Key verbs
In this unit we look at some important verbs in academic English.
A    Verbs for structuring academic assignments
Look at these tasks which students have been given. Note the key verbs.
Discuss some of the problems involved1 in investigating attitudes to diet and health. Write a critical review of an investigation you have read about, or describe an investigation you yourself could conduct2. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of different methods.
Starting from rest, an aircraft accelerates to its take-off speed of 60 m s~' in a distance of 900 metres. Illustrate3 this with a velocity-time graph. Assuming4 constant acceleration, find5 how long the take-off run lasts. Hence calculate6 the acceleration.
'The fact that nations agree to follow international law demonstrates7 that we can identify8 ideals that are trans-national and trans-cultural.' How far is this statement true? Critically analyse any recent event which supports or challenges9 the statement.
Examine10 how industrial growth has affected any two developing countries. Provide11 statistical evidence where necessary and include a discussion of likely future trends.
B
1 which are part of/included in 2 organise and do 3 draw something in order to explain something 4 accepting something to be true 5 discover by calculating (see 6) 6 judge the number or amount of something and adding, multiplying, subtracting or dividing numbers 7 show, make clear 8 recognise someone or something and say or prove who or what they are 9 questions whether it is true 10 look at or consider carefully and in detail 1' give
More key verbs
These extracts from academic books contain other key verbs.
In developing methods to explain the significance of health status measures, one can classify1 ways of establishing2 quality of life into two main types.
The length of time spent on the tasks may account for3 the decrease in motivation which was seen4 in many of the participants.
The data presented5 in Chapter 3 showed6 that the age of the subjects was not the main factor.
Political theory attempts7 to build bridges between different schools of political thought.
1 divide things into groups according to their type 2 discover or get proof of 3 explain 4 see is often used in the passive in academic style 5 given 6 proved 7 (formal) tries
Verbs which combine with noun forms of key verbs
Often in academic style, a verb + the noun form of the key verb is used.
verb	verb + noun	exompfe
explain	give/provide/offer an explanation (of/for)	The model provides an explanation for the differences between the two sets of data.
explore	carry out an exploration (of)	Kumar carried out an exploration of music genius.
emphasise	place/put emphasis (on)	The hospital puts a lot of emphasis on training nurses.
describe	give/provide a description (of)	The book gives a description of modern Europe.
The verbs affect and effect are different. To affect means to influence, to effect means to make something happen / to bring about. The burning of fossil fuels has negatively affected the global climate. The procedure has been successful and has effected a return to normal functioning of the engine. See Unit 30 for more on affect and effect.
Academic Vocabulary in Use
Exercises
Match each verb from A in the box on the left with its synonym from the box on the right.
affect  attempt  calculate   challenge   demonstrate compute   distinguish  give influence
identify   include   investigate   provide involve   question   show  study try
Choose the best verb from B or C to complete these sentences. Put the verb into the correct form.
1 As can...... .....................from Table II, participation figures have been steadily falling since 1970
2 Different authors have......................................for the President's actions in different ways.
3 Mendel attempted to devise a system for......................................the many different types of pea
plant that he grew.
4 It is often most effective......................................your data in a chart or table.
5 The data we have collected................................ that there has been a downward trend with
regard to job satisfaction over the last 50 years.
6 The aim of the research is......................................a new software application which will help
aviation engineers design more sophisticated aircraft.
7 The archaeologists should be able to use carbon dating techniques......................................exactly
how old the bones are.
8 Charles Darwin attempted....................................the existence of different species in terms of
evolution.
Explain the difference between the sentences in
1 Greig's article supports Park's theory.
2 Describe the new tax regulations.
3 Lodhi provides new data.
4 Titova conducted four sets of experiments.
5 Lee established why such changes occur.
6 Okaz assumed that the data were reliable.
7 Illustrate the magnitude of the deceleration.
8 The events effected economic development.
each pair.
Greig's article challenges Park's theory. Discuss the new tax regulations. Lodhi considers new data. Titova examined four sets of experiments. Lee investigated why such changes occur. Okaz proved that the data were reliable. Find the magnitude of the deceleration. The events affected economic development.
Rewrite each sentence using the word in brackets and make any necessary changes to other words.
1 Erikson's theory explains the fluctuations in the figures for this period, (provides)
2 Bevan explored the relationship between family background and political ambition.
(exploration)
3 The book describes the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, (description)
4 Cheng's theory emphasises the importance of extensive reading in language acquisition. (puts)
In academic style, noun phrases can often be used instead of some of the key verbs. Complete each phrase with the appropriate noun. Use a dictionary if necessary.
1 investigate = conduct, carry out an 4 affect = have an......................................on
.....................................into/of 5 attempt = make an..................................... to/at
2 illustrate = provide an......................................of 6 classify = make, provide a.......................of
3 analyse = provide, carry out an.......................of
Using the tasks in A as a model, prepare some assignment topics for students studying any E^H subject that you are familiar with.
Academic Vocabulary in Use   15