Formal Grammar Style
The following are some nonvocabulary-related recommendations for maintaining a formal academic writing style.
- Generally avoid contractions.
- Use the more appropriate formal negative forms.
- not ... any → no
- not ... much → little
- not many → few
*The analysis did not yield any new results.
The analysis yielded no new results.
*The government did not allocate much funding for the program.
The government allocated little funding for the program.
*This problem does not have many viable solutions.
This problem has few viable solutions.
- Limit the use of "run-on" expressions, such as and so forth and etc.
- Avoid addressing the reader as you.
- Be careful about using direct questions. In some fields they are common, while in others they are not.
- Place adverbs within the verb. In academic writing adverbs are often placed midposition rather than in the initial or final positions. In informal English adverbs often occur at the beginning or end of sentences.
- Aim for an efficient use of words. Use as many words as you need to express your points; try to use no more than you really need.
*Export figures won't improve until the economy is stronger.
Export figures will not improve until the economy is stronger.
*These semiconductors can be used in robots, CD players, etc.
These semiconductors can be used in robots, CD players, and other electronic devices.
*You can see the results in table 1. The results can be seen in table 1.
*What can be done to lower costs? It is necessary to consider how costs may be lowered
We now need to consider how costs may be lowered.
*Actually, very little is known about the general nature and prevalence of scientific dishonesty
Very little is actually known about the general nature and prevalence of scientific dishonesty.
*This model was developed by Krugman (1979) originally.
This model was originally developed by Krugman (1979).
*It may be difficult to make a decision about the method that we should use.
Choosing the proper method may be difficult.