Formal Writing tips
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Do not use contractions (write do not instead of don’t; we will instead of we’ll;
I would instead of I’d, etc.).
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Use passive forms whenever possible.
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Use relative clauses to join ideas: The period during which he lived was full of
uncertainty.
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Avoid using the words things or something and other unspecific words. Be
specific (use problems, situation, solutions, etc. instead).
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Use formal words:
o
Use such as instead of like. Example: There are big mammals at the zoo,
such as rhinos, hippos, elephants and more.
o
Use many / a large number of with countable nouns instead of a lot (of).
Example: There are many species of beetle.
o
Use much / a large number of / a great deal of with uncountable nouns
instead of a lot (of). Example: Learning by heart all the pronunciations
rules in English is a great deal of pain.
o
Use very much / significantly / dramatically instead of a lot (of) when
describing intensity. Example: I hope my Aptis course students improve
their listening comprehension significantly.