Formal language (2)

Formal written language is tighter and often briefer than conversational language. A number of key features of grammar and vocabulary contribute to making formal written language different from the ‘looser’, spoken form. Writing Tip In your written work, your tutors will expect grammar and vocabulary that is appropriate to an academic style. There are various structures and techniques you can use to achieve this. The use of relative clauses to convey additional information: The Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s second largest country. It used to be a Belgian colony. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, which used to be a Belgian colony, is Africa’s second largest country. Building sentences around nouns rather than verbs or adjectives: It is easy to understand why the country objected at first to having peacekeeping forces within its borders. The country’s initial objection to peacekeeping forces within its borders is understandable.