Are these phrasal verbs too informal for academic writing?
Is ‘carry out’ too informal for academic writing?
No, it isn’t. In fact, it is very common in academic texts to carry out an analysis, an experiment, or a study.
For example: All procedures were carried out according to the guidance.
Learn how to choose between a phrasal verb and an alternative here.
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Is ‘point out’ too informal for academic writing?
No, it isn’t. In fact, it is quite common in academic texts to point out a question, problem, error(s), or to point out that … (followed by a clause).
For example: Adams (2007) pointed out that such distinctions are not easy to maintain.
Learn how to choose between a phrasal verb and an alternative here.
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Is ‘rule out’ too informal for academic writing?
No, it isn’t. In fact, it is very common in academic texts to rule out the possibility of something happening or of something being true.
For example: These values rule out a false positive test.
Learn how to choose between a phrasal verb and an alternative here.
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Is ‘set up’ too informal for academic writing?
No, it isn’t. In fact, it is common in academic texts to set up a model, a system, or an experiment.
For example: The authors set up a research design with the pharmaceutical company.
Learn how to choose between a phrasal verb and an alternative here.
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Is ‘make up’ too informal for academic writing?
No, it isn’t. In fact, it is common in academic texts for something to make up a percentage (%) of something else. However, other meanings of ‘make up’ beyond that of ‘constitute’ are best avoided (such as ‘to make up a story’).
For example: Twenty amino acids make up the proteins found in the human body.
Learn how to choose between a phrasal verb and an alternative here.
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Is ‘go up’ too informal for academic writing?
Yes, it is. As formal alternatives for your academic text, consider ‘increase’ or ‘rise’ instead.
Learn how to choose between a phrasal verb and an alternative here.
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Is ‘go down’ too informal for academic writing?
Yes, it is. As a formal alternative for your academic text, consider ‘decrease‘ instead.
Learn how to choose between a phrasal verb and an alternative here.
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Is ‘cut down’ too informal for academic writing?
Yes, it is. As a formal alternative for your academic text, consider ‘reduce’ instead.
Learn how to choose between a phrasal verb and an alternative here.
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Is ‘work out’ too informal for academic writing?
Yes, it is. As formal alternatives for your academic text, consider ‘calculate’ or ‘compute’ instead.
Learn how to choose between a phrasal verb and an alternative here.
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Is ‘pick out’ too informal for academic writing?
Yes, it is. As a formal alternative for your academic text, consider ‘select‘ instead.
Learn how to choose between a phrasal verb and an alternative here.
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