GuruEAP

Academic English not only for Indonesians

Windows to the soul

Another post highlighting and analysing cohesive devices in academic writing, this time a summary of research looking into the facial expressions of animals. (more…)

coherence, coherence and cohesion, cohesion, cohesive devices, IELTS, referencing, substitution, vocabulary, writing

Why these and not those?

These days a lot of people like to use smartphones and tablets. Those are popular because they can connect to the Internet.

OK so our writer is using those as a substitute for smartphones and tablets. However, it would have been better to use these: (more…)

avoiding repetition, coherence, cohesion, IELTS, itu, referencing, speaking, substitution, writing

Referring to sources using substitution

It has been argued that expenditure needed for applying a circular economy tends to be high (Kirchher et al., 2017). However, their claim is easy to counter given the many economic benefits offered by a circular economy.

(more…)

coherence, cohesion, EAP, it, referencing, substitution, theme and rheme, this and these

Cementing ideas with ‘it’ and ‘this’

A good way to avoid repetition in writing, and at the same time to cement (= stick) sentences together so that ideas flow smoothly, is to use what’s called referencing and substitution (many examples of referencing and substitution in previous posts). (more…)

coherence, cohesion, cohesive, IELTS, pronouns, referencing, speaking, substitution, theme and rheme, writing

Who are ‘they’?

English should be taught from an early age. English is highly valued when pursuing study abroad, getting a job, and connecting business people all over the world. They use English, furthermore, in their activities, such as education, business, politics, travel, and others. (more…)

band descriptors, coherence and cohesion, IELTS, pronouns, referencing, substitution, theme and rheme

This one and those ones

Teachers should shift from individual learning to collaborative one.

Here an Indonesian student is translating ‘yang‘ as a substitute for a noun, but running into trouble because ‘learning‘ is uncountable. (more…)

avoiding repetition, coherence and cohesion, Indo English, referencing, substitution, vocabulary, yang

This one and those ones

Teachers should shift from individual learning to collaborative one.

Here an Indonesian student is translating ‘yang‘ as a substitute for a noun, but running into trouble because ‘learning‘ is uncountable. (more…)

avoiding repetition, coherence and cohesion, Indo English, referencing, substitution, vocabulary, yang

Use ‘it’ with care

People who live in remote areas sometimes have limited access to the things they want to buy. Since it cannot be provided by retail shops, online shopping may be the solution.

To make your writing ‘flow’ so that pieces of information connect together well, use ‘it‘ only when ‘it‘ refers back to the subject of the previous sentence. (more…)

coherence, cohesion, EAP, IELTS, itu, referencing, speaking, substitution, writing

Pronoun substitution and an alternative

When people go to real shops, the goods are visible. They can try clothes on and know what materials were used.

Almost! But.. (more…)

academic writing, coherence, grammar, IELTS, referencing, speaking, substitution, writing

Himself, herself, theirselves(?!)

Before departing for Australia, students must prepare theirselves in order to avoid culture shock.

..selves. More than one ‘self’. OK, no complaints about that.
..theirselves. Now you’re being inconsistent with your object pronouns.
You guys have no problem producing the following: (more…)

culture, EAP, grammar, IELTS, mereka, pronouns, referencing, speaking, substitution, vocabulary, writing