Formal Vocabulary Lab
300 essential informal → formal academic word swaps, organised by category. Raise the register of your essays, research papers and theses with precision and confidence.
300 swaps · Seamless embed · Eye-friendly1. Thinking, Believing & Arguing (~40)
| Informal | Formal Academic |
|---|---|
| think | consider, regard, contend, maintain, conclude |
| believe | maintain, hold, contend, assert, argue |
| feel (that) | consider, maintain, take the view that |
| guess / reckon | estimate, speculate, hypothesise, posit |
| know | recognise, acknowledge, be aware, establish |
| understand | comprehend, apprehend, grasp, interpret |
| realise | recognise, become aware, perceive |
| agree | concur, assent, endorse, subscribe to |
| disagree | dissent, differ, contest, dispute, challenge |
| argue | contend, maintain, assert, claim, posit |
| claim | assert, maintain, contend, allege, posit |
| say (in argument) | state, assert, maintain, contend, argue |
| suggest | propose, posit, advance, put forward |
| mean | signify, denote, indicate, imply, entail |
| imply | suggest, indicate, entail, insinuate |
| assume | presume, posit, take as given, postulate |
| suppose | hypothesise, posit, conjecture, presume |
| doubt | question, cast doubt on, contest |
| prove | demonstrate, establish, substantiate, verify |
| disprove | refute, rebut, invalidate, contradict |
| support (an idea) | corroborate, substantiate, endorse, uphold |
| oppose | challenge, contest, dispute, contradict |
| accept | acknowledge, concede, admit, recognise |
| reject | dismiss, refute, decline, repudiate |
| focus on | concentrate on, examine, address, prioritise |
| look at (analyse) | examine, investigate, analyse, explore, consider |
| deal with | address, examine, treat, handle, engage with |
| talk about | discuss, examine, address, explore, consider |
| go into | examine in detail, explore, investigate |
| work out | determine, calculate, resolve, establish |
| figure out | ascertain, determine, establish, deduce |
| come up with | devise, formulate, propose, advance |
| point out | observe, note, highlight, emphasise, indicate |
| bring up | raise, introduce, mention, broach |
| get at | imply, suggest, indicate, intend |
| make out | discern, perceive, interpret, claim |
| see (understand) | perceive, recognise, discern, appreciate |
| find (discover) | discover, ascertain, establish, identify |
| notice | observe, note, discern, register |
| wonder | question, enquire, speculate |
2. Showing, Proving & Demonstrating (~25)
| Informal | Formal Academic |
|---|---|
| show | demonstrate, illustrate, indicate, reveal, exhibit, display |
| prove | demonstrate, establish, substantiate, verify, confirm |
| give (evidence) | provide, present, offer, furnish, supply |
| make clear | clarify, elucidate, demonstrate, establish |
| point to | indicate, suggest, imply, signal |
| back up | support, corroborate, substantiate, confirm |
| bear out | corroborate, confirm, substantiate |
| highlight | emphasise, underscore, draw attention to, foreground |
| underline | emphasise, underscore, stress, accentuate |
| bring out | reveal, highlight, emphasise, elucidate |
| set out | present, outline, expound, articulate |
| lay out | present, arrange, organise, expound |
| spell out | elucidate, clarify, articulate, specify |
| make a case | argue, contend, advance the claim |
| hold true | remain valid, apply, obtain |
| stand up | withstand scrutiny, remain valid, hold |
| check out | examine, verify, investigate |
| find out | discover, ascertain, determine, establish |
| work out (result) | determine, calculate, resolve, establish |
| turn out | prove, emerge, transpire, result |
| come across as | appear, seem, present as |
| come out | emerge, appear, be published, become known |
| bring to light | reveal, disclose, uncover, expose |
| shed light on | illuminate, clarify, elucidate, explain |
| account for | explain, justify, provide a rationale for |
3. Doing, Making & Creating (~35)
| Informal | Formal Academic |
|---|---|
| do | perform, conduct, undertake, execute, carry out |
| make | construct, produce, generate, create, render, form |
| get | obtain, acquire, receive, secure, attain |
| use | employ, utilise, deploy, apply, adopt |
| start / begin | commence, initiate, embark upon, inaugurate |
| end / finish | conclude, terminate, complete, finalise |
| keep | maintain, retain, preserve, continue |
| help | assist, facilitate, contribute to, aid, enable |
| try | attempt, endeavour, seek, strive |
| need | require, necessitate, demand |
| want | wish, desire, seek, require |
| let | allow, permit, enable, facilitate |
| stop | cease, discontinue, terminate, halt |
| put | place, position, locate, deposit |
| give | provide, offer, present, furnish, supply |
| take | adopt, assume, undertake, require |
| set up | establish, create, institute, found |
| build | construct, develop, establish, erect |
| create | produce, generate, construct, formulate |
| develop | evolve, elaborate, advance, cultivate |
| form | constitute, comprise, establish, shape |
| carry out | conduct, perform, execute, undertake |
| go on | continue, proceed, persist |
| go through | undergo, experience, examine, endure |
| put forward | propose, advance, suggest, submit |
| put together | compile, assemble, construct, synthesise |
| bring about | cause, produce, engender, precipitate, effect |
| give rise to | produce, generate, engender, occasion |
| lead to | result in, produce, occasion, engender |
| result in | produce, occasion, give rise to, culminate in |
| make up | constitute, comprise, invent, compose |
| take on | assume, adopt, undertake, accept |
| take up | adopt, address, occupy, resume |
| turn to | address, consult, resort to, examine |
| work on | develop, refine, address, elaborate |
4. Saying, Writing & Communicating (~25)
| Informal | Formal Academic |
|---|---|
| say | state, assert, remark, observe, note, claim |
| tell | inform, relate, narrate, report |
| talk | discuss, speak, address, converse |
| speak about | discuss, address, examine, treat |
| write | compose, draft, author, produce |
| mention | refer to, allude to, note, cite |
| refer to | cite, allude to, invoke, invoke |
| quote | cite, invoke, adduce |
| explain | elucidate, clarify, expound, account for |
| describe | depict, characterise, portray, delineate |
| define | delineate, specify, characterise, formulate |
| call (name) | term, designate, refer to as, label |
| name | designate, identify, specify, term |
| ask | enquire, request, pose, raise |
| answer | respond, reply, address, resolve |
| argue (say) | contend, maintain, assert, claim |
| admit | acknowledge, concede, recognise |
| deny | refute, reject, contradict, disavow |
| stress | emphasise, underscore, accentuate |
| insist | maintain, assert, contend, emphasise |
| warn | caution, alert, advise |
| promise | undertake, guarantee, assure |
| complain | object, protest, criticise, express dissatisfaction |
| praise | commend, applaud, endorse |
| criticise | critique, evaluate critically, challenge |
5. Change, Result & Process (~30)
| Informal | Formal Academic |
|---|---|
| change | alter, modify, transform, revise, amend |
| get better | improve, ameliorate, enhance |
| get worse | deteriorate, worsen, decline |
| go up | increase, rise, escalate, grow |
| go down | decrease, decline, diminish, reduce |
| grow | increase, expand, develop, proliferate |
| shrink | diminish, contract, reduce, decrease |
| happen | occur, take place, arise, transpire |
| take place | occur, ensue, transpire |
| come about | occur, arise, emerge, result |
| lead to | result in, produce, occasion, engender |
| cause | produce, engender, precipitate, occasion |
| affect | influence, shape, determine, impact upon |
| influence | shape, determine, inform, condition |
| improve | enhance, ameliorate, refine, strengthen |
| worsen | exacerbate, aggravate, deteriorate |
| increase | augment, escalate, amplify, intensify |
| reduce | diminish, decrease, curtail, mitigate |
| remove | eliminate, eradicate, extract, delete |
| add | incorporate, include, append, introduce |
| replace | substitute, supersede, supplant |
| keep the same | maintain, preserve, retain, sustain |
| stay | remain, persist, continue |
| become | constitute, emerge as, develop into |
| turn into | transform into, develop into, become |
| break down | analyse, collapse, fail, decompose |
| build up | accumulate, develop, construct, intensify |
| die out | disappear, become extinct, cease |
| spread | disseminate, proliferate, diffuse, propagate |
| limit | restrict, constrain, circumscribe, curtail |
6. Key Adjectives (~40)
| Informal | Formal Academic |
|---|---|
| good | effective, beneficial, advantageous, sound, robust |
| bad | problematic, detrimental, inadequate, flawed, deficient |
| big / large | substantial, significant, considerable, extensive, major |
| small | limited, modest, minor, restricted, negligible |
| important | significant, central, pivotal, crucial, salient |
| interesting | noteworthy, revealing, suggestive, illuminating |
| clear | evident, apparent, unambiguous, explicit |
| unclear | ambiguous, obscure, indeterminate, equivocal |
| hard / difficult | challenging, complex, problematic, arduous |
| easy | straightforward, uncomplicated, readily achievable |
| new | novel, recent, innovative, contemporary |
| old | previous, earlier, established, traditional |
| true | accurate, valid, correct, well-founded |
| false | inaccurate, erroneous, unfounded, invalid |
| right | correct, appropriate, accurate, justified |
| wrong | incorrect, erroneous, mistaken, flawed |
| useful | valuable, productive, advantageous, instrumental |
| useless | ineffective, unproductive, of limited value |
| possible | feasible, viable, conceivable, potential |
| impossible | infeasible, unattainable, inconceivable |
| necessary | essential, requisite, indispensable, required |
| enough | sufficient, adequate, ample |
| a lot of | numerous, considerable, substantial, a significant number of |
| whole | entire, complete, total |
| main | principal, primary, central, chief |
| basic | fundamental, elementary, primary, essential |
| serious | significant, substantial, grave, consequential |
| obvious | evident, apparent, manifest, patent |
| sure | certain, confident, convinced |
| different | distinct, divergent, contrasting, disparate |
| same | identical, equivalent, corresponding |
| similar | analogous, comparable, parallel, akin |
| common | prevalent, widespread, frequent, typical |
| rare | infrequent, uncommon, exceptional, scarce |
| strong | robust, compelling, forceful, persuasive |
| weak | tenuous, unconvincing, fragile, limited |
| deep | profound, extensive, thorough |
| simple | straightforward, uncomplicated, elementary |
| complex | intricate, multifaceted, elaborate, sophisticated |
| careful | meticulous, rigorous, thorough, precise |
7. Key Nouns (~30)
| Informal | Formal Academic |
|---|---|
| thing / stuff | (name the specific concept: aspect, element, factor, issue, phenomenon) |
| idea | concept, notion, proposition, thesis, hypothesis |
| point | argument, claim, observation, contention |
| way | method, manner, means, approach, mode |
| part | component, element, aspect, dimension, section |
| people | individuals, subjects, participants, critics, readers |
| problem | issue, difficulty, challenge, limitation, concern |
| result | outcome, consequence, finding, product |
| reason | rationale, justification, grounds, basis |
| change | alteration, transformation, modification, shift |
| difference | distinction, divergence, disparity, contrast |
| similarity | resemblance, affinity, parallel, analogy |
| view / opinion | perspective, stance, position, interpretation |
| area | domain, field, sphere, realm, dimension |
| side | aspect, dimension, perspective, facet |
| end | conclusion, termination, purpose, objective |
| start | commencement, inception, outset, beginning |
| help | assistance, support, contribution, facilitation |
| need | requirement, necessity, demand |
| use | application, employment, utilisation, function |
| effect | impact, consequence, influence, outcome |
| cause | origin, source, determinant, precipitant |
| answer | response, solution, resolution, reply |
| question | issue, enquiry, problem, matter |
| story | narrative, account, representation |
| picture | representation, depiction, portrayal, image |
| place | location, site, setting, context |
| time | period, era, moment, juncture, duration |
| kind / type / sort | category, class, form, variety, species |
| lot / amount | quantity, volume, degree, extent, proportion |
8. Phrasal Verbs → Single-Word Alternatives (~40)
| Phrasal Verb | Formal Alternative |
|---|---|
| look into | investigate, examine |
| find out | discover, ascertain, determine |
| point out | observe, note, highlight |
| bring about | cause, produce, engender |
| come up with | devise, formulate, propose |
| carry out | conduct, perform, execute |
| go on | continue, proceed |
| set up | establish, create, institute |
| put forward | propose, advance, suggest |
| take up | adopt, address, occupy |
| work out | calculate, resolve, determine |
| make up | constitute, invent, compose |
| give up | abandon, relinquish, cease |
| turn out | prove, emerge, result |
| break down | analyse, collapse, fail |
| build up | accumulate, develop, construct |
| call for | require, demand, necessitate |
| come across | encounter, discover |
| deal with | address, handle, treat |
| get rid of | eliminate, remove, discard |
| go through | examine, undergo, experience |
| look after | care for, maintain, supervise |
| put off | postpone, delay |
| set out | begin, intend, present |
| take on | assume, undertake, adopt |
| turn down | reject, refuse |
| work on | develop, refine, address |
| bring up | raise, introduce, mention |
| come about | occur, arise, happen |
| keep up | maintain, sustain |
| look for | seek, search for, pursue |
| put up with | tolerate, endure, accept |
| run into | encounter, meet, face |
| set off | initiate, trigger, begin |
| take over | assume control, succeed, supersede |
| turn up | appear, emerge, arrive |
| use up | exhaust, consume, deplete |
| write up | compose, draft, document |
| leave out | omit, exclude, disregard |
| rule out | exclude, eliminate, dismiss |
9. Quantity, Degree & Intensity (~20)
| Informal | Formal Academic |
|---|---|
| a lot / lots of | numerous, considerable, substantial, a significant number of |
| a bit / a little | somewhat, slightly, to some extent, partially |
| very | highly, extremely, particularly, markedly (or delete) |
| really | genuinely, substantially, considerably (or delete) |
| quite | rather, relatively, fairly, moderately |
| too | excessively, unduly, overly |
| enough | sufficient, adequate |
| almost | nearly, virtually, approximately |
| about | approximately, roughly, concerning, regarding |
| more or less | approximately, largely, essentially |
| kind of / sort of | somewhat, relatively, to some degree (or delete) |
| totally / completely | entirely, wholly, fully, utterly |
| mainly | primarily, principally, chiefly, predominantly |
| mostly | largely, predominantly, primarily |
| only | solely, merely, exclusively, simply |
| just | merely, simply, solely (or delete) |
| even | indeed, in fact, actually (contextual) |
| still | nevertheless, nonetheless, yet, continues to |
| already | previously, prior to this, by this stage |
| yet | nevertheless, thus far, as yet |
10. Linking & Transition Words (~15)
| Informal | Formal Academic |
|---|---|
| but | however, nevertheless, yet, nonetheless, whereas |
| so | therefore, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly |
| and | in addition, furthermore, moreover, additionally |
| also | furthermore, moreover, in addition, likewise |
| then | subsequently, thereafter, next, consequently |
| because | owing to, due to, since, as a result of, given that |
| if | provided that, in the event that, should |
| though / although | whereas, while, albeit, notwithstanding |
| like (comparison) | such as, for instance, for example, as in |
| as well | in addition, furthermore, likewise |
| anyway | in any case, nevertheless, regardless |
| in the end | ultimately, finally, in the final analysis |
| at first | initially, originally, at the outset |
| later | subsequently, thereafter, at a later stage |
| now | at present, currently, in the present analysis |
11. Other Essential Swaps (~20)
| Informal | Formal Academic |
|---|---|
| about (concerning) | regarding, concerning, with respect to, in relation to |
| before | prior to, preceding, in advance of |
| after | following, subsequent to, in the wake of |
| during | throughout, in the course of, over the period of |
| until | up to the point when, pending |
| while | whereas, whilst, during the time that |
| without | in the absence of, lacking, devoid of |
| with | by means of, using, through, accompanied by |
| by | by means of, through, via, by virtue of |
| for (purpose) | in order to, for the purpose of, with a view to |
| to (purpose) | in order to, so as to, with the aim of |
| in (time) | during, within, over the course of |
| on (topic) | concerning, regarding, on the subject of |
| under | beneath, subject to, within the framework of |
| over | above, across, throughout, concerning |
| out of | from, arising from, as a result of |
| because of | owing to, due to, as a result of, on account of |
| in spite of | despite, notwithstanding, regardless of |
| instead of | rather than, in place of, as an alternative to |
| as well as | in addition to, together with, alongside |
Usage note: Not every formal alternative fits every context. Choose the word that matches the precise meaning and grammatical construction you need. When in doubt, check a good learner’s dictionary or academic corpus.
