c1Vocabulary Pack

Formal & Written Language

The register of formal writing, reports and official documents.

65 words
English vocabulary

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65 words

Definitions in: English
Same-language deck – the back side will show definitions, and example sentences will hide the target word.
  • 1
    ascertainverbformal

    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.

  • 2
    compriseverbformal

    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.

  • 3
    constituteverbformal

    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.

  • 4
    facilitateverbformal

    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.

  • 5
    implementverbformal

    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.

  • 6
    comply 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.

  • 7
    adhere 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.

  • 8
    stipulateverbformal

    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.

  • 9
    clarifyverbformal

    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?

  • 10
    elaborateverbformal

    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?

  • 11
    notifyverbformal

    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.

  • 12
    submitverbformal

    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.

  • 13
    encloseverbformal

    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.

  • 14
    exceedverbformal

    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.

  • 15
    enhanceverbformal

    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.

  • 16
    mitigateverbformal

    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.

  • 17
    allocateverbformal

    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.

  • 18
    undertakeverbformal

    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.

  • 19
    conveyverbformal

    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.

  • 20
    deemverbformal

    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.

  • 21
    entailverbformal

    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.

  • 22
    warrantverbformal

    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.

  • 23
    attainverbformal

    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.

  • 24
    retainverbformal

    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.

  • 25
    pertain 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.

  • 26
    consultverbformal

    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.

  • 27
    emphasizeverbformal

    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.

  • 28
    substantiateverbformal

    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.

  • 29
    notwithstandingprepositionformal

    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.

  • 30
    therebyadverbformal

    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.

  • 31
    thereafteradverbformal

    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.

  • 32
    herebyadverbformal

    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.

  • 33
    aforementionedadjectiveformal

    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.

  • 34
    pursuant 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.

  • 35
    in 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.

  • 36
    by 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.

  • 37
    in 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.

  • 38
    to 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.

  • 39
    in 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.

  • 40
    on 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.

  • 41
    converselyadverbformal

    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.

  • 42
    likewiseadverbformal

    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.

  • 43
    notablyadverbformal

    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.

  • 44
    arguablyadverbformal

    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.

  • 45
    henceforthadverbformal

    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.

  • 46
    insofar 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.

  • 47
    in 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.

  • 48
    requisiteadjectiveformal

    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.

  • 49
    pertinentadjectiveformal

    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.

  • 50
    imperativeadjectiveformal

    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.

  • 51
    paramountadjectiveformal

    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.

  • 52
    substantialadjectiveformal

    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.

  • 53
    forthcomingadjectiveformal

    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.

  • 54
    I 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.

  • 55
    should 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.

  • 56
    please 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.

  • 57
    it 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.

  • 58
    as 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.

  • 59
    albeitconjunctionformal

    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.

  • 60
    accordinglyadverbformal

    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.

  • 61
    as 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.

  • 62
    ultimatelyadverbneutral

    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.

  • 63
    comprehensiveadjectiveneutral/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.

  • 64
    emphasiseverbformalBritish 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.

  • 65
    in 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.

Other levels of Formal & Written Language

More English vocabulary at C1