Informal vs. Formal Language

When writing formally, one should avoid using:

• Academic language

• Contractions and phrasal verbs

• Objective tone

• Third-person pronouns

Answer explanation

Avoid contractions (e.g., didn't, won't, can't, they're, etc.); instead, write: did not, will not, cannot, they are, etc.

Trade phrasal verbs for academic words (e.g., use cancel instead of call off).

"Don't register for classes yet."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• One should not register for classes yet.

• You don't need to register for classes yet.

• You shouldn't register for classes yet.

Answer explanation

When writing formally, refrain from using first-person (e.g., I or me) or second-person (e.g., you) pronouns.

Also, do not use contractions.

"LHS offers dual enrollment classes."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• LHS comes up with dual enrollment classes.

• Lemoore High School offers dual enrollment classes.

• LHS puts forward dual enrollment classes.

Answer explanation

When writing formally, do not use abbreviations.

"I think more scholarships can be found online."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• You would think more scholarships would be available online.

• I believe more scholarships are available online.

• One assumes more scholarships are available online.

"I'm guessing students had fun at the dance."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• One can assume that students enjoyed the dance.

• I'm assuming students enjoyed the dance.

• Students, I'm sure, had fun at the dance.

"Enjoy high school while you can."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• One should enjoy high school while one can.

• You should enjoy high school while you can.

"They'll play football for SDSU."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• They'll play football for San Diego State University.

• They will play football for SDSU.

• They will play football for San Diego State University.

"It's important to consult a financial aid advisor."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• It is important to consult a financial aid advisor.

• It's important to speak with a financial aid advisor.

"According to Forbes, many who graduate from trade school come out with little to no student debt."

What is the phrasal verb in the sentence above?

• many who

• from trade school

• come out

• student debt

"According to Forbes, many who graduate from trade school come out with little to no student debt."

What should replace "come out" to make the sentence more formal?

• get out

• break free

• emerge