Contractions are not usually used in formal writing, even though they are very common in spoken English.

In formal writing, you should spell out contractions.

Examples:

In formal writing, you should use:

• cannot instead of can’t
  

• have not instead of haven’t
  

• will not instead of won’t
  

• could not instead of couldn’t
  

• is not instead of isn’t

These are just a few examples of contractions. See more contractions by following the contraction link above.

Contractions CAN be used if you are quoting someone’s exact words in your writing.

Example:

“Two-thirds of my eighth grade students can’t read at grade level,” the professor stated.

Keep in mind that an apostrophe does not always make a contraction.

Apostrophes are also added to nouns to show ownership. These are used in all language registers, including formal.

Examples:

• children’s classroom

• professor’s report

• elephant’s trunk

4. Avoid using too much passive voice

In formal writing it is better to use an active voice.

Passive sentences:

• The bone was eaten by the dog.
  

• The research was completed by the students in 2009.

Active sentences:

• The dog ate the bone.
  

• The students completed the research in 2009.
  
  In 2009, the students completed the research.

For example, in a rule above I wrote, “Apostrophes are also added to nouns to show ownership.”

I wrote this sentence in a passive voice.

To make it active, I could write:

“Additionally, add an apostrophe to a noun to show ownership.”

OR

“Use apostrophes with nouns to show ownership.”

6. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms

Examples:

• nineteen

• twenty-two

• seventy-eight

• six

3. Write in third person point of view

In formal writing, we usually do not use first person or second person unless it is a quote.

Avoid using:

• I

• You

• We

• Us

Examples:

• You can purchase a car for under $10,000.
  
  One can purchase a car for under $10,000.
  
  OR
  
  A car can be purchased for under $10,000.
  

• You will probably see an elephant on an African safari.
  
  One may see elephants on an African safari.
  
  OR
  
  Elephants are a common sight on African safaris.
  

• We decided to invest in the company.
  
  The group decided to invest in the company

5. Avoid using slang, idioms, exaggeration (hyperboles) and clichés

Slang is common in informal writing and spoken English. Slang is particular to a certain region or area.

Examples of slang:

• awesome/cool

• okay/ok

• check it out

• in a nutshell

A cliché is a phrase that is overused (said too often).

Common clichés:

• too much of a good thing

• moment of truth

• Time is money.

• Don’t push your luck.

• Beauty is only skin deep.

7. Do not start sentences with words like and, so, but, also

Here are some good transition words and phrases to use in formal writing:

• Nevertheless

• Additionally

• However

• In addition

• As a result of

• Although

8. Always write in complete sentences.

9. Write longer, more complex sentences.