9 Alternative Expressions for "Study"
As an English learner, "study" should be a word you know well. It's very useful, but if you use it all of the time, your conversations will start to sound boring. That's why it's always a good idea to learn some synonyms for it, or other words that express the same idea.
This time, we'll cover some different words and expressions you can use instead of "study." You'll surely have an opportunity to use each of them in your daily conversations.
What’s the difference between “study” and “learn”?
If you are looking for alternatives for "study," "learn" may be one of the first words you think of. You are probably already familiar with it, but what makes it different than "study"? Let's see what the Oxford Learner's Dictionary has to say:
study [verb]
To spend time learning about a subject by reading, going to school, etc.
Oxford Learner's Dictionary
learn [verb]
To gain knowledge or skill by studying, from experience, from being taught, etc.
Oxford Learner's Dictionary
According to these definitions, "study" is more about the process of gaining knowledge, while "learn" refers to actually getting it — not the steps you take to get it. So don't forget: Just because you study something doesn't automatically mean that you learn it. For example:
- I studied a lot of Russian, but I never learned it.
Something else to remember is that the past tense of "learn" comes in two versions: "learned" and "learnt." The first is common in American English, while the second is mostly used in British English.
- I learned how to play this song on piano last week.
Other words for “study”
Prep
This is a casual, shortened form of the verb "prepare" or the noun "preparation."
- I'm prepping hard for the final exam.
It's also good to know the term "prep school." Prep schools are private schools that prepare students to enter a college or university.
- Is it possible to get into that university without going to a prep school first?
Read up on ~
Unlike the other terms on this list, which are more general, this expression refers to reading in order to gain knowledge about something specific.
- She spent the weekend reading up on famous historical people for her school project.
Brush up on ~
The verb "brush" is used to talk about cleaning or straightening something with, well, a brush (the noun version)! However, the phrasal verb "brush up on," means to improve or raise your skill level.
- Let's brush up on our Spanish before our trip to Mexico.
Learn the ropes
"Learning the ropes" is another way to say "learning how to do a task." It originally refers to sailors, who must learn to control the ropes that operate a ship's sails.
- The first week of training is all about learning the ropes and getting familiar with the process.
You can also "show someone the ropes," which means teaching them how to do something.
- John has been here a little longer than you, so he can show you the ropes.
Cram
The verb "cram" means to forcefully push something into a space. When you must study for a test or assignment that is coming soon, it is like you are trying to push a lot of information into your brain in a short amount of time. This expression is often used with "~ for a test/exam."
- She spent all night cramming for the exam the next morning.
Hit the books
This is a casual expression that means to begin studying seriously.
- I decided to stay home and hit the books instead of going out with my friends.
Self-taught
This is an adjective that refers to learning something by yourself, without help from an instructor.
- He is a self-taught artist.
Know something inside and out
We use this expression to say that someone knows everything about a particular subject.
- If you need help or recommendations, ask Billy; he knows this city inside and out!
There is another expression that is similar: "know something backwards and forwards." This, however, is mostly used to talk about things like movies or books that have been memorized; we don't use it to refer to learning new information.
- I watch this movie every summer, so I know it backwards and forwards.
Wrap-up
"Study" was probably one of the first English words you learned as a student. It's very useful, but there are many more ways of expressing the same idea. The more alternatives you know, the richer and more interesting your English conversations will become. So, study hard and learn them all!
