C1 · Vocabulary
Applied Grammar: Grammar and Register
Lesson Handout
Grammar and Register — Reference
How grammatical choices create formal, neutral, and informal register. Understanding register is essential for CAE Use of English and Writing.
| Feature |
Effect |
Example |
| Passive voice = formal | passive removes the agent and creates an impersonal, objective tone | The report was published in May. |
| Nominalisation = formal density | converting verbs to nouns creates denser, more academic prose | The investigation of the incident |
| It-cleft = formal emphasis | it-cleft sentences are more formal than fronting or simple stress | It was the lack of funding that caused the delay. |
| Contractions = informal | contractions mark informal register — never used in formal writing | Formal: "I cannot agree." / Informal: "I can't agree." |
| Hedging = academic credibility | hedged claims are more credible in academic writing than absolute ones | The evidence may suggest a correlation. |
C1 · Vocabulary
Applied Grammar: Grammar and Register
Worksheet
Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________
Register and formality (6 points)
1. Which is more appropriate in a formal report? (a) We found that costs increased. (b) It was found that costs had increased. (c) We think costs went up. (d) Costs went up.
2. Nominalise: "The government decided to invest." → "The government's ___________ to invest…" (a) deciding (b) decision (c) decided (d) decide
3. "___________ the lack of evidence that makes this case difficult." (it-cleft, formal) (a) This is (b) It is (c) There is (d) Here is
4. Formal version of "I think this might be wrong": "It ___________ argued that this may be incorrect."
5. Which sentence contains an inappropriate contraction for formal writing? (a) It is recommended that steps be taken. (b) The committee can't reach a decision. (c) The data suggests a significant trend. (d) Considerable progress has been made.
6. Which is a hedged academic claim? (a) This proves that climate change is man-made. (b) There is evidence to suggest a link between diet and health. (c) Everyone knows that exercise is good for you. (d) It is obvious that the policy has failed.
C1 · Vocabulary
Applied Grammar: Grammar and Register
Answer Key
1. It was found that costs had increased. — Formal reports use impersonal passive: avoid first person ('We found') in academic/formal writing.
2. decision — Nominalisation converts verbs to nouns for formal tone: 'decided' → 'decision'. Formal writing prefers noun phrases.
3. It is — It-cleft pattern: 'It is + noun phrase + that-clause' emphasises the topic formally.
4. could be — Formal hedging uses passive + modal: 'It could be argued that…' — not 'I think'. Also accepted: might be, can be.
5. The committee can't reach a decision. — Contractions such as can't are informal. In formal writing always write the full form: 'cannot'.
6. There is evidence to suggest a link between diet and health. — Hedged claim avoids absolute statements. 'This proves' or 'Everyone knows' are too assertive for academic register.