🎯 Objective
To help learners master the correct usage, collocations, and contexts of 10 advanced academic vocabulary words commonly used in formal writing and speaking.
📖 Target Vocabulary
Today we'll focus on these 10 essential academic words and their proper usage:
| Word | Part of Speech | Common Usage Context |
|---|---|---|
| acquire | verb | gaining skills, knowledge, or possessions |
| considerably | adverb | indicating significant degree or amount |
| furthermore | adverb | adding information or arguments |
| native | adjective/noun | describing origin or natural state |
| anticipate | verb | expecting or predicting future events |
| constitute | verb | forming or making up something |
| lead to | phrasal verb | causing or resulting in |
| competence | noun | skill or ability in a particular area |
| expand | verb | increasing size, scope, or detail |
| linguistic | adjective | relating to language or linguistics |
📚 Step-by-Step Guide: Mastering Academic Vocabulary
Understanding Academic Vocabulary
What makes vocabulary "academic"? Academic vocabulary consists of words that appear frequently in formal texts, research papers, and scholarly discussions. These words are more precise and sophisticated than everyday vocabulary and are essential for clear, professional communication.
The 4 Key Elements of Vocabulary Mastery
1. 📋 Meaning & Definition
What to know: Core meaning and nuances
Include: Denotation, connotation, register
Practice: Use in various contexts
2. 🔍 Collocations
What to know: Words that naturally go together
Examples: "acquire skills," "considerably higher"
Importance: Sounds natural and fluent
3. 📊 Grammar Patterns
What to know: How the word functions grammatically
Include: Subject/object patterns, prepositions
Example: "anticipate + noun" vs "anticipate + that clause"
4. 🎯 Context & Register
What to know: When and where to use the word
Consider: Formal vs informal, written vs spoken
Match: Appropriate level of formality
Detailed Word Analysis
ACQUIRE (verb)
Meaning: To gain or obtain (skill, knowledge, or possession)
Collocations: acquire knowledge, acquire skills, acquire property
Grammar: acquire + noun / acquire + the ability to + verb
Example: "Students acquire linguistic competence through practice."
CONSIDERABLY (adverb)
Meaning: To a great extent; significantly
Collocations: considerably higher, considerably more, considerably less
Grammar: considerably + adjective / considerably + more/less + noun
Example: "Her performance improved considerably after training."
FURTHERMORE (adverb)
Meaning: In addition; moreover (formal transition)
Usage: Sentence connector, beginning of sentence
Grammar: Furthermore, + [new sentence]
Example: "Furthermore, this approach leads to better results."
NATIVE (adjective/noun)
Meaning: Belonging naturally; indigenous; first language
Collocations: native speaker, native language, native to [place]
Grammar: native + noun / native of + place
Example: "Native speakers often expand their vocabulary naturally."
ANTICIPATE (verb)
Meaning: To expect or predict; to prepare for
Collocations: anticipate problems, anticipate changes
Grammar: anticipate + noun / anticipate + that clause / anticipate + -ing
Example: "We anticipate that enrollment will expand considerably."
Common Usage Patterns
✅ Correct Usage:
- "Students acquire competence gradually"
- "The program expanded considerably"
- "Furthermore, linguistic skills improve"
- "Native speakers constitute the majority"
- "We anticipate positive results"
- "This will lead to better outcomes"
❌ Incorrect Usage:
- "Students acquire to speak" (missing noun)
- "Very considerably higher" (redundant intensifier)
- "Furthermore and moreover" (redundant connectors)
- "I am native in English" (wrong preposition)
- "I anticipate to go" (wrong pattern)
- "Leading to success" (incomplete sentence)
Academic Writing Integration
Formal Academic Style:
"Research indicates that students acquire linguistic competence considerably faster when they expand their exposure to native speakers. Furthermore, this approach leads to enhanced communication skills."
Transition Words:
Furthermore, Moreover, Additionally, In addition, Consequently...
Cause and Effect:
Lead to, Result in, Bring about, Constitute, Give rise to...
🧩 Task: Fix the Vocabulary Errors
Read the student's paragraph below. Identify and correct the vocabulary usage errors.
📝 Student Response:
Students want to acquire to speak English fluently. This is very considerably important for their future careers. And furthermore also, they need to practice with native people who are native in English. When students anticipate to improve, they should expand their linguistic competence. This kind of practice leads for better communication skills that constitute as essential abilities.
1. ❌ Identify the error with "acquire" and provide the correct usage.
2. ❌ What's wrong with "very considerably" and how should it be corrected?
3. ✅ Rewrite "And furthermore also" using proper academic transition.
4. ✅ Correct the phrases "native in English," "anticipate to improve," and "leads for better."
✅ Answer Key & Explanation
1. ❌ "Acquire" Error:
Error: "acquire to speak" - incorrect grammar pattern
Correct: "acquire fluency in English" or "acquire English speaking skills"
Why? "Acquire" takes a direct object (noun), not an infinitive.
2. ❌ "Very considerably" Error:
Error: "very considerably" - redundant intensification
Correct: "considerably important" or "extremely important"
Why? "Considerably" already expresses a high degree; "very" is unnecessary.
3. ✅ Academic Transition:
Original: "And furthermore also"
Corrected: "Furthermore," or "Moreover," or "Additionally,"
Explanation: Use only one transition word, with proper punctuation.
4. ✅ Multiple Corrections:
"native in English" → "native speakers of English"
"anticipate to improve" → "anticipate improvement" or "expect to improve"
"leads for better" → "leads to better"
"constitute as" → "constitute" (no preposition needed)
🏆 Corrected Model Response
Students want to acquire fluency in English for their future careers. This is considerably important for their professional development. Furthermore, they need to practice with native speakers of English. When students anticipate improvement, they should expand their linguistic competence. This kind of practice leads to better communication skills that constitute essential abilities.
Word count: 67 words
Why This Response is Better:
- ✅ Correct grammar patterns with academic vocabulary
- ✅ Proper collocations ("acquire fluency," "native speakers")
- ✅ Appropriate intensifiers ("considerably important")
- ✅ Correct transition usage ("Furthermore")
- ✅ Proper prepositions ("leads to," not "leads for")
- ✅ Natural-sounding academic register
Alternative Advanced Version:
Students aspire to acquire linguistic competence in English, as this considerably enhances their career prospects. Furthermore, regular interaction with native speakers enables learners to expand their communicative abilities. When students anticipate academic or professional advancement, developing such competence becomes essential. This comprehensive approach leads to improved proficiency and constitutes a foundation for success.