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Applied Grammar: Grammar and Register

How grammatical choices create formal, neutral, and informal register

Grammar–lexis connection

How grammatical choices create formal, neutral, and informal register

Passive voice = formal
passive removes the agent and creates an impersonal, objective tone
Nominalisation = formal density
converting verbs to nouns creates denser, more academic prose
It-cleft = formal emphasis
it-cleft sentences are more formal than fronting or simple stress
Contractions = informal
contractions mark informal register — never used in formal writing
Hedging = academic credibility
hedged claims are more credible in academic writing than absolute ones

Examples in use

Passive voice = formal
The report was published in May. (not "They published...")
Nominalisation = formal density
The investigation of the incident (not "They investigated...")
It-cleft = formal emphasis
It was the lack of funding that caused the delay.
Contractions = informal
Formal: "I cannot agree." / Informal: "I can't agree."
Hedging = academic credibility
The evidence may suggest a correlation. (not "proves")
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