The English you use with your friends everyday is not the English you need for your university classes.
To get high grades, you must understand the difference between everyday English and academic English. Let’s break it down simply.
What is Everyday English?
Everyday English is the language you use everyday. We use it when we chat with friends, send text messages, or watch movies.
- It is casual and personal.
- It uses simple words, phrasal verbs (like “find out” or “setup”), and idioms.
- It is perfect for expressing your feelings and making connections with people.
What is Academic English?
Academic English is the language of higher education. You see it in textbooks, read it in journal articles, and must use it when writing university essays.
- It is formal and structured.
- It is objective, which means it focuses on facts, data, and evidence rather than personal opinions.
- It uses precise vocabulary to explain complex ideas clearly.
Key Differences at a Glance
To see how different they are, look at how we say the same idea in both styles:
| Everyday English | Academic English |
| I think the results are good. | The evidence suggests the results are positive. |
| A lot of people believe… | Many researchers argue… |
| Scientists want to find out the reason. | Scientists intend to investigate the cause. |
| This problem has many bad points. | This issue presents several disadvantages. |
Why Does This Matter for Your Success?
Using everyday English in a college essay can actually lower your grade. Professors expect you to sound like a professional researcher. When you change casual phrases into formal academic language, your arguments automatically sound stronger and more trustworthy.
Quick Tips to Improve Your Academic Writing
- Avoid personal pronouns: Instead of writing “I think,” start your sentence with “The data shows” or “It can be argued that.”
- Choose precise verbs: Replace phrasal verbs with single, formal verbs (e.g., use “examine” instead of “look at”).
- Read actively: When you read academic articles, write down useful phrases that you can use in your own essays.
Learning academic English takes time and practice, but it is a skill that anyone can master. By slowly changing your style from casual to formal, you will feel much more confident in your university courses!
