Introduction
In academic writing, research papers, essays, and professional reports, the phrase “the author states” is commonly used to introduce an author’s viewpoint or argument. However, repeating this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive and less polished.
Using varied and formal alternatives helps improve clarity, tone, and academic credibility. In this guide, you’ll discover 38+ formal and professional alternatives to “the author states”, along with meanings and examples to strengthen your academic and professional writing.
✅ Formal & Academic Alternatives
1. The author argues
Meaning: The author presents a reasoned claim or position.
Example:
- The author argues that education reform is necessary.
2. The author asserts
Meaning: The author confidently claims something.
Example:
- The author asserts that climate change is accelerating.
3. The author suggests
Meaning: The author proposes an idea or possibility.
Example:
- The author suggests that technology improves productivity.
4. The author claims
Meaning: The author states something as true, sometimes without full proof.
Example:
- The author claims that social media influences behavior.
5. The author explains
Meaning: The author clarifies or describes something.
Example:
- The author explains the causes of economic inequality.
6. The author notes
Meaning: The author briefly mentions or highlights a point.
Example:
- The author notes that previous studies support this view.
7. The author observes
Meaning: The author points out an observation.
Example:
- The author observes that students perform better with feedback.
8. The author highlights
Meaning: The author emphasizes an important point.
Example:
- The author highlights the importance of leadership skills.
9. The author emphasizes
Meaning: The author stresses a key idea.
Example:
- The author emphasizes the need for policy changes.
10. The author contends
Meaning: The author strongly argues a position.
Example:
- The author contends that globalization benefits developing countries.
11. The author proposes
Meaning: The author puts forward a suggestion or plan.
Example:
- The author proposes a new model for healthcare delivery.
12. The author discusses
Meaning: The author examines a topic in detail.
Example:
- The author discusses the effects of urbanization.
13. The author describes
Meaning: The author gives details about something.
Example:
- The author describes the experimental process.
14. The author concludes
Meaning: The author summarizes findings or reaches a final point.
Example:
- The author concludes that the hypothesis is supported.
15. The author demonstrates
Meaning: The author shows evidence or proof.
Example:
- The author demonstrates the effectiveness of the strategy.
16. The author illustrates
Meaning: The author explains with examples.
Example:
- The author illustrates the concept with real-life cases.
17. The author points out
Meaning: The author draws attention to something.
Example:
- The author points out a gap in previous research.
18. The author indicates
Meaning: The author shows or implies something.
Example:
- The author indicates that further research is required.
19. The author remarks
Meaning: The author comments on something briefly.
Example:
- The author remarks on the ethical implications.
20. The author addresses
Meaning: The author deals with a topic or issue.
Example:
- The author addresses the challenges of online learning.
21. The author reports
Meaning: The author presents findings or data.
Example:
- The author reports significant improvements in performance.
22. The author reveals
Meaning: The author uncovers or discloses information.
Example:
- The author reveals unexpected results.
23. The author outlines
Meaning: The author summarizes main points.
Example:
- The author outlines the research methodology.
24. The author clarifies
Meaning: The author makes something clearer.
Example:
- The author clarifies the limitations of the study.
25. The author elaborates
Meaning: The author adds detail or explanation.
Example:
- The author elaborates on the theoretical framework.
26. The author maintains
Meaning: The author consistently supports a viewpoint.
Example:
- The author maintains that innovation drives growth.
27. The author affirms
Meaning: The author confirms or supports an idea.
Example:
- The author affirms the significance of collaboration.
28. The author posits
Meaning: The author assumes or proposes a theory.
Example:
- The author posits a relationship between motivation and performance.
29. The author theorizes
Meaning: The author develops a theory.
Example:
- The author theorizes about future technological trends.
30. The author interprets
Meaning: The author explains the meaning of findings.
Example:
- The author interprets the data in a social context.
31. The author evaluates
Meaning: The author assesses or judges something.
Example:
- The author evaluates the effectiveness of the intervention.
32. The author critiques
Meaning: The author analyzes and evaluates critically.
Example:
- The author critiques existing theories.
33. The author acknowledges
Meaning: The author admits or recognizes something.
Example:
- The author acknowledges limitations in the study.
34. The author examines
Meaning: The author investigates closely.
Example:
- The author examines the impact of policy changes.
35. The author identifies
Meaning: The author recognizes or points out something.
Example:
- The author identifies key factors affecting outcomes.
36. The author explores
Meaning: The author investigates a topic broadly.
Example:
- The author explores various learning models.
37. The author summarizes
Meaning: The author briefly reviews main points.
Example:
- The author summarizes the key findings.
38. The author recommends
Meaning: The author suggests actions or solutions.
Example:
- The author recommends further studies in this field.
✅ FAQs
❓ What is the best academic alternative to “the author states”?
Some strong academic alternatives include:
- “The author argues”
- “The author asserts”
- “The author contends”
- “The author explains”
❓ Can I use these phrases in research papers?
Yes. These alternatives are commonly used in academic essays, research articles, literature reviews, and professional reports.
❓ Which alternatives sound most formal?
Highly formal academic verbs include:
- “Posits”
- “Theorizes”
- “Maintains”
- “Evaluates”
- “Critiques”
✅ Final Thoughts
Replacing “the author states” with varied academic verbs improves readability, avoids repetition, and strengthens your writing style. Whether you’re writing an essay, research paper, or thesis, using precise reporting verbs helps you convey the author’s tone and intent more accurately.
Mix different verbs depending on whether the author is arguing, explaining, suggesting, or concluding to make your academic writing more engaging and professional.
