Your research is solid, but your English writing doesn't sound academic. You hedge too little (or too much), your citations are awkward, and formal structure keeps slipping. Learn to write like a published researcher—adapted to how you think as a French speaker.
Try Amélie free →Academic writing in English demands a balance French academic prose rarely emphasizes: you must sound authoritative without overconfident, cite others without interrupting your flow, and structure arguments in a specific way. If you've ever written 'According to Smith, the result is good'—awkward, right?—or wondered whether to hedge ('suggests'), you've hit the L1 interference zone. French writers tend toward direct assertion; English readers expect measured skepticism. Similarly, French formatting of references (usually in footnotes) doesn't map to English in-text citations. This course teaches you to adapt your thinking to academic English norms, not memorize rules.
French academic writing avoids hedging because French values directness. In English, hedging (suggests, indicates, appears to) isn't weakness—it's credibility. Native speakers use it constantly to signal tentativeness about interpretation while staying confident about data. Learn *when* to hedge (interpretations, future projections, claims beyond your scope) and when to be direct (methods, results, established facts).
French writers often treat citations as asides (hence footnotes). English places citations *inside the sentence structure* to show how evidence supports your claim. Instead of 'According to Smith, the result is good,' write 'The result improves efficiency (Smith, 2023), suggesting that...' Now the citation is evidence for a claim, not a separate thought.
English expects the main claim upfront, then evidence. French allows more reasoning-then-conclusion. Start your sentence with your idea; add the citation (or data, or quote) after. This keeps your voice in charge and makes citations feel like support, not interruption.
Not just 'maybe' or 'perhaps'—too vague. Use 'Research indicates,' 'The data suggest,' 'One could argue,' 'This points to the possibility that.' These phrases are more sophisticated and signal you understand the evidence's limits while staying scholarly.
Use simple present for established facts ('Smith shows that...'), present perfect or conditionals for newer claims ('Recent work suggests that...could indicate...'). French blurs this distinction; English is strict. This helps readers calibrate how much evidence backs each claim.
English academic style favors short, direct claims with evidence, then your analysis. French prefers flowing, complex sentences. Break up your paragraph: one sentence for the claim, one or two for evidence/citation, one for 'what this means.' Readers follow better; your argument becomes visible.
Use explicit transitions: 'This finding implies X because...' 'The takeaway is not merely that X, but that Y.' French readers follow implicit logic; English readers need the bridge spelled out. One extra sentence between evidence and next idea often makes the difference.
French writers sometimes bury them or treat them as asides. English makes citations *visible*—they're part of your credibility, not an aside. Name the author in the sentence ('Smith [2023] argues...') rather than hiding them in parentheses. It signals confidence and helps readers track the conversation.
French academic tradition buries citations in footnotes or treats them as asides. English weaves citations *into your sentence logic*. Instead of 'According to Smith, the result is good,' try 'The result improves efficiency (Smith, 2023), suggesting that...' The citation becomes evidence for your claim, not a separate thought.
French writers often hedge minimally because French values confident assertion. English academia uses hedging strategically: use it for findings (suggests, indicates), interpretations (could indicate), and claims beyond your scope (one might argue). Hedge claims you can't fully own; be direct on methods and data.
Native speakers often draft claims first, then locate evidence—so citations happen *after*, not during. This keeps your argument flowing. But ensure every major claim cites a source; English readers track authority carefully. French readers are more forgiving of unsourced claims if they fit the narrative.
French academic style often leaves reasoning implicit; readers infer the bridge. English demands explicit transitions: 'This suggests that X because...' or 'The implication is not merely that X, but that Y.' Add one more sentence between evidence and your next idea. French prose feels rushed to English eyes when transitions are sparse.
The only AI English coach that catches L1 transfer errors. 19,99€/mo — first session free.
Get started →