Lesson 5, Vocabulary for Writing
Vocabulary is assessed on range, precision, and appropriateness to register. Note what isn’t there: quantity. You’re not scored on how many words you know, only on the ones that appear on the page.
The core technique
Say it simple in your head. Write it precise on the page.
Don’t try to compose sophisticated sentences directly, that’s how people freeze. Think the plain version, then upgrade it as you type.
| Think this | Write this |
|---|---|
| ”It cost me a lot." | "The additional expense was considerable." |
| "It was really annoying." | "The situation became genuinely frustrating." |
| "Lots of people would use it." | "A substantial proportion of residents would use it." |
| "It’s not that good." | "The proposal is considerably less convincing.” |
The plain thought comes first, always. The upgrade is a second, separate move.
Upgrade paths, not word lists
Learn the move from a flat word to a precise one, not isolated synonyms.
| Flat | Upgrades |
|---|---|
| good | excellent · outstanding · genuinely beneficial |
| bad | detrimental · damaging · counterproductive |
| big | considerable · substantial · significant |
| small | minor · modest · negligible |
| very | considerably · remarkably · genuinely · substantially |
| a lot of | a considerable number of · a substantial proportion of |
| important | crucial · vital · decisive |
| hard | demanding · challenging · difficult to manage |
| happy | delighted · pleased · grateful |
| angry | frustrated · dissatisfied · disappointed |
| problem | issue · difficulty · setback · drawback |
| think | consider · maintain · be convinced |
Rule: upgrade to a word you can use confidently and spell correctly. One precise word used well beats three impressive near-misses. Precision is scored; ambition isn’t.
Written English is not spoken English
Some words that are perfectly natural in speech read as weak on the page. These swaps are cheap marks:
| Spoken | Written |
|---|---|
| however (overused) | nevertheless · nonetheless |
| to (purpose) | in order to |
| but | although · whereas |
| so | therefore · consequently · as a result |
| also | furthermore · in addition · moreover |
| a bit | somewhat · to some extent |
| get | receive · obtain · become |
| a lot | considerably · a great deal |
Former and latter, a high-value pair
Former = the first thing mentioned. Latter = the second.
“The council is considering a park and a parking area. The former would serve the whole neighborhood; the latter only those with cars.”
It’s precise, unmistakably written English, and it does the same job as respectively while sounding more natural. Worth memorizing: but get the order right, or it reads as an error rather than a flourish.
Register-matched vocabulary
The same idea needs different words depending on who you’re writing to.
| Meaning | Formal | Informal |
|---|---|---|
| complain | raise a concern · express dissatisfaction | mention · bring up |
| ask | enquire · request | ask · check |
| sorry | I apologize · please accept my apologies | I’m so sorry · I feel awful |
| fix | resolve · rectify | sort out · fix |
| tell | inform · notify | let you know |
| thanks | I would be grateful · thank you for your assistance | thanks so much · you’re a star |
| meet | arrange a meeting | catch up · get together |
Using a formal word in an informal email is as much an error as the reverse. “I would be grateful if you could attend” to your sister is wrong, not sophisticated.
Deliberate “-ly” adverbs
Adverbs are the cheapest marks available and most candidates use almost none. Force in two or three per task.
genuinely · considerably · substantially · unfortunately · regularly · immediately · gradually · consistently · particularly · admittedly · undoubtedly · relatively
“It was cheaper.” → “It was considerably cheaper.” “The situation improved.” → “The situation improved gradually.” “I have not received a reply.” → “Unfortunately, I have not received a reply.”
Phrasal verbs, and where they belong
Phrasal verbs signal natural range, but they’re register-dependent:
| Informal, use freely | Formal, prefer the single-word verb |
|---|---|
| sort out | resolve |
| put up with | tolerate |
| get in touch | contact |
| look into | investigate |
| turn up | arrive |
| catch up | meet |
In informal emails, use three or four. In formal emails, one or two at most, and never anything that sounds casual.
The three don’ts
1. No idioms. They read as memorized, and a slightly-wrong idiom is worse than none. “It’s raining cats and dogs” adds nothing that “the weather has been consistently poor” doesn’t add more safely.
2. No invented statistics or named studies. “A 2019 report found 73% of residents…” reads as fabricated and can’t be verified. Use general patterns instead: “most residents,” “the general trend has been,” “areas of this kind consistently…”
3. Nothing you can’t spell. There’s no spellcheck. A misspelled sophisticated word costs you on Readability what it gains on Vocabulary, a net loss.
Don’t repeat yourself
Repetition is the most visible vocabulary ceiling there is. The words candidates repeat most:
| Task | Repeated word |
|---|---|
| Complaints | problem · very · bad |
| Apologies | sorry · really |
| Task 2 | good · better · I think · however |
| Everywhere | very · a lot · nice · important |
The habit: when you use a distinctive word, make the next occurrence different. Said “considerable”? Next time say “substantial.”
Building your own vocabulary
You don’t need a special list, you need a source you’ll actually use.
- News articles. Free, current, and written in exactly the register CELPIP rewards.
- Your own drafts. Every time you reach for a flat word, note it. That’s a personalised list of exactly the upgrades you need.
The method that makes words stick: for each new word, write three sentences about your own life. Not dictionary examples, yours. Target 15 items a day; that’s ten minutes.
squander: “I squandered most of last weekend.” · “He squandered the opportunity.” · “I don’t want to squander the money we saved.”
Grade your own vocabulary
- Three or more upgraded words, no “very,” “a lot,” “nice,” “good”
- Two or three “-ly” adverbs
- Written-English connectors used (nevertheless, in addition, in order to)
- Register-matched throughout
- No content word repeated more than twice
- Phrasal verbs matched to register
- No idioms
- No invented statistics
- Nothing I’m unsure how to spell
7+ ticks = Vocabulary isn’t what’s holding you back.
Your practice
Open one set on Celpora and put today’s lesson to work.
Practice Writing. Upgrade three plain words to precise ones in every paragraph.
