Common mistake Punctuation and style
Formal words in formal writing
Informal words in formal writing: register slips
An informal or chatty word in writing that should be formal (for example "kids", "a lot of", "stuff", "gonna", contractions like "don't" in an essay). In short: In formal writing, choose the formal word: children, not kids; many or much, not a lot of; do not, not don't.
This guide is for writers moving from B1 to B2 or from B2 to C1.
The rule for register slips
In formal writing, choose the formal word: children, not kids; many or much, not a lot of; do not, not don't.
Pattern: kids → children; a lot of → many, much, a great deal of; get → obtain, become, receive; stuff → items, issues; don't → do not.
Used correctly: a formal choice where learners often slip into an informal one, in formal writing (for example "children" not "kids", "a great deal of" not "a lot of", "do not" not "don't").
Use this in essays, reports and formal emails. Chatty words that are fine with friends sound careless there.
Register slips: wrong and right examples
-
Make it formal
Wrong The government
can'tfix this problem.Right The government cannot fix this problem.
-
Make it formal
Wrong
A lot ofpeople think the plan is too expensive.Right Many people think the plan is too expensive.
More right sentences
- Many children spend hours online.
- The plan received a great deal of criticism.
- The company does not offer refunds.
Traps to avoid with register slips
- No short forms in an essay: do not, cannot, it is.
- Avoid "and so on" and "etc.": give one more clear example instead.