{"id":7780,"date":"2017-05-31T22:00:39","date_gmt":"2017-05-31T16:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/?p=7780"},"modified":"2019-07-19T16:48:50","modified_gmt":"2019-07-19T10:48:50","slug":"idioms-improve-or-detract-from-academic-writing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/idioms-improve-or-detract-from-academic-writing\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Idioms Improve or Detract from Academic Writing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you think of popular English idioms\u2014hit the nail on the head, kick the bucket, the last straw, see eye to eye, <\/em>and so on\u2014and examine the possible usage, you will find that there are a number of idioms that are used in both formal and informal usage. If you are not certain of what idiom<\/em> means, here is the definition: \u201c<\/em>An\u00a0idiom\u00a0is a commonly used word or phrase with a culturally understood meaning that is different from what its constituent words\u2019 translation would indicate.\u201d It is also called a figure of speech, expression, proverb, <\/em>or saying.<\/em><\/p>\n

As confusing as an idiomatic phrase<\/a> might be, even a change as small as a preposition can make a difference: \u201cPrepositional idioms often give non-native speakers of English nightmares, and even native speakers of English need to double-check them at times\u201d (CMS 5.190). You could be smitten with <\/em>love (deeply attracted) for a person but would not want to be smitten by<\/em> the person. Idioms add color and imagery to the writing, but they could be seen as too informal. So, how should they be used in academic writing? Before you begin writing an article, ask yourself this question: How important is it to make your writing sound like a native English speaker and\/or less formal? The following points will help you to decide:<\/p>\n

Pros<\/h2>\n