Formality

This page discusses some of the key points and areas to be more formal in Academic English Writing. Although there is no set rules on formality at university, this information on academic style is generally accepted throughout most universities.

Contractions (it’ll, there’s)

All contracted forms need to be in full forms

E.g: it’ll, it will / it’s, it is / there’s, there is

please note – can’t, cannot (one word, not two)

Informal adjectives (hard, easy, big,)

Some adjectives are seen as informal

Hard: alternative more formal synonyms:

difficult, complicated, harsh, complicated, intolerable, unpleasant, undeniable.

Easy: alternative more formal synonyms:

effortless, elementary, manageable, simple, uncomplicated

Big: alternative more formal synonyms:

considerable, extensive, immense, substantial, tremendous  

Idioms

These are often seen as informal and personal

(every coin has two sides… / on the other hand…)

Metaphors:  (a rocky road ahead… / the bottom line…)

No Personal pronouns (I, you, he, she, you, they)

Try to avoid personal forms

Use ‘There‘ as a subject; e.g. ‘There is a serious risk of…’

Use ‘It’ as a subject; e.g. ‘It is impossible to…’

Use ‘One’ as a subject; e.g.

‘One may ask whether…’ (‘One’ is a formal version of ‘You’ [plural] in general)

Use Passive constructions

Passive construction help to make your writing less personal

They can learn English effectively…

English can be learnt effectively…

They analysed the data and they discovered

The data was analysed…

Use Gerunds (ing forms)

Present participle or gerunds help to create more complex forms

They have to speak English

Speaking English is necessary

If we understand the reasons behind…

Understanding the rationale indicates…

Noun phrases

Long noun subjects or objects are common in academic writing

We analysed the data and we found evidence….

Analysis of the data provided evidence….

They have many exercises to fill in the missing words available to learn from.

The availability of gap fill exercises enhance learning

Use Academic Word list (540 academic words)

High frequency academic words taken from a academic literature  

[academic word list]

establish / acquisition / analysis / strategies / validity / beneficial / assumption / criteria / hypothesis / fundamental / initiative / presumption / differentiation / controversial / inevitable / intrinsic / exploitive / etc..

Use fixed academic phrases

Fixed phrases can be incorporated easily into your writing

It can be said / it could be argued that…

One major drawback of this approach is that ……  

One of the most significant current discussions in …

It is important to note that…

[Academic phrases]

Colloquial / informal words expressions

Beware of using slang, and general English terms

Examples of informal / colloquial words are gonna / stuff / a lot of / things /

Stuff: alternative more formal synonyms:

effects, equipment, gear, goods, individual, kit, luggage, objects, paraphernalia, possessions, substances.

A lot of: alternative more formal synonyms:

abundant, adequate, considerable, plenteous, sizeable, substantial, sufficient, significant.

Things: alternative more formal synonyms:

aspects, areas, elements, facts, figures, materials, points, situations, subjects, information

Not sure use a synonym website: www.Thersaurus.com 

Phrasal Verbs / Two word verb forms / Multi-word verbs

A verb + preposition are often considered informal

Examples of these are put off  / look into / come across – there is usually a formal alternative;

put off: alternative more formal synonyms: postpone

look into: alternative more formal synonyms: investigate

come across: alternative more formal synonyms: discover 

Informal Verbs

Some verbs are considered informal and there are more formal alternatives

For example; ‘get‘

alternative more formal synonyms:

acquire , accomplish, attain, become, capture, compass, draw, effect, elicit, evoke, extract, gain, obtain, realise, receive, secure, apprehend.

A chart of formal and informal verbs

Check how academic your essay is – click here 

Academic Style Lessons

Terms & Conditions of Use

More Writing Resources 

More digital resources and lessons

Advertisement: