Phrasal Verbs

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Verbs

A formal style is the most appropriate for academic writing. English has sets of verbs which may be categorised as formal and informal. Consider this example:

Informal: In this essay, I come up with ideas for and against using examinations as the main means of assessing learning. ( ´ )

Formal In this essay, I discuss ideas for and against using examinations as the main means of assessing learning. ( Ö )

Task 2

Choose an appropriate formal verb from the box to replace the informal verb in each of the sentences below. Write the verbs in the brackets provided.

fluctuate, examine, increase, determine, discover

Answers

Your answer was:
In this essay, I will the reasons for the continuing use of examinations in educational systems.
The correct verb to replace 'look at' is 'examine'.
.
Your answer was:
Researchers soon that nuclear waste remains dangerous for many years.
The correct verbs to replace 'found out' are 'determined' or 'discovered'. The difference is that 'determined' means found out by deliberate research, and discovered is sometimes due more to chance or accident.
.
Your answer was:
Expenditure on tertiary education has by 18% over the past five years.
The correct verb to replace 'gone up' is 'increased'.
.
Your answer was:
Salaries have over the past two years.
The correct verb to replace 'gone up and down' is 'fluctuated'
.
Your answer was:
When testing the drug, researchers some unexpected side effects.
The correct verb to replace 'came across' is 'discovered'.

Last updated on 03 October 2002.

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