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.
264
questions
0
votes
1answer
50 views
Word that is equivalent to "wrote" but is more impactful/powerful and more appropriate in a formal context?
I wrote the following sentence in my resume and got blasted with criticism (intended to help me of course):
Delivered over 100 reports summarizing x, y, and z for ...
Complaint 1: Did you deliver ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
What is a formal alternative for being "on the same page"?
I am working on a project where there are a number of different stakeholders (people funding the project, supervisor, secondary researchers, etc.).
One of the things I do is document all my main ...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
Can the word "exam" be used in formal contexts?
I have looked up the word exam in Cambridge dictionary, Merriam-Webster and Longman. According to these dictionaries, the longer form examination is formal, but that doesn't mean that the shorter word ...
0
votes
1answer
18 views
at the same time as or at the same time when
The sentence:
At the same time as the value of x decreases, the variable y and its absolute value decrease.
Can we use when instead as?
At the same time when the value of x decreases, the variable ...
1
vote
1answer
29 views
Formal you vs. informal you
Since there just one form for both cases and context is one way to get the idea which one is used, is there a way to understand it out of context?
0
votes
0answers
32 views
What verb can I use instead of "get" in "which company should get the contract"?
As the heading suggests, I'm looking for an alternative to "get" in the sentence "Which company should get the contract". I guess "get" works, but I would like a more ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Does it sound werid to native speakers if the learners use formal words in casual/everyday speech?
I'm always curious whether using formal words in a casual/everyday speech sounds weird to native speakers. Or maybe the native speakers can notice such uses but don't care at all?
For example, the ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Using a present or past passive form in a polite request with if
Which of the following forms are preferred in a formal letter, when you want to ask a client to sign your contract sooner.
We would also be very grateful if our contract is kindly signed by Ms.
X
We ...
12
votes
3answers
2k views
Is it okay to say "We are no more in the 20th century"? Using "no more" with periods of time
The most correct form is "We are no longer in the 20th century". But saying "We are no more in the 20th century" or "We are in the 20th century no more" is also correct? ...
0
votes
0answers
32 views
Can A.K.A. be used in formal writing?
I have seen using the abbreviation A.K.A. (also known as) in several online forums and in some social media posts.
Can we use this word in formal writing (such as articles, formal letters, etc.)?
0
votes
1answer
17 views
"comma" or "and" between section names? [duplicate]
"Comma" or "and"?
Case 1:
In §2.1 and §2.2 we prove ...
or
In §2.1, §2.2 we prove ...
Case 2:
As mentioned in Section 2 (§2.1 and §2.2) ...
or
As mentioned in Section 2 (§2....
0
votes
0answers
16 views
How prejudice affects our lives? VS how does prejudice affect our lives? [duplicate]
I'm writting an essay and I have a question...
Which one of these questions is correct?
How prejudice affects our lives?
How does prejudice affect our lives?
0
votes
1answer
22 views
Question about subjunctives in formal text
I am in the process of writing my dissertation (in maths/physics), and for some reason constructions like these come naturally to me:
We impose that the background be symmetric.
We also require that ...
-1
votes
1answer
18 views
Commercial vs private financial gain
While prepping for IELTS academic reading, I've encountered the following passage:
The penalties for breaching the copyright act differ slightly
depending upon whether the infringing is for ...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
Is “The Tigris is the river we are investigating” grammatical?
I saw the following sentence in formal writing:
The Tigris is the river we are investigating.
(Please don't change the sentence to "We are investigating the Tigris river" or etc..)
...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
one shouldn't give due credit unless is given likewise
One shouldn't give due credit unless (one) is given likewise
Is this sentence both grammatically and semantically alright? I tried to imply that one shouldn't respect others unless one is respected ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Use of Whither and Whence
Could you check the following sentences:
You should be concerned with where you are going to.
You should be concerned with whither you are going.
Where all those refugees came from?
Whence all those ...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
'X' no longer or no longer 'X'
What is the difference between following sentences:
"This outpost is no longer used".
"No longer this outpost is used".
Do both of the given sentences grammatically carry the same ...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
Is "on the higher side" a meaningful phrase?
I was documenting a software feature for an internal audience and I wrote:
"...when the character count is on the higher side."
Here, I wanted to mean a case where the number of characters ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
passive form in a long sentence
The original passive sentence (word1..word10 are represent a long piece of a sentence:
Results that show word1 word2 word3 word4.. word10, are obtained.
But in this sentence a verb (obtained) at the ...
0
votes
1answer
46 views
'Some' is a mandatory word? [duplicate]
The well-known book English Grammar in Use [for intermediate] p.143 give this exercise choice:
I went to the library and borrowed books/some books.
The book answer (some books):
I went to the ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
"Then, it follows" VS "Then, there follows"
I came across these two expressions, that were indicating what was going to follow after a paragraph:
Then, it follows
And
Then, there follows
I was told, in an academic context, that the second ...
0
votes
1answer
15 views
'In a way' or 'in the way'?
Could you please help with the following:
Are both options correct? If so, what is the difference between those? Otherwise, why one option is incorrect?
Most schools are still organised in a way that ...
3
votes
2answers
345 views
Plural or single—at velocities or at velocity [duplicate]
Hypothetical Case
There are 2 types of cars that move at constant velocity on the road.
The first type move at velocity 90 (km/hr), and the second type move at velocity 95 (km/hr).
How it is proper in ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
Am I understanding conditionals correctly?
Could you please help with conditionals usage?
I'm practising those right now, but do I understand everything correctly?
Zero conditional:
If I see water, I drink it
// Every time I see water, I drink ...
0
votes
0answers
12 views
'The' before 'physical properties'
I'm preparing for academic IELTS by writing some essays and then correcting those using a grammar correction app.
In the following sentence,
...it relies on physical properties of artificially heated ...
3
votes
1answer
27 views
Punctuation in 'each gore consists of horizontal segments, or panels'
I'm preparing for academic IELTS by writing some essays and then correcting those using a grammar correction app.
In the following sentence,
In its turn, each gore consists of horizontal segments, or ...
0
votes
1answer
11 views
'Act against' vs 'act against it'
Are both options correct and formal? If so, which one is preferable?
1: It would happen if we don't act against it
2: It would happen if we don't act against
Many thanks!
0
votes
0answers
24 views
How do you make this sentence sound formal?
i wonder if anyone could help me with this sentence. i want to make it sound somewhat formal.
How would you feel if someone lied to you? OR What would you do if someone lied to you?
1
vote
0answers
25 views
What is the correct sentence?
1)Is there any way to check whether my letter has been received?
2)Is there any way to check whether my letter was received?
3)Is there any way to check if my letter was received?
I sent a letter a ...
0
votes
2answers
43 views
Active Infinitives vs. Passive Infinitives. Which one is more suitable for formal writing?
I have seen the following sentence:
They gave me a question too hard to answer.
However, in my opinion, this use of active infinitive is ungrammatical here, and the following passive Infinitive ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
'Kids' vs 'the kids'
I'm preparing for academic IELTS by writing some essays and then correcting those using a grammar correction app.
In the following sentence,
Therefore, despite kids tend to form unfriendly societies, ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
Is it rude to say "foolishly wrong"?
Is it rude to say
"If you thought it, then you'd be foolishly wrong!"
?
Especially regarding the formal or semi-formal format of speech.
When I searched for a translation into my language (...
1
vote
1answer
60 views
"Crazy about" in formal English
I'm writing a resume and I want to express how much I like something related to a professional sphere. The first draft contains a sentence "I am mad about ...". As resume must be more formal ...
-1
votes
1answer
42 views
Repeating 'NAME' in a Formal Letter___
At the end of a formal letter we always write our name, but sometimes people tend to write their names in the body of the letter as well.
Is it superfluous writing name and other information in the ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Them instead of Him/Her formal reference
"Sir, Mr. Grapefield is waiting at the door"
"Invite them in then. I will see them shortly"
Can such a reference exist in English? Can we formally address somebody as "them&...
1
vote
0answers
26 views
Email formal way to express that you are ready to share information [duplicate]
I am requested some explanations on some topic in professional email exchanges, and I don't know if I can end the mail with :
"Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information".
...
0
votes
1answer
127 views
What does do me the honour mean?
I just found a formal phrase do sb the honour. And one of the examples of how it's used is:
would you do me the honour of dining with me?.
is that sentence synonymous with would you mind dining with ...
1
vote
2answers
26 views
Does "ruin the experience" sound informal? [closed]
Does "ruin the experience" sound informal?
I'm writing an essay and I'm wondering if it's appropriate to use such a phrase.
0
votes
0answers
25 views
humankind and well-off
Are word "humankind" and "well-off" formal or not?
Can I use, for instance, in academic writing so:
Humankind has all possibilities to make all people well-off
And are there any ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
What would be a more formal way of saying "do a lot of teaching"?
I want to say that lecturers at our faculty do a lot of teaching, but to my ears, this phrasing is rather informal – am I right? So, what would be a more formal (or at least less informal) way of ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
What is the formal synonym of the hot weather?
Is there any substitute for the word hot in the following sentence?
In recent years the weather is becoming hotter. In 2018, for instance,
some areas in eastern and southern Europe baked in ...
1
vote
1answer
787 views
How to formally say looking forward and keep me updated in email
I emailed the repepient if they can call me. And received email from the recipient saying that their place is closed till February due to covid. But they has forwarded my request letter to higher ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Uses of PLEASE with COULD in formal email/conversation
Should we use 'please' in formal emails/conversation?
Example: Could you please provide your views on this PPT?
'Could' here is stating request and we are also using please for the same.
Is it ...
0
votes
2answers
40 views
What does the following sentence mean ? "Since when is ..."
I saw the following sentence and I cannot understand its exact meaning.
Since when is W equal to PV ?
I do not understand the combination of "since + when".
Is it also formal or informal?
...
0
votes
1answer
14 views
Is it correct to avoid using apostrophe in this situation?
I want to know whether it is possible to avoid using the apostrophe as suggested in the second option? or it should remain the same as it is in the first option?. Since it is the salute, I'm not sure ...
0
votes
1answer
13 views
Quotation marks are necessary in this context?
Moreover, they are causing the disappearing of several Punos, which are endemic wetlands of my region vital to the wildlife. Karachi is where my family and I plan to keep living , but due to the ...
1
vote
2answers
24 views
Can the determiner, "that", appear as a formal subject in this sentence?
Soon after that, a very strange person stepped out from the trees into the light of the lamp-post.
So, my question is, can the determiner that appear as a formal subject in this sentence. It is ...
0
votes
1answer
84 views
"In spite of" vs. "despite"
Which one is more formal and suitable for an academic context?
Despite being elected to office, she remains first and foremost a writer.
In spite of being elected to office, she remains first and ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
Is it allowed to use a period before thereby?
I did use a period before thereby but I am not sure whether it should be replaced by other punctuation form in this paragraph?
This skill, along with academic preparation in the USA can make his work ...