Questions tagged [formal-language]
is for questions about whether a word or phrase is appropriate in a formal context or that are requesting a word or phrase for use in a formal context.
1
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2answers
59 views
“Are you hearing me” Vs. “Do you hear me”?
When I learnt English grammar I was told that some of the senses don't get "ing" of present continuous, therefore we should say "I see it now" rather than "I'm seeing it now". On the same logic, "I ...
0
votes
0answers
52 views
Examining some elliptical structures - Part V
After reading the comments and answer for this post, I have realized that the best (and/or maybe the only) way to master elliptical structure is seeing and examining more examples in this subject.
I ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
Examining some elliptical structures - Part IV
After reading the comments and answer for this post, I have realized that the best (and/or maybe the only) way to master elliptical structure is seeing and examining more examples in this subject.
I ...
2
votes
1answer
33 views
Examining some elliptical structures - Part III
After reading the comments and answer for this post, I have realized that the best (and/or maybe the only) way to master elliptical structure is seeing and examining more examples in this subject.
As ...
1
vote
1answer
68 views
Examining some elliptical structures - Part II
After reading the comments and answer for this post, I have realized that the best (and/or maybe the only) way to master elliptical structure is seeing and examining more examples in this subject.
I ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
Examining some elliptical structures - Part I
After reading the comments and answer for this post, I have realized that the best (and/or maybe the only) way to master elliptical structure is seeing and examining more examples in this subject.
I ...
3
votes
2answers
510 views
Workaholic Formal/Informal
Can I use the word "Workaholic" in formal writing?
for example:
Workaholics may neglect their families and friends.
3
votes
1answer
145 views
Some clarifications are needed about the grammar of Elliptical Structure
As far as I know, one application of elliptical structure is the omission from a clause one or more elements which has been repeated in previous clauses. However, I do not know whether there exists ...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
“out and out, all in all” are they formal or informal?
Can someone confirm if the below adjectives are formal or informal?
out and out, all in all
0
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2answers
34 views
What verb can I use to mean “cause financial costs”?
I'm trying to describe (very succinctly) the financial impact of a given scenario. If it happens, it will cost money.
What is the right verb to describe this? My first thought is to cause financial ...
1
vote
2answers
63 views
Is a “senior faculty member” of a university the same as a “senior professor”?
But, as one senior faculty member of the City University, who spoke on condition of anonymity, puts it... He is obviously not fit for such a senior academic position. We don’t want ethics dumping here....
1
vote
1answer
139 views
What to write in mail if someone asking to reply to confirm [closed]
what to send in reply if someone asking to reply the mail to confirm
As discussed, Please find the details below and kindly
confirm your presence by replying to this email.
I am thinking that it ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
Usage of “it is” in formal, mathematical language
I have come across a scientific paper written by non-native speakers where some mathematical formulas are introduced by "it is". For example:
Proof of Theorem X. Assume xyz. [Long mathematical ...
1
vote
2answers
74 views
How to say “does this make a difference?” more formally?
[Some fact about our component.] Does this make a difference for inclusion in the OtherCompany App Store?
Sounds not as formal as I would like a business email to be. It's passable, I think, but I ...
-1
votes
2answers
143 views
How can I formally say “I'm getting into work, we talk later”?
I thought about "I'm going to enter my work now", but I'm both not sure if it formal or even correct.
Context: in a conversation in WhatsApp, where I will stop the conversation because I'm entering ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Is it OK to refer to the name of an applicant in a recommendation letter by his/her family name alone?
I am writing a recommendation letter to support an employee's application for graduate schools in Canada.
For example, if his name is Kai Kang,where Kai is the given name and Kang is the family name....
4
votes
1answer
198 views
Is it informal to use “so on ” in the article?
I have written this phrase
The input of the DNN is the features extracted automatically by feature_extractor model, which are given to the first hidden layer, and the outputs of this layer are ...
1
vote
3answers
41 views
How do I make something more formal? [closed]
How do I make this more formal? The part of the sentence: a lot of the times.
0
votes
1answer
65 views
“Huge” or “Enormous” preferable to use in academic writing? [closed]
I would like to know which one, huge or enormous, would be preferable to use in academic writing, such as in the following example:
Overcoming the current cancer levels in the population is a ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
Formal connectors of results (“in this way”, “hence”, “thusly” and “as follows”) [closed]
In the following examples, are the terms ("in this way", "hence", "thusly" and "as follows") synonyms sufficiently formal to be used in academic work with a sense of result?
In this way, as this ...
0
votes
2answers
44 views
How to give multiple, possible options for an appointment? [closed]
Simple suggestions for an appointment...
We could meet on Friday at 2 p.m.
Are you available on Monday at 10 a.m.?
...can become quite cumbersome when many possible dates have to be given ...
2
votes
3answers
85 views
What is your idea about using “practicalize”?
I'm writing a SOP, in the following sentence I have used the word "practicalize" (utilize). in my view, it's an appropriate and beautiful word to use in academic essays, but when I googled it, I found ...
0
votes
2answers
33 views
Using 'a' multiple times after commas and 'and'
For example in sentence with structure:
X is a well known and widely used technology...
X is a well known and a widely used technology ...
Y consists of three layers: a lower layer, middle layer and ...
0
votes
1answer
79 views
Is “he will be come around 1pm” or “he will come around 1pm” more formal?
I would like to know which sentence is more formal in "he will be come around 1pm on tomorrow afternoon" and "he will come around 1pm on tomorrow afternoon"
2
votes
1answer
59 views
Meaning of “a Richard Snary” / “a Given Name” [closed]
An old joke I found in Mark Forsyth's "The Etymologicon", originally mentioned in the OED
A country lad, having been reproved for calling persons by their Christian names, being sent by his master ...
0
votes
2answers
144 views
Can I use “so on” in formal writing?
Can I use "so on" to mean that there are still more on the list in formal writing, particularly in an essay?
Internet has improved people's living standard and made our lives easier and more ...
1
vote
2answers
238 views
Meaning of “By way of information” [closed]
"By way of information"
What does it mean? Is it correct for a formal letter?
0
votes
1answer
324 views
Is the phrase “in a way that” appropriate for a Formal sentence
"At first, internet allows the people to connect with others, who live in far-away, in a way that just wasn't possible decades ago."
Is "in a way that" is formal or informal?
0
votes
1answer
35 views
How formal or euphemistic is “debris”?
Is the word "debris" considered to be an euphemism of other words? And does the word have some kind of the degree of formality? If yes, is it informal or formal one?
So the word 'debris' here is in ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Formal paper and Capitalization (inside parenthesis or about special elements -Tables, figures etc-)
In a thesis, or a formal paper written in English. What is the correct way to write inside a parenthesis and what is the correct way to refer to a table, or figure or section etc.?
Also, do we have ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
Which is more appropriate here?
Context: I ordered something online and would like to return it as it is defective. The site has a 30 days return policy. 30 days will get over in a week and they have not arranged any pickup. Which ...
1
vote
3answers
162 views
How to address a person, whose gender is unknown, in the email body?
I usually start with 'Dear Sir/Madam' in emails when I don't know the gender of the recipient. However, when I have to reply, it seems awkward to use 'sir/madam'. Unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with ...
2
votes
1answer
144 views
Is it OK to use “heck” in public occasions?
The dictionary gives the following definitions:
fuck:
to have sex with someone.
used when expressing extreme anger, or to add force to what is being said.
heck:
an expression of usually slight ...
0
votes
0answers
450 views
Approximation “to” or “of”
Is this statement correct for formal usage?
This model is a good approximation to the data.
Or, should I use
This model is a good approximation of the data.
0
votes
1answer
783 views
Prior to a month [closed]
I would like to ask if the following sentence is correct:
"This certificate should be renewed prior to a month from its expiration date"
1
vote
2answers
80 views
Leave / take leave - keeping in mind the context
Which of the following sentences should be used when we talk with the intention of being more respectful and/or asking permission for the sake of courtesy?
"Should I wait or may I take leave now?...
1
vote
3answers
48 views
Verb ing to form meaning
Can you explain to me how "being watched" in this case becomes a passive?
a lady spent four days being watched by a girl.
0
votes
1answer
228 views
Questions about writing formal letters and writing specific dates
i don't know if these kinds of questions are appropriate to ask in this particular forum but i will take my chances.
I was writing a formal letter for an IELTS task, and I was wondering whether this ...
0
votes
2answers
369 views
without having V3 vs. without -ing
I am writing an article about programming but I am confused with the usage of 'without' in my case.
The sentence is:
Goroutines may obtain Read-Locks utilizing RWMutex without having
blocked one ...
0
votes
1answer
275 views
usage: Looking forward to
I got a mail from the principal of a school, whom I sent my job application. He replied that he had passed my CV to the HR Committee and they would contact me.
I am confused what I should write him ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
How is “for” used in “Having such a famous man for a father…” ?
Having such a famous man for a father must have had an effect on Jason's childhood.
In this sentence I can't understand how for is used. I haven't read such a sentence before so I find it difficult ...
0
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0answers
18 views
Have you ever gone to- to ask past experience [duplicate]
What situation can we ask in:
Have you ever gone to..?
give me examples please..
1
vote
1answer
851 views
“have you ever gone to” to ask past experience
is it correct to ask:
Have you ever gone to Spain?
if i want to know whether or not he had visited Spain in his life (experience)?
0
votes
1answer
67 views
Reply to a rejection email
I've got an email about rejecting the sponsorship letter. Is it polite to reply with "Noted and thank you for your kind assistance in this matter." ?
0
votes
1answer
730 views
How to confirm a Skype meeting?
I want to ask someone if "Thursday" is a good day for a skype meeting.
How should I ask?
Is Thursday at 10am a good day? (sounds wrong)
I just want to confirm our meeting at XYZth at 11am. Will you ...
3
votes
1answer
7k views
does “what does she do?” always mean “what is her job?”
If someone asks "What does she do?" what is the other meaning beside "what is her job?"? can it be " what is her activity?"
0
votes
1answer
6k views
I'm writing to inform vs I'm writing the letter to inform
I'm writing to inform you about ...
I'm writing the letter to inform you about ...
A friend of mine says that the former option is right when the second one is kind of tautology and unnecessary ...
2
votes
3answers
224 views
“to who may have done this” vs. “to whom may have done this”
What should I use? Whom or Who in this sentence
The Noble requests help from anyone with any clues as to whom may have done this.
or
The Noble requests help from anyone with any clues as to who ...
2
votes
2answers
87 views
The meaning of 'formal'
In a very formal style, think is sometimes followed by an object and an adjective or noun complement.
They thought her fascinating.
We thought him a fool.
(M. Swan, Practical ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Formal word/phrase for the informal question tag “right?”
I always use "right?" in most of my questions & conversations. However, "Oxford Guide to English Grammar" says "right?" is used in informal English. So I want to know what the correct formal ...
