Register Switching

Grammar Reference

Register Switching — Exercises

Exercises

1. Rewrite in formal register: "They've done loads to cut emissions."
   
2. Rewrite informally: "It has been established that regular exercise has a positive effect on mental health."
   
3. Identify the register error: "The government has conducted extensive research into the matter. It's pretty clear the policy isn't working."
   
4. Convert to formal (nominalise + passive): "The team achieved the targets quickly."
   
5. Which is more appropriate for a formal complaint letter: "I'm writing about the terrible service I got" or "I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the service I received"?
   
6. Add hedging to make this claim more academic: "Automation will cause mass unemployment."
   

Register Switching — Answer Key

Exercises

1. Sample answer: Considerable efforts have been made to reduce emissions. / The organisation has taken significant steps to reduce emissions.
2. Sample answer: Turns out regular exercise is actually really good for your mental health.
3. Sample answer: Register shift:
4. Sample answer: The targets were achieved rapidly by the team. / Rapid achievement of the targets was recorded.
5. —
6. Sample answer: Automation may lead to significant levels of unemployment. / It has been suggested that automation could result in widespread job losses.