Formal & Written Language

The new measures are intended to ameliorate the living conditions of refugees.

The new measures are intended to improve the living conditions of refugees.

The grant was designed to alleviate financial pressure on small businesses.

The grant was designed to relieve financial pressure on small businesses.

We have asked the department to expedite the approval of your application.

We have asked the department to speed up the approval of your application.

The agency was unable to procure the necessary funding in time.

The agency was unable to obtain the necessary funding in time.

He was reluctant to relinquish control of the company he had founded.

He was reluctant to give up control of the company he had founded.

The findings were disseminated through a series of academic publications.

The findings were spread through a series of academic publications.

The report clearly delineates the responsibilities of each party.

The report clearly defines the responsibilities of each party.

Two independent witnesses corroborated her account of events.

Two independent witnesses confirmed her account of events.

His prior commitments preclude any further involvement in the project.

His prior commitments prevent any further involvement in the project.

Allow me to reiterate our commitment to resolving this matter.

Allow me to repeat our commitment to resolving this matter.

It later transpired that the documents had been forged.

It later emerged that the documents had been forged.

This policy supersedes all previous guidance on the subject.

This policy replaces all previous guidance on the subject.

She took a second job to augment her income.

She took a second job to increase her income.

Budget cuts forced the institution to curtail its research programmes.

Budget cuts forced the institution to cut back its research programmes.

The company used loopholes to circumvent the new tax laws.

The company used loopholes to get around the new tax laws.

Could you elucidate the reasoning behind this decision?

Could you explain the reasoning behind this decision?

Please apprise me of any developments as they arise.

Please inform me of any developments as they arise.

Employees may forgo part of their salary in exchange for shares.

Employees may give up part of their salary in exchange for shares.

I hesitated before broaching the subject of redundancies.

I hesitated before raising the subject of redundancies.

He proffered no explanation for his sudden departure.

He offered no explanation for his sudden departure.

Such policies tend to engender resentment among workers.

Such policies tend to cause resentment among workers.

Guests are encouraged to avail themselves of the hotel's facilities.

Guests are encouraged to make use of the hotel's facilities.

Let me summarise the salient points of the proposal.

Let me summarise the most important points of the proposal.

She presented a cogent case for reforming the system.

She presented a convincing case for reforming the system.

Those details, while interesting, are not germane to our enquiry.

Those details, while interesting, are not relevant to our enquiry.

It would be prudent to seek legal advice before signing.

It would be sensible to seek legal advice before signing.

Through judicious use of resources, they avoided bankruptcy.

Through wise use of resources, they avoided bankruptcy.

The government chose the politically expedient option.

The government chose the politically convenient option.

The contract imposes several onerous obligations on the tenant.

The contract imposes several burdensome obligations on the tenant.

Given the new evidence, his position is no longer tenable.

Given the new evidence, his position is no longer defensible.

The ostensible purpose of the visit was diplomatic.

The apparent purpose of the visit was diplomatic.

We can travel by train or by car; the former is more relaxing.

We can travel by train or by car; the first option is more relaxing.

The role demands patience and precision; the latter is harder to teach.

The role demands patience and precision; precision is harder to teach.

Whilst we appreciate your feedback, we cannot make an exception.

While we appreciate your feedback, we cannot make an exception.

The proposal was well received amongst senior colleagues.

The proposal was well received among senior colleagues.

The announcement came amidst growing public concern.

The announcement came in the middle of growing public concern.

The discovery challenges a hitherto accepted theory.

The discovery challenges a previously accepted theory.

They introduced a scheme whereby staff could buy shares at a discount.

They introduced a scheme by which staff could buy shares at a discount.

This is precisely wherein the difficulty lies.

This is precisely where the difficulty lies.

The plan is sound, inasmuch as it addresses the root cause.

The plan is sound, in that it addresses the root cause.

The costs are considerable; be that as it may, the project must proceed.

The costs are considerable; even so, the project must proceed.

The report is thorough. That said, it overlooks one crucial factor.

The report is thorough. Nevertheless, it overlooks one crucial factor.

He works hard, and by the same token, he expects others to do so.

He works hard, and for the same reason, he expects others to do so.

The outcome is uncertain, but we must prepare in any event.

The outcome is uncertain, but we must prepare regardless.

As regards the budget, a final decision is still pending.

Concerning the budget, a final decision is still pending.

What is our position vis-à-vis our main competitors?

What is our position in relation to our main competitors?

Dear Ms Carter, I trust this email finds you well.

Dear Ms Carter, I hope you are well.

I would be much obliged if you could reply by Friday.

I would be very grateful if you could reply by Friday.

Please be informed that the office will be closed over the holiday period.

I wish to inform you that the office will be closed over the holiday period.

The service will be unavailable on Sunday; we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

The service will be unavailable on Sunday; we are sorry for any trouble this causes.

To whom it may concern: I am writing to confirm Mr Allen's employment.

To anyone it may concern: I am writing to confirm Mr Allen's employment.

We await your reply. Yours faithfully, J. Reynolds.

We await your reply. Sincerely, J. Reynolds.

I am pleased to inform you that your application has been successful.

I am happy to tell you that your application has been successful.

Should you need further details, I remain at your disposal.

Should you need further details, I remain available to help.

With all due respect, I believe the figures have been misinterpreted.

Respectfully, I believe the figures have been misinterpreted.

Allow me to introduce our keynote speaker for this evening.

Let me introduce our keynote speaker for this evening.

The negotiations have thus far produced no agreement.

The negotiations have so far produced no agreement.

She challenged the ruling and, in so doing, set an important precedent.

She challenged the ruling and, by doing so, set an important precedent.

The committee will take whatever action is deemed necessary.

The committee will take whatever action is considered necessary.

I wish to draw your attention to a discrepancy in the latest report.

I want to highlight a discrepancy in the latest report.

The new regulations were promulgated earlier this year.

The new regulations were officially issued earlier this year.

The author posits that economic factors were the primary cause.

The author proposes that economic factors were the primary cause.

The project faced a myriad of unforeseen complications.

The project faced countless unforeseen complications.

Further to our telephone conversation, I attach the revised contract.

Following our telephone conversation, I attach the revised contract.

Please remain seated while the aircraft is taxiing.

Please stay seated during the time the aircraft is moving.

The findings were widely discussed among the senior faculty.

The findings were widely talked about within the group of senior faculty.

The service will be unavailable overnight; we apologize for any inconvenience caused.

The service will be down overnight; we are sorry for any trouble this causes.

We look forward to your reply. Yours truly, Margaret Hale

We await your response. (formal closing) Margaret Hale