The following vocabulary can be useful when discussing positive results of academic research.

Verbs for discussing positive results

1. to enhance (meaning: to improve the quality of something)

• This verb is often used with the following adverbs: significantly, dramatically, considerably, digitally, chemically, artificially)
• This verb is often used with the following nouns: credibility, effectiveness, efficiency, performance, productivity, ability, capacity, experience)

E.g. The stimulants were shown to dramatically enhance performance. 

2. to drive (meaning: to have an influence on something – often encouraging progress)

• This verb is often used with the following nouns: growth, investment, demand

E.g. Consistent investment has driven growth in the area surrounding the new development.

3. to enable (meaning: to provide the opportunity for something or make it possible)

• Pronunciation: Even though this word begins with an ‘e’, the first sound is /ɪ / – /ɪˈneɪbl/

E.g. By removing barriers to reproduction, we enabled the colony to grow.

• (!) This verb also has a negative meaning: to allow someone to continue harmful actions or behaviour (either by by protecting them or by not trying to make them stop)

E.g. If we fail to challenge derogatory language, we enable the continuation of systemic abuse.

4. to boost (meaning: to help something improve or increase)

• This verb is often used with the following adverbs: significantly, substantially, dramatically
• This verb is often used with the following nouns: morale, confidence, economy, growth, performance, productivity, efficiency
• Pronunciation: This word contains a long /uː/ sound – /buːst/

E.g. The provision of an enhanced employee benefits package has significantly boosted morale across the company.

5. to feed into (phrasal verb) (meaning: to contribute to something or have an effect on how something develops)

E.g. Our research will feed into a larger study which is being co-ordinated by the local authority. 

6. to recognise/recognize (meaning: to acknowledge that something is true OR to officially accept someone/something)

• This verb is often used in the passive form.
• This verb is often used with these adverbs: publicly, universally, broadly, widely, globally, internationally
• This verb is often used with the following nouns: importance, significance, excellence, achievement, need, validity (also: dangers, risks, limiyations)

E.g. The need for improvement is widely recognised within the community.

OR

E.g. He was recognised for his achievements. 

7. to acknowledge (meaning: to admit or accept that something is true or exists)

• This verb is often used in the passive form.
• This verb is often used with these adverbs: generally, commonly, broadly, widely, universally, formally, officially
• This verb is often used with these nouns: importance, need, responsibility, achievements, contribution, support (also: difficulty, guilt)
• Pronunciation: /əkˈnɒlɪdʒ/

E.g. It is generally acknowledged that their work formed the basis of current methods. 

Nouns for discussing things positively

8. a contribution (meaning: an action that helps something happen or helps something to improve OR money that is given in order to help pay for something)

• This noun is often used with these adjectives: substantial, meaningful, significant, positive
• This noun is usually used with these verbs: make, appreciate, acknowledge, recognize

E.g. Their findings represented a significant contribution to the field.

OR

E.g. We would like to thank all donors for their generous contributions. 

9. prosperity (meaning: success, especially financial)

• This noun is often used with these adjectives: economic, financial, rising, growing, future, long-term
• This noun is often used with these verbs: ensure, deliver, promote, achieve, increase, boost, enhance

E.g. To ensure future prosperity, parents are investing heavily in their children’s education.

10. growth (uncountable) (meaning: an increase in size, number, or economic activity OR the development of living things both mentally and physically)

E.g. We will monitor productivity growth carefully.

OR

E.g. To guarantee consistent growth, water regularly.

• (!) When used as a countable noun, this word has a different meaning – cells caused by disease that appear on/in a plant, person or animal.

E.g. We found a benign growth which was removed immediately.

Adjectives for discussing things positively

11. thriving (meaning: healthy or successful)

• Pronunciation: The two ‘i’s in this word have different pronunciation – /ˈθraɪvɪŋ/

E.g. The once endangered species is now thriving.

12. productive (meaning: achieving or making a lot)

E.g. During the most productive data-gathering cycle, we were able to amass over 3000 responses.

Examples of this language in use

Examples of language from this lesson can be found in the following extract.

Multiple-choice quiz

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