Word of the Week

In light of the the Academic Writing Center's 10-year anniversary, we held a Word of the Week contest and summarized the results in the form of a quiz. Our congratulations to the winner Marharyta Fabrykant.

Words

Research

Data

Issue

Derivatives: issuable (adj.), issuance (n.), issueless (adj.), issuer (n.).

As a noun

Countable.

Definition:

A subject or problem that people are thinking and talking about. E.g. Abortion is a highly controversial issue.
A magazine or a newspaper printed for a particular day, week, or month. E.g. This article appeared in the latest issue of Language in Society.
The act of officially giving people something to use. E.g. The issue of identity cards to all non-residents has been completed.
A set of something such as shares or stamps, made available for people to buy. E.g. Since it is the largest issue and the market is witnessing poor performance, investors might not get value.

Synonyms:

problem, question, edition. See more.

Collocations:

Issue as a problem

Adjectives + issue: big, burning, central, critical, crucial, important, key, main, major, vital | wider, minor, side | basic, fundamental | real | contentious, controversial, difficult, thorny, vexed | complex | live, unresolved | sensitive | domestic, global, international, local, national, regional | commercial, constitutional, economic, educational, environmental, ethical, health, moral, policy, political, social, technical, theoretical issue
Quantitative + issue: number, range, series of issues
Verb + issue: raise | debate, discuss | decide, settle | address, consider, deal with, examine, explore, look at, tackle | clarify | confuse, cloud | focus on | touch on | highlight | confuse | avoid, evade, dodge, duck an issue
Issue + verb: issues arise from sth | the issue underlies sth
Preposition: an issue of | a point at issue | speak on an issue | an issue about | an issue concerning | an issue relating to
Phrases: take issue with sb or sth | make an issue (out) of sth | have issues with sb or sth

Issue as one in the series of publications

Adjective + issue: current, latest | back | special issue
Verb + issue: bring out, publish an issue
Issue + verb: the issue comes out, goes on sale | is out
Preposition + issue: in an/the issue of

As a verb

Definition:

To produce or provide something official. E.g. The school issued a statement about its plans to the press.
To officially produce something. E.g. About $8.8 billion of debt was issued to pay dividends.

Synonyms:

release, publish, supply. See more.

Collocations:

Adverb + issue: formally | directly | jointly | immediately, promptly issue sth
Issue + preposition: issue against | issue on behalf of | issue to | issue with
Issue + noun: issue a passport, permit, visa | issue bonds, stocks | issue a report, statement, warning | issue an apology, a notice, an order
Phrases: newly issued | issue sb with sth | issue sth to sb

Sources:

^{• Ozdic • Cambridge dictionary}

Evidence

Derivatives: evident (adj.), evidential (adj.), evidently (adv.)

Uncountable.

Definition:

Anything that helps to prove that something is or is not true. E.g. Johnson (2018) failed to provide evidence of sufficient research.

Synonyms:

proof, signs, verification. See more.

Collocations:

Adjective + evidence: abundant, ample, considerable, extensive, plentiful, substantial, widespread | growing | clear, compelling, conclusive, irrefutable, overwhelming, persuasive, positive, powerful, solid, striking, strong, unambiguous, unequivocal | insufficient, scant | concrete, direct, firm, first-hand, objective, tangible |convincing, decisive, good, hard, incontrovertible, adequate | flimsy, inadequate | indirect | available, current, present | fresh, further, more, new | crucial, important, valuable, vital | corroborative | conflicting | damning | anecdotal, archaeological, circumstantial, documentary, empirical, experimental, factual, forensic, formal, historical, material, medical, photographic, scientific, statistical, video, visible, visual | false evidence
Quantitative + evidence: piece | body, mass
Verb + evidence: have | look for, search for | accumulate, collect, come up with, find, gather, obtain, produce | offer (sb), provide (sb with), show (sb) | give, present (sb with) | consider, examine, study | review | cite (sth as) | use sth in | hear | admit, allow | exclude evidence
Evidence + verb: evidence exist | come to light, emerge | accumulate, grow | confirm sth, demonstrate sth, establish sth, point to sth, show sth, suggest sth, support sth | be based on sth, be derived from sth, come from sth | implicate sb/sth, link sb/sth
Preposition + evidence: as, e.g., he cited Australia's sporting success as evidence for his theory. | in, e.g., the documents may be used in evidence at the trial. | on, e.g., on present evidence the team will be lucky to make the final. | on the evidence of, e.g., on the evidence of his latest exhibition, Miller is an artist who is past his best.
Evidence + preposition: evidence about, concerning, regarding, relating to sth | evidence for/against sth | evidence on, e.g., the first chapter reviews the evidence on how children learn language.

Phrases: in the face/teeth/light of evidence | lack of evidence | not a scrap/shred of evidence: he made the accusations without a shred of evidence to support them.

Sources:

^{• Ozdic • Cambridge dictionary}

Argument

Contrast

Review

Derivatives: reviewable (adj.), reviewability (n.), prereview (n./v.), well-reviewed (adj.)

As a noun

Countable

Definition:

A critical article or report on a book, play, recital, or the like; critique; evaluation. E.g. The play got excellent reviews when it was first seen.
The act of considering something again in order to make changes to it, give an opinion of it or study it. E.g. The literature review should clearly demonstrate that the author has a good knowledge of the research area.
A periodical publication containing articles on current events or affairs, books, art, etc. E.g. He was recruited to write for the Edinburgh Review.

Synonyms:

revision, report, critique, journal. See more.

Collocations

Review as revision of something:

Adjective + review: complete, comprehensive, extensive, full, full-scale, fundamental, in-depth, major, overall, systematic, thorough, wide-ranging | brief, rapid, short | urgent | annual, periodic, regular | constant, continuous | critical | government, independent, internal, judicial | financial, pay, performance, policy, rent review. E.g. The first chapter presents a critical review of the existing nursery education system.
Verb + review: ask for, call for, campaign for, press for, seek | announce, order | carry out, conduct, do, hold, undertake | present a review. E.g. Greenpeace will seek a judicial review if a full public enquiry is not held.
Review + verb: review take place | cover sth, deal with sth | conclude sth, indicate sth, propose sth, recommend sth, suggest sth.
Review + noun: review body, committee, group.
Preposition + review: the rent is due for review | the matter is still under review.
Review + preposition: a review by the court.

Review as a report on a film, restaurant, etc.:

Adjective + review: enthusiastic, favourable, glowing, good, rave | bad, hostile, poor, scathing | critical | mixed | book, film review. E.g. The show has good audience figures despite poor reviews in the press.
Verb + review: do, write | give sth | get, have, receive, win | open to | read, see. E.g. Their new musical opened to glowing reviews.
Review + verb: review appears

As a verb

Write an opinion about a book, a film, etc. E.g. I only go to see films that are reviewed favourably.
To think or talk about something again, in order to make changes to it or to make a decision about it. E.g. The committee is reviewing the current arrangement.

Synonymes:

reconsider, evaluate. See more.

Collocations:

To review as to examine something again:

Adverb + review: comprehensively, fully, thoroughly | extensively, widely | carefully | briefly | urgently | currently | constantly, regularly | annually, from time to time, periodically | critically review. E.g. Safety procedures are being urgently reviewed after a chemical leak at the factory.
Verb+ review: agree to, promise to | ask sb to | decline to, refuse to review.
Phrases: this case should be reviewed in the light of new evidence.

To review as to write a report of a book/film, etc.

Adverb + review: favourably | critically. E.g. The film has been favourably reviewed in a number of papers.

Sources:

^{• Ozdic • Cambridge dictionary • Dictionary.com}

Support

Derivatives: supporting (adj.), supportability (n.), supportable (adj.), supportive (adj.), supportively (adv.), supportiveness (n.), supporter (n.)

As a noun

Uncountable

Definition:

Approval and encouragement for a person, idea, plan, etc. E.g. There was a widespread support for the war.
Emotional or practical help. E.g. Liz couldn’t have made it through those times without his support.
Money that you give to a person, group, organization to help pay for their costs. E.g. The EU is considering whether to provide financial support for their expedition.
Something that shows that a fact is true. E.g. Jenkin’s (2018) conclusions lend support to the current theory on the matter.
Something that holds something firmly or carries its weight, especially from below to stop it from falling. E.g. The roof may need extra support.

Synonymes: approval, assistance, subsistence. See more.

Collocations

As help and encouragement:

Adjective + support: complete, full, total | active, considerable, enthusiastic, firm, generous, good, great, loyal, massive, overwhelming, solid, strong, tremendous, unqualified, wholehearted | unflagging, unstinting, unswerving, unwavering | growing, increased, increasing | continued, continuing | broad, community, general, majority, mass, popular, public, wide/widespread | main | limited, lukewarm, qualified | adequate, sufficient | direct, indirect | long-term | personal | mutual | international | Labour, Liberal, etc. | all-party, bipartisan, cross-party | administrative, economic, electoral, emotional, financial, moral, political, practical, technical, etc. | government, official, state | air, military, naval | price support.
Verb + support: enjoy, have | derive, draw, get, receive | enlist, find, gain, mobilize, secure, win | attract, cultivate, drum up, muster, rally, recruit, seek, solicit, whip up | give sb/sth, lend (sb/sth), offer (sb/sth), provide (sb/sth with), throw | lose | cut (off), withdraw | need, require | count on, rely on | announce, come out in, confirm, demonstrate, express, pledge, reaffirm, show | bolster, broaden, build (up), increase, strengthen | weaken support.
Support + verb: come | grow, rise | fall. E.g. Support for the Liberals has risen to 30 per cent.
Support + noun: support base | group | network | services
Preposition + support: an intense campaign in support of the proposal | the pipeline is to be built with/without international support | farmers mobilized considerable support against government plans to remove import restrictions | the party wishes to broaden its support among professionals | mutual support between local cooperatives | the president has expressed his support for the project | the policy has broad support from industry.
Phrases: fears that instability would return under the Democrats gave the government a broad base of support | the rebel leader claimed to have received expressions of support from all the neighbouring countries | a lack of support, a source of support

As money to buy food, clothes, etc.:

Adjective + support: child, family, social | income support
Verb + support: claim support
Phrases: a means of support

As something that carries the weight of somebody or something:

Adjective + support: firm | additional, extra | back, knee | roof support.
Verb + support: the piece of wood under the mattress is to give my back extra support.
Phrases: he held onto his wife for support as he left the hospital.

As a verb

Definition:

To bear all or part of the weight. E.g. The church dome is supported by/on marble pillars.
To give assistance, encouragement, or approval to somebody/ something. E.g. I strongly support the view that education should be available to everyone.
To provide somebody with a home and necessities of life. E.g. He has a wife and four children to support.
To help to show something to be true:. E.g. These figures support my argument.

Synonymes: help, maintain, confirm, carry. See more.

Collocations

As to help/encourage/agree with somebody or something:

Adverb + support: fervently, overwhelmingly, strongly | fully, wholeheartedly | unanimously | actively | tacitly | enthusiastically | loyally | ably support.
Verb + support: agree to, be pledged to, pledge to, promise to | be prepared to, be willing to | fail to, refuse to support.
Preposition: very few countries supported the United States in its action.
Phrases: these policies were widely supported in the country.

As to show that something is true and correct:

Adverb + support: strongly support.
Verb + support: to, seem to, tend to support.

As to give somebody money:

Adverb+ support: financially | generously support.
Verb + support: help (to) support.
Preposition: her parents supported her all through college.

Sources:

^{• Ozdic • Cambridge dictionary • Dictionary.com}

Topic

Approach

Derivatives:

approachable (adj.), approaching (adj.)

As a noun

Countable

Definition:

A way of considering or doing something. E.g. Since our research so far has not produced any answers to this problem, we need to adopt a different approach to it.
The fact of getting nearer in distance or time. E.g. Please fasten your seat belts, the plane is now making its final approach (in)to Heathrow.
An act of communicating with another person or group in order to ask for something. E.g. The hospital is making approaches to local businesses in their bid to raise money.

Synonyms:

advance, offer, access. See more.

Collocations

As a way of dealing with sb/sth:

Adjective + approach: conventional, orthodox, traditional | alternative, different, fresh, new, novel | cautious, conservative | creative, innovative | flexible | direct, no-nonsense, positive, practical, pragmatic, problem-solving, rational, useful | indirect | formal | informal | right | wrong | analytical, scientific, structured, systematic, theoretical | holistic, integrated | basic, general | objective | simplistic. E.g. We need to try alternative approaches to the problem.
Verb + approach: have | adopt, develop, take, try, use | favour, prefer. E.g. Some teachers have a more formal approach to teaching.
Preposition + approach: to. E.g. I liked her approach to the problem

As an act of coming nearer:

Verb + approach: make. E.g. The aircraft had to make a steep approach to the landing strip.
Preposition + approach. E.g. The children fell silent at the approach of their teacher. The weather turned colder with the approach of autumn. The plane crashed during its approach to the runway.

As a discussion with sb in order to ask them for sth:

Verb + approach: make | have, receive an approach.
Preposition + approach. E.g. We've received an approach from the director of a rival firm. We'll have to make an approach to the managing director.

As a verb:

To come near or nearer to something or someone in space, time, quality, or amount. E.g. In my opinion, no other composers even begin to approach Mozart.
To deal with something. E.g. I'm not sure how to approach the problem.
To speak to, write to, or visit someone in order to do something such as make a request or business agreement. E.g. We've just approached the bank for/about a loan.

Synonyms:

move towards, make a proposal to, tackle. See more.

Collocations:

As to come nearer:

Adverb + approach: slowly | cautiously, warily, with caution approach.
Approach + preposition: E.g. The army approached from the south.

As to come nearer in time:

Adverb + approach: fast, rapidly approach.

As to speak to sb, usually to ask for sth:

Adverb + approach: directly. E.g. It's best to approach her directly.
Verb + approach: be easy to | be difficult to. E.g. She found her father difficult to approach.
Approach + preposition. E.g. Have you approached John about doing a concert? I approached the bank for a loan.

As to come close in amount/quality/style

Adverb + approach: closely | not nearly, not remotely approach.

Sources:

^{• Ozdic • Cambridge dictionary • Dictionary.com}

Analysis

Result

Derivatives:

resulting (adj.), resulted (adj.)

As a noun

Countable

Synonyms:

Outcome, product, decision. See more.

Definition:

Something that happens or exists because of something else. E.g. To ensure good/the best results, you should start researching as early as possible.
A good or pleasing effect. E.g. We've spent a lot of money on advertising and we're beginning to see the results.
The information you get from something such as a scientific experiment or medical test. E.g. The results of the opinion poll showed that most women supported this action.
The answer to a calculation in mathematics. E.g. We used different methods of calculation, but we both got the same result.
The score or number of votes, showing the success or failure of the people involved, in a sports competition, election, etc. E.g. We were expecting to win, so a draw was a disappointing result for us.

Collocations:

As an outcome/effect

Adjective + result: good, positive | disastrous, unfortunate | direct, indirect | net | inevitable, logical | dramatic, impressive, spectacular, surprising | lasting | desired. E.g. And did your intervention produce the desired result?
Verb + result: have, produce | achieve, get, obtain. E.g. This was not the result we had hoped to achieve.
Preposition + result. E.g. These actions were taken as a direct result of the strike. Parking restrictions were lifted, with the result that the road is permanently blocked by cars.

As a desired effect

Adjective + result: concrete, tangible. E.g. We have yet to see any concrete results from the research.
Verb + result: come up with, get, produce | give, show. E.g. When is all your effort going to show some results?

As a final position in a competition

Adjective + result: election | football, racing, etc.
Verb + result: announce, read out. E.g. The announcer was reading out the football results.

As a mark given for an examination

Adjective + result: encouraging, good | disappointing, poor | exam, examination | A-level, degree result.
Verb + result: get, have. E.g. When do you get your exam results?

As an outcome of an experiment, a medical test, an investigation, etc.

Adjective + result: interim, preliminary | experimental, research | test, X-ray | referendum, survey
Verb + result: wait for | get, have, receive | analyse, evaluate | present, publish | give, yield. E.g. All three methods yielded identical results.
Result + verb: demonstrate sth, indicate sth, reveal sth, show sth, suggest sth | confirm sth, support sth. E.g. Preliminary results suggest that there is no cause for concern.
Preposition + result. E.g. Work on the scheme has been halted, pending the results of a judicial enquiry. We are evaluating the results from various recent surveys.

As a verb

Definition:

To happen or exist because something else has happened. E.g. Teachers were not fully prepared for the major changes in the exam system, and chaos resulted.

Synonyms:

happen, follow. See more.

Collocations:

Adverb + result: inevitably | not automatically, not necessarily | easily | quickly | eventually. E.g. This move will inevitably result in the loss of a lot of jobs.
Verb + result: can/could, may/might, should, will/would | be expected to, be liable to, be likely/unlikely to. E.g. Such measures are likely to result in decreased motivation of the workforce.

^{• Ozdic • Cambridge dictionary • Dictionary.com}

Emphasis & Emphasize

Emphasis (noun)

Countable and uncountable

Definition:

the particular importance or attention that is given to something:. E.g. Schools here put/place/lay great emphasis on written work and grammar.
the extra force that is given to a word or part of a word when it is spoken. E.g. The emphasis is on the final syllable.

Synonyms:

importance, attention. See more.

Collocations

As special importance/attention

Adjective + emphasis: considerable, great, heavy, increased | strong | main | particular, special. E.g. The study examines the events leading to the war, with particular emphasis on France's role in them.
Verb + emphasis: give, lay, place, put | shift. E.g. The company lays great emphasis on customer care.
Emphasis + verb: emphasis moves, shifts. E.g. In recent years, the emphasis has moved away from punishing drug addicts towards helping them.
Emphasis + preposition: ~ on/upon. The emphasis is on keeping fit rather than developing lots of muscles.
Phrases: a change/shift of emphasis

As a stress on a word/phrase:

Adjective + emphasis: great | slight. E.g. His slight emphasis on the word ‘Lady’ was definitely mocking.
Verb + emphasis: put
Preposition + emphasis. E.g. She repeated the question with emphasis. Put the emphasis on the second syllable.

Emphasize (verb)

Definition:

to state or show that something is especially important or deserves special attention. E.g. He emphasized that all the people taking part in the research were volunteers.

Synonyms:

highlight, stress, insist. See more.

Collocations

Adverb + emphasize: strongly | rightly. E.g. The new law rightly emphasizes parental responsibility.
Verb + emphasize: must, should | be important to | seem to, serve to, tend to | fail to | be at pains to, be keen to. E.g. All the arguments and counter-arguments serve to emphasize the controversy surrounding this disease.

^{• Ozdic (emphasis) • Ozdic (emphasize) • Cambridge dictionary (emphasis) • Cambridge dictionary (emphasize)}

Summary & Summarize

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Academic Writing Centre

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