Writing expressions for word phrases

These useful academic expressions, words, vocabulary and phrases will help you to write a top-notch essay. Writing an essay can be a challenging task. However it becomes simpler if it is divided into manageable pieces. There are three main parts in an essay: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. You can easily overcome your essay writing task with these academic phrases and vocabulary for essay writing.

Phrases to Finish an Introduction Paragraph

In this essay, I will look at some of the arguments for
This essay will discuss different ways of …
This essay outline some of the reasons why…
Let us examine both views before reaching a concrete decision.
The following essay takes a look at both sides of the argument.

Vocabulary for Opinion Essay 

In my opinion,
I strongly agree with the idea that …
I strongly disagree with the idea that …
I strongly opine that…
I strongly believe that…
In my view…
As far as I am concerned…
It seems to me that…
However, I strongly believe that…
I oppose the view and my reasons will be explained in the following paragraphs.
I will support this view with arguments in the following paragraphs.
I personally believe that…
Thus the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages…

Useful Expressions For Listing Your Ideas

First…
First of all…
Firstly…
First and foremost…
Initially…
To begin with…
To start with…
In the first place…

On the one hand…
Second(ly)… (do not use ‘Second of all’)
Third(ly)…
Then…
Next…
After that…
And…
Again…
Also…
Besides…
Likewise…
In addition…
Consequently…
What’s more…
Furthermore…
Moreover…
Apart from that…

Finally…
Last but not the least…

Check Also:
Vocabulary for Starting Your Essay
How to Write The Best Essay Ever!

Phrases to Show a Comparison in Your Essay

In the same way…
Likewise…
Similarly…
Like the previous point…
Similar to…
Also…
At the same time…
Just as…

Useful Vocabulary and Phrases to Show Contrast

On the other hand…
On the contrary…
However…
Nevertheless…/ Nonetheless…
But…
Nonetheless/ Nevertheless…
Oppositely…
Alternatively…
Unlike…
While…
Whilst…
Although…
Though…
Even though…
Despite… / In spite of…
In spite of the fact that…
Alternatively…
In contrast to this…
Then again…
On the other hand…
Despite the fact that…
Even so…
Yet…
Meanwhile…

Vocabulary For Expressing Condition

If…
Provided that…
Because of that…
For this reason…
Unless…
Providing that…
So that…
In case…
Whether…

Phrases for Expressing Certainty in Your Essay

Certainly…
Definitely…
No doubt…
Of course…
Doubtlessly…
Without any doubt…
Undoubtedly…

Vocabulary for Adding Further Information

In addition…
And…
Moreover…
Similarly…
Furthermore…
Also…
As well as…
Besides…
Even…
Too…
What’s more…
Again…
In a similar fashion…
Likewise…

Expressions for Agreement & Disagreement in Your Essay

While writing your essay, as a writer you are required to show whether you agree & disagree or partially agree with a given statement or opinion.

Vocabulary for Expressing Agreement

I strongly agree…
I completely agree that…
I totally agree with the given idea that…
I agree with the opinion that…
I am quite inclined to the opinion that…
I accept that…
I accept the fact that…
I am in agreement…
I consent that…

Vocabulary for Expressing Disagreement

I disagree with the opinion that…
I strongly disagree…
I completely disagree with…
I totally disagree with the given idea that…
I disagree with the statement…
I quite oppose the opinion that…
I disapprove that…
I totally do not accept the fact that…
My own opinion contradicts…
I disagree with the group of people…
However, my opinion is different from…

Vocabulary for Expressing Partial Agreement

To some extent…
In a way…
I agree with the given statement to some extent…
Up to a point, I agree…
More or less…
So to speak…

 
Essay Expression PDF – (download)

Presentation on theme: «Writing Expressions for»— Presentation transcript:

1

Writing Expressions for
Word Phrases Objectives: Translate verbal expressions into math 
expressions and vice versa. Translate verbal equations into equations 
and vice versa

2

What is the area of a rectangle?
What is a variable? What is the area of a rectangle? Length times Width If the length is 3 meters and the width is 2 
meters, what is the area? A = L x W A = 3 x 2 = 6 meters2 A, L and W are the variables. Therefore a 
variable is any letter that represents an 
unknown number.

3

An algebraic expression contains:
1) one or more numbers or variables, and 2) one or more arithmetic operations (?). Examples: x — 3 3 • 2n

4

We are not going to use the multiplication symbol any more. Why?
In expressions, there are many different 
ways to write multiplication. 1) ab 2) a • b  3) a(b) or (a)b 4) (a)(b)  5) a x b We are not going to use the 
multiplication symbol any more. Why?
 

5

Division, on the other hand, is written as:
1) 2) x ÷ 3

6

decreased by plus less than difference increased by more than minus
ADDITION SUBTRACTION decreased by plus less than sum increased by difference more than minus MULTIPLICATION DIVISION product quotient times divided by multiplied by of Organize the words.

7

ADDITION + Words that mean Verbal Phrase Variable «Addition»  Expression 1) Plus A number y y + 5   plus 5.
  2) More than more than y + 8 a number y. * Translate «more than» phrases backwards. 3) Sum The sum of y and a number y.

8

SUBTRACTION − Words that mean Verbal Phrase Variable «Subtraction» Expression 1) Difference  The difference y — 12 of a number y and 12. 2) Less Than less than a y — 3 number y. * Translate «less than» phrases backwards. 3) Minus  minus a y

9

MULTIPLICATION x • ( ) Words that mean Verbal Phrase Variable «Multiplication» Expression 1) Product The product • 8 , 2 x 8 ,   of 2 and (8) 2) Times A number y y , 5 x y,   times • y, 5(y)   * When multiplying a number and a variable, the number is always written first. 3) Multiplied by A number y y, 3 x y,   multiplied by • y, 3(y)

10

DIVISION ÷ ∕ − Words that mean Verbal Phrase Variable «Division»  Expression 1) Quotient The quotient of ÷ 4, 12 and /4, 12   2) Divided By A number y y ÷ 2, divided by y/2, y  

11

Directions: Organize the «addition» words by 
dragging out the words from the word bank.
more than times remainder add subtract plus decreased by quotient difference multiply total divide product sum minus less than increased by ADDITION

12

Directions: Organize the «subtraction» words by 
dragging out the words from the word bank.
more than times remainder add subtract plus decreased by quotient difference multiply total divide product sum minus less than increased by SUBTRACTION

13

14

Directions: Organize the «multiplication» words 
by dragging out the words from the word bank.
more than times remainder add subtract plus decreased by quotient difference multiply total divide product sum minus less than increased by MULTIPLICATION

15

Directions: Organize the «division» words by 
dragging out the words from the word bank.
more than times remainder add subtract plus decreased by quotient difference multiply total divide product sum minus less than increased by DIVISION

16

Translate the verbal phrase into a variable expression.
1) The sum of a number y and 20. 2) Six more than twice a number y. 3) The difference of 8 and a number y. 4) 9 divided by a number y. 5) The product of a number y and 20. 6) Two less than a number y. y + 20 2y + 6 8 — y 9 ÷ y, 9∕y, 9 y 20y, 20(y), 20•y y — 2 (Click on the yellow box to reveal the answer.)

17

2(4y) 4y + 2 5(y+3w) 5(y + 3)•w 8(12 — 2) 8(12 + 2)
Translate the phrase as a variable expression. Click on the speaker to reveal answer. 2(4y) 7) Two more than 4 times a number y 4y + 2 Five times the sum of a number y and 3 times another number w. 5(y+3w) 5(y + 3)•w 9) Eight times the difference of 12 and 2. 8(12 — 2) 8(12 + 2)

18

11) The quotient of 14 divided by a number y.
Match the expression to the phrase by dragging 
the variable expression to the verbal phrase. 14 — y 14 ÷ (7 — y) 7(14 + y) 14y 7 + y 2(y + 7) y + 14 7 + 14y y — 14 14 ÷ y 10) A number y multiplied by 14. 11) The quotient of 14 divided by a number y. 12) 14 less than a number y. 13) 7 increased by a number y. 14) A number y subtracted from 14.

19

16) 7 more than the product of 14 and a number y.
Match the expression to the phrase by dragging the 
variable expression to the verbal phrase. 14 — y 14 ÷ (7 — y) 7(14 + y) 14y 7 + y 2(y + 7) y + 14 7 + 14y y — 14 14 ÷ y 15) 14 more than a number y. 16) 7 more than the product of 14 and a number y. 17) Twice the sum of a number y and 7. 18) Product of 7 and the sum of 14 and a number y. 19) 14 divided by the difference when a number y is subtracted from 7.

20

21) The number of yards in y feet.
Match the expression to the phrase by dragging the 
variable expression to the verbal phrase. 24y 3y 60y y ÷ 60 y ÷ 24 y ÷ 3 20) The number of hours in y days. 21) The number of yards in y feet. 22) The number of minutes in y seconds. 23) The number of seconds in y minutes. 24) The number of days in y hours. 25) The number of feet in y yards.

21

What are some verbal expressions that suggest the equal sign?
What is the difference between an 
algebraic expression and an equation? What are some verbal expressions that suggest 
the equal sign?

22

23

Which of the following expressions represents
7 times a number decreased by 13? 1. 7x + 13 2. 7x — 13 x x

24

Which one of the following expressions 
represents 28 less than three times a number?

25

Which of the following verbal expressions represents 2x + 9?
a. 9 increased by twice a number b. a number increased by nine c. twice a number decreased by 9 d. 9 less than twice a number

26

Which of the following expressions represents 
the sum of 16 and five times a number?
a. 5x — 16 b. 16x + 5 c x d x

27

When looking at the expression 103
10 is called the base and 3 is called the exponent or power. 103 means 10 • 10 • 10 103 = 1000

28

How is it said? 21 Two to the first power 22 23 2n7
Two to the second power or two squared 23 Two to the third power or two cubed 2n7 Two times n to the seventh power

29

Which of the following verbal expressions represents x2 + 2x?
a. the sum of a number squared and twice a number b. the sum of a number and twice the number c. twice a number less than the number squared d. the sum of a number and twice the number squared

30

Which of the following expressions 
represents four less than the cube of a 
number?
a. 4 – x3 b. 4 – 3x c. 3x – 4 d. x3 – 4

31


Evaluate. 21 2  22 2 • 2 = 4 23 2 • 2 • 2 = 8 2n7 We can’t evaluate because we   don’t know what n equals to!!

32

Evaluate each and find out!
Is 35 the same as 53? Evaluate each and find out! 35 = 53 =

33

Complete Study Guide and Intervention
p. 1 (odds) p. 2 (odds) p. 33 (1 — 4) p. 34 (odds) Due at end of class (no exceptions)

34

35

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

This article is suitable for native English speakers and those who are learning English at Oxford Royale Academy and are just taking their first steps into essay writing.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument.
Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point.
Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance.
Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise.
Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”.
Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making.
Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information.
Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”.
Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned.
Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”.
Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”.
Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”.
Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information.
Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time.
Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other.
Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis.
Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said.
Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion.
Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”.
Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence.
Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion.
Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”.
Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

23. Yet

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea.
Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence.
Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else.
Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing.
Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else.
Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”.
Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”.
Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”.
Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent.
Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it).
Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”.
Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview.
Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay.
Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing.
Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above.
Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law, politics, business, medicine and engineering.

Related Pages
Writing Expressions (Lesson 16)
Writing Expressions (Lesson 17)
Algebraic Expressions

The following table gives some common words or phrases that are usually imply one of the four operations:
add, subtract, multiply, divide. However, depending on the word problem, there are exceptions.
Scroll down the page for more examples and explanations.

Phrase To Algebraic Expression

To write an expression, we often have to interpret a written phrase.

For example, the phrase “6 added to some number” can be written as the expression
x + 6, where the variable x represents the unknown number.

Some examples of common phrases and corresponding expressions that involve
addition are:

Some examples of common phrases and corresponding expressions that involve
subtraction are:

Some examples of common phrases and corresponding expressions that involve
multiplication are:

Phrase	Expression
4 times some number	4x
twice a number	2y
one-third of some number
the product of a number and 12	12w

Some examples of common phrases and corresponding expressions that involve
division are:

Some examples of common phrases and corresponding expressions that involve
two operations are:

How Do You Write Mathematical Expressions From Word Problems?

There are so many words that you come across when you’re working on algebra problems,
and these words are really code for very specific mathematical symbols.

• Show Video Lesson

How To Write Algebraic Expressions For Word Phrases, By Analyzing The Language Used?

An algebraic expression is a mathematical phrase that contains a combination of numbers,
variables and operational symbols.
A variable is a letter that can represent one or more numbers.

How to write expressions with variables?

Examples:
Write the algebraic expressions to represent the statements.
a) The sum of -7 and the quantity 8 times x
b) Take the quantity -3 times x and then add 1.
c) -6 plus the product of -1 and x.

• Show Video Lesson

How to write algebraic expressions with parentheses?

Examples:

1. First consider the expression for
   -5 plus the quantity of 4 times x
   Now take the product of -8 and that expression and then add 6.

2. First consider the expression for
   the sum of 7 and the product of -2 and x
   What expression would be:
   4 plus the quantity of 2 times that expression.

• Show Video Lesson

How to Write Equations from Word Problems?

This video teaches how to dissect a word problem in order to define a variable and write an equation.

Examples:

1. Half of a number is 16. Write an equation to represent the situation. Define your variable and solve.

2. Mrs. Gaddie has two dogs. Her friend Anna-Marie has three less than twice as many as Mtr. Gaddie.
   How many dogs does Anna-Marie have?

3. A recycling plant recycles 2 tons of cans yesterday. This is a third of their usual amount.
   How much does the plant usually recycle?

• Show Video Lesson

How to Write Algebraic Expressions for Situations?

Example:
Translate the following phrases into algebraic or numeric expressions.
a) 173 less than a number ‘b’
b) Quotient of 173 and ‘b’
c) ‘b’ times 173
d) 173 more than ‘b’

Try the free Mathway calculator and
problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own
problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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