Questions tagged [formality]
is for questions about whether a word or phrase is considered formal or informal. Be sure to include as much context as you can, because sometimes how formal or informal a word or phrase is can be different in different situations.
193
questions
0
votes
1
answer
25
views
Formality of "that thought is not worthy of you"
Some time ago I learned the phrase "that thought is not worthy of you." My understanding is that this means roughly: "by expressing that thought, you are degrading yourself."
My ...
0
votes
1
answer
71
views
When to use "thanks for stopping by"?
Is "thanks for stopping by" used for brief visits? And when can we use it, at the beginning or at the end of the visit?
Is it informal? If yes, what can we use instead to convey a formal ...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
47
views
"Go to a movie" is correct grammatically?
Please tell me, can I say "I go to a movie (I mean a film)"? Because we go to a place not to a film. I saw this sentence in "Tactics for listening":
I went to a really dumb movie.
...
- 43
0
votes
1
answer
20
views
Using "take" instead of "need" in formal writing vs casual speech
Is there any preference regarding the use of the following sentences in formal writing vs casual speech? I mean is it acceptable to use "take" in a formal writing in the meaning of need (or ...
- 1,020
0
votes
1
answer
52
views
Usage of "long time no see/hear" in informal speech
What is the most common thing to say when we send a text to someone who hasn't texted us for a few days? "long time no see" or "long time no hear" or can both be used?
Does it ...
0
votes
2
answers
50
views
Is shall more formal than will in the spoken language?
English Grammar in Use 5th Edition by Murphy covers 'shall and will' on the page 44; the book suggests that 'will' is more common in the spoken English and no information regarding the question in the ...
user138449
0
votes
1
answer
22
views
must or have to
Pick just one:
Tom can’t meet us because he must work.
Tom can’t meet us because he has to work.
I don’t believe either sentence is wrong, although the grammar book prescribes has to as the answer.
...
- 275
0
votes
1
answer
30
views
Is 'all the way up to 100%' a formal expression
I am writing an academic paper and I do not know whether my expression is formal. The full sentence is
There is a threshold (we call it take-off threshold) of ρc above which the proportion of the ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
40
views
What is a formal word for 'coming weeks'?
Is there a way to write this sentence more formally?
I will follow up with you to discuss my research work in the coming weeks.
How can I replace the phrase 'coming weeks'?
- 145
-2
votes
1
answer
227
views
Is "assumation" a valid abstract noun of 'assume'? [closed]
Is 'assumation' a valid abstract noun of "assume" as:
"You have to make an assuming that x is a real number"
sounds incorrect?
How formal is 'assumation'?
3
votes
3
answers
959
views
Is "steer clear of" formal or informal?
In the following text, I need a formal language. Is "steer clear of" appropriately used with an awareness of style?
Nature make a favourable impression on people. However, some
people have ...
- 1,906
0
votes
3
answers
147
views
"respectively"—should only be used if your sentence would be unclear without it?
Should we use in academic writing the word "respectively" for the following case:
Consider circles 1 and 2.
These circles have radii r1 and r2, respectively.
Maybe because it is obvious ...
- 419
1
vote
1
answer
27
views
"or" between items
Which option is the proper in academic writing for "or" items (apples/pears/oranges):
I am going to eat red apples or yellow pears or green oranges.
I am going to eat red apples, or yellow ...
- 419
0
votes
3
answers
69
views
Using a comma instead of "and" in "A and B are the objects that are part of the equation."
It is proper to use "," between A and B
A, B are the objects that are part of the equation.
instead of "and"
A and B are the objects that are part of the equation.
in formal ...
- 419
0
votes
1
answer
31
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 ...
- 23
2
votes
1
answer
70
views
Different ways of saying dates in US English
This question is about the stylistic differences between certain expressions in American English.
When one has to say a date out loud, there are 4 possibilities in US English.
"Month + ordinal&...
- 21
0
votes
0
answers
54
views
"This is the one encyclopedia upon which I can depend." Can I put the proposition 【upon】 at the end of the sentence?
"This is the one encyclopedia upon which I can depend." Can I put the proposition 【upon】 at the end of the sentence? That is" This is the one encyclopedia which I can depend upon."...
o_ui
0
votes
1
answer
44
views
Are "far better" and "way better" both in the same register?
Are "far better" and "way better" both in the same register and interchangeably used?
If not, what's the difference between them?
- 26.7k
0
votes
1
answer
30
views
What's the difference in meaning and formality between these questions?
A. "You're feeling a little nervous, aren't you?"
B. "Feeling a little nervous, are you?"
C. "A little nervous, are you?"
My questions are:
Are B and C correct?
Is there ...
- 1,613
0
votes
1
answer
20
views
"break one's habit of", "break the habit of", "break one's .... habit", are they formal?
Consider the following sentences:
He is trying to break his habit of biting his nails.
He is trying to break the habit of biting his nails.
He is trying to break his nail-biting habit.
He is trying ...
- 1,425
0
votes
1
answer
22
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!
- 367
0
votes
1
answer
39
views
Formal equivalent for "something something" to fill in the blank created by leaving out unimportant information
I quoted a comment in which only the first and last parts were relevent to the point I was trying to make and instead of the middle (unimportant) part I wrote:
Something something
which I later ...
- 1,425
0
votes
1
answer
41
views
How should I address the readers in a product review? [closed]
Occasionally, I leave reviews on the games I play. I mostly use "the player" or "players" in my text to have a rather formal tone. However, my formal writing is not as rigid as you ...
- 13
1
vote
1
answer
153
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&...
- 24.7k
0
votes
1
answer
25
views
What does the format "someone on something" imply?
In this example:
Barack Obama on food and climate change: 'We can still act and it won't be too late'.
what does “Obama on food and climate change” mean?
Is it a formal way of saying someone's ...
Hamid Rabbani-Mousavian
1
vote
1
answer
119
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 ...
- 506
0
votes
0
answers
27
views
Do dictionaries sometimes say nonsense?
For example, plural nouns like 'clothes' and 'pants' actually are singulars, but we call them 'plural nouns.' If it's true, what words is appropriate to describe these cases? 'Formal'?
- 25
0
votes
1
answer
426
views
What should I address while there are two women teachers?
I have to write a note to my course teachers and both of them are women. So, how should I address them? Dear Ma'ams or Dear Madames or anything else?
- 131
1
vote
2
answers
751
views
Why don't foreign phrases such as "mot juste" get anglicized when used in English?
English has borrowed (or stolen?) a lot of vocabulary from other languages such as Latin, German, Italian, French and Spanish etc. Most words that are borrowed are anglicized and are pronounce the way ...
user119042
0
votes
1
answer
19
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 ...
- 79
0
votes
1
answer
89
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 ...
- 1,906
0
votes
1
answer
21
views
Is it necessary to add 'to' before 'develop projects'?
Furthermore, this master is crucial for enhancing his capacity to research and develop projects related to subterranean water, which are required to supply the urgent demand of water for zones with ...
- 79
1
vote
1
answer
43
views
"Municipality of <municipality-name>" or "<municipality-name> Municipality"
I was discussing with some people about which form is more correct regarding a Municipality, or other territory divisions.
For example, regarding to a map of the municipality, is it more correct to ...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
34
views
In layman's terms vs. simply put
In the following sentence:
Simply put, the impacts of global warming are going to be more evident in not-too-distant future.
Can I use In layman's terms instead of simply put?
In layman's terms, ...
- 1,906
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Is ball-park figure formal or informal?
Is it OK to use this expression in an academic text?
The given charts represent ball-park figures of mortality rates in European countries.
Is ball-park formal enough to be used in an academic ...
- 1,906
0
votes
2
answers
303
views
Better (more formal) way to say this?
if I went to ask what are some of the sources of education where a person get knowledge from, how can I say this in a more formal way? I'm not native native English speaker, still learning so I still ...
- 101
2
votes
1
answer
746
views
India specific- Addressing multiple men and women in an interview
In an interview in India, how am I supposed to greet the people (all of them together) in the interview panel?
The interview panel consists of at least two men and at least two women.
Good morning, ...
- 394
-1
votes
1
answer
1k
views
"Hi Joe" vs. "Hi Mr Parker" when writing an email
Joseph Parker is an English tutor and he likes his students call him Joe. By tutor, I mean he doesn't teach at college or school. He teaches English with an online classroom. Which probably means it's ...
- 413
0
votes
2
answers
188
views
Did a program or have taken part in a program?
I want to say that I "did" a student exchange program in another country.
which way is the correct way of writing that in a formal letter / application:
I have taken part in a student ...
- 101
1
vote
3
answers
8k
views
Asking 'why are you asking this to me?'
Someone asks me a question in very formal conversation. And I want to know why he/she is asking me this question. Basically, I want to know the reason and purpose behind this question. How can I ask ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
15k
views
I didn't forget vs I haven't forgotten
Not a native English here and I'm having the issue with I didn't and I haven't use when saying
I hope I didn't forget/haven't forgotten anything
(to say/mention when answering the email or message) ...
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Do we say “given” or “given that“?
Which is the formal one?
Given I’m tired, I won’t be there.
Given that I am tired, I won’t be there.
Can we omit the “that” after “given” or it won’t be formal anymore?
Other examples:
I don’t like ...
- 111
0
votes
1
answer
77
views
Is "to be (couple of pages) in" formal or informal?
For example:
I lost interest after I had been a couple of pages in.
Can we use this sentence in formal situations?
- 1,425
0
votes
1
answer
49
views
Make a warning message sound as official as possible [closed]
I am attempting to write a warning message for an email program.
My users have informed me that the message sounds unofficial and somewhat scammy.
WARNING: The sender of this email is from someone ...
- 111
-1
votes
1
answer
278
views
Why do people call you a nickname when you introduce yourself with a proper name
As a rule, I always introduce myself using my proper first name, "Thomas". With this I expect people to refer to me and call me by that name. However, there are a significant number of people who go ...
- 1
1
vote
0
answers
27
views
How much time does it take to be an English master [closed]
How much time does it take to be an English master I mean how to speak English like your native language and how much time does it take???
0
votes
3
answers
57
views
Is 'be to verb' the only case of
any construct getting formal when they get shorter? Normally, when you shorten a phrase, then they feel like informal or colloquial. I heard that 'be to' construct is the short form of 'be going to' ...
- 1,944
1
vote
2
answers
67
views
Compliance "to be mandatory"
I want to ask a question about the function of the word "compliance".
I was writing a text regarding politics and wanted to mention whether if the United Kingdom left the EU whether some of the ...
- 111
0
votes
0
answers
62
views
Is it correct to say "the problem of living cost increasing"?
I'm curious about the right way to say the rising of living cost, because usually I will use:
The problem of living cost increasing
The living cost increasing problem
The increasing of living cost
...
kw88
-2
votes
1
answer
62
views
Why is "Don't do such stupid things" unnatural? [closed]
I talked to two native speakers of English, and they did not say anything was wrong with the following sentence:
Don't do stupid shit.
But they said that the following sentence is not ...
- 1,944