Write Like a Professional : Words and Phrases to avoid in Academic Writing

Words and Phrases to Avoid in Academic Writing
Academic writing—encompassing dissertations, theses, and research papers—demands a specific style characterized by formality, precision, and objectivity. Unlike casual conversation or informal writing, academic prose requires a level of sophistication and clarity that enhances both the credibility and comprehensibility of the content. In this guide, we will examine various words and phrases that should be avoided in academic writing to maintain a formal tone and provide more precise alternatives. Read more, CBSE Class 10 English 2024: Blueprint for Achieving a Score of 90+


Avoid Informal Language
Writing classes should be free of colloquial speech and expressions that are acceptable in everyday language. Here are some common words and their common equivalents:
- Less: Instead of saying, “Planning the problems was difficult,” consider saying, “Planning the problems was difficult.” “This subtle change adds a lot of meaning to the sentence.
- Many / / two: This phrase can be replaced with more specific words such as ‘many’, ‘many’ or specific numbers. For example, ‘Many studies have shown’ can be reformulated as ‘Many studies have shown’.
- Conjugation (can’t, can’t, doesn’t, does): In formal writing, it is best to use the full form of the abbreviation. For example: “The sample is not representative” should be rewritten as “The sample is not representative.” “
- Type/Species: This statement lacks specificity and can be misleading. Instead of ‘The findings were significant’, select ‘The findings were significant’ or ‘The findings were moderately significant’.
- Til / till: These informal terms can be replaced with “until” or “to.” For example, “From 2008 till 2012” should be revised to “From 2008 until 2012.”
Additionally, the second-person point of view (e.g., “you,” “your”) is generally inappropriate in academic writing. A sentence like “You can see the results” should be transformed into “One can see the results” or “The results can be observed.”

Steer Clear of Informal Sentence Starters
While some words may be acceptable in a particular context, they can make your writing unique when used to begin a sentence. Consider these examples:

- Plus: Replace this with ‘More’, ‘Additional’ or ‘Additional’. For example, ‘Also participants agreed’ could be changed to ‘Also participants agreed’. “
- So: This word can be replaced by “Therefore”. Therefore, “Therefore we can conclude that the model needs further improvement”, “Therefore we can conclude that the model needs further improvement.”
- Also: this can be removed or replaced with ‘Other’. For example, ‘And all the participants are over 30 years old’ can be translated as ‘The participants are over 30 years old’. “
- Besides: Instead of “Besides, we asked all the participants to sign an agreement,” consider using “Additionally, we requested that all participants sign an agreement.”
Avoid Vague Terms
Writing lessons are often simple and unstructured. Words with unnecessary emphasis should be used with caution:
- Always/never: This can be replaced by ‘often’, ‘usually’ or ‘usually’. For example, “Researchers always say this” could be changed to “Researchers always say that.”
- Completed: Consider using “The best answer to the question” or “One of the best answers to the question” instead of “The best answer to the question.
- Real/very/super: Replace with more specific words such as ‘important’, ‘critical’ or ‘important’. For example, “This idea is really important” can be expressed as “This idea is important.” “
Limit Exaggerated Terms
Academic writing is typically straightforward and unembellished. Words that create unnecessary emphasis should be used sparingly:
- Always / never: These can be substituted with “frequently,” “commonly,” or “typically.” For example, “Researchers always argue that” can be changed to “Researchers frequently argue that.”
- Perfect: Rather than saying “The perfect solution to the problem,” consider using “An ideal solution to the problem” or “One of the most effective solutions to the problem.”
- Really / so / super: Replace these with more precise terms such as “important,” “critical,” or “crucial.” For instance, “This theory is really important” can be expressed as “This theory is significant.”
Avoid Subjective Language
In order for the topics to remain in academic writing, statements that show personal bias should be avoided:


Correct Common Mistakes
Certain phrases are frequently misused. Avoiding these common pitfalls can enhance the accuracy of your writing:
- Literally: Some words are used incorrectly. Avoiding these common pitfalls can improve the accuracy of your writing: Often instead of saying “Students don’t understand,” you say, “Students don’t understand.”, would have in this scenario.
- Would of, had of: Use “would have” or “have” instead. For example, “Research Evaluated” should be revised as “Research Evaluated”. “
Additional Tips
In general, avoid jargon, clichés, colloquial abbreviations, slang, and gender-related language. Choose specific words instead of unnecessary words. For example, instead of saying ‘competition’ you can just say ‘competition’.
Conclusion
Maintaining integrity in lessons is essential to clarity, clarity and professionalism. Words and phrases that are vague, ambiguous, exaggerated, and verbose language will help you meet the stringent standards expected of academic communication. These guidelines will help you improve your writing style and make your research and arguments stronger and more persuasive.

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NTA UGC NET June 2026 online form, eligibility, important dates, fee details & preparation tips

If you dream of becoming a college professor or earning a Junior Research Fellowship, the NTA UGC NET June 2026 exam is your single most important step. The National Testing Agency (NTA) officially released the notification on April 29, 2026, and the online application window is already open. But here’s the catch — the last date to apply is May 20, 2026, and missed deadlines mean waiting another six months.
This guide gives you every detail you need: important dates, eligibility, how to fill the form, the application fee, preparation tips, and common mistakes to avoid — all in one place.

What is UGC NET and why does it matter?
The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is a national-level exam conducted by the NTA on behalf of the UGC. It determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for three key purposes:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) — a monthly stipend to pursue PhD research at top universities
- Appointment as Assistant Professor in central and state universities
- Admission to PhD programs across India without any additional entrance test at many institutions
Qualifying UGC NET is widely regarded as one of the most respected academic credentials in India. It validates your subject expertise at a national level and opens doors across academia, research labs, and government-funded institutions.
Important dates at a glance
Missing a date can cost you six months. Bookmark this table and set reminders today.

| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | April 29, 2026 |
| Online application opens | April 29, 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | May 20, 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Last date for fee payment | May 20, 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Application correction window | May 22 – May 24, 2026 |
| Exam city intimation slip | By June 10, 2026 |
| Admit card release | By June 15, 2026 |
| Exam dates | June 22 – June 30, 2026 |
| Provisional answer key | Within 10–15 days after exam |
| Result declaration | Expected last week of July 2026 |
Eligibility criteria
Educational qualification
- A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from a UGC-recognised university with a minimum of 55% marks
- Candidates in the final year of their Master’s are also eligible to apply
- Candidates with a 4-year / 8-semester Bachelor’s degree with at least 75% marks are eligible for JRF and PhD admission (but not for Assistant Professor appointment)
- SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), PwD, EWS and other reserved categories get a relaxation of 5% marks
Age limit
| Category | Age limit | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| JRF | Maximum 30 years (as on June 1, 2026) | 5 years for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender, Women |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit | — |
| PhD admission only | No upper age limit | — |
Application fee details
Fees must be paid online before the May 20, 2026 deadline. No offline payment mode is available.

Payment accepted via: Debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
How to apply online
The entire process is online at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. Here is how it works:
Documents required for the application
- Valid email ID and mobile number (your own or a parent’s/guardian’s)
- Scanned passport-size photograph (recent, clear background)
- Scanned signature in black ink
- Class 10 or 12 certificate (for date of birth proof)
- Master’s degree certificate or marksheets
- Category certificate — SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD (if applicable)
- Aadhaar card, PAN card, or DigiLocker login details for MeriPehchaan
Exam pattern & subjects
How the exam is structured
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude) | 50 MCQs | 100 | Conducted in one continuous session |
| Paper 2 (Subject-specific) | 100 MCQs | 200 | Total: 3 hours |
- Marking scheme: +2 marks for each correct answer; no negative marking
- Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT) at centres across India
- Total subjects in June 2026: 87 (including newly added Statistics and Forestry)
- Qualifying marks: 40% aggregate for General; 35% for reserved categories
Preparation tips that actually work
Create a 30-day timetable, splitting time between Paper 1 and your chosen Paper 2 subject. Allocate more hours to weaker areas.

Paper 1 is common for all candidates and covers logical reasoning, teaching aptitude, data interpretation, and research methodology. Strong Paper 1 scores can make the difference.
Practising question papers from the last 5–6 years builds pattern recognition and reveals high-frequency topics faster than reading alone.
Take full-length mock tests under timed conditions. You have 3 hours for 150 questions — roughly 72 seconds per question. Practice makes this feel natural.
NTA revised subject codes and syllabi for June 2026. Always download the official notification PDF and match your study material to the current syllabus.
Spaced repetition beats cramming. Review notes every few days rather than once before the exam. Short, daily revision sessions are more effective.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Uploading wrong documents: An incorrect photo, signature, or ID proof cannot be corrected after submission — the NTA notification makes this explicitly clear.
- Waiting until the last day: Server congestion on May 20 can cause technical issues. Apply at least 3–4 days before the deadline.
- Selecting the wrong subject code: With 87 subjects now available, double-check your chosen subject and its code in the official notification before submitting.
- Submitting multiple forms: Only one application per candidate is accepted. Multiple submissions lead to rejection, not selection.
- Ignoring Paper 1: Many candidates over-focus on their subject paper and underestimate Paper 1. Both papers contribute to the final aggregate score.
- Not saving the application number: Your application number is essential for admit card downloads and future logins. Store it securely.
Key takeaways
- UGC NET June 2026 notification released April 29; application closes May 20, 2026 at 11:50 PM
- Exam will be held June 22–30, 2026 in CBT mode for 87 subjects
- JRF age limit: 30 years; no age limit for Assistant Professor or PhD admission route
- Master’s degree with 55% marks is the basic qualification (5% relaxation for reserved categories)
- Application fee: ₹1,150 (General) | ₹600 (OBC/EWS) | ₹325 (SC/ST/PwD)
- Correction window available May 22–24 — but photo/signature errors cannot be fixed after submission
- No negative marking — attempt all questions confidently
Conclusion
The UGC NET June 2026 exam is a defining opportunity for anyone serious about a career in Indian academia or research. With the application window already open and just days left until the May 20 deadline, there is no time to wait. Fill your form carefully, keep your documents ready, and start your preparation now. The exam rewards consistent study and smart practice — not last-minute panic.
Visit ugcnet.nta.nic.in to apply directly and download the official notification PDF for the most accurate and current information.
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