Writing in a formal style

Essays are formal entities, and the language we use should reflect that. The style of an academic
essay should be appropriate and consistent. This is very different from an informal piece of
writing.
When we speak, or write informally, we often use multi-word verbs but this is not appropriate in
formal writing. Here are some examples of multi-word verbs:
call up

call on (visit)

call off

look at

give in

go into (a problem)

catch on

come by (a book)

turn up

ask for

set up

believe in

find out

care for

live down

deal with

bring up

long for

look up

object to

take in (deceive)

part with

One of the differences between some of these verbs is that some of them can have an item
inserted before the preposition:
he ran down the man - he ran the man down
he took on the challenge - he took the challenge on
the fire set back their plans - the fire set their plans back
In contrast, other verbs cannot have an item inserted before the preposition.

ask for a number ? ask a number for

believe in a theory ? believe a theory in
part with a lot of money ? part a lot of money with
Multi-word verbs are very common in spoken English as they are less formal than single verbs.
In contrast, single verbs can sometimes sound quite pompous in everyday speech. Compare:
I asked for another appointment.
I requested another appointment.
Now compare these pairs of verbs:
Informal

More formal

He checked up on his accountant.

He investigated his accountant.

They put up with their neighbours.

They tolerated their neighbours.

She caught on very quickly.

She understood very quickly.

She made up for it with an early night.

She compensated for it with an early night.

He went down with a fever.

He contracted a fever.

The cost of living went up.

The cost of living increased.

In formal writing, we use single verbs. This is an important element in achieving the correct style
in academic writing. An essay with good ideas might well be marked down if the style is
inappropriately informal.

Task 1
Use the verbs below to complete the sentences. Remember to change the verb into the correct
tense.
postpone establish

fluctuate

investigate

reduce

deceive

maintain

acquire

The research team tried to find out the truth.

The project managed to get hold of a new scanner.

His discovery enabled school heads to cut down on the time

lost between classes.

When the team looked looking into the problem, they found
that it was much more complex than they had first thought.

The levels go up and down as a result of the pressure

changes.

The government put off a decision until they had heard the
report.

The inspector was taken in by the apparent calm in the

building.

The solicitor made out that his client was unfairly accused.

Task 2
Replace the informal verbs in italics with more formal verbs.

The business was built up over a number of years.

Smith (1991) found out that the bank had surprising rules
when it came to new customers.

Their request for further funding was turned down.

The situation was made worse by the high levels of lead in

the sample.

They have been asked to come up with a solution to the

problem.

The research team forget to check the acid levels.

The team said that there figures were accurate.

Dr Liu will meet with a lot of opposition when she makes

her proposal.

Task 3
The sentences below are grammatically accurate but the style Is inappropriate. Re-write
these sentences in a more academic style making any changes you need to.

The planners reviewed the report and said that it was great.
It's obvious that the work environment is going to get a lot
worse.

The Chinese economy would like to look after itself, but it's
also affected by things that happen outside the country.

Their historical approach to economics is just not the right

way to go about it.

Personally, I think that economic stability depends upon

social cohesion.

The research team said that their techniques were ok but

needed to be further refined.

It was clear that the team had done a lot and were satisfied
with what they'd done.

They worked together on the project for 10 years.

Using single word verbs instead of multi-word verbs is not the only way to achieve a more
academic style. Here are some further points that you may find useful.

In academic writing, you often find that actions, processes

and events are written in the form of a noun. This produces
a more formal style. For example:

The compound was discovered . The discovery of the compound was.

They invaded the island and .. The invasion of the island was ..
He achieved his goal and ... The achievement of his goal was.

Avoid addressing the reader with the general you. This is

informal and inappropriate. Look at this example:

As soon as you start to look carefully at children's home, you frequently find evidence of abuse.
The sentence can be rephrased in different ways to avoid the use of you.
Evidence of child abuse becomes apparent once careful investigative work is carried out.
Careful investigation frequently leads to the discovery of child abuse.

can't

Do not use contractions in essays. They are inappropriate in

academic work. For example:

won't shouldn't

haven't

hasn't

couldn't

State meaning very clearly. The reader can read the essay but
not the mind of the writer so do not use etc and expressions
like and so on. Use clear explanations and to make a
coherent argument. The use of expressions like etc suggest a
woolly and rather careless mind that cannot really be
bothered to complete a sentence or an idea.

The invasion of the island resulted in misery, starvation, destitution etc.

Make sure every sentence makes sense. Avoid ambiguous

or confusing sentences. This proposal creates a way for
raising awareness in the UK of effective approaches to
combat poverty practised by overseas partners. We can take a
guess at what the writer is trying to say, but there is no doubt
that the sentence is unclear.

Do not overstate the argument that is being made in the

essay by using expressions like this:

It is obvious that ...

It is clear that ...
The evidence proves ...
Anybody can clearly see that ...
Always comment upon your own conclusions in a quietly confident manner, without
attempting to claim too much. Instead, use a less strident and a more detached academic

tone. This is called hedging. Subsequent research may suggest other theories or produce results
that conflict with your own, but by describing your findings as we have done below, your work
can be seen as a further step in the academic road rather than a barrier that other people can
knock down.
The data reflect the fact that ... (note: the word data is strictly speaking plural but often used as
an uncountable or mass noun)
These findings support this writer's view that ...
The results suggest that ...
The chart supports the theory that ...

Avoid the use of expressions such as I think/I believe

unless your own views have been specifically asked for, and
use expression like these:

It is believed...
Many researchers have noted...
Some writers have stated..
The research suggests...
The evidence indicates...

Use link words and expressions (however, nevertheless, as

a result, in contrast, despite this) as well as link words like
firstly, secondly finally quite regularly throughout
your writing as these help to guide the reader

The passive form is often avoided in other written texts but

you will probably use more examples of the passive form in
academic writing as these tend to sound more detached and
formal.

Active: They often found evidence of child abuse in rural areas.

Passive: Evidence of child abuse was often found in rural areas.
Active: The researchers have proposed a variety of solutions.

Passive: A variety of solutions have been proposed.

Notes on Task 1

The research team tried to establish the truth.

The project managed to acquire a new scanner.

His discovery enabled school heads to reduce the time lost

between classes.

When the team looked investigated the problem, they found

that it was much more complex than they had first thought.

The levels fluctuate as a result of the pressure changes.

The government postponed a decision until they had heard

the report.

The inspector was deceived by the apparent calm in the

building.

The solicitor maintained that his client was unfairly accused.

The business was developed over a number of years.

Smith (1991) established that the bank had surprising rules
when it came to new customers.

Their request for further funding was rejected.

The situation was exacerbated / intensified by the high levels

of lead in the sample.

They have been asked to propose a solution to the problem.

The research team neglected to check the acid levels.

The team suggested that their figures were accurate.

Notes on the Task 2

Dr Liu will face a lot of opposition when she makes her

proposal.

The planners reviewed the report and said that it was very
satisfactory.
There is evidence to suggest that the work environment is
going to deteriorate.

Notes on the Task 3

The Chinese economy would like to be self-sufficient, but it's

also affected by external factors.

Their historical approach to economics is inappropriate.

Some writers maintain that economic stability depends upon

social cohesion.

The research team said that their techniques were satisfactory

but needed to be further refined.

It was clear that the team had completed a significant amount

of work and were satisfied with their achievements.

They collaborated on the project for 10 years.