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Academic Vocabulary

Academic Vocabulary

Academic-ready vocabulary with definitions, sample sentences, and conversation questions.

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01

Consist of

Definition

Be made up of

Sample sentence

The course consists of five modules.

Conversation questions

  • What does your current workload consist of?
02

Comprise

Definition

Include; be composed of

Sample sentence

The dataset comprises responses from 300 participants.

Conversation questions

  • What elements usually comprise a good presentation?
03

Constitute

Definition

Form or make up

Sample sentence

These issues constitute the core problem.

Conversation questions

  • What factors constitute success for you?
04

Account for

Definition

Explain or be responsible for

Sample sentence

External factors account for the decline in sales.

Conversation questions

  • What reasons account for your choice of career?
05

Derive from

Definition

Originate from

Sample sentence

The concept derives from earlier theories.

Conversation questions

  • Where do your ideas usually derive from?
06

Relate to

Definition

Be connected to

Sample sentence

This variable relates to student engagement.

Conversation questions

  • What topics do you relate to most?
07

Result in

Definition

Cause an outcome

Sample sentence

Lack of sleep may result in poor concentration.

Conversation questions

  • What habits result in better performance for you?
08

Lead to

Definition

Cause or bring about

Sample sentence

Miscommunication can lead to conflict.

Conversation questions

  • What usually leads to stress in your life?
09

Contribute to

Definition

Help cause

Sample sentence

Motivation contributes to academic success.

Conversation questions

  • How do your habits contribute to your goals?
10

Indicate

Definition

Show or suggest

Sample sentence

The findings indicate a positive trend.

Conversation questions

  • What signs indicate progress in your work?
11

Demonstrate

Definition

Clearly show or prove

Sample sentence

The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the method.

Conversation questions

  • How do you demonstrate competence at work?
12

Emphasize

Definition

Give special importance to

Sample sentence

The author emphasizes ethical responsibility.

Conversation questions

  • What do you usually emphasize when teaching?
13

Address

Definition

Deal with a topic or issue

Sample sentence

This paper addresses existing research gaps.

Conversation questions

  • What problems should be addressed first?
14

Examine

Definition

Study closely

Sample sentence

The research examines social behavior.

Conversation questions

  • What topic would you like to examine further?
15

Evaluate

Definition

Assess quality or effectiveness

Sample sentence

The policy was evaluated using clear criteria.

Conversation questions

  • How do you evaluate your own progress?
16

Analyze

Definition

Break down and study

Sample sentence

The data were analyzed statistically.

Conversation questions

  • Do you like to analyze problems deeply?
17

Assess

Definition

Judge or estimate

Sample sentence

The risks were assessed carefully.

Conversation questions

  • How do you assess your strengths?
18

Compare

Definition

Identify similarities and differences

Sample sentence

The study compares two learning methods.

Conversation questions

  • What do you often compare when making decisions?
19

Contrast

Definition

Highlight differences

Sample sentence

The author contrasts traditional and modern approaches.

Conversation questions

  • What ideas do you often contrast in discussions?
20

Identify

Definition

Recognize or establish

Sample sentence

The study identifies key challenges.

Conversation questions

  • Can you easily identify your priorities?
21

Define

Definition

Clearly explain meaning

Sample sentence

The term is defined in the introduction.

Conversation questions

  • How would you define success?
22

Clarify

Definition

Make clear

Sample sentence

The explanation clarifies the procedure.

Conversation questions

  • When do you feel the need to clarify something?
23

Illustrate

Definition

Explain using examples

Sample sentence

Figure 1 illustrates the process.

Conversation questions

  • Do examples help illustrate ideas for you?
24

Summarize

Definition

Present key points briefly

Sample sentence

The conclusion summarizes the findings.

Conversation questions

  • Can you summarize complex ideas easily?
25

Outline

Definition

Present main points

Sample sentence

The report outlines the research design.

Conversation questions

  • Do you outline plans before starting work?
26

Propose

Definition

Suggest formally

Sample sentence

The author proposes a new framework.

Conversation questions

  • What changes would you propose at work?
27

Argue

Definition

Present reasons to support a claim

Sample sentence

The paper argues that policy reform is needed.

Conversation questions

  • Do you enjoy arguing your point logically?
28

Assert

Definition

State confidently

Sample sentence

The researcher asserts the importance of ethics.

Conversation questions

  • When do you feel confident asserting your opinion?
29

Support

Definition

Provide evidence for

Sample sentence

The hypothesis is supported by data.

Conversation questions

  • What evidence supports your beliefs?
30

Refute

Definition

Prove false

Sample sentence

The results refute the initial assumption.

Conversation questions

  • How do you react when your ideas are refuted?
31

Highlight

Definition

Draw attention to

Sample sentence

The study highlights key limitations.

Conversation questions

  • What achievements would you highlight?
32

Specify

Definition

State clearly and precisely

Sample sentence

The requirements are specified in detail.

Conversation questions

  • Do you prefer tasks to be clearly specified?
33

Limit

Definition

Restrict scope or size

Sample sentence

The study is limited to one region.

Conversation questions

  • What factors limit your time?
34

Expand on

Definition

Add detail or explanation

Sample sentence

The discussion expands on previous findings.

Conversation questions

  • What topic would you like to expand on?
35

Integrate

Definition

Combine into a whole

Sample sentence

Technology was integrated into the curriculum.

Conversation questions

  • How do you integrate feedback into your work?
36

Facilitate

Definition

Make easier

Sample sentence

The tool facilitates collaboration.

Conversation questions

  • What helps facilitate your learning?
37

Implement

Definition

Put into action

Sample sentence

The policy was implemented nationwide.

Conversation questions

  • How do you implement new habits?
38

Observe

Definition

Notice or record

Sample sentence

Researchers observed behavioral changes.

Conversation questions

  • What changes have you observed recently?
39

Measure

Definition

Quantify or assess

Sample sentence

Performance was measured objectively.

Conversation questions

  • How do you measure success?
40

Predict

Definition

Forecast future outcomes

Sample sentence

The model predicts future trends.

Conversation questions

  • Can you predict your workload next month?
41

Interpret

Definition

Explain meaning

Sample sentence

The results were interpreted cautiously.

Conversation questions

  • How do you interpret feedback?
42

Validate

Definition

Confirm accuracy or legitimacy

Sample sentence

The findings were validated through testing.

Conversation questions

  • What helps validate your decisions?
43

Justify

Definition

Provide reasons for

Sample sentence

The choice was justified by evidence.

Conversation questions

  • Can you justify your recent decisions?
44

Acknowledge

Definition

Recognize or admit

Sample sentence

The author acknowledges the limitations.

Conversation questions

  • Is it easy for you to acknowledge mistakes?
45

Assume

Definition

Accept without proof

Sample sentence

The model assumes stable conditions.

Conversation questions

  • What do people often assume about you?
46

Modify

Definition

Change slightly

Sample sentence

The procedure was modified for accuracy.

Conversation questions

  • When do you modify your plans?
47

Establish

Definition

Prove or set up

Sample sentence

The research establishes a clear link.

Conversation questions

  • What habits have you established?
48

Maintain

Definition

Keep at the same level

Sample sentence

Consistency must be maintained.

Conversation questions

  • How do you maintain motivation?
49

Reinforce

Definition

Strengthen or support

Sample sentence

Practice reinforces learning.

Conversation questions

  • What reinforces your confidence?
50

Fill in

Definition

Provide missing information / substitute

Sample sentence

Can you fill in the gaps in this data?

Conversation questions

  • Do you like to fill in missing details right away or at the end of your work?
51

Look into

Definition

Investigate / examine / focus on

Sample sentence

We'll look into possible funding options.

Conversation questions

  • Is there a topic/project you'd like to look into more deeply this year?
52

Point out

Definition

Highlight something important

Sample sentence

She pointed out the errors in the report.

Conversation questions

  • Can you tell me about a time you pointed out something important to your team?
53

Carry out

Definition

Perform / conduct

Sample sentence

They carried out extensive fieldwork.

Conversation questions

  • What kind of research do you carry out for your thesis?
54

Bring up

Definition

Mention / introduce a topic

Sample sentence

He brought up a good question about ethics.

Conversation questions

  • Is there something you'd like to bring up at your next group meeting?
55

Come up with

Definition

Create or produce (an idea, plan)

Sample sentence

She came up with an innovative framework.

Conversation questions

  • When do you usually come up with your best ideas?
56

Follow up (on)

Definition

Continue or check progress

Sample sentence

Please follow up on this issue next week.

Conversation questions

  • Is there anything you need to follow up on after this meeting?
57

Back up

Definition

Support with evidence

Sample sentence

We need to back up our argument with data.

Conversation questions

  • How do you usually back up your arguments in your writing?
58

Go over

Definition

Review carefully

Sample sentence

Let's go over the proposal together.

Conversation questions

  • When you finish your draft, do you go over it alone or with someone?
59

Run out of

Definition

Have none left

Sample sentence

They ran out of time to finish the presentation.

Conversation questions

  • Have you ever run out of time during a presentation?
60

Lay out

Definition

Organize or explain clearly

Sample sentence

She laid out the main points in her introduction.

Conversation questions

  • How do you lay out your ideas when you plan a presentation?
61

Turn down

Definition

Reject / refuse

Sample sentence

They turned down the funding request.

Conversation questions

  • Have you ever turned down an opportunity because you were too busy?
62

Take on

Definition

Accept responsibility / work

Sample sentence

She took on a leadership role.

Conversation questions

  • Would you like to take on any new roles in your research group?
63

Cut down on

Definition

Reduce

Sample sentence

We need to cut down on unnecessary expenses.

Conversation questions

  • Is there anything in your daily routine you'd like to cut down on?
64

Come across

Definition

Find by chance

Sample sentence

I came across an interesting article yesterday.

Conversation questions

  • What's the most interesting article you've come across lately?
65

Keep up with

Definition

Stay updated

Sample sentence

It's hard to keep up with all the new research.

Conversation questions

  • How do you keep up with the latest research in your field?
66

Set up

Definition

Arrange / organize

Sample sentence

They set up a meeting with the stakeholders.

Conversation questions

  • How do you usually set up your study schedule?
67

Work out

Definition

Find a solution

Sample sentence

We need to work out how to handle this issue.

Conversation questions

  • Do you usually work out problems on your own, or with someone's help?
68

Fill in

Definition

Provide missing information / substitute

Sample sentence

Can you fill in the gaps in this data?

Conversation questions

  • Do you like to fill in missing details right away or at the end of your work?
69

Break down

Definition

Divide into parts / explain simply

Sample sentence

She broke down the results by category.

Conversation questions

  • How do you break down complex theories when you explain them to others?
70

Take over

Definition

Gain control / assume responsibility

Sample sentence

He took over the project last year.

Conversation questions

  • Have you ever had to take over someone else's work or project?