Words to Avoid in an Essay. List With Explanations

When writing an essay, picking the right words is very important. As an experienced IB writer, I know that even small changes in your words can make or break the quality of your essay. “What words to avoid in an essay?” is one of the questions I get asked most often by students.

What phrases should you not use in your papers, why do they make your writing worse, and what words should you use instead? This piece will answer that question and more.

How Important Is Word Choice in Writing?

Choosing the right words is one of the most essential parts of writing, especially in academic papers. As an IB tutor, I’ve seen students lose important points because their wording wasn’t precise or professional. The phrases you use affect how people understand your case and the tone and clarity of your essay. IB guidelines say that how you choose words directly affects how well your essay meets the requirements of official academic writing.

It makes a big difference what words you choose. Solid and specific words show you know what you’re discussing and strengthen your case. Another thing is that using unclear or casual language can make your ideas look like they were not well thought out or backed up. That’s why knowing words not to use in essays is essential.

For example, changing “a lot of issues” to “several challenges” immediately makes the sentence clearer and more formal. In the same way, avoiding overused phrases like “at the end of the day” will make your writing feel new and fresh.

I believe that getting better at choosing words is a constant process. Reviewing your work carefully and changing weak sentences with better ones will significantly change your writing. Remember, every word matters — make each one count.

What Words You Shouldn’t Use in an Essay? Informal Language

Using casual language in your essay can make it look sloppy and inappropriate for school or college. Avoiding some phrases ensures that your work meets the required formal standards. Here are the words not to use in an essay:

• A lot – it doesn’t quantify or clarify the extent of an issue (use many or a significant number).
• Kinda – extremely casual and inappropriate for formal essays (use somewhat or to some extent).
• Gonna – a shortened form of going to that is too informal for academic writing (use going to).
• Wanna – slang for want to, which is unsuitable for formal contexts (use want to or wish to).
• Stuff – vague and doesn’t specify what is being referred to (use items, materials, or topics).
• Things – too broad and lacks specificity (use concepts, factors, or elements).
• Cool – too casual and irrelevant for academic essays (use interesting, effective, or noteworthy).
• Bad – oversimplifies complex ideas (use ineffective, harmful, or problematic).
• Good – vague and lacks analytical depth (use effective, beneficial, or valuable).
• Awesome – overly enthusiastic and informal (use impressive or remarkable).
• Really – adds little value and can be redundant (use extremely, significantly, or notably).
• Very – overused and weakens your writing (use exceptionally, highly, or profoundly).
• Basically – unnecessary and often redundant (remove or rephrase for clarity).
• Totally – informal and lacks academic precision (use completely or entirely).
• Literally – often misused and unnecessary in most contexts (remove or use actually if appropriate).
• Kinda – extremely casual and inappropriate for academic essays (use somewhat or moderately).
• Okay/OK – informal and lacks depth (use acceptable, sufficient, or satisfactory).
• Big – too vague for academic contexts (use substantial, significant, or large).
• Small – lacks specificity (use minor, limited, or minimal).
• A bit – informal and imprecise (use slightly or somewhat).
• Pretty (as a qualifier) – casual and weakens your writing (use rather, moderately, or fairly).
• Huge – informal and imprecise (use significant, vast, or substantial).
• Get/Got – overused (use receive, obtain, achieve, or acquire depending on context).

If you use exact and formal words instead of these casual ones, your writing will be clearer and more professional.

Words to Avoid in an Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay uses strong proof, rational reasoning, and a well-organized structure to persuade the reader of a certain point of view. A well-written argumentative essay clarifies the writer’s thoughts and the strength of their proof.

However, many students weaken their writing by using casual or vague language that does not have meaning. If you want to know “Which words should not be used in this essay? “, the answer is phrases that aren’t clear or have power:

• I think – overly subjective and weakens your argument (use it is evident, it can be argued, or it is clear instead).
• I believe – makes the essay seem opinion-driven rather than evidence-based (use the evidence shows or research indicates).
• In my opinion – adds unnecessary subjectivity to your points (use the data suggests or the findings demonstrate).
• Always – too absolute and often inaccurate (use typically, frequently, or in most cases).
• Never – it oversimplifies complex arguments (use rarely or seldom).
• Good – too vague to convey meaning in argumentative writing (use effective, beneficial, or valuable).
• Bad – oversimplifies arguments and lacks precision (use harmful, detrimental, or problematic).
• Maybe – conveys uncertainty and weakens your stance (use it is possible or likely if applicable).
• Somehow – lacks clarity and creates confusion (use specifically or explain directly).
• Surely – assumes agreement without evidence (use likely, probably, or it is reasonable to suggest).
• Obviously – it can come across as condescending or dismissive (use clearly or evidently).
• Actually – often unnecessary and doesn’t add value (omit or use specifically when clarifying).
• Perhaps – suggests uncertainty, which is problematic in argumentative writing (use it is possible or likely instead).
• Everybody – too broad and impossible to justify (use most people or a majority).
• Nobody – absolute and often inaccurate (use few people or not many).
• Completely – adds redundancy to most statements (use fully or thoroughly if needed).
• Amazing – too emotional and informal (use remarkable or significant).
• Cheap – informal and imprecise (use affordable or low-cost).
• Sad – too vague and emotional for academic writing (use unfortunate, regrettable, or disappointing).
• Happy – informal and lacks academic depth (use positive or favorable).
• Thingy – extremely informal and unclear (use object, item, or concept).
• Problematic – overused in academic contexts and often too vague (use challenging, flawed, or contentious).
• Fine – too casual and lacks specificity (use adequate, acceptable, or sufficient).
• Nice – adds no depth or precision (use pleasant, effective, or beneficial).
• Wrong – too simplistic for argumentative writing (use inaccurate, misleading, or flawed).
• Right – often too broad or casual (use correct, appropriate, or justified).
• Easy – informal and vague (use straightforward, uncomplicated, or simple).
• Hard – too casual and unclear (use difficult, challenging, or complex).
• Fast – too informal for academic writing (use quick, rapid, or efficient).
• Slow – casual and lacks depth (use gradual or delayed).
• Sort of – informal and weakens arguments (use somewhat or moderately).
• Good-looking – inappropriate for academic contexts (use visually appealing or aesthetically pleasing).
• Lazy – informal and judgmental (use unmotivated or disengaged).
• Rich – informal and vague (use wealthy, affluent, or well-resourced).
• Poor – lacks specificity (use disadvantaged, underprivileged, or insufficient).

Mastering the art of formal writing also requires knowing the words to avoid in essays, as these can weaken your arguments and diminish the overall quality of your work.

More helpful articles:

• What Is a Claim in an Essay?
• Can You Ask Questions in an Essay?
• Can Turnitin Detect Essays Bought Online?
• How to Avoid Plagiarism in Your Essay?
• Interdisciplinary Topics in Extended Essays. Ideas for IB Students

What Words Not to Use in an Essay? Redundant Words

Using words or sentences that repeat the same idea too many times is called redundancy in writing. From what I’ve seen, using words that are already there takes up space in your essay and makes your writing less clear and straightforward. So, if you’re wondering about words to not use in an essay, redundant words are high on the list.

• Free gift – the word gift already implies it’s free (use gift).
• Past history – history is inherently in the past (use history).
• Future plans – all plans are about the future (use plans).
• True fact – facts are always true (use fact).
• End result – results occur at the end by definition (use result).
• New innovation – all innovations are new (use innovation).
• Revert back – to revert means to return (use revert).
• Close proximity – proximity already indicates closeness (use proximity).
• Added bonus – a bonus is an additional reward (use bonus).
• Unexpected surprise – surprises are unexpected by nature (use surprise).
• Basic fundamentals – fundamentals are inherently basic (use fundamentals).
• Each and every – either word alone suffices (use each or every).
• Final conclusion – a conclusion is always final (use conclusion).
• Small in size – small already refers to size (use small).
• Large in size – similar to above (use large).
• Few in number – few already refers to a small number (use few).
• Repeat again – to repeat already implies doing it again (use repeat).

Words used more than once make lines longer than they need to be and weaken your points. You must be clear and concise when writing essays, especially for the IB.

Conclusion

Choosing better words doesn’t mean making your language too hard to understand. Instead, pay attention to being professional and precise. Avoiding words to never use in an essay, like slang or clichés, ensures that your writing meets the expectations of the IB examiners.

Before you turn it in, take the time to look over your paper for any of the words and sentences we discussed that aren’t working. If you replace them with strong, detailed options, your points will be more substantial.

Writing for the IB can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s where we come in! Our IB Writing Service is just for students like you taking the International Baccalaureate.