Formal and Informal Vocabulary in English
Written academic English generally tries to avoid using informal-sounding English (i.e. spoken). One clear
marker of informal English is phrasal verbs (a common verb + a short preposition):
Phrasal verb
BACK someone/something UP
STRAP someone DOWN
WAKE someone UP
Preferred option
-> support
-> restrain
-> revive
For each of the following phrasal verbs, try to find THE corresponding, more formal alternative:
1. I figured out how to work the…
2. My job is to look after the…
3. I will bring up that point
4. The hospital might get rid of…
5. Just ask for help if…
6. The patient was worried about…
7. The previous facilities were blown up prior to…
8. The staff had to hold down the…
9. The occupant passed away last night...
10. The finding point to an increase…
11. The specialists were waiting for the…
12. The clinic will pay back the fees…
13. This would point out a diagnosis of…
14. Hand out the materials…
15. We must think about other options…
16. Think up a better solution…
17. The problem must be dealt with…
18. I work for…
19. The fracture was fixed up after two weeks…
20. Take care of the patient…
21. Find out the source of the…
Request
Discover
Contemplate
Eliminate
Handle
Distribute
Raise
Rehabilitate
Indicate
Restrain
Treat
be Employed by
Reimburse
Demolish
Safeguard
Invent
Anticipate Highlight
Expire
be Agitated by
AvP13