10 Formal Alternatives to Common Words

IELTS Writing rewards you for using less common vocabulary naturally. You don't need fancy words. You need formal alternatives to everyday words. Here are 10 substitutions that work in most essays.

1. "Many" → "Numerous" or "A considerable number of"

Informal: Many people use social media daily.

Formal: Numerous individuals use social media daily.

Formal: A considerable number of people use social media daily.

Use "numerous" with countable nouns. Use "a considerable amount of" with uncountable nouns (water, time, effort).

2. "Show" → "Demonstrate" or "Indicate"

Informal: Studies show that exercise improves health.

Formal: Studies demonstrate that exercise improves health.

Formal: Research indicates that exercise improves health.

"Demonstrate" implies proof. "Indicate" suggests evidence without absolute certainty.

3. "Get" → "Obtain" or "Acquire"

Informal: Students get knowledge from books.

Formal: Students acquire knowledge from books.

Formal: Graduates can obtain well-paid jobs.

"Get" is too casual for academic writing. Always replace it.

4. "Need" → "Require"

Informal: Children need supervision when online.

Formal: Children require supervision when online.

"Require" sounds more formal and precise.

5. "Help" → "Assist" or "Support"

Informal: Teachers help students learn.

Formal: Teachers assist students in developing new skills.

Formal: Government programs support small businesses.

"Assist" works for direct help. "Support" works for ongoing aid or resources.

6. "Because" → "Since" or "As"

Informal: Prices rose because demand increased.

Formal: Prices rose since demand increased.

Formal: As demand increased, prices rose.

Put "since" or "as" at the start of the sentence for variety. Both are more formal than "because."

7. "But" → "However" or "Nevertheless"

Informal: Technology is useful, but it has drawbacks.

Formal: Technology is useful. However, it has drawbacks.

Formal: Technology is useful. Nevertheless, it has drawbacks.

Start a new sentence with "however" or "nevertheless" for stronger academic style.

8. "So" → "Therefore" or "Consequently"

Informal: Traffic increased, so pollution got worse.

Formal: Traffic increased. Therefore, pollution worsened.

Formal: Traffic increased. Consequently, pollution worsened.

"Therefore" shows a logical result. "Consequently" emphasizes the result happened because of the cause.

9. "Big" → "Significant" or "Substantial"

Informal: There was a big increase in sales.

Formal: There was a significant increase in sales.

Formal: There was a substantial increase in sales.

"Significant" means important or meaningful. "Substantial" emphasizes the size or amount.

10. "Also" → "In addition" or "Furthermore"

Informal: Cars cause pollution. Also, they create traffic.

Formal: Cars cause pollution. In addition, they create traffic.

Formal: Cars cause pollution. Furthermore, they contribute to traffic congestion.

"In addition" simply adds information. "Furthermore" strengthens your argument by adding supporting evidence.

How to Use These Words

Don't Force Them

Only use these words where they fit naturally. The examiner can tell when you're using words incorrectly just to sound formal.

Mix Simple and Formal

You don't need to replace every common word. Mix formal vocabulary with clear, simple language. This sounds natural.

Check Collocations

Some words go together. "Considerable number" works. "Considerable amount" works. But "considerable people" doesn't sound right. If you're unsure, check example sentences online.

Practice Exercise

Take an essay you wrote before. Find five instances of the informal words from this list. Replace them with the formal alternatives. Read the essay aloud. Does it sound natural? If not, you may have chosen the wrong context.