Writing Resources
Synonyms & Vocabulary Upgrades
Simple swaps to make your writing sound more academic. The left column is what most students write — the right column is what Band 7+ writers use.
Verbs — Change & Movement
go up / increase
→risesurgesoarclimbescalategrow
go down / decrease
→falldropdeclineplummetdipshrink
stay the same
→remain stableplateaulevel offstagnate
make better
→enhanceimprovebooststrengthenoptimise
make worse
→worsenexacerbateaggravatedeteriorate
cause
→lead toresult ingive rise totriggergenerate
Adjectives — Degree & Importance
big / large
→significantsubstantialconsiderableextensivevast
small / little
→minimalnegligiblemarginalmodestslight
good
→beneficialadvantageousfavourablepositivevaluable
bad
→detrimentalharmfuladversenegativedamaging
important
→crucialvitalsignificantessentialparamount
common
→prevalentwidespreadfrequentroutineubiquitous
Verbs — Thinking & Arguing
think / believe
→arguecontendmaintainassertsuggestclaim
show / prove
→demonstrateindicaterevealhighlightillustrate
say
→statedeclareemphasisestresspoint out
help
→facilitateenablesupportpromotefosteraid
use
→utiliseemployadoptimplementapply
need
→requiredemandnecessitatecall for
Topic Vocabulary — Society & People
people / humans
→individualscitizensthe publicresidentscommunities
old people
→the elderlysenior citizensolder generationsretirees
young people
→the younger generationadolescentsyouthmillennials
the government
→authoritiespolicymakersofficialsthe state
society
→the communitythe publicsocial groupscivilisation
Topic Vocabulary — Environment
pollution
→contaminationemissionsenvironmental damagetoxic waste
the environment
→the natural worldecosystemsthe planetthe biosphere
climate change
→global warmingrising temperaturesenvironmental shifts
destroy nature
→deplete natural resourcesdeforestdamage ecosystems
save the environment
→promote sustainabilityreduce carbon footprintgo green
Topic Vocabulary — Technology
technology
→innovationdigital toolsmodern advancementsautomation
the internet
→digital platformsonline networkscyberspacethe web
phones / devices
→smartphonesdigital devicesportable technologygadgets
AI / computers
→artificial intelligencemachine learningautomated systems
Adverbs — Adding Strength
very
→significantlyconsiderablysubstantiallymarkedlynotably
a lot
→dramaticallyenormouslyvastlyextensively
a little
→marginallyslightlymoderatelysomewhat
clearly
→evidentlyundeniablyindisputablyunquestionably
Watch out: Using a word you don't fully understand is riskier than using a simple word correctly. Examiners penalise incorrect word choice more than simple vocabulary. Always check how a word is used before using it in an exam.
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