Formality (& grammar)


Which ‘person’ are the following, 1st, 2nd or 3rd?

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Read the sentences below. Then using the drop down menu choose the version of the sentence that has been rewritten in third person.

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Read the sentences below and identify which sentences are active and which sentences are passive.

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Using the textbox below, change these sentences into a passive. After you have written your sentences check your answers by clicking the reveal button below

A new parking policy was introduced by the college.
Drinking in public is not allowed.
This report will be finished in two hours.
It could be argued that inflation is beneficial.

Identify the sentence type; simple, compound or complex.

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Make these sentences sound ‘louder’ /stronger (+) or the opposite ‘softer’ /weaker (-), by adding an adverb. After you have written your sentences check your answers by clicking the reveal button below.

For example: The inflation rate rose. (-) = The inflation rate rose gradually/slowly/slightly.

Reading is probably/absolutely/arguably/definitely/usually/often/always the most difficult skill.
The course perhaps/possibly improved his skills.
Employment figures fell sharply/dramatically/rapidly
Plagiarism is perhaps/possibly/rarely a problem at university.
Students should probably/arguably/definitely do fewer exams.
Students should perhaps/possibly do fewer exams.

Using the textbook, rewrite each sentence by replacing the underlined words with a noun or noun phrase and make any other changes that are necessary. When you are finished, click on reveal to check your answers.

People’s behaviour/Behaviour is the subject of this essay.
We will analyse the meaning of democracy
One problem is the size of the debt.
His explanation was clear/good.
Failure in exams means no offer of a place at university.
There needs to be a solution to the housing crisis. / The housing crisis needs a solution.

Using the textbox below, change these direct questions into indirect ones. When you have finished, click on reveal to check your answers.

We need to examine why we pay for higher education. /We could look at the reasons we pay for higher education.
We need to decide if climate change is a problem. / Some have raised the issue of climate change, and how problematic this is.
There is some debate over whether politicians can influence behaviour. / The influence of politicians on behaviour is worth examining.
We need to ask if this proves his theory. / Some people have queried whether this proves his theory or not.
We need to decide how much tax we should pay. / Levels of taxation need to be established.
Some have implied that a food shortage caused the unrest. / One possibility is that a food shortage caused the unrest.

Identify the more formal one word equivalent to the statements below:

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Replace the following words with a more formal equivalent.

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Multiple choice. Choose the correct list.

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Using the textbox below, change these direct questions into indirect ones. When you have finished, click on reveal to check your answers.

Religion would seem to / appears to / could / may /might be in decline.
League tables for schools would seem to / appear to / could / may / might improve results.
Poverty would seem to / appears to / could / may / might cause crime.
Lack of exercise would seem to / appears to / could / may / might lead to obesity.
Communism would seem to have /appears to have /could have /may have / might have failed.
This theory would seem to /appears to /could /may / might be incorrect.