Writing Book 5 · Lesson 22

Verbs and the words they combine with — use the words

Some words simply go together, and the pairing has to be learned rather than worked out.

The words

carry out research
do a study
gather data
collect facts
present findings
show results
support a claim
back up
identify a pattern
spot
test a theory
try out an idea
solve a problem
fix

Watch how it is built

1carry out research means about the same as do a study.
They carried out research on soil.
2gather data means about the same as collect facts.
We gathered data for two weeks.
3present findings means about the same as show results.
She presented her findings.

Two ways to say it

✗ They carried out research on soil. — this is not wrong, but it is everyday talk.

✓ They carried out research on soil. — this is how a writer says it.

Ask yourself: “Have I heard these two words together before?”

Remember

Carry out research. Gather data. Present findings.

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