formal informal word list

OET letters are formal letters; therefore, it is important to use formal vocabulary to convey the information in them. This article illustrates common informal words seen in OET writing and their formal versions.

1. Common informal words and their formal alternatives

Informal vocabularyFormal alternative
bloody show (Ob-Gyn)bleeding
brain is brokenmentally overwhelmed (depends on case notes)
bring down (the temperature)lower
crack (drug)cocaine
feel run downtired, weak
(feel) giddyfaint
give up (smoking)cease, stop
get in touchcontact
go back (home)return
mood swingsunstable mood/labile mood
off colourslightly unwell
off-and-onoccasional/intermittent
on top ofin addition to
pass outlose consciousness
pick up (the infection)contract
plus(along) with
put on (medicine)apply
put under (anesthesia)anaesthetize/give anesthesia
put offpostpone
show uparrive/visit
take out (stitches)remove
take up (an activity)start/commence
throw up/pukevomit
tummyabdomen
water/bag broke (Ob-Gyn)ruptured amniotic membrane

2. Criterion

Using informal vocabulary will impact the score of the criterion ‘Genre and Style’.

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