Scholarly/Professional Writing

The following list contains word substitutions you should use for scholarly and professional writing. Although the words/phrases on the left are acceptable for everyday speech, they make writing appear casual or awkward rather than professional. Thus, for college application letters, scholarship application letters, job applications, and college compositions, use the more formal means of expressing these same ideas.

Tons/Lots of: many (plural); much (singular); plenty; plenty of

Stuff: items; belongings; things; articles

Basically: essentially; for the most part

Kind of/Sort of: rather; somewhat; a bit

Plus: furthermore; in addition; and

All right: satisfactory; acceptable; fine

Okay: satisfactory; acceptable; fine

Pretty: relatively; significantly; somewhat

A couple of: a few; various; several

Until now: to this day; since that day; ever since

Weird: odd; strange; unexpected

Being as: because; due to the fact that

No: Being as we were late, we sped

Yes: Because we were late, we sped.

By this happening, this is the case: Because of this; due to this; due to the fact that

No: By Joe asking for it early, I had to cancel my plans.

Yes: Because of Joe asking for it early, I had to cancel my plans.

As to (what, why, who(m)): Take out "as to"

I could not understand the reason as to why he did that.

I could not decide as to what I wanted to do.

I could not determine as to who was better.

Recommended me to/Suggested me to:

· Recommended that I

· Suggested that I

· Advised me to