When drafting an essay or writing a professional email, it is easy to fall into the simplicity of frequently using 'acts as'. However, the English language offers plenty of synonyms that one can use to convey the exact same message. For instance, one can replace 'acts as' with alternative phrases like 'functions as', 'serves as', 'performs as', or 'plays the part of'. Other effective phrases entail 'takes on the role of', 'fulfills the duties of', 'operates as', 'behaves like', and 'poses as'. In summary, using a variety of synonyms in written communication adds depth and clarity to the language, making it more enjoyable to read and interpret.