss temperance, frequent fastings, incessant preaching, continued watchings and labours in the Ministry;—carefully avoiding all palace companions, bon-vivants, parasites, and preferment-seekers;—being neither “double tongued nor given to much wine,’” nor greedy of bellycheer….
— The Examiner (London, Eng.), 1 Oct. 1820
Definition:
an adept in sarcasm : a sarcastic person
Degree of Usefulness:
The only reason most of you have not yet self-described yourselves with this word is because you did not yet know that it existed.
Definition:
a bore tolerated only because he pays the charge for others
Degree of Usefulness:
If you’ve never met a shot-clog, check to be sure you are not the shot-clog.
An Example:
No, thou wilt vndoe thy selfe. Alas I behold thee with pitty, not with anger; thou common shot-clog, gull of all companies: mee thinkes I see thee already walking in Moore fields without a Cloake, with halfe a Hatte, without a band, a Doublet with three Buttons, without a girdle, a hose with one point and no Garter, with a cudgell vnder thine arme borrowing and begging three pence.
— George Chapman, Ben Jonson, John Marston, Eastward Hoe, 1605
Philostorgie
Definition:
“the love of parents towards their children”
(Thomas Blount, Glossographia, 1656)
Degree of Usefulness:
This one’s ripe for a comeback.
An Example:
Hath the great God put such a Philostorgy or natural affection into the Bear, Pellican, Dolphin, Lioness, Eagle, towards their young, and shall not he much more carry his own upon Eagles wings?
— Anon., The Morning Exercise at Cripplegate, 1661
Definition:
to act frivolously
Degree of Usefulness:
Go ahead, have fun with it. Bonus word: a person who frivols is a frivoler (which may also be spelled as frivoller).
Definition:
one given to finding out and getting invited to good feasts; a parasite, sponger
Degree of Usefulness:
A good insult is always invited to the party.
An Example:
I am a smelfeaste bellygod,
idle and full of slouthe
A greedie gut, and at a worde,
a servaunte to my tothe.
— Thomas Drant, _A Medicinable Morall, 1566
Sialoquent
Definition:
“that spits much in his speech”
(Thomas Blount, Glossographia, 1656)
Degree of Usefulness:
Sialoquent is yet another word that appears to have originated in the minds of 17th-century lexicographers, and never seen natural use. For good (and gross) reason.
Definition:
the utterance of low continuous sounds or complaining noises
Degree of Usefulness:
Useful for as long as there are Monday mornings and email inboxes.
Redame
Definition:
“to love in return”
(Webster’s New International Dictionary, 2nd Ed., 1934)
Degree of Usefulness:
This lovely word was defined in our Second New International Dictionary in 1934, but removed from subsequent editions. This is not because people stopped loving each other in return, but because redame was no longer in common use. Your move.
Definition:
a person who begins to learn late in life
Degree of Usefulness:
We’ll figure it out and get back to you, eventually.
An Example:
An opsimath is a man who discovers, as he makes out his will, that he must also make provision for his Harris tweeds.
The Sydney Morning Herald, 15 Apr. 1957
Definition:
the least favorable environmental condition under which an organism can survive
Degree of Usefulness:
This is, admittedly, mainly found used in scientific and technical contexts, but that does not mean it cannot have applicability in everyday settings, such as the point at which your job is almost intolerable, but not quite bad enough that you quit.
Ucalegon
Definition:
“A next-door neighbor, or a neighbor whose house is on fire”
(Webster’s New International Dictionary, 2nd Ed., 1934)
Degree of Usefulness:
Ucalegon was the neighbor of Priam (the king of Troy when that city was famously sacked). Spoiler alert for those who have not yet read the Iliad: neither Priam nor Ucalegon has a happy ending.
Definition:
leading by or as if by the hand
Degree of Usefulness:
The Latin manus («hand») serves as a root for many words in English, ranging from the common (manual & emancipation) to the somewhat obscure (mansuete, meaning «tame,» & manutenency, meaning «support»). But enough handholding; figure its usefulness out for yourself.
Definition:
shouting together with joy
Degree of Usefulness:
We hope you find it very useful!
An Example:
They stand, these halls of Zion,
Conjubilant with song,
And bright with many an angel,
And many a martyr throng.
— Littell’s Living Age (Boston, MA), 19 Jul 1856
Cacozealous
Definition:
“ill affected, or badly imitating”
(Edmund Phillips, The New World of English Words, 1658)
Degree of Usefulness:
It’s fun to say, at least.
An Example:
But we must remark, that neither then nor for a long time after was the Invocation of Saints practised in the Church; but on the contrary, this superstitious Brat hatcht by (the cacozealous fervour of) a few private Persons, was condemned (as illegitimate) by the Doctors of that age, who teach that the Saints are indeed advanced to true honour and rest in glory, but yet ought not to be by us magnified beyond what is convenient.
— Jonas Porrée, A history of antient ceremonies, 1669
Nastify
Definition:
“To make nasty; to spoil”
(Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd Ed.)
Degree of Usefulness:
Nasty has been in English use since at least the 14th century); Nastify, on the other hand, is a fairly recent addition, with use dating only since the 19th century. It just had to go and ruin things.
Definition:
one that is objected to
Degree of Usefulness:
Well, you’re reading this on the internet, aren’t you?
Debacchate
Definition:
“to revile one after the manner of drunkards” (Henry Cockeram, English Dictionarie, 1623)
Degree of Usefulness:
Debacchate and bacchanal («drunken revelry») share a root: Bacchus, the Latin name for the Greek god of wine. That said, there’s a reason this one never really caught on.
Definition:
to think over again
Degree of Usefulness:
We could all probably benefit from this word here and there.
An Example:
And the same shall wee also doe, as often as with sorrow and griefe wee discusse and recogitate our sinnes.
— Richard Middleton, The Heavenly Progresse, 1617
Definition:
bold or courageous under the influence of alcoholic drink
Degree of Usefulness:
A fancy way of saying you have liquid courage, pot-valiant is useful for describing those occasions when over-imbibing convinces one that hopping onto a mechanical bull is a good idea.
Definition:
capability of sinning
Degree of Usefulness:
Peccability is less known than its cousin, impeccable («flawless»); however, it is a lot more fun to hang out with.
Definition:
freedom or release from emotion or excitement
Degree of Usefulness:
Seems like it could be pretty relaxing to try out.
An Example:
Thus in Clifford—the degree of apatheia one enjoys throughout is surprising.
—The British Critic (London, Eng.), Jan. 1842
Acnestis
Definition:
“The part of the back (or backbone) between the shoulder blades and the loins which an animal cannot reach to scratch”
(Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd ed.)
Degree of Usefulness:
Acnestis is an exceedingly rare word, although it describes a part of the body we are all familiar with. You’ll want it when you really need to scratch that itch.
Definition:
one that adheres to or insists on routine
Degree of Usefulness:
Put this one on your to-do list.
An Example:
Though the French have done their best to have a sufficient number of clocks and watches for their own use, yet they are so little routineers in the manufacturing way, that they have not been able to furnish themselves with all that is wanted in Horlogery, which occasions a great quantity of movements finished and unfinished to be imported from Switzerland and Geneva every year.
— The Gentleman’s Magazine (London, Eng.), 1 Apr. 1792
Definition:
1.vaguely uneasy 2.slightly indisposed
Degree of Usefulness:
A lovely and little-used word for those moments where you’re feeling a bit off, or just not quite all there. Or when you wake up and immediately check Twitter.
Perpotation
Definition:
“ordinarie drunkenesse”
(Henry Cockeram, English Dictionarie, 1623)
Degree of Usefulness:
Most 17th-century lexicographers provided very brief definitions, and Henry Cockeram was no exception. He did not specify exactly how drunk one had to be for it to be considered ordinary, or whether he himself was drunk when he composed this entry.
Definition:
“‘Savage indignation’, a feeling of contemptuous rage at human folly.”
(Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd ed.)
Degree of Usefulness:
A word for everyone who has felt this way about the world and not known how to express it. In other words, a word for everyone.
Definition:
a seeming friend who is secretly an enemy
Degree of Usefulness:
Frenemy is a little played-out at this point anyway.
An Example:
Fusion never needed the assistance of “back-friends,” as Sir Walter Scott once termed them; and the attempts to amalgamate elements which lack all principle of cohesion will in the long run prove injurious to its cause.
— The New York Times, 30 Oct. 1903
Definition:
to stay up or out all night
Degree of Usefulness:
You should perhaps know that this word is most often used in the sense of «to pass the night in vigil or prayer,» and not so much in the sense of «to pass the night in debauchery at a club.» Take that as you will.
But wait, there’s more!
If you enjoyed this list, get ready for the sequel here.
Synonyms
useless
adjective
useless objects have no purpose or cannot do what they were designed to do
useless
adjective
useless activities are not effective in achieving the purpose that they were intended to achieve
ineffective
adjective
something that is ineffective does not work correctly or does not do what you want it to do
inefficient
adjective
not working in the best possible way, especially by not using time, supplies, energy etc in the most effective way
defective
adjective
not made correctly, or not working correctly
faulty
adjective
not working correctly or made correctly
purposeless
adjective
lacking a useful purpose
pathetic
adjective
useless or not effective in an annoying way
worthless
adjective
not having any value, or not useful
cumbersome
adjective
not simple, fast, or effective enough and difficult or annoying to use
More synonyms
after a fashion
phrase
not very well or effectively
anaemic
adjective
weak or not effective
attenuated
adjective
medical made weak or less harmful
be no use
phrase
to be useless
be of no use
phrase
to be useless
bum
adjective
informalAmerican used for describing a body part that does not work correctly
dead
adjective
no longer considered useful, relevant, or likely to be successful
dead
adjective
a dead match has already been used and is now useless
defunct
adjective
not existing or working any more
dicky
adjective
Britishinformal not working correctly
dud
adjective
British broken, useless, or not working correctly
duff
adjective
British useless, broken, or poor in quality
dysfunctional
adjective
not working normally
empty
adjective
used about things that people do that have no real effect
enfeebled
adjective
formal no longer strong or effective
facile
adjective
too simple to deal with the difficulties of a real situation
flabby
adjective
British not effective or powerful enough
flaccid
adjective
a flaccid argument or idea is not effective
footling
adjective
old-fashioned not important or useful and therefore annoying
futile
adjective
unsuccessful, or useless
hooped
adjective
Canadianinformal broken or useless
idle
adjective
not really intended or not likely to have any result
inactive
adjective
not working or operating
ineffectual
adjective
something that is ineffectual fails to achieve what it is intended to achieve
infertile
adjective
producing no good or useful results
inoperable
adjective
formal not working or capable of being used successfully
in/out of phase
phrase
happening or not happening at the same time as something else
in vain
phrase
in a way that has no purpose or meaning
it would be idle to do something
phrase
used for saying that something is useless or a waste of time
moribund
adjective
formal no longer effective and not likely to continue for much longer
muddled
adjective
not clear or effective
muted
adjective
not as strong or extreme as usual
no good
phrase
not useful or effective
nugatory
adjective
very formal not important or effective
off-colour
adjective
not working or performing as well as usual
old
adjective
used in a negative way about something that is not useful or in good condition any longer
otiose
adjective
very formal not necessary and with no useful purpose
outmoded
adjective
no longer useful, suitable, or relevant
out of joint
phrase
if a system is out of joint, it is not working correctly
out of whack
phrase
informal not working normally
outworn
adjective
no longer useful or important
overworked
adjective
used too much to be useful or effective
paper
adjective
officially existing but not effective or able to be used in real situations
paralysed
adjective
completely unable to operate normally or effectively
played-out
adjective
old-fashioned and no longer useful
pointless
adjective
lacking any purpose or use
porous
adjective
not effective in preventing people from attacking or escaping
ramshackle
adjective
not organized or effective
rubbish
adjective
Britishvery informal useless
Sisyphean
adjective
a Sisyphean task is both endless and pointless
small-time
adjective
not very important or effective
spent
adjective
used and no longer useful
superannuated
adjective
often humorous old and no longer working or useful
temperamental
adjective
humorous used for describing something that often goes wrong or does not work in the way that you expect
there is no percentage in (doing) something
phrase
there is no advantage or benefit to be gained from something
thin
adjective
a thin explanation, argument, statement etc does not have enough evidence or detail to be effective
toothless
adjective
lacking the necessary power or force to be effective
unhelpful
adjective
not useful
uninformative
adjective
not giving enough information and therefore not helpful
unproven
adjective
not proved to be useful, safe, or capable of doing something
unreliable
adjective
things such as equipment or methods that are unreliable will not work without problems
unresponsive
adjective
an unresponsive institution does not give people the help or service that they need
useless
adjective
a part of your body or mind that is useless cannot be used because of an illness or injury
useless
adjective
if someone is useless, they are not any help to you or are not capable of achieving anything
vain
adjective
unsuccessful, or useless
vexatious
adjective
old-fashionedlegal vexatious legal action has no purpose other than to cause annoyance
what’s the good of/what good is (it) (doing) something?
phrase
used for saying that you do not think something will give you any benefit
Antonyms
Useful and effective and working correctly
Потому что мы говорим не словами, а устойчивыми фразами, раз за разом используя привычные словосочетания. Именно построение фразы выдаёт иностранца, говорящего так, словно он читает газету. У носителя же языка готовые словесные обороты выскакивают сами собой.
Фактрум публикует самые важные английские идиомы с переводами и примерами их употребления.
You don’t want to sound like everyone else, do you? In that case, you need to pick your words carefully. This is especially true for essays, as certain terms are overused all the time in academic writing. We’ve identified a few offenders here (as well as some alternatives you can use).
1. Also
‘Also’ is a great linking word. But if you use it in every other sentence, it will stand out. Luckily, there are other words you can use in its place, such as:
- In addition/Additionally
- Furthermore
- As well
- Moreover
Other linking words are available, too, but they tend to be more specific. ‘Likewise’, for instance, can be used when linking similar things, while ‘however’ introduces a contrast.
2. Said
If you’re quoting several sources, you might find yourself using ‘said’ or ‘says’ a lot. To prevent repetition, try using these alternatives:
- Claimed
- Stated
- Declared
- Argued
- Suggested
- Explained
Keep in mind that some of these are specific to particular situations. For example, it would only make sense to use ‘argued’ if the person quoted is arguing something!
It’s also worth noting that repeating ‘said’ is not always a problem. In fact, most fiction writers suggest sticking to ‘said’ or ‘says’, as using too many synonyms can be distracting.
3. Therefore
We use ‘therefore’ to show that something is the result of something else. But since essays may involve drawing lots of links and conclusions, it can be overused. You may want to use a few of these terms instead:
- As a result
- Consequently
- Accordingly
- Thus
- Hence
- For that reason
4. Including
If you’re introducing an example of something that has previously been mentioned, you might use the word ‘including’ (e.g. ‘I know many words, including…’). Other terms can be used in exactly the same way include ‘such as’ and ‘like’ (although ‘like’ is fairly informal).
You can also introduce examples with phrases like ‘for example’ or ‘for instance’.
Find this useful?
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5. Interesting
Hopefully, your essay will be about something you find interesting. The word ‘interesting’ itself, though, is rather boring due to being overused. As such, you might need a synonym or two:
- Noteworthy
- Remarkable
- Striking
- Intriguing
- Significant
- Fascinating
Remember, though, that simply noting something as ‘interesting’ isn’t enough. In academic writing, you also need to explain why something is interesting to show off your understanding.
6. There Is/There Are/It Is
Finally, we have ‘there is’, ‘there are’ and ‘it is’. These phrases are often used to start sentences, something known as an ‘expletive construction’ (and not because they’re full of swear words). In this type of sentence, the subject comes after the verb. For instance:
There are many problems we may encounter.
The subject above is ‘we’, while the main verb is ‘are’. In standard sentences, however, the verb should come after the subject. By doing this, we can also make our writing more concise:
We may encounter many problems.
By dropping ‘there are’, we therefore make a more impactful statement.
Is Repetition Always Bad?
We’ve focused on varying your language here, but some repetition is inevitable. With technical terminology, for instance, you should always try to be consistent. And any document will use certain common words repeatedly, such as articles (e.g. a, an, the) and conjunctions (e.g. and, but, so).
As such, you don’t have to worry about repetition unless its affecting the flow of your writing. But if you’d like a second opinion on that, and help with varying your vocabulary, why not give our proofreading services a try?