Use Your Tools Effectively: A Scholarly Writer's Guide to Commonly Misused Words

Academic Writing has its own specialized vocabulary. Sometimes this vocabulary follows grammatical rules that aren't always easy to master. Join us today for an explanation of the most commonly-mistaken academic writing vocabulary. 

When you watch experts at their work, you can often determine their level of expertise by the ease with which they use their tools. Conversely, you might doubt the credibility of someone who claims to be an expert but uses their tools incorrectly. For example, if someone claimed to be an expert in astronomy but was looking through the wrong end of the telescope, you might be a bit suspicious.

Academic writing has some of its own specialized tools and words, so it is important to use the right words in the right way. Below are some commonly misused words and my advice for how to use them most effectively in your own writing.

Research/researches. Even when you are referring to multiple studies, this word is used in a singular form, research. There is no –es ever used to make the word research plural. (The word “researches” is only used as an action for a singular person or thing; e.g. He researches butterflies for a living.) However, you can refer to more than one study or project. So, if you are referring to multiple items, you can discuss the research, the research studies or the research projects.

Correct: There was a lot of research done regarding HIV/AIDS.

Correct: The authors looked at several research studies on electronic medical records.

Incorrect: In the literature review, a lot of researches discussed medical ethics.

Comprise/comprised. The parts always comprise the whole. Thus, you could say, Nine players comprised the team. To reverse that, you could say The team was comprised of nine players. However, in each case, note that the parts are always comprising the whole. 

Correct: The population was comprised of minority and majority ethnic groups.

Incorrect: The study comprised five sections.

Statistic/statistics. The word statistic refers to a singular fact, but anytime you refer to this and other facts in a general sense, you’ll want to use the plural word statistics. Most of the time, you will use the plural form of the word unless you are referring to one specific piece of information.

Correct: The researcher discussed the most relevant statistics from the study.

Incorrect: After performing the study, the authors discussed the statistic found in multiple places throughout the study.

Rational/Rationale. Both of these words are spelled similarly, but they are frequently misused. Rational means logical or calm-minded. The word rationale refers to the meaning behind something or the reason for doing it.

Correct: The rationale for using light as the variable was that its affects had previously been minimally studied.

Correct: When there is an emergency, those involved should maintain a rational mindset rather than acting on emotion.

Incorrect: The researcher explained the rational behind his choices.

Moral/Morale. These words are also spelled in a similar way, but have very different meanings. Moral refers to a sense of integrity or ethics; the word morale has to do more with the motivation or the state of positivity or negativity within a person or group.

Correct: Most people live by a moral code of right and wrong.

Correct: When leadership changes, there may be a downturn in company morale.

Incorrect: As their moral faded, the soldiers began to lose hope.

Ethnic/Ethic. The misuse of these words is often due to typos more than anything. However, the meanings are different enough to cause confusion for your readers. Ethnic refers to a person’s racial or cultural history—their ethnicity. The word, ethic has to do more with morality and fairness.

Correct: The study discussed the ethics of incarcerating teens.

Correct: Often stereotypes specify ethnic groups that are considered underprivileged.

Incorrect: One must often rely on ethnics to help inform decisions and judgments.

As well as.  When using as well as in a sentence, it must come after a fact or after the complete list. As well as is often used to add on an additional note or to emphasize a specific part of the sentence; it is not meant to substitute for the word and.  

Correct: The research will discuss light and temperature as well as determine the significance of moisture.

Correct:  His car will need new brakes, struts, and a bumper, as well as a tire rotation.

Incorrect: I will study turtles, frogs, as well as snails.

To achieve the best results in academic writing, writers must use the right tools in the right way—in this case words—to fit the context of their discussion and the expectations of their readers. How are you using your tools?  

Rachel Willard is the Manager of Writing Instructors in the Walden University Writing Center. She loves hearing others' stories. She enjoys people-watching at airports and shopping places that use the grammatically correct "10 items or fewer" signs for the express checkout lanes. 

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