Formal & Written Language
The register of formal writing, reports and official documents.
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65 words
Definitions in: English- 1ascertainverbformal
Formal verb meaning to find out or make certain of something through investigation.
We were unable to ascertain the cause of the delay.
We were unable to find out the cause of the delay.
- 2compriseverbformal
Formal verb meaning to consist of or be made up of.
The committee comprises twelve members from various departments.
The committee consists of twelve members from various departments.
- 3constituteverbformal
Formal verb meaning to amount to or be equivalent to; to form or make up.
Such behaviour constitutes a serious breach of the agreement.
Such behaviour amounts to a serious breach of the agreement.
- 4facilitateverbformal
Formal verb meaning to make a process easier or assist its progress.
The new software is designed to facilitate communication between teams.
The new software is designed to make communication between teams easier.
- 5implementverbformal
Formal verb meaning to put a plan, decision, or system into effect.
The government intends to implement the new policy next year.
The government intends to put the new policy into effect next year.
- 6comply withphrasal verbformal
Formal phrasal verb meaning to act in accordance with rules, requests, or standards.
All staff must comply with the new safety regulations.
All staff must follow the new safety regulations.
- 7adhere tophrasal verbformal
Formal phrasal verb meaning to follow or stick to a rule, plan, or belief.
Members are expected to adhere to the code of conduct at all times.
Members are expected to follow the code of conduct at all times.
- 8stipulateverbformal
Formal verb meaning to specify or demand a requirement as part of an agreement.
The contract stipulates that payment must be made within thirty days.
The contract specifies that payment must be made within thirty days.
- 9clarifyverbformal
Formal verb meaning to make something clearer or easier to understand.
Could you please clarify what is expected in the final section?
Could you please explain more clearly what is expected in the final section?
- 10elaborateverbformal
Formal verb meaning to develop or explain something in greater detail.
Would you mind elaborating on your earlier suggestion?
Would you mind explaining your earlier suggestion in more detail?
- 11notifyverbformal
Formal verb meaning to formally inform someone of something.
Please notify the office of any change in your contact details.
Please inform the office of any change in your contact details.
- 12submitverbformal
Formal verb meaning to present a document or proposal for consideration.
All applications must be submitted no later than Friday.
All applications must be handed in no later than Friday.
- 13encloseverbformal
Formal verb used in correspondence to mean to include something with a letter or email.
I enclose a copy of my CV for your consideration.
I am including a copy of my CV for your consideration.
- 14exceedverbformal
Formal verb meaning to go beyond a limit, amount, or expectation.
The total cost must not exceed the agreed budget.
The total cost must not go beyond the agreed budget.
- 15enhanceverbformal
Formal verb meaning to improve the quality, value, or extent of something.
These measures are intended to enhance the customer experience.
These measures are intended to improve the customer experience.
- 16mitigateverbformal
Formal verb meaning to make something bad less severe or harmful.
Steps are being taken to mitigate the impact of the cuts.
Steps are being taken to reduce the impact of the cuts.
- 17allocateverbformal
Formal verb meaning to distribute resources or duties for a particular purpose.
Funds have been allocated for the renovation of the building.
Funds have been set aside for the renovation of the building.
- 18undertakeverbformal
Formal verb meaning to commit to and begin a task or responsibility.
The firm has agreed to undertake a full review of its procedures.
The firm has agreed to take on a full review of its procedures.
- 19conveyverbformal
Formal verb meaning to communicate or express an idea, feeling, or message.
Please convey my sincere thanks to the entire team.
Please pass on my sincere thanks to the entire team.
- 20deemverbformal
Formal verb meaning to consider or judge something to be the case.
The application was deemed incomplete and returned to the sender.
The application was considered incomplete and returned to the sender.
- 21entailverbformal
Formal verb meaning to involve something as a necessary part or consequence.
The new role entails a great deal of responsibility.
The new role involves a great deal of responsibility.
- 22warrantverbformal
Formal verb meaning to justify or make something necessary.
The situation does not warrant such drastic action.
The situation does not justify such drastic action.
- 23attainverbformal
Formal verb meaning to achieve or reach something through effort.
Few candidates attain the highest grade in this examination.
Few candidates achieve the highest grade in this examination.
- 24retainverbformal
Formal verb meaning to keep or continue to have something.
Please retain this receipt as proof of purchase.
Please keep this receipt as proof of purchase.
- 25pertain tophrasal verbformal
Formal phrasal verb meaning to be relevant or related to something.
These documents pertain to the ongoing investigation.
These documents relate to the ongoing investigation.
- 26consultverbformal
Formal verb meaning to seek information or advice from a person or source.
You should consult a specialist before making a decision.
You should seek advice from a specialist before making a decision.
- 27emphasizeverbformal
Formal verb meaning to give special importance or stress to something.
The report emphasizes the need for greater transparency.
The report stresses the need for greater transparency.
- 28substantiateverbformal
Formal verb meaning to provide evidence to support or prove a claim.
There is little evidence to substantiate these allegations.
There is little evidence to support these allegations.
- 29notwithstandingprepositionformal
Formal connector meaning in spite of; despite.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, the project was completed on time.
In spite of these difficulties, the project was completed on time.
- 30therebyadverbformal
Formal connector meaning by that means; with the result that.
The company cut its costs, thereby increasing its profits.
The company cut its costs, in that way increasing its profits.
- 31thereafteradverbformal
Formal connector meaning after that time; from then on.
He worked here for two years and moved abroad shortly thereafter.
He worked here for two years and moved abroad shortly after that.
- 32herebyadverbformal
Formal connector used in official statements meaning by this declaration or act.
I hereby confirm that the information provided is accurate.
By this statement I confirm that the information provided is accurate.
- 33aforementionedadjectiveformal
Formal adjective referring to something mentioned earlier in the text.
The aforementioned conditions must be met before approval is granted.
The previously mentioned conditions must be met before approval is granted.
- 34pursuant toprepositionformal
Formal connector meaning in accordance with or as a result of a rule or agreement.
Pursuant to clause 5, notice must be given in writing.
In accordance with clause 5, notice must be given in writing.
- 35in accordance withexpressionformal
Formal phrase meaning following or in agreement with a rule or wish.
The data is processed in accordance with current privacy laws.
The data is processed in agreement with current privacy laws.
- 36by virtue ofexpressionformal
Formal phrase meaning because of or as a result of a particular quality or fact.
She holds the position by virtue of her seniority.
She holds the position because of her seniority.
- 37in the event ofexpressionformal
Formal phrase meaning if a particular thing happens.
In the event of a cancellation, a full refund will be given.
If there is a cancellation, a full refund will be given.
- 38to that endexpressionformal
Formal connector meaning for that purpose; in order to achieve that.
We aim to reduce waste; to that end, a recycling scheme has been launched.
We aim to reduce waste; for that purpose, a recycling scheme has been launched.
- 39in light ofexpressionformal
Formal phrase meaning considering or because of new information or circumstances.
In light of recent events, the meeting has been postponed.
Considering recent events, the meeting has been postponed.
- 40on behalf ofexpressionformal
Formal phrase meaning representing or in the interest of another person or group.
On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank you.
Representing the entire team, I would like to thank you.
- 41converselyadverbformal
Formal connector introducing an opposite or contrasting idea.
Some prefer working from home; conversely, others find the office more productive.
Some prefer working from home; in contrast, others find the office more productive.
- 42likewiseadverbformal
Formal connector meaning similarly or in the same way.
The first proposal was rejected, and the second was likewise turned down.
The first proposal was rejected, and the second was similarly turned down.
- 43notablyadverbformal
Formal connector used to single out an especially important example.
Several countries, notably Sweden and Norway, have adopted the policy.
Several countries, in particular Sweden and Norway, have adopted the policy.
- 44arguablyadverbformal
Formal adverb used to introduce a claim that can be reasonably defended.
This is arguably the most significant discovery of the decade.
This can reasonably be argued to be the most significant discovery of the decade.
- 45henceforthadverbformal
Formal adverb meaning from this time on.
The department will henceforth be known as Customer Relations.
The department will from now on be known as Customer Relations.
- 46insofar asconjunctionformal
Formal connector meaning to the extent that.
The policy applies insofar as it does not conflict with national law.
The policy applies to the extent that it does not conflict with national law.
- 47in lieu ofexpressionformal
Formal phrase meaning instead of or in place of.
Staff may take extra leave in lieu of overtime payment.
Staff may take extra leave instead of overtime payment.
- 48requisiteadjectiveformal
Formal adjective meaning required or necessary for a particular purpose.
Candidates must hold the requisite qualifications for the role.
Candidates must hold the necessary qualifications for the role.
- 49pertinentadjectiveformal
Formal adjective meaning relevant or directly related to the matter at hand.
Please include any pertinent information in your application.
Please include any relevant information in your application.
- 50imperativeadjectiveformal
Formal adjective meaning of vital importance; absolutely necessary.
It is imperative that all deadlines are met.
It is absolutely necessary that all deadlines are met.
- 51paramountadjectiveformal
Formal adjective meaning more important than anything else; supreme.
The safety of our customers is of paramount importance.
The safety of our customers is of the greatest importance.
- 52substantialadjectiveformal
Formal adjective meaning large in amount, size, or importance.
The project required a substantial investment of time and money.
The project required a considerable investment of time and money.
- 53forthcomingadjectiveformal
Formal adjective meaning about to happen or appear in the near future.
Details of the forthcoming conference will be circulated shortly.
Details of the upcoming conference will be circulated shortly.
- 54I would be grateful ifexpressionformal
Polite formal phrase used to make a courteous request.
I would be grateful if you could reply by the end of the week.
I would be thankful if you could reply by the end of the week.
- 55should you have any questionsexpressionformal
Polite formal phrase used near the close of correspondence to offer help.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
- 56please accept my apologiesexpressionformal
Polite formal phrase used to apologise in professional correspondence.
Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding.
I am sorry for the delay in responding.
- 57it has come to my attentionexpressionformal
Formal phrase used to raise an issue one has become aware of.
It has come to my attention that several invoices remain unpaid.
I have become aware that several invoices remain unpaid.
- 58as per our discussionexpressionformal
Formal phrase referring back to a previous conversation or agreement.
As per our discussion, I have attached the revised proposal.
Following our conversation, I have attached the revised proposal.
- 59albeitconjunctionformal
Formal connector meaning although. Restricted distribution: it precedes only a reduced clause — an adjective, adverb, participle, or noun phrase (e.g., 'albeit reluctantly', 'albeit briefly') — and cannot introduce a full finite clause ('albeit she was tired' is ungrammatical).
The plan was successful, albeit more expensive than expected.
The plan was successful, although more expensive than expected.
- 60accordinglyadverbformal
Formal connector with two distinct senses: (1) as an adverb of manner, in a way appropriate to the circumstances; (2) as a connective adverb, therefore/consequently.
The rules have changed, and you should act accordingly.
The rules have changed, and you should act in a fitting way.
- 61as suchexpressionformal
Formal connector meaning in that capacity, or as the thing just described. Note: using 'as such' to mean 'therefore' is common but considered non-standard in careful formal writing.
He is the senior partner and, as such, has the final say.
He is the senior partner and, in that capacity, has the final say.
- 62ultimatelyadverbneutral
Formal connector meaning in the end or fundamentally.
Ultimately, the decision rests with the board of directors.
In the end, the decision rests with the board of directors.
- 63comprehensiveadjectiveneutral/formal
Formal adjective meaning complete and covering all relevant aspects or elements (breadth of scope, as distinct from 'thorough', which emphasises depth of execution).
The report provides a comprehensive overview of the situation.
The report provides a complete overview covering all relevant aspects of the situation.
- 64emphasiseverbformalBritish English
British English spelling of the formal verb meaning to give special importance to or stress something.
The report seeks to emphasise the urgency of the situation.
The report seeks to stress the urgency of the situation.
- 65in the light ofprepositionformalBritish English
British English form of the formal connector meaning considering or because of new facts or circumstances.
In the light of recent developments, the policy has been revised.
Considering recent developments, the policy has been revised.
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There is a register for reports, applications and formal speeches, and slipping into it changes how you come across. This pack teaches it: the formal verbs, connectors and set phrases that lend English polish – require, obtain, furthermore, with regard to. Pitched high, it helps you write professional emails, structure an academic piece and strike exactly the right tone.
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