Key Takeaways:
- Research papers and dissertations generally require formal language, but small exceptions exist depending on the section, discipline, and journal style guide.
- Contractions, colloquialisms, first-person overuse, and casual transitions are the most common informal elements flagged during peer review.
- Some informal elements, such as limited first-person pronouns, are now accepted in many journals, especially in the methods and discussion sections.
- A pre-submission language check from a service like Editage’s English editing service can confirm whether your tone matches your target journal’s expectations.
What Counts as Formal Language in a Research Paper?
Formal language in a research paper means precise word choice, objective tone, complete sentences, and the absence of casual expressions. It signals credibility and keeps the focus on evidence rather than the writer’s personality.
Typical features of formal academic language include:
- Full words instead of contractions, such as “do not” instead of “don’t.”
- Precise, discipline-specific terminology instead of vague or everyday words.
- Objective phrasing that centers on data and findings rather than personal opinion.
- Consistent verb tense and a formal, measured tone throughout each section.
Why Does Formality Matter in Academic Writing?
Formality matters because it establishes credibility and helps readers trust the objectivity of the research. Reviewers often equate a casual tone with a lack of rigor, even when the underlying data are sound.
Journals also use formal tone to maintain a consistent voice across issues, since a paper is read by an international, multidisciplinary audience that may not recognize regional slang or idioms.
Formal language also supports precision: casual words like “a lot” or “stuff” are vague, while formal alternatives such as “substantial” or “materials” convey exact meaning.
Common Informal Elements and Their Formal Alternatives
The table below lists frequent informal patterns found in early drafts, along with the formal alternative typically expected in a journal submission.
| Informal Element | Formal Alternative | Example Use |
| don’t, can’t, won’t | do not, cannot, will not | The results do not support the hypothesis. |
| a lot of, lots of | substantial, numerous | The study reviewed numerous case reports. |
| kind of, sort of | somewhat, relatively | The effect was relatively small. |
| get/got results | obtain/obtained results | We obtained results consistent with prior work. |
| huge, big | considerable, significant | The intervention produced a significant change. |
| stuff, things | materials, factors, elements | Several factors influenced the outcome. |
| basically, obviously | (omit or restate directly) | The mechanism remains unclear. |
Contractions
Contractions such as “isn’t,” “doesn’t,” and “we’ve” are almost universally avoided in formal academic writing, even though they are common in spoken English and informal emails.
Example: “The data isn’t sufficient to confirm this” becomes “The data are not sufficient to confirm this.”
Colloquialisms and Idioms
Colloquial expressions and idioms can confuse an international readership and read as imprecise. Direct, literal phrasing is safer for a global audience.
Example: “The results were all over the place” becomes “The results varied considerably across sites.”
Casual Transitions and Fillers
Words like “so,” “anyway,” and “well” at the start of a sentence read as conversational filler. Formal transitions such as “therefore,” “consequently,” or “in contrast” are preferred.
How Can You Identify Informal Language in Your Draft?
Search for apostrophes to catch contractions, then scan for vague quantity words such as “a lot” or “stuff.” These two checks alone catch most informal language in a typical draft.
- Search your document for apostrophes to locate contractions.
- Highlight vague words such as “stuff,” “thing,” “a lot,” and “huge.”
- Check paragraph openers for casual fillers like “so” or “well.”
- Review idioms or metaphors that may not translate for an international audience.
- Confirm the target journal’s style guide for any specific tone requirements.
A writer immersed in a draft can miss casual phrasing that has become habitual. A professional English editing service such as Editage’s reviews tone and formality alongside grammar, ensuring the register matches academic expectations before submission.
Is It Acceptable to Use “I” or “We” in a Research Paper?
Yes, most journals now accept first-person pronouns to describe actions the research team performed. Overuse, however, can shift focus away from the data.
General guidance by section:
- Methods: “we” is widely accepted, for example “we collected samples from 12 sites.”
- Results: minimal first-person use; let data and figures lead.
- Discussion: “we” is acceptable for interpretation, for example “we interpret this pattern as evidence of.”
- Introduction: first-person use is less common and often reserved for stating the study’s aim.
Formality Expectations by Discipline
Tone conventions differ slightly across fields. The table below summarizes typical expectations.
| Discipline | First-Person Use | Tone Notes |
| Life sciences | Common in methods | Objective, data-first tone; minimal hedging. |
| Social sciences | Common throughout | Some narrative voice accepted in qualitative work. |
| Engineering | Limited | Highly technical, precise, and procedural tone. |
| Humanities | Frequent | More interpretive voice; still formal register. |
Common Mistakes When Balancing Formal and Informal Tone
1. Overcorrecting into overly stiff, dense prose
| Approach | Example | |
| What not to do | “The utilization of said methodology facilitated the ascertainment of statistically significant outcomes.” | |
| What to do | “This method produced statistically significant results.” |
2. Mixing tone inconsistently across sections
| Approach | Example |
| What not to do | Introduction: “This study examines the relationship between diet and cognitive function.” Discussion: “So basically, our results kind of back up what other studies found.” |
| What to do | Introduction: “This study examines the relationship between diet and cognitive function.” Discussion: “These results are consistent with findings reported in prior studies.” |
3. Using discipline jargon incorrectly to sound more formal
| Approach | Example |
| What not to do | “The variables demonstrated a synergistic paradigm shift in outcome metrics.” (jargon used loosely, without precise meaning) |
| What to do | “The two variables interacted to produce a larger combined effect than either alone.” |
4. Removing all hedging language
| Approach | Example |
| What not to do | “This treatment cures the condition in patients.” (overstates certainty) |
| What to do | “This treatment appears to improve outcomes in most patients studied.” |
Are Contractions Ever Acceptable in Academic Writing?
Rarely. Contractions are typically avoided in the main text of a research paper, though journals allow them in direct quotations, interview transcripts, or informal supplementary material.
When in doubt, spell out the full form. This keeps the tone consistent and avoids any risk of appearing too casual to reviewers.
When Should You Get Professional Help with Tone and Formality?
Writers publishing in a second language, or submitting to a highly selective journal, often benefit from a tone-focused language review. An editor trained in academic conventions can flag casual phrasing that a writer no longer notices.
Editage’s English editing service reviews manuscripts for formality, clarity, and consistency with target journal conventions, alongside standard grammar and structure checks.
Quick Recap: Formal vs. Informal Choices
| Situation | Recommended Choice |
| Referring to your own actions | Use “we” or “I” in moderation, mainly in methods and discussion. |
| Describing quantity or size | Use precise terms like “substantial” instead of “a lot.” |
| Writing contractions | Spell out full forms in the main text. |
| Using idioms or slang | Replace with literal, direct phrasing. |
Before final submission, many authors run their manuscript through Editage’s English editing service to confirm that tone, formality, and terminology align with the expectations of their target journal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use contractions like “don’t” in a research paper?
No, contractions are generally avoided in the main text of a research paper and should be spelled out in full, such as “do not” instead of “don’t.”
Is it acceptable to write “I” in a scientific paper?
Yes, many journals now accept “I” or “we” in moderation, particularly in the methods and discussion sections, though usage norms vary by journal and discipline.
What are examples of informal words to avoid in academic writing?
Common examples include “a lot,” “stuff,” “kind of,” “huge,” and “basically,” which should be replaced with precise, formal alternatives such as “substantial” or “considerable.”
How formal should the language be in a thesis or dissertation?
A thesis or dissertation typically requires a fully formal register throughout, since it is evaluated by a committee and often archived as a permanent academic record.
Do journal style guides specify tone and formality requirements?
Yes, most journals publish an author guide that specifies tone expectations, including whether first-person pronouns and contractions are acceptable.
Is passive voice more formal than active voice in research papers?
Not necessarily; formality depends more on word choice and structure than on passive versus active voice, and many journals now prefer active voice for clarity.
What is the difference between formal and informal language in academic writing?
Formal language uses precise, objective terms and complete word forms, while informal language includes contractions, vague quantifiers, and conversational expressions that reduce precision.
Can a professional editor fix tone and formality issues before journal submission?
Yes, a professional editing service can review a manuscript specifically for tone, formality, and consistency with a target journal’s style guide, in addition to grammar and clarity checks.
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