Is core vocabulary a friend or foe of academic writing? Single-word vs multi-word uses of thing

Core vocabulary items (e.g. thing, way) are often viewed as the enemy of effective academic writing, and style guides textbooks advise against using them. However, their bad reputation seems to stem from a single-word perspective that ignores rich phraseological units such tend figure in. In this study, we focus on core lemma thing investigate extent which approach can redeem its reputation. We look at learner essays ten different first-language backgrounds International Corpus Learner English compare these reference corpora endpoints informal-formal continuum: Spoken BNC2014 Academic Journal Articles. The results show indeed provides more nuanced view thing: it is used in wide variety multi-word units, many common writing. Although some signs novice production evident learners’ use closest expert writers. paper concludes with discussion role phraseology lists teaching assessment.