Academic Research Terms

noun a person or organization that is competing with others for the same thing or in the same area

adjective competitive

• Our company is constantly analyzing the strategies of our competitors in order to stay ahead in the market.
• I heard that our competitor is planning to launch a new product next month.
• That new startup is really giving our competitor a run for their money.
• In the business world, you always have to keep an eye on your competitors, just like in a game of chess.

noun a question or request for information

• Please submit your enquiry through our official contact form for a prompt response.
• If you have any questions, just shoot me an email and I'll get back to you.
• Hit me up if you've got any enquiries and I'll sort you out.
• Her mind was a constant enquiry into the mysteries of the universe.

verb to begin or start something

preposition used to indicate the beginning of a process or action

• He was ready to enter upon a new chapter in his career.
• She decided to enter upon the project without hesitation.
• Let's enter upon this adventure and see where it takes us.
• As she opened the book, she felt like she was entering upon a magical world.

noun a type of domesticated mammal often used for hunting rodents

verb to search out or discover through persistent investigation

• The detective was able to ferret out the truth through diligent investigation.
• I need to ferret out where I left my keys, they always seem to disappear.
• I had to ferret out the information from my nosy neighbor.
• She was determined to ferret out the hidden meaning behind his words.

noun a previous time or circumstance

adjective existing or occurring before in time or order

adverb before or in front

• Prior to the meeting, please review the agenda and prepare any necessary materials.
• I need to finish this report prior to lunchtime.
• I gotta get my workout in prior to hitting the beach this weekend.
• He had to face his fears prior to achieving his goals.

adjective having moral integrity; acting in strict accordance with what is considered right or proper

• The scrupulous accountant meticulously reviewed every financial statement for errors.
• She's known for being scrupulous about keeping her room clean.
• I don't trust him, he's too scrupulous for my liking.
• His scrupulous attention to detail was like a fine-tooth comb, leaving no room for error.

adjective an adjective that describes something that has not been disproved or refuted

• The evidence presented in the trial was unconfuted and irrefutable.
• No one could deny the unconfuted facts that were laid out in front of them.
• The unconfuted truth was so obvious, even a blind man could see it.
• Her unconfuted passion for the project was evident in every word she spoke.

adjective used to describe something that is word-for-word the same as the original

adverb used to modify a verb, adjective, or other adverb to indicate that something is done in a word-for-word manner

• The lawyer requested the witness to repeat the statement verbatim.
• Can you please say that again word for word?
• Spit it back exactly how they said it.
• He followed the recipe verbatim to ensure the dish turned out perfectly.

noun Narrative is a spoken or written account of connected events; a story.

• The coroner delivered a narrative verdict at the end of the inquest.
• The coroner gave a detailed explanation in the narrative verdict.
• The verdict was like a story told by the coroner.
• The narrative verdict painted a clear picture of what happened.

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

• The data can only be accessed by authorized personnel.
• I accessed the website using my login credentials.
• I hacked into the system and accessed all the files.
• She accessed her inner strength to overcome the challenges.

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• The company's policies are in accordance with the law.
• We need to make sure our plans align with the rules.
• Let's stick to the plan, it's what the boss wants.
• His actions are in harmony with his beliefs.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific thing, such as 'copyright'

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun, such as 'interim' in this case

• The ad interim copyright allows the creator temporary protection until the official copyright is obtained.
• The ad interim copyright is like a placeholder until the real copyright kicks in.
• Don't worry, your ad interim copyright will keep your work safe for now.
• Think of ad interim copyright as a safety net for your creative work.