Neutral-to-formal register
Register refers to language that is suitable for a specific situation. Modern scientific texts are usually written in a register that combines features of neutral and formal writing.
Avoid informal language in scientific writing, but also be careful to avoid overly formal language that can make your writing difficult to read and understand. We here list eight strategies you can use to boost the formality of your scientific writing while retaining readability:
- Avoid the pronouns 'you' and 'one'
- Avoid contractions such as 'doesn't'
- Avoid 'lots', 'a lot', 'plenty' and 'loads'
- Avoid over-use of 'and' and 'but'
- Avoid informal use of 'besides' and 'as well'
- Avoid direct questions (ending with a question mark)
- Choose 'no', 'few' and 'little' instead of 'none', 'not many' and 'not much'
- Choose Latinate words instead of 'do', 'make' and 'get', where possible