- 3-minute read
- 25th November 2017
6 Overused Words (And What to Say Instead)
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’.
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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?
Comments (238)
30th August 2018 at 14:50
what is another word for you?
31st August 2018 at 09:30
There isn't really one, unfortunately. But it's okay to repeat short words like 'you' and other pronouns.
24th January 2019 at 20:01
And
8th September 2018 at 22:27
This list suprised me, but is very interesting. I would like to know alternative words for “What?”
10th September 2018 at 09:17
Hi, Aillie. There are not really any alternatives to 'what'. If you are asking a question with only two to three possible answers, you can sometimes use 'which' instead (e.g. 'What is your favourite colour?' implies asking about a wide range of colours, but you could say 'Which is your favourite colour?' if you were asking someone to pick from a small selection of colours).
25th September 2018 at 02:52
what can you use instead of that
25th September 2018 at 09:02
Hi, Elena. 'That' is typically used to refer to a known thing (e.g. if I said 'That cat is cute', using 'that' implies we can both see the same cat). As such, there aren't really any simple alternatives that work in all cases. Is there a specific sentence you're using it in? In addition, it is generally fine to repeat short words like 'that', so you shouldn't worry if you can't find a synonym.
23rd February 2022 at 00:15
Is there another phrase you can use instead of “anything you want to be?”
I’m writing a college essay and I have it in my thesis and want to change it up for my conclusion.
“You can be anything you want be be”
23rd February 2022 at 10:16
What part in particular are you looking to vary? There are plenty of options depending on what you're trying to achieve and how different you want it to be. One simple option would be 'You can be whatever you want'.
19th October 2018 at 12:10
I am doing a fundraiser for the homeless and I would like to use a word instead of they or them referring to the homeless What suggestions do you have?
20th October 2018 at 09:36
Hi, Kary. It would depend on the context, as there may be some phrasing that fits, but 'they' and 'them' are the only third-person plural pronouns. Since they are pronouns, though, you should not worry about repeating them if that is why you are seeking alternatives. If you want to send in the document, I'm sure we can help make sure it reads clearly. https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
30th October 2018 at 13:48
I have couple of questions: 1-What can I use instead of 'got on'? For example: I got on the bus. 2- what words are alternative for 'wear'? For example: I wear my jacket. 3- what words can I use instead of 'went' For example: I went out of the shop. Thanks.
31st October 2018 at 10:11
Hi, Batoul. In reference to your questions: 1. You could say 'I boarded the bus.' 2. There is no simple replacement for 'wear' in that sentence, but you could say 'I have my jacket on.' 3. If you are talking about leaving somewhere, you could say 'I left the shop' or 'I exited the shop.' It would be unusual to say 'I went out of the shop', incidentally, but you might say 'I went out to the shop' to mean 'I left where I was to go to the shop.'
6th November 2018 at 04:47
What can I say instead of "would've" or "would have" when talking about how things would've gone ? Ex :The beginning would've been longer but the ending would have been longer. I'm just saying "would've" too much in this piece of writing.
6th November 2018 at 09:53
Hi, Rylan. You don't need to worry about repeating 'would have' in a piece of writing, or even in a sentence. These are common words that people expect to see used at least occasionally. There are other auxiliary verbs that would fit in the sentence, but none of them mean quite the same as 'would have' (especially if you need to preserve the tense). Are you trying to say something like 'The beginning would have been longer [if X had happened], but that would have made the ending longer, too'? If so, using 'would have' in each clause is fine (it ensures a parallel grammatical structure).
9th November 2018 at 00:44
What are some words that can be substituted for we in professional writing?
9th November 2018 at 10:09
Hi, Rachel. 'We' is the only plural subject pronoun in English, but you don't have to worry about repeating pronouns.
8th July 2019 at 02:42
Hey Rachel! So, I have another answer for you but I’m not sure if it will help youth since this was written in 2018 but I’m still gonna give it a try. My answer for you is instead of using ‘We’, you could use ‘Me and whoever else’ For example: Me and Ben are friends. Hope this helped!~
8th July 2019 at 08:39
Hi, Lala. Thanks for adding to the conversation here, and you're right that a compound subject can work in place of 'we' for two people, but you've made a slight error: 'me' is an object pronoun, so 'Me and Ben' or 'Ben and me' would be a replacement for 'us' (e.g. 'The rain soaked Ben and me' vs. 'The rain soaked us'). In your example, you would want to say 'Ben and I', since 'I' and 'we' are subject pronouns (e.g. 'Ben and I are friends').
23rd November 2018 at 10:26
this'll help me for my novel that I'm writing, thankyou.
6th January 2019 at 22:00
What can I say instead of 'and' As in "The boy looks around and when he sees me he smiles," Well.. Something along the lines of that. I would like to know if there is a way to make it more unique... like I wanna make it sound different... More professional.. Thanks!
7th January 2019 at 09:43
Hi, Cheyeanna. 'And' is a conjunction, so it is simply a linking word. You could therefore drop 'and' and use punctuation to do the same thing. For example, you could use a semicolon to link the clauses (I've added a missing comma in the second clause, too): 'The boy looks around; when he sees me, he smiles.'
11th January 2019 at 02:28
What can I said instead of I
11th January 2019 at 09:54
Hi, Thiago. There are no simple replacements for 'I' because it is a personal pronoun. If you have a particular sentence you are trying to rephrase, we could maybe suggest something, but it is fine to repeat words like 'I' anyway.
13th January 2019 at 18:23
What can I use instead of "in the document"
14th January 2019 at 10:28
Hi, Billy. Any replacement will depend on the context (e.g. the kind of document). Can you provide more information? Alternatively, you can send in your document for proofreading and we can check for repetition and suggest replacements if necessary: https://proofed.com.au/free-proofreading-and-editing-sample/
14th January 2019 at 02:51
What can I say instead of "then"
14th January 2019 at 02:53
What can I say instead of "we"
14th January 2019 at 10:32
Hi, Oliver. There are no simple replacements for 'we' as it is a personal pronoun. And any replacement for 'then', to address your other comment, will depend on how you are using it (it can mean 'at that time', 'after that' or 'as a result' depending on the context). Do you have more information about the context? You may also want to have your document checked, as then we can look for repetition throughout and suggest replacements as required: https://proofed.com.au/free-proofreading-and-editing-sample/
18th January 2019 at 01:37
What can i say instead of "the." Thank you
18th January 2019 at 09:46
Hi, Hannah. 'The' is the only definite article in English, so it does not have a simple replacement. It is fine to repeat words like 'the' anyway, so there's no need for a substitute. You could possibly rephrase your sentence to remove it, but I would have to know the context to suggest anything. If you'd like someone to proofread your writing, let us know: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
30th January 2019 at 23:44
What word or words can I use instead of "is"
31st January 2019 at 09:50
Hi, Arthur. There is no simple replacement for 'is' (you would have to phrase the sentence in a different tense). But it is fine to reuse short words like 'is' anyway, so you do not need a replacement.
31st January 2019 at 14:19
Thanks kindly for answering my question.
7th February 2019 at 08:03
what words can i use instead of my
7th February 2019 at 09:07
Hi, Matilda. It is fine to repeat words such as 'my' (and other possessive pronouns), so you do not need a replacement.
18th February 2019 at 10:07
what better way can i express the following sentences? 1. Now, every other way to be woken up was rude. 2. You see, doing that was what i was afraid of. "now" and "you see" sound kind of phony and cliche to me.
18th February 2019 at 10:25
Hi, calvinrock. It is hard to know what to suggest without knowing the context. The use of 'now' in the first sentence is presumably to mean 'At this moment'; and 'you see' tends to indicate that the speaker hopes the listener will understand them, so you could say something else like 'As you will understand'. You could also cut both of those terms without losing much from either sentence other than the conversational tone. If you'd like more specific advice, I'd suggest sending us the relevant document for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/free-proofreading-and-editing-sample/
10th March 2019 at 18:17
What is another way to say “ What I am trying to say” when trying to prove a fact?
11th March 2019 at 18:32
Hi, Michelle. I'd have to see a complete sentence to know exactly what to suggest (try sending your work in for proofreading if you want feedback tailored to the context: https://proofed.com.au/free-proofreading-and-editing-sample/). However, I'd imagine one of 'In other words', 'To clarify' or 'To summarise' should fit depending on who you're speaking to and the general tone of the document.
14th March 2019 at 01:42
I understand if there is no other word to use instead of is, but is there a phrase that can be used instead that conveys the same meaning? This will be helpful for my essay and extending my response.
14th March 2019 at 09:11
Hi, Berni. 'Is' is the third-person singular form of the verb 'be', so any alternative would probably involve using a different tense. Likewise, you may be able to rephrase particular sentences in such a way as to preserve their meaning without using 'is', but that would entirely depend on the context, so there's no single phrase that you would be able to use in every situation. I'd recommend sticking with 'is' anyway, as it is usually the most concise option.
22nd March 2019 at 18:23
What can i say instead of 'I was'
23rd March 2019 at 11:20
Hi, Harriet. There is no simple alternative to 'I was' that can be used regardless of the context. I imagine it would involve using a different grammatical tense, though, so you are probably better off sticking to 'I was' unless you want to rephrase significantly. I'd also suggest sending us your document to proofread if you're struggling with something in particular: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
1st April 2019 at 20:33
what word can I use in place of 'My' or 'We
2nd April 2019 at 07:46
Hi there. There aren't any simple replacements for personal pronouns. You might be able to rephrase a sentence to avoid using them, but it's fine to repeat words like this anyway, so I would suggest using them whenever it helps you express yourself clearly.
17th April 2019 at 20:27
what others words I can use beside, "I would be talking about...."
18th April 2019 at 08:11
It would depend on the context, so you may want to send your document in for proofreading, but likely alternatives include 'speaking about' and 'discussing'.
25th April 2019 at 03:13
What is another word for It's that could be used in an essay
25th April 2019 at 08:50
Hi, Brooklyn. Generally, you should avoid contractions in formal writing, so in an essay you should use 'it is'. If you mean you want a synonym for 'it is', it would depend entirely on the context, and it is fine to repeat short words like 'it' and 'is' anyway, so you do not need a replacement. If you'd like help with a particular document or section of a document, I recommend submitting it for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/free-proofreading-and-editing-sample/
10th May 2019 at 10:17
Hello Thanks for this great article. I am currently translating a document about a software and the writer insists on using "should be able to" as he emphasizes on the capabilities of this software. But it's a long list and I really don't want to use "should be able to" all the time. Is there any other form you would suggest? Or any other modal? Thank you
10th May 2019 at 11:07
Hi, ilksen. It is difficult to suggest anything without knowing the context. But if you have a list, could you not use 'should be able to' before it begins? For example... The software should be able to: - Capability 1 - Capability 2 - Capability 3, etc. On a more basic level, you can probably use substitutes for 'able' (e.g. 'should be capable of'). But this won't prevent the fundamental issue of it being a long and repetitive list, as you'd still be expressing the same sentiment each time. As above, without knowing the context I can only guess here, so you might want to send the document for proofreading once you have finished translating it if you want more specific feedback.
16th May 2019 at 09:48
Hello, I tend to overuse 'I' when I am writing. How do I prevent that? What can I use in its place?
16th May 2019 at 13:15
Hi, Britney. As in the other comments above, there are no simple replacements for pronouns. So as long as you're using the first person singular, you will need to use 'I' to refer to yourself. And you do this without worrying too much about repetition. If you do want to reduce your use of this term, you may want to use the third person more (you can find some tips on switching from the first person to the third person in academic writing here: https://proofed.com.au/writing-tips/using-the-first-person-in-academic-writing/). However, whether this change would be appropriate will depend on the context, so you may want to submit a document for proofreading if you need any specific suggestions.
3rd June 2019 at 14:05
What words can I use other than "as"?
3rd June 2019 at 14:36
Hi, Joey. The word 'as' has several uses in different contexts (e.g. it can be a preposition, a conjunction, or an adverb). As a result, there is no single word that would work as a replacement in every situation. If you are struggling with a particular document, I suggest submitting it for proofreading. But you can usually repeat short words like 'as' anyway, so you may not even need an alternative. It's impossible to say without seeing the rest of the text.
5th June 2019 at 02:06
What can I do instead of this is why
5th June 2019 at 07:48
Hi, Avery. Are you asking what you can say instead of 'this is why'? It would depend very much on the context, but something like 'For this reason' might work. I'd suggest sending your document for proofreading if you want a surer suggestion: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
6th June 2019 at 17:43
what can I use instead of the word at
8th June 2019 at 18:40
Hi, Arstell. There are no simple replacements for 'at' (it is a preposition, so it defines how other words are connected in a sentence, and any potential substitute would depend on the context). However, it is fine to repeat short terms like 'at', so you don't need a replacement anyway. If you're not sure you're using the word 'at' correctly, please submit your document for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
7th June 2019 at 04:57
whats another word for "thats" and "thing"
8th June 2019 at 18:49
Hi, Ella. Responses follow: 1) By 'thats', I assume you mean a contraction of 'that is' (please make sure to include an apostrophe if you're using a contraction, as otherwise it will look like a spelling error). If so, any replacement for these terms would depend on the sentence they're used in, so I can't suggest anything without knowing more, but you don't usually need to worry about repeating short terms like these anyway. 2) 'Thing' is a word you use when you can't (or don't need to) name something (e.g. 'What is that thing in the corner?' or 'Where is that birthday thing we're going to at the weekend?'). And while you would not want to overuse this term, the best replacement would depend entirely on what it is you're describing as a 'thing'. E.g., if the 'thing' is inanimate, you might say 'object', but you wouldn't use 'object' to describe an animal or plant (i.e. a living 'thing'). My suggestion here, then, would be to think about what you're describing as a 'thing' and then use those terms instead. If you need more help, you'll need to be more specific about what you're trying to say. And, more generally, it sounds like you might benefit from having your documents proofread: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
17th June 2019 at 06:34
What is the difference between "have not" and "haven't"
17th June 2019 at 08:27
Haven't' is simply a contraction of 'have not' (i.e. a shorter version where two terms are combined with some letters missing). They thus mean the same thing, although you wouldn't typically use a contraction in formal writing. For more on contractions in English, see our blog post on the topic: https://proofed.com.au/writing-tips/guide-contractions-english/
17th June 2019 at 06:35
Which One is right? 1. I've not any Car. 2. I haven't any Car.
17th June 2019 at 08:25
Hi, Sahil. Neither of those are correct. The correct version would depend on which contraction from 'I have' and 'have not' you want to use, and whether you're talking about one car or multiple cars. As such, it should be either: 1. I've not got a car. / I haven't got a car. 2. I've not got any cars. / I haven't got any cars. The first sentence here would typically seem more natural, although that may depend on the context. Note that we don't use 'any' with a singular noun. And there is no reason to capitalise 'car' unless it is at the start of a sentence. If you'd like more help, I suggest submitting a document for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
24th June 2019 at 06:35
I've written the word The so many times already. What can I use to replace it
24th June 2019 at 08:00
Hi, CJ. Although you could use another determiner (this, that, a, an, etc.) in place of 'the', they're not typically interchangeable, and you would probably need to rephrase your sentence significantly to make up for this. It is fine to reuse short words like determiners, though, so you don't need a replacement for 'the' anyway. If you're worried you're using it so much it affects the readability, you might want to submit your document for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
8th July 2019 at 02:57
Hello! So, I’ve been writing stories for some time now and it has come to notice that I have used to words ‘Been’, ‘Small’, and ‘Little/Littles’ too often. I’m wondering if there are other words to fill their places instead of using those words too many times. Incase you are confused, I will give you examples from my most recent stories for each word. Been: “He'd be lying if he says he doesn’t have fun like he did before the stuff that’s been making him paranoid has been happening.” Small: “Despite the store being quite small, there were many things in the shop.” Little: “Most people don’t reconsider littles to be real.” Thank you for your help.
8th July 2019 at 08:51
Hi, Lala. With 'been', I suspect the issue is sentence construction. A corrected version of your example, for instance, could read: 'He'd be lying if he said he didn't have fun like he did before recent events, which had left him paranoid.' I've revised this sentence to fix some of the inconsistent tenses, which has the added bonus of removing 'been'. It may be, then, that if you're using this word a lot, you should look closely at how your sentences are phrased for concision and verb tense issues. With 'small', in that context, you could use a range of synonyms, including 'little', 'tiny', 'petite', 'cramped' or 'limited in size'. I'd suggest checking a thesaurus in cases like that, if you haven't already (e.g. https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/small). And I'm afraid I don't understand how you are using 'little'. You seem to be treating it as a noun, but it is usually an adjective or adverb (as noted above, 'little' typically means 'small' or 'limited'). Feel free to submit a document for proofreading if you'd like more help: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
20th July 2019 at 08:29
Things to say instead of I will
20th July 2019 at 09:40
One possibility is 'I am going to...', but it's hard to be certain without knowing the context.
25th July 2019 at 03:34
what words could i use instead of ‘the’ to start a sentence? for example... “the cry of baby birds filled the forest that morning.”
25th July 2019 at 07:48
Hi, Connor. You don't generally have to worry about replacing short words like 'the', and there is no direct replacement for it. You could possibly rephrase the sentence to avoid using the definite article, though not without changing it a fair amount (e.g. 'Baby birds sang throughout the forest that morning...').
15th August 2019 at 10:36
Another word for 'this'
15th August 2019 at 11:16
Hi, Amber. There is no simple replacement for a pronoun like 'this' that wouldn't involve restructuring the sentence (it all depends on context). On the plus side, you don't have to worry too much about repeating short terms like 'this'. But if you do want help, I suggest submitting a document for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
6th September 2019 at 20:32
What are other words for or something?
11th September 2019 at 13:03
Hi. I'm not sure exactly what you're asking. Do you mean to use 'or something' like 'etc.' (i.e. to suggest other options)? You may find that having your writing proofread will be useful in cases like this: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
7th September 2019 at 01:23
I need more words for and
11th September 2019 at 13:00
Hi, Fawara. Most replacements for 'and' will depend on the context. If you feel like you've used it too much in a document, I suggest submitting it for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
9th September 2019 at 23:58
Hi I'm writing a poem for language arts this is what I have I am the wintertime As I taste snowflakes melting on my tongue While I zoom down frozen mountains on my skis I am spring When I victoriously pump my fist as I score a winning goal for my soccer team I am the fall When I relax on a park bench as I peacefully watch leaves dance to the ground I'm satisfied with it other than the fact that I think that I'm using when I and as I too much and I can't figure out how to phrase it differently.
11th September 2019 at 12:40
Hi, Mary Kate. It's a good poem! I don't even think the repetition of 'I' is necessarily a problem; it helps give the poem its rhythm. However, if you wanted to use it less, you could try omitting the subject from the lines between the 'season' lines, e.g.: I am the wintertime Tasting snowflakes melting on my tongue While zooming down frozen mountains on my skis And so on...
17th September 2019 at 23:40
another word for was?
18th September 2019 at 08:41
Hi, Alo. There is no simple replacement for 'was', so you would probably have to rephrase the sentence and use a different tense if you really wanted to avoid it. All in all, it's probably better just to repeat 'was', but if you send us a document for proofreading, we might be able to help: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
23rd September 2019 at 04:23
What can I say instead of which? e.x This person states, "so and so" which means...
23rd September 2019 at 08:15
Hi, Sarah. There isn't really a simple replacement for 'which' if you're introducing a relative clause (incidentally, you would usually need a comma before 'which' when using it like that). But you could probably rephrase the sentence. For instance: This person states, 'so and so'. By this, he/she means…
23rd September 2019 at 21:37
What can I say to replace “as I”
24th September 2019 at 08:56
Hi, Madisyn. It would depend entirely on the context, since 'as' has several definitions. If you're struggling with a particular document, I suggest submitting it for proofreading and leaving a comment about any problem phrases for your editor.
27th September 2019 at 03:17
What is an alternative to the phrase "In the year ..."
27th September 2019 at 08:33
Hi, Shirley. It would depend on the context. If the issue is that you are using it too much at the beginning of sentences, the simplest option may be to rephrase so that it appears later in the relevant clause. You could also submit a document for proofreading if you'd like more specific suggestions.
28th September 2019 at 22:58
I struggle the most with words like is/is not and does/does not when writing essays. do you have any tips?
29th September 2019 at 11:38
Hi, River. If you're looking for alternatives to those terms, it would depend on the context. Can you explain what the issue you're having is or provide an example? Alternatively, you could submit a document for proofreading if you'd like more specific help.
29th September 2019 at 02:30
What are some other word I could use instead of I like some words that add some action and motion instead of using I a lot in the essay?
29th September 2019 at 11:35
Hi, Nanie. There is no simple replacement for 'I' (it's the only singular first-person pronoun in English). If you'd like more advice on how and when to use the first person in an essay, we have a separate blog post on the topic: https://proofed.com.au/writing-tips/using-the-first-person-in-academic-writing/
11th October 2019 at 07:54
Thank you for this list . It will help me to maximize my transition in English
14th October 2019 at 15:40
Thank you so much for your wisdom. I have a problem of writing in passive vs active voice. Do you have anything blog posts that would be helpful? I also really struggle with using the word "Although..." Do you have any suggestions on words to use instead? For example: Although some believed Marcionites were in line with Gnosticism, many say there were strong differences. TIA!
14th October 2019 at 16:03
Hi, Bethany. We have a post outlining the difference between the passive and active voices here: https://proofed.com.au/writing-tips/passive-voice-or-active-voice/ Was there anything in particular you needed advice on? We may have more on the topic in other posts (e.g. using the active voice to write concisely). As for 'although', you have plenty of options. The simplest are terms like 'though' or 'even though', which you can use in place of 'although' in any sentence. But you can also rephrase and use simple terms like 'but' or 'yet'. For instance: Some believed Marcionites were in line with Gnosticism, but many say there were strong differences.
24th October 2019 at 16:44
what about "for me"
25th October 2019 at 08:24
Hi there. There are no exact replacements for 'me' that wouldn't involve rephrasing the sentence, but it's fine to repeat pronouns anyway.
30th October 2019 at 05:11
What can use instead of "it was"? I use it way too much and can't think of anything. ex. It was a good distraction.
30th October 2019 at 09:09
Hi, Megan. There isn't a simple replacement for 'it was', but you may be able to rephrase sentences to avoid it. For instance, with your example sentence, you could say something like 'It provided a good distraction.'
30th October 2019 at 05:19
What are some good replacements for "be" verbs? (are, is, am, was, being, been)
30th October 2019 at 09:07
Hi, Rebecca. There are no simple replacements for 'be' or its other forms, but you may be able to rephrase sentences so you use them less. Do you have any examples of a problem sentence? You can always send a document in for proofreading, and leave a note in the comments about wanting to use fewer 'be' verbs, if there is something in particular you are struggling with: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
30th October 2019 at 15:10
I was wondering if there was any other way I could say 'From there'. Like in a sentence, "From there, she did this."
30th October 2019 at 16:31
Hi, Kynzie. It may depend on what you mean by 'From there'. Do you mean something like 'From that point onwards'? Or is it a physical space (i.e. 'From the place mentioned')? The context here is important as 'From' and 'there' are both common terms with multiple uses. Thinking about what you're trying to express with those terms may even help you find an alternative, but you can also submit a document for proofreading if there is something in particular you'd like help with: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
19th November 2019 at 17:49
What about "do you"?
21st November 2019 at 09:26
Hi, Audrey. Any replacement for 'Do you' would depend on the rest of the question. However, it is fine to reuse short words like those.
21st November 2019 at 00:21
I’m writing for my history assignment and I don’t know what to say other then “which is” can you help?
21st November 2019 at 09:27
Hi, Amy. Any replacement for 'which is' would depend on the context. I imagine your best option would be to restructure certain sentences if you feel you're using it too much. However, it is generally fine to reuse short words like those.
23rd November 2019 at 16:59
What can I say instead of "I made it", whilst still not calling myself a survivor?
26th November 2019 at 10:09
Hi, Cara. Assuming you're looking for something that means 'I survived/I made it' without saying 'survived', you could try phrases like 'I pulled through' or 'I'm still standing'. It would depend on the context, though.
10th December 2019 at 23:16
Hello, what can I use instead of here? For example here is a list of _____?
11th December 2019 at 10:50
Hi, Axel. You don't have to worry about repeating short, common words like 'here'. If you find yourself using 'Here is a list of...' too much, your best option is to vary your sentence structure rather than replacing just one word (e.g. 'This next list contains...').
2nd January 2020 at 20:12
Do you know how to not use 'they' too much. I said it at least 30 times in 5 paragraphs and I'm having trouble fixing it. Can you help me?
8th January 2020 at 15:59
Hi, Deuce. It is hard to know what to suggest without knowing the context. Are you using 'they' as a plural or singular gender-neutral pronoun? Or is it a mix of both? How are you using it? Have you tried rephrasing sentences in the passive voice? Generally, you don't have to worry about repetition of pronouns, but if you're especially worried you may want to submit a document for proofreading and note the issue in the comments for your editor.
6th January 2020 at 21:16
I am writing an introduction using "first.. Next.. Lastly..." For example: First, I will discuss........
I am finding the issue that i use the words "I will" at the beginning of each sentence.
What can i say instead?
More examples: First, I will explain.... Next, I will describe...
8th January 2020 at 15:56
Hi, Megan. It is fine to repeat the words 'I will' in that kind of context, so don't worry about it.
22nd January 2020 at 00:18
Hi! I was wondering if you could say something else for the word "that" like "the author states that..."
22nd January 2020 at 08:14
Hi there. You could just remove 'that' entirely and add a comma before the quote in such sentences: e.g. The author states, 'QUOTE HERE'.
24th January 2020 at 17:10
Please what can l use to replace" l will be" , in this sentence; l am writing to inform you that l will be moving abroad
25th January 2020 at 12:10
You could rephrase slightly to say something like 'I am writing to inform you of my plan to move abroad.' Or 'I am writing to inform you that I am moving abroad.'
27th January 2020 at 03:05
what can I use instead of " used" or "using
EX: he is using a whiskey to stir the batter. thanks! :)
28th January 2020 at 08:53
You could try a word like 'utilising' or 'employing', but 'using' is probably the simplest option unless you have a reason to avoid it.
27th January 2020 at 03:05
sorry I meant a whisk
25th February 2020 at 01:51
What can I use instead of lesson? Like in 'I hope you learned your lesson'.
26th February 2020 at 09:47
Hi, Batoul. There isn't a simple replacement for 'lesson' in that context (i.e. a thing learned, as compared to a class in school), and it's difficult to know what to suggest without knowing the situation to which it applies, but you could say something like 'I hope you learned something from this'.
27th February 2020 at 05:32
Thank you so much for this article! I have 2 questions. 1) What are some words to avoid writing in an essay for school? and 2) What are some words to replace them?
27th February 2020 at 10:20
Hi, Delaney. There are no words in particular that you should avoid in essays (although, as in this post, you may want to look for synonyms or other ways of saying something if you find yourself overusing a specific word). However, you may want to be careful about using the first person as it can make your writing overly subjective (e.g. phrases like 'In my opinion...'), and it's best to avoid overly vague language (e.g. saying something is 'good' or 'bad' but not explaining why you think that). Hope that helps! And don't forget you can have your essays proofread!
21st March 2020 at 10:25
My associate has a distracting verbal habit of using 'It's a case of' as a conversational pause, much like an UM or ER. What can you suggest I offer him as an alternative to highlight this? Thank you
23rd March 2020 at 09:39
It's very hard to suggest something without knowing the context, especially as a conversational pause could literally be anything! Apologies that we can't help, but good luck if you do decide to speak to your associate about it.
22nd March 2020 at 01:00
What do you say instead of "this is"
e.g. This is more than double
23rd March 2020 at 09:40
Hi, Mikayla. There is no generic replacement for 'This' or 'is' that wouldn't involve rephrasing or changing tense or similar, so we can't really suggest anything without knowing the context. If you're having an issue with a particular document, you could submit it for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
23rd March 2020 at 00:20
What is another way to say 'I' and 'I want to' in a formal essay/reflection?
23rd March 2020 at 09:46
If it is reflective writing, using the first person is usually fine. Unfortunately, there is no replacement for 'I' in English, but you could try switching to the passive voice in places (https://proofed.com.au/writing-tips/passive-voice-or-active-voice/). As for 'want', it may depend on the context, but synonyms include 'wish' and 'desire'.
6th April 2020 at 09:03
What can i say instead of 'as' ?
ex. she opened her eyes as she stretched out.
6th April 2020 at 10:12
Hi, Lara. You don't need to worry about short words like 'as', but in the sentence you give there you could maybe say 'when' or 'while'. 'As' has multiple uses, though, so those words would not always work in other contexts.
15th April 2020 at 20:46
What can I say besides "the"?
16th April 2020 at 08:45
I'm afraid there's no simple replacement for 'the', but you don't have to worry about repeating articles and other short words.
16th April 2020 at 14:01
What can be used for "I will" (ex. I will pick up the dogs poop and toys.)
16th April 2020 at 16:41
Hi, Sydney. There are no simple replacements for 'I' in English, and you shouldn't worry too much about repeating short words like 'will', but there are other ways to express intentions (e.g. 'I intend to pick up the dog's poop and toys', 'I am going to pick up the dog's poop and toys').
17th April 2020 at 13:43
thanks
21st April 2020 at 16:15
What other words can I use to say "And that" (i.g I suddenly realized life wasn't all fun and play. And that i'm going to have to e more responsible and less dependable)
22nd April 2020 at 09:37
Hi, Jayden. There are no simply replacements there, but 'and' is a conjunction, so you could use another word like 'also', and you could just cut the 'that' altogether in that sentence: e.g. 'Also, I’m going to have to be more responsible and dependable.'
21st April 2020 at 16:15
be*
21st April 2020 at 20:32
what can i say instead of those are?
22nd April 2020 at 09:41
Hi, Bailey. There are no simple replacements for pronouns like 'Those' or basic verbs like 'be' that wouldn't involve rephrasing your sentence, so it is hard to suggest a solution without knowing the context. You could always submit a document for proofreading if you're seeking help with something in particular: https://proofed.co.uk/free-proofreading-and-editing-sample/
6th May 2020 at 14:43
what are other words fore that there
6th May 2020 at 17:05
Hi, Steve. If you're asking for alternatives to 'that' and 'there', I'm afraid any replacements would depend on the context. It is usually fine to repeat short words like this anyway, but if you're struggling with overusing them in a document, you could submit it for proofreading and leave a comment for your editor noting the problem you'd like help with.
21st May 2020 at 23:08
What can you use instead of "it"?
22nd May 2020 at 12:42
Hi, Julia. 'It' is a pronoun (i.e. a word we use in place of another noun), so the best alternative would probably be whatever the noun is you were using 'it' in place of. There is no generic alternative to 'it', though, and you don't need to worry about repeating short words anyway. And if you still feel like you're using 'it' too much in your writing, try having your work edited (you can leave a comment for your editor asking them to reduce the use of the word 'it' if possible). You can upload a free sample document here if you want to test our services.
28th May 2020 at 05:01
Hi, so I'm currently writing an essay for school and I've already used the phrase "I'd..." in the last 2 sentences and I was wondering if you could tell me another word to use? This essay is due on Friday, its currently 12:00 am on Thursday I was wondering if you could tell me another phrase to use? (And don't worry I'm really close to finishing haha)
29th May 2020 at 10:21
Hi, Dara. Apologies if this response is too late, but the main thing we'd suggest is that you would not usually use contractions (e.g. 'I'd' or 'it's') in formal writing. More directly, there are no simple replacements for 'I had' or 'I would' (whichever you were using), nor is there a need to worry about repeating short, simple terms, but you could probably rephrase a sentence to avoid using either if required.
29th May 2020 at 10:05
How about as? Like when I say "as there is still blah blah blah"
29th May 2020 at 10:28
Hi, Shiyi. It seems like you're using 'as' to mean 'because' or 'since' there, but without a full sentence it is difficult to know, and 'as' has several meanings, so the best word will depend on how you are using it.
4th June 2020 at 14:35
what can I use instead of "as"
5th June 2020 at 12:49
Hi, Carolina. As mentioned in the post, you do not usually need to worry about repeating short words like 'as'. If you do want to vary your language more, though, the best option will depend on how you're using it: 'as' has several definitions, including as an adverb, a preposition, and a conjunction, so there is no single replacement term that you could use in every situation. If you want to submit a specific piece of writing for proofreading, though, I'm sure our editors could help you with any problems you're having.
17th June 2020 at 14:30
What should I use instead of saying 'this'?
17th June 2020 at 15:01
Hi, Ruth. There are no simple replacements for pronouns (other than naming the noun the pronoun refers to), but nor do you need to worry about repeating common words like 'this'. If you feel like you're using it too much, you can try rephrasing some of the sentences you've used it in. I'm afraid we can't suggest how to rephrase without knowing more, but you could always upload a document to our editing service if you'd like more help.
3rd September 2020 at 02:37
What can I say instead of 'is'?
3rd September 2020 at 09:00
Hi, Komal. There is no simple replacement for 'is' that wouldn't involve rephrasing the sentence (e.g. changing tense). However, it's fine to reuse short words like 'is', so you shouldn't need a replacement.
3rd September 2020 at 23:35
Hello,
Is there another way to say ”are able to.”
Thanks in advance.
4th September 2020 at 10:20
Hi, Gino. There are various options you could use for a similar meaning, including 'are capable of' and 'have the capacity to', though the best option may depend on the context. If you'd like specific feedback on a document, you might want to submit it for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/free-proofreading-and-editing-sample/
22nd September 2020 at 01:31
What can I use instead of the word “ the “
22nd September 2020 at 09:51
Hi, Chloe. There is no simple replacement for 'the' that wouldn't depend on the context, but it is fine to repeat short words like articles anyway.
24th September 2020 at 22:24
Is there a different word to use than "that" in this sentence: "Someone did something that would do something else"?
25th September 2020 at 10:42
Hi, Grace. There isn't a simple replacement for 'that' in the sentence you give that wouldn't involve rephrasing (e.g. you could say, 'Someone did something, which meant something else happened' instead if that fits the context). However, you don't usually need to worry about repeating simple words like 'that'.
27th September 2020 at 01:23
what are other words for is trying
28th September 2020 at 09:10
Hi, Russul. Assuming you mean 'trying' in the sense of 'making an effort to do something', you could try 'attempting' or 'endeavouring'. If you'd like any more help with your word choice, though, don't forget to get your writing proofread: https://proofed.com.au/free-proofreading-and-editing-sample/
22nd October 2020 at 04:14
What is another word for I?
22nd October 2020 at 10:09
There is no simple replacement for 'I' in English that doesn't involve changing the overall sentence (e.g. switching to the passive voice and omitting the subject). However, it's fine to repeat short words, such as pronouns, anyway.
3rd November 2020 at 00:27
What’s a replacement for I am
3rd November 2020 at 10:23
Hi there. There is no simple replacement for 'I am' that wouldn't involve changing the grammatical point of view or tense, or possibly rephrasing in other ways depending on the context, but it's not usually a problem to repeat short words like 'I' or 'am' anyway. If you'd like feedback on a particular document, though, feel free to submit it for proofreading or editing (you can even get a free trial here).
4th November 2020 at 14:48
What can I write instead of "This is why"
4th November 2020 at 15:14
Hi, Levi. It will depend on the context somewhat (e.g. what 'this' refers to), but you should be able to rephrase sentences to avoid the 'This is why...' phrasing fairly easily. For instance, if we imagine the rest of the sentence is '...the team won' (just so we have something to work with), you could say 'The team won because of this', 'This is the reason the team won', 'As a result of this, the team won', or many other things. If you're struggling for ideas in a specific document, though, you may want to get it proofread: https://proofed.com.au/free-proofreading-and-editing-sample/
5th November 2020 at 16:11
What are other replacement for "wouldn't have been" or tips to avoid using that phrase?
6th November 2020 at 10:20
Hi, Alice. There aren't any simple replacements for 'wouldn't have been' as a phrase, and it's hard to suggest anything specific without knowing the context in which you're using it since most possibilities involve rephrasing (e.g. changing tense or finding a positive form with a similar meaning, such as changing 'You wouldn't have been happy' to 'You would have been sad'). If you need help with a specific document, though, you can give our proofreading service a try: https://proofed.com.au/free-proofreading-and-editing-sample/
8th November 2020 at 11:45
WORDS FOR THE
THY SUN THE SUN ......
9th November 2020 at 11:45
There are no simple replacements in English for 'the', but it's fine to reuse short words like this anyway.
12th November 2020 at 18:42
What about other words for it's
13th November 2020 at 13:52
Hi, Lil. There are no simple replacements for 'it's' (other than writing 'it is' out in full or rephrasing to use a noun in place of the pronoun 'it'), but you don't need to worry about repeating short words like this anyway.
13th November 2020 at 15:15
What can I stay instead of"An article by"
13th November 2020 at 15:21
Hi there. It would depend on the context, but assuming you're looking for alternatives to the word 'article', your options include 'paper', 'report', 'essay', 'piece', 'feature', and 'story'. Alternatively, you could rephrase the sentence to avoid the phrase 'An article by' while still using the word 'article' (e.g. 'Written by So and So, the article...').
19th November 2020 at 14:56
What about the word "which is why"?
19th November 2020 at 17:14
Hi, Mai. Any replacement for 'which is why' would depend on the context. There is no simple replacement for 'which' when introducing a non-restrictive relative clause if that is how you are using it, but you may be able to rephrase to make the relative clause a separate sentence: e.g. 'X happened. This is why...' or 'X happened. For this reason...'
2nd December 2020 at 19:34
I’m writing an essay and want to know what to put instead of “the next problem..” for example, “The next problem is pollution..” I don’t know if you will reply fast enough but thanks anyway.
3rd December 2020 at 09:47
Hi, Laura. It would rather depend on the context, but perhaps phrases like 'Another issue...' or 'A further difficulty...' would help? You can always submit your work for proofreading if you need more specific advice or assistance.
8th December 2020 at 22:41
What should I write instead of 'there once was a'?
9th December 2020 at 09:45
Hi, Sia. That would depend entirely on the context (i.e. what you're discussing, the writing style, and the type of document). But there are plenty of options available depending on what you're trying to achieve (e.g. 'In the past, there was a...' or 'A [thing] once existed...'). If you'd like advice on a specific document, you can always upload it for proofreading and add a request in the notes: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
9th December 2020 at 00:15
Is there an alternative for the phrase ¨These are the reasons why¨ or ¨These reasons are¨ ?
9th December 2020 at 09:49
Hi there. This would depend on the context and what you're trying to say, so I can't offer much advice without knowing more. You could always submit a document for proofreading if you're seeking help with something in particular: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/ As a side note 'These are the reasons why...' suggests you're going to explain the consequences of the 'reasons', whereas 'These reasons are...' by itself suggests you're going to discuss some feature of the reasons themselves, so these phrases aren't quite equivalent in the abstract. As above, though, it may depend on how you planned to continue the sentences in question.
12th December 2020 at 22:56
What can I say instead of, "the," at the beginning of every sentence?
14th December 2020 at 10:16
Hi, Ariyanna. There is no simple replacement for the definite article in English, but you can almost always rephrase a sentence to avoid starting with 'the'. It's hard to offer specific advice without knowing what you're writing, but you could submit a document for proofreading if you'd like more help: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
12th January 2021 at 17:46
Hi I'm a student but I want to know. What is another word for "But".
13th January 2021 at 10:05
Hi, Ebba. We have a post on alternatives to 'but' here: https://proofed.com.au/writing-tips/alternatives-to-the-word-but-for-academic-writing/
12th January 2021 at 17:47
Ummmmm how about it? Because the is some use to other things??
13th January 2021 at 10:08
Hi again. I'm not sure I follow your question. Are you looking for an alternative to 'it'? If so, there isn't another pronoun that fits easily, but you could just name the thing that 'it' would be replacing in the sentence or otherwise rephrase to avoid needing a pronoun (e.g. instead of 'It is warm today', you could say 'The weather is warm today').
26th January 2021 at 12:13
Hello! what's another word for clean water and how to conserve water
26th January 2021 at 14:25
Hi, Audrey. Can you clarify what you are looking for here? Is it synonyms for 'clean'? And I'm not sure there are other words for 'how to conserve water' (unless you mean something like 'water conservation methods'). Any alternatives would probably depend on the context, too, since it seems like you're discussing a very specific topic rather than looking for replacements for common terms, so I'd suggest submitting a document for proofreading if you'd like help with the phrasing of something: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
1st February 2021 at 23:55
What is another word I can use instead of another reason in an essay?
2nd February 2021 at 09:36
Hi, Paola. There are plenty of options for both words. Instead of 'another', you could say 'an additional', 'a further' or 'one more' (among many other phrases). And it would depend on the context for 'reason' (e.g. if you're discussing why people did something, or why a physical action occurred, or something else), but possible choices include 'cause', 'motivation' and 'rationale'. If you need help with a particular document, you could always submit it for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
6th February 2021 at 20:12
is there another word for "as I", for instance, "The air became so heavy and dry, barely reaching my lungs as I gasped for more"
8th February 2021 at 09:40
Hi, Linda. There is no first-person singular pronoun in English other than 'I', but there are alternatives to 'as' in the sense you're using it there (e.g. 'while'). You could also rephrase the sentence to avoid that construction (e.g. 'I gasped for more air, but it became heavy and dry, barely reaching my lungs').
11th February 2021 at 22:50
Is there another word for "of". I want to use it in a sentence like this: ... the body is in constant need of.
12th February 2021 at 10:11
Hi, Zahra. You don't have to worry about repeating prepositions like 'of', but you could just rephrase to avoid using it if you wanted to (e.g. 'The body has a constant need for...').
18th February 2021 at 21:36
whats an alternavtive to "Going\going to"?.
19th February 2021 at 08:53
Hi there. The best choice will depend on the context: e.g. if you mean in the sense of 'I am going to do something', you could say 'I intend to do something'; if you mean in the sense of 'I am going to France', you could say 'I am travelling to France'. There are other words and phrases you could use in place of 'going to' as well, but it is hard to know what to recommend without knowing what you're trying to express. You can always submit a document for proofreading if you need more specific advice: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
21st February 2021 at 21:52
What's another word for thing?
22nd February 2021 at 10:17
Hi, Malia. 'Thing' is a word that stands in for something you can't name anyway, so any replacement would depend on the context. If you're referring to a physical, non-living thing, perhaps 'object' or 'item' would suit.
6th March 2021 at 14:41
Hello , what can I use instead of "best", " good" or " right " in this sentence; " we will try to find good answers for these questions?
8th March 2021 at 09:50
Hi, Fatima. We have a full post on synonyms for 'good' and 'bad', so hopefully you'll find some suggestions here: https://proofed.com.au/writing-tips/synonyms-good-bad/
28th March 2021 at 03:14
hello,
i was just wondering if there is a replacement that i could use instead of 'have more'.
29th March 2021 at 10:18
Hi, Jorja. It is hard to suggest anything without knowing the context, but perhaps something along the lines of 'possess a greater amount/number of' would work. If you'd like more specific suggestions, though, you can always submit a document for proofreading.
5th May 2021 at 14:02
What is another word for "this shows"/"this"?
5th May 2021 at 17:19
Hi, Aiden. There is no simple replacement for "this" since it is already a pronoun (i.e., a replacement for another word) unless another pronoun would also fit the context (e.g. "it" or "that"). As for "shows," there are plenty of alternatives depending on the context and how you're using it, such as "demonstrates" or "illustrates." However, it is hard to suggest any replacement in particular without knowing the context in which you're using it.
6th May 2021 at 18:46
What can I use besides " throughout the article", I've already repeated this in my assignment multiple times.
7th May 2021 at 09:15
Hi, Giselle. It may depend on the exact context and which word you're looking to replace. For 'throughout', you could try 'in every part of', 'in each section of', or similar. And for 'article', depending on the format, you have words such as 'essay', 'report', 'paper', 'study', and others.
10th May 2021 at 17:31
I seem to be the only one struggling with this word - 'were'. I overuse it in my writing and can't get past it. They 'were' this, they 'were' that, where 'were' they, why 'were' they, I use it a lot. And 'was'. Any help here would be much appreciated!
11th May 2021 at 08:52
Hi, May. There isn't a simple replacement for 'were' or 'was' without switching tense, so you would probably have to rephrase in places to minimise use of those terms, but it is hard to know what to suggest without knowing the context (we'd be happy to offer specific advice if you want to submit a document for proofreading, though; all you'd have to do is upload a document and leave a note in the comments for your editor asking them to look out for the problem phrases). However, it's also worth keeping in mind that repeating short, simple terms like these is usually fine.
29th May 2021 at 01:02
What can i use instead of I was
31st May 2021 at 10:17
Hi, Dariana. There aren't really simple replacements for either of those words that wouldn't involve rephrasing your sentence, so we can't really suggest anything without knowing the context. You can always submit a document for proofreading if you'd like help with something in particular, though! https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
29th May 2021 at 10:03
I'm writing an essay for my exam. Is there another phrase I could use instead of "the use of"?
31st May 2021 at 10:21
Hi, Milly. Synonyms for 'use' include 'utilisation', 'application', 'usage', and 'employment', or you could rephrase slightly (e.g. using the verb form 'using' instead). The best option will depend on the context, though, as not all of the terms above will fit in every sentence, so if you need a more specific suggestion you might want to submit a document for proofreading:https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
21st October 2021 at 18:58
What can I use to replace "This" at the beginning of a sentence. Ex: "This sentence represents a suspenseful tone" My teacher asked that I replace "this" with something different, or avoid it.
22nd October 2021 at 09:02
Hi, Cassie. There isn't a simple replacement for the pronoun 'this' in English, so it will depend on the context in which you are using it. Typically, in cases such as your example sentence, 'this' indicates proximity (e.g. being physically close or just having been mentioned). As such, you could say something like 'The aforementioned sentence...' or 'The sentence just mentioned...', but both of these could sound a little awkward, so you might also want to rephrase your sentence more thoroughly.
26th October 2021 at 07:00
what should i write instead of i come from
26th October 2021 at 09:12
Hi, Izzy. What context are you using that phrase in? And what are you looking to vary? If the issue is repetition of 'come', you could say something like 'I hail from...' or 'I originate from...' if they work in context. Otherwise, you may need to rephrase more thoroughly. If you'd like advice on a specific document, you can always submit it for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/free-proofreading-and-editing-sample/
20th November 2021 at 16:58
Hello, what can I used instead of 'by' and 'through'?
22nd November 2021 at 09:47
Hi, Kendi. It depends on the context in which you're using those words. For example, the replacement you'd need for 'by' in 'I'm sitting by [next to] the window' would be different from the replacement you'd need for it in 'The book is by [the work of] Charles Dickens'. If you'd like advice on a particular piece of writing, though, you can always submit a document for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
3rd December 2021 at 19:52
Hi, what other words can I use instead of 'which helps' and ' improve' Im doing an essay on business and I keep using these words so much.
6th December 2021 at 16:32
Hi, Milana. There are plenty of words that you can use instead of 'help', such as 'aid' and 'assist'. Likewise, 'improve' (e.g. 'enhance'). However, the best word will likely depend on the context, especially for 'improve': e.g. you might use 'increase' in place of 'improve' if you were discussing something qualitative and positive, such as profits, since higher profits are typically better than lower ones, but you wouldn't be able to use 'increase' in place of 'improve' if you were discussing something qualitative, such as quality of customer service (where serving more customers in the same time may even reduce the quality of service provided). As such, you might want to submit a document for proofreading if you want to be sure that you use the right synonyms in the right places.
17th January 2022 at 20:36
What can I use instead of I chose?
18th January 2022 at 09:34
It would depend on the context as to which was most appropriate, but synonyms for 'choose' include 'select', 'pick', 'opt for', 'elect', and many others.
14th February 2022 at 18:13
What is a better word for it
15th February 2022 at 10:04
Hi, Alexiah. You don't usually need to worry about repeating short words like 'it', and there isn't a simple replacement for 'it', but since 'it' is a pronoun and thus already a replacement for another word, you could just use whichever noun it is replacing. You can probably also rephrase to avoid using 'it', but that would depend on the context. If you'd like more specific advice, try uploading a document for proofreading: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
18th May 2022 at 04:17
Greetings, I hope this finds you well. I want to ask which phrases and words can I use to replace/substitute juvenile expressions like: In this paper
This paper will ...
Firstly
Secondly Thank you
18th May 2022 at 09:27
Hi, Joel. There's only so much advice we can offer without knowing how and where you're using these terms, so it sounds like you might want to submit a document for proofreading if there are multiple phrases you're seeking to replace. However, to try and offer some guidance, the simplest replacement among the words listed would be to find a synonym for 'paper' (e.g. 'essay' or 'article', depending on what is appropriate in context). There aren't any simple replacements for ordinal numbers, but you could try writing them without the '-ly' suffix (e.g. 'first' and 'second'). Or you could just avoid enumerating your points if the numbering isn't essential to what you're saying (e.g. depending on the context, rather than 'Firstly', you might be able to say 'To begin with'; and rather than 'Secondly', you might be able to say 'Furthermore'). As mentioned, though, a lot of this will depend on the context in which you're using these terms, so I would suggest submitting your work for proofreading (when you're ready to do so) and including a note for your proofreader with any terms you'd like to substitute: https://proofed.com.au/services/proofreading/
18th May 2022 at 10:09
Hi there, it's a Master's Dissertation. I had it checked by a friend who teaches academic writing and he said using such makes it sound like the paper was written by a kindergartener. Here is the comment :
"Hey mister! Taking a first peek at this writing. If someone handed me this for one of my classes I'd hand it straight back and tell them to fix the format and remove the garbage like "firstly" and "secondly." Are you sure that this format and type of wording is acceptable for whomever is going to reading or publishing this paper? There's unnecssary announcements,. Let's make sure this is all acceptable before going any further. I would say that this is a high school level writer trying to publish a paper over their head, to be honest. The general writing is okay, it seems, but the details are not international academic standards at all. "
19th May 2022 at 09:18
Hi again, Joel. Fundamentally speaking, there's no reason you couldn't use words like 'firstly' and 'secondly' in a master's dissertation: they're just ordinal numbers, so if you're listing a series of sequential points, then they're a perfectly fine way to introduce each one in turn. If you're not sure about the language it is appropriate to use, though, you should ask your supervisor/tutor and check your style guide (if you have one). And, as before, we'd need to see the document to offer any specific advice, so do feel free to submit it for proofreading when you're ready if you'd like a native English speaker to review your work.