The Formal Style List

Less formal More formal

v2

30/08/2011

Some of these words form part of an informal style of writing. Other words on the list are neutral in formality, but have a much more formal synonym that can help make your writing seem more academic. Well keep adding to this list as we do more writing correction. about a lot (of) bad big certainly come up with definitely do excellent FANBOYS at start of sentence fascinating first of all get (be) going to good great huge I think/in my opinion lots (of) massive nowadays obviously on the one handon the other really remarkable says some (as a determiner) speaking of (be) supposed to surely think (of/about) tons (of) to sum up turn into you is thought to be It is believed that approximately, regarding, concerning many, a large number/quantity of [be more specificwhy is it bad exactly?] large *dont use strong certainty words+ discover, find, create *dont use strong certainty words+ conduct, undertake, carry out [be more specificwhy is it excellent exactly?] use a longer, more formal linking word (e.g. however, in addition) [note only qualities relevant to what you want to prove] first become, acquire, obtain will [be more specificwhy is it good exactly?] [be more specificwhy is it great exactly?] large *unless its really, really, really bigthen you can use huge] [state the opinion directlyyou dont need to say its yours] many, a large number/quantity of large *unless its really, really, really bigthen you can use massive] currently, at present *dont use strong certainty words+ [use a single, more formal linking word for the second item only] very, genuinely, in fact [note only qualities relevant to what you want to prove] writes, states, claims, asserts, holds (unless they really said it verbally) use the determiner with regard to, concerning be to, should, be intended to, be expected that *dont use strong certainty words+ consider many, a large number/quantity of in summary become [replace with a noun for the person/people you are talking about] Smith (2004) holds/states/writes/claims that Smith (2004) holds/states/writes/claims that

A few difficult areas of style:

I, we, ours, etc. Using the first person (we, I, our, ours, my, mine) is usually fine when you are factually describing what you have done (e.g. the steps in an experimental method), but the first person is not OK as a way of personalising your writing (I think, I believe, etc.). In any case, always check with the lecturer/tutor who gave you the assignment before using first person. Theyll tell you if its OK. You, as we can see, now, the equation can be solved, etc. Never address the reader directly or write in a way that suggests you are informing or teaching the reader (you can inform the reader about things; just dont say that youre doing it). Remember, academic writing is not a lesson in which you are instructing the reader; it is a trial in which your arguments are being judged by the reader. The generic you (i.e. you to mean people in general) is extremely common in informal English and helps your English sound more native-like, but it cannot be used in formal, academic writing. Questions Questions are very rare in academic writing. Only use them when you really have to. Dont address a question directly to the reader, either for the reader to ponder or for you to answer in the next sentence (e.g. But why is magnesium so important? The primary reason is). Textbooks and Lecture Notes Textbooks and lecture notes are often written in a more informal style (these notes, for example, are written in quite an informal style). Dont take them as a model for academic writing.