However Nevertheless

On the other hand On the contrary

Even so Notwithstanding

Though Otherwise

At the same time Alternatively

Instead Nonetheless

Conversely By contrast

In contrast But

Yet While

Whereas Although

Even though Despite / In spite of

However
It is used to indicate a contrast or contradiction.

Examples:
That man has much money. However, he isn’t happy at all.
She sings very well. However, she is a stutterer.
I respect my best friend’s ideas however we do not have the same thoughts.

On the other hand

It is used to say something that is different from the first thing mentioned.

Examples:
I like playing football. On the other hand, my brother likes playing basketball.
This private school is very expensive. On the other hand, education of the school is very well.
We had no money but, on the other hand, we were very happy.

Even so
It is used to indicate something that is unusual or extreme.

Examples:
This hypothesis is true, but even so, further research is required.
This dive may be dangerous for us, even so, we have to do it.
Your thoughts are very fanciful, but even so, they are worth to imagine.

Though
It is used to show that two ideas are opposing one another.

Examples:
Though it is not exactly accurate information, it is said that there are 3 workers under the dent.
Though the meal was spicy, it was really delicious.
Though he loves his teacher very much, he did not get used to his friends.

At the same time

It is used for two things which happen together.

Examples:
This is so people can watch TV and play playstation games at the same time.
Child’s story made us cry and laugh at the same time.
I study architecture at university. At the same time, I work part-time at a firm.

Instead
It means in place of something or someone else.

Examples:There is no chocolate now, I can give you some sugar instead.

Would you like to go to another place instead of cinema?
Instead of complaining, you should try to be a constructivist.

Conversely
It is used to express an idea that is different from or opposite the other idea mentioned before.

Examples:
I thought she would not come to the party; conversely, she came to the party with her boy friend.
Women want a lot of things from their husbands. Conversely, men don’t want many things from their wifes.
His family made a lot of effort to make their son’s lessons better, conversely, he never made any effort.
 In contrast
It is used to compare two things or people and to say that the second one is very different from the first one.

Examples:This child is short and fat. In contrast, her sister is tall and thin.
Some people are extroverts. In contrast, some people are introverts.
In contrast to his big brother, he speaks English very well.

Yet
It is used to add something that is surprising after the first sentence which are mentioned before.

Examples:
It’s a long-term business, yet it’s more fun than other jobs.
The weather was snowy, yet it was not cold.
That woman was short and overweight, yet somehow, she was attractive.

Whereas
It is used for comparing two things which have significant differences from each other .

Examples:
Chicken meat is white, whereas cow meat is red.
You can do what you want outdoors, whereas it’s impossible to do them at home.
Her hair has a natural wave, whereas her sister’s hair just straight.

Even though
It is used as a stronger way to say “though” or “although”.

Examples:
He always gets the highest grade from the courses, even though he does not work regularly.
Even though I met all the criteria needed for the job, I was not hired.
My father will go to the work, even though he has two painful operations.

Nevertheles
It is used to say something which contrasts with what has just been said.

Examples:
The place was so beautiful; nevertheless, we did not want to spend our holiday in here.
They lost the game; nevertheless, they continued to play.
It is a very crowded city. Nevertheless, thousands of migrants come to the city each year.

On the contrary
It is used to show that a thought or feel which is the opposite of what has just stated.

Examples:
 A: “Have you written the letter?”
 B: On the contrary, I have not even started writing.
I’m not sad; on the contrary, I’m very happy.
This election will not bring prosperity to the country. On the contrary, chaos will increase.

Notwithstanding
It means despite the thing mentioned.

Examples:
He continues to exhibit the same behaviors, our warnings notwithstanding.
These drugs seem to be different, notwithstanding having same contents.
Notwithstandig two players getting red card, the team won the game.

Otherwise
It is used to show what the result will be if the thing or condition, mentioned before, does not occur.

Examples:
I had better study for my exams. Otherwise, I won’t pass the courses.
Leave my house now, otherwise I will call the police.
Tke your umbrella, otherwise you will get wet.

Alternatively
It is used to propose another possibility.

Examples:
You can play football. Alternatively, you can go to the cinema with me.
They can call us to contact, or alternatively, they can send an email to us.
I think we can go far away for vacation, or alternatively, we can go where we went last year.

Nonetheless
It is used to link two contradictory thoughts.

Examples:
He worked with very little salary but he was happy with his job nonetheless.
She did not like teaching, but she became a teacher nonetheless.
The food was unsalted,but it was nonetheless delicious.
By contrast
It is used for the act of comparing in order to show differences.

Examples:
David is unaware of what is around. By contrast, Lisa is very cautious.
Children like crowds. By contrast, elders prefer solitude.
My daughter is very active. By contrast, my son is so moody.

But
It is used to add statement which is different from what you have said before.

Examples:
I know the answer to the problem, but I do not know why it is.
He is a very handsome but he is very rude person.
They heard us but they did not understand what we said.

While
It means “during the time” or “throughout the time”.

Examples:
While Jakson was in London, he went to see Jully.
While you were pregnant, my little girl was one year old.
While you were talking on the phone, the door was knocked.

Although
It is used for introducing a new statement that makes main statement surprising.

Examples:
Although no body is at home, some sounds are coming from the house.
Although she loves her job, she decided to quit her job.
Although he works hard, he is not successful in the course.

Despite / In spite of
It is used to show something which happen without being affected by something else.

Examples:
I can manage to stay cheerful despite everything.
In spite of warnings, he did not take any precautions.
That man is very stingy, despite having a lot of money.

Choices of grammar and vocabulary

Formal language and informal language are associated with particular choices of grammar
and vocabulary.
1. Contractions, relative clauses without a relative pronoun and ellipsis are more
common in informal language.
She has decided to accept the job. formal

informal: She’s=
She’s decided to accept the job.
contraction

The girl whom I met in Singapore was interested in

formal
working in Australia.

informal: relative
The girl I met in Singapore was interested in working clause without the
in Australia. relative
pronoun whom

We went to Barcelona for the weekend. We have a lot

Formal
of things to tell you.

Informal: ellipsis
(more likely to be
Went to Barcelona for the weekend. Lots to tell you.
written or texted than
spoken)
 2. More formal vocabulary commonly involves longer words or words with origins in
Latin and Greek. More informal vocabulary commonly involves shorter words, or
words with origins in Anglo-Saxon. Most dictionaries indicate very informal and/or
formal words.

formal informal

commence start

terminate end

endeavour try

3. We often choose to use certain modal verbs to be more formal and polite:
Can I suggest you try this new model? (neutral)
May I suggest you try this new model? (more formal)
Might I suggest you try this new model? (very formal)

4. Formal styles commonly contain few personal pronouns; noun phrases and the
passive voice are commonly used. The more formal the style, the more likely it is that
it will appear detached and impersonal.

Pronouns are replaced by impersonal constructions with it and there.

Compare

more personal more detached and impersonal

We suggest that you leave the It is suggested that you leave

building after 8 pm. the building after 8 pm.

I should like to note a number There are a number of things

of things here. to note here.

5. Noun phrases, rather than verb phrases are common in detached impersonal styles.
This process is sometimes called nominalisation.
Compare
more personal more detached and impersonal

Her retirement as company

She will retire as company
director will be in May next
director in May next year.
year.
 6. The passive voice is common in detached impersonal styles. It is also common in
academic writing. The passive voice allows the writer to concentrate on processes,
rather than on the actions of the human subject. N.B. Limit the use of passive voice.
However, there are some situations where passive verb forms are preferred to active forms. For
example, active verb forms used with the first person singular are not considered appropriate in formal
or academic writing. Write ‘A copy of the document will be mailed to you as soon as possible’ instead
of‘I will mail you a copy of the document asap’.
Compare

more personal more detached and impersonal

In this book I discuss and

In this book the literature of the
analyse the literature of the
1990s is discussed and analysed.
1990s.

7. Phrasal verbs
Limit the use of phrasal verbs. As far as possible avoid using them, but if that is not possible
limit their use. It is usually possible to express the same idea using standard verb forms.
Compare:
Informal: The balloon was blown up for the experiment.
Formal: The balloon was inflated for the experiment.
Informal: The patient got over his illness.
Formal: The patient recovered from his illness.
Informal: The results of the study were mixed up.
Formal: The results of the study were confused.

8. The first time an acronym or initialism is used in an essay, it is acceptable to write the
name in full with the acronym or initialism in brackets after it. Every subsequent time
it is used the acronym or initialism can be used on its own. Commonly known
acronyms such as EU and NATO do not need to be written in full.
If an acronym or initialism needs to be made into a plural, add a small ‘s’to it without an
apostrophe.

9. Avoid informal intensifiers like really and so. Instead use more sophisticated ones
such as extremely, highly, entirely etc.

Be concise and specific

To write in a precise way:
• use specific examples to illustrate your points
• cut out as much dead wood as possible
• ask other people to read your work to look for any irrelevant or vague material.
Use the terminology of your subject or discipline and be clear about what you are saying.
Don’t assume that a tutor will simply know what you mean. When you really know your
subject you should be able to articulate the main ideas and explain the main terms to someone
who hasn’t studied in your area.

To build your subject vocabulary:

• keep your own glossary (list) of subject words at the back of a folder
• develop a list of ‘power’ words, ones that say a lot succinctly: e.g. ‘nocturnal’ is a more
precise word for ‘is active at night’
• use a thesaurus and a subject-specific dictionary

Be tentative
Academic writing is cautious in presenting findings. Most theories are open to some
modification.
To indicate new and emerging research, use words or phrases such as:
• …suggests that
• There is a possibility that…
• Intelligence/reports indicate that…
• It would seem that…
For knowledge that is more established, use:
• … it is probable…
• the majority of…
• There is a tendency for…,
• Recent reports confirm…
For example:
Mahlab (1994) suggests that there are significant differences in communication.

Use impersonal language

You are often asked to make judgments and include your own views on an issue. However, in
most subject areas you are required to avoid the pronoun ‘I’.
The fact that you are not reporting another person’s view implies that the view is your own.
In fact, whatever is included in your essay that is not attributed to someone else, [i.e. Jones
(1987) demonstrates that…, according to Smith (1994)...] is assumed to be yours.
For example:
So instead of saying ‘I think that all guns should be banned’ you can say ‘strict government
control of guns is required’.
• Consider the use of nominalisation (making noun structures) e.g. ‘comprehension is aided
by repetition’ rather than ‘you can understand something better if it is repeated’.
Be careful: too much nominalisation can make your writing unnecessarily complex and
tedious to read.

Use strong reporting words

When you use other people’s research you can give it extra significance by using a more
precise reporting word, e.g. ‘Jacob (1998) concedes that the test is not 100% reliable.’ is more
powerful than ‘Jacob says that...’
Useful reporting words include:
claim, describe, outline, examine, discuss, state, suggest, observe, identify, consider,
assert, propose, contend, support, recommend, purport, dismiss, refute, dispute,
contradict, disagree, concur, point out, show, confirm, demonstrate, attribute…to,
calculate, contend, argue, reveal, maintain
NB:::: The more you read academic material, the faster you will pick up the appropriate
academic style, and the more academic reporting words you will acquire.

Use your own ‘voice’

Your assignment should be in your own words to reflect your thinking.
• If you rely too much on quotes from different sources, your assignment task may lack
cohesion and unity of style.
• Make your own paraphrases and summaries of research using proper citations.
• If English is not your first language, ask someone to read your assignments before you
submit them, but don’t be afraid to use your own ‘voice’.

Verbs – Informal & Formal

Informal Formal
say sorry apologize
go up increase
go down decrease
set up establish
look at examine
blow up explode
find out discover
bring about cause
put off postpone, delay
rack up accumulate
make up fabricate
stand for represent
find out discover, ascertain
leave out omit
point out indicate
go against oppose
get in touch with contact
It’s about It concerns, It’s in regards to
need to required
think about consider
get obtain
put up tolerate
deal with handle
seem appear
demonstrate, illustrate,
show
portray
start commence
keep retain
free release
get on someone’s nerves bother
ring up call
Informal Formal
show up arrive
let permit
fill in substitute, inform
block undermine
give the go ahead,
authorize
greenlight

Transitions – Informal & Formal

Informal Formal
Anyways Nevertheless

Plus/Also Moreover/ Furthermore

But However

So Therefore/Thus

Also In addition, Additionally

as soon as possible/at your

ASAP
earliest convenience

Okay, OK acceptable

In the meantime In the interim

I think In my opinion,

In the end, Finally

To sum up In conclusion,

In a nutshell/Basically To summarize,

Anyway, Notwithstanding

All right Acceptable

Informal Formal
Well,

To top it all off,

On top of it all,

In order to

Emphasis Words – Informal & Formal

Informal Formal
lots of/ a lot of much, many
large quantities of, a number
tons of, heaps of
of
totally completely, strongly
really, very definitely

Letter Expressions – Informal & Formal

Informal Formal
Hi Robert, Dear Sir or Madam
Just wanted to let you
I am writing to inform you…
know…
Yours sincerely, Yours
Love,
faithfully,
Cheers,
Yours Truly, Best regards,
kind regards
I look forward to hearing
Hope to hear from you soon
from you
You can call me if you need Please do not hesitate to
anything contact me

Abbreviations – Informal & Formal

Informal Formal
ASAP as soon as possible
T.V. television
photo photograph
cell cell phone
Informal Formal
net Internet

Slang – Informal & Formal

Informal Formal
kids children
bad negative
good positive
really big considerable
right correct
wrong incorrect
smart intelligent
cheap inexpensive
loaded rich

1. Nouns
thing - factor, issue, aspect, item
place - location, site
buyer - purchaser
parts - elements, components
answer - response, solution
2. Phrases
good thing - benefit, advantage
good enough - adequate
lots of / a lot of - many, numerous
to do with - regarding
3. Adjectives
good - positive, useful, valuable, advantageous
bad - negative, disadvantageous
big - large, major
little - small, minor
4. Adverbs
around - approximately
5. Verbs
get - obtain
has got, have got - have
give - provide, donate
watch - observe
stay - remain
keep - preserve
show - demonstrate, indicate
need - require
guess - estimate
happen - occur
answer - respond
6. Phrasal verbs (verbs + prepositions or adverbs)

Phrasal verbs are common in spoken and informal English, but are rarely used in academic
writing. There is usually a more formal, academic verb which is used instead. Below is a list
of the more frequently used phrasal verbs and their more formal equivalents.

bring along - bring

start again - resume, recommence
go up - rise, increase
go down - fall, decrease
find out - determine, discern, discover
pick up - collect
put in - insert
fill out (a form) - complete
take away - remove
come back, go back - return (somewhere)
give back, take back - return (something)
throw away - discard
take apart - dismantle
think about - consider
keep up - maintain
come over - visit
put up - with tolerate
help out - assist
set up - establish
get rid of - eliminate
look into - investigate
bring up - raise
meet with - encounter
cut down - reduce
move up and down - fluctuate
put off - delay
put out (a fire, cigarette) - extinguish
talk over - discuss
bump into (an old friend) - meet (by chance)