Academic vs. Non-academic English

Active and Passive Voice Our technician repaired the fault on 12th June. Now it’s your turn to pay us. Informal Although the fault was repaired on 12th June, payment for this intervention has still not been received. Formal

Phrasal Verbs The company laid him off because he didn’t work much. Informal His insufficient production conducted to his dismissal. Formal

Use of Slang He had to get some money out of a hole in the wall. Informal He withdrew the amount from an ATM. Formal

Personal Form If you lose it, then please contact us as soon as possible Informal Any loss of this document should be reported immediately … Formal

Modals Usage If you need any help give us a call. Informal Should you require any assistance, please feel free to contact us. Formal

Singular and Plural Person I can help you to solve this problem. Informal We can assist in the resolution of this matter. Formal

Alternatives 1. Dr. L. conducts minor surgery in his rooms and in emergencies he also sutures wounds. → precise (specific ≠ does), Latinate 2. It is important to remove impurities so considerable effort has been directed at optimal method of refinement. → phrasal verb, passive, Latinate 3. How can immigrants be given equal treatment? Discrimination is not only found in the workplace but is also a facet of everyday life. → passive, metaphor (≠ precise) 4. A major problem with Rogers’ counseling method is the duration of the therapy. → formal adjective 5. Television is reassuring to viewers because they can feel safe and secure while watching dramatic and exciting programs. → intensifier

Language features Academic Non-academic Contractions, e.g. he’s, I’d √ Phrasal verbs, e.g. get on with Passive voice, e.g. the price has been increased Adjectives, intensifiers e.g. absolutely unbelievable Using a lot of punctuation marks: ?, ! Linking words, e.g. furthermore, moreover Linking words, e.g. I mean so, by the way Starting a sentence with ‘And’ or ‘But’ or ‘Because’ Phrases for shared knowledge, e.g. ‘As you know’ Personal pronouns, e.g. I, you, me Complex sentences Using tentative or hedging language, e.g. it seems that