Mastering Chemistry command words
A surprising number of Chemistry marks are lost not to weak knowledge but to answering the wrong kind of question. Command words — state, describe, explain, suggest, predict — each demand a specific shape of answer. Read them precisely and you give exactly what the examiner rewards.
Key facts
| Topic | Exam technique |
| ‘State’ | concise, no argument |
| ‘Explain’ | reasoning or theory |
| ‘Predict / deduce’ | follow the logic; no recall needed |
Why command words matter
Examiners write each question with a verb that sets the depth of answer expected. Give a one-word answer to “explain” and you lose the reasoning marks; write a paragraph for “state” and you waste time. Train yourself to read the command word first and shape the answer to it.
The high-frequency verbs
State / give / name: a short, factual answer with no supporting argument. Describe: say what happens — the observations or the trend — without explaining why. Explain: give the reason, using chemical theory. Suggest: apply what you know to an unfamiliar situation where there may be no single ‘textbook’ answer.Predict, deduce and calculate
Predict or deduce means reach an answer by following the logic or the data — no recall is required, but your reasoning must hold. Calculate / determine means show working to a numerical answer with correct units and significant figures. Compare means make explicit points of similarity or difference, not two separate descriptions.A quick discipline
Underline the command word and the marks available before you write. Marks usually mirror the depth: one mark for a ‘state’, two or three for an ‘explain’. If the verb is ‘explain’ and you've only described, you haven't finished the answer. This habit, more than extra content, lifts technique scores.
Frequently asked questions
Why do command words matter in Chemistry?
Each verb sets the depth of answer expected. Answering 'explain' with a one-word 'state' answer, or vice versa, loses marks even when the chemistry is right.
What's the difference between 'describe' and 'explain'?
'Describe' asks what happens (observations or trends); 'explain' asks why, using chemical theory.
What does 'predict' or 'deduce' require?
Reaching an answer by following the logic or the data — no recall is needed, but the reasoning must be sound.
How can I avoid command-word mistakes?
Underline the command word and check the marks before writing, then match the answer's depth to the verb and the marks available.
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