In formal writing, dire consequences are very severe, a profound effect goes deep and lasts, and grave concern is serious worry.
Serious matters
Not "Ignoring the warnings will have bad consequences." — say "Ignoring the warnings will have dire consequences.". "Bad" is understood but too weak for formal writing.
Try it: Lars: The river near Ghafwick keeps rising. Amina: The council calls it a matter of ___ concern. Choose the words for the blank. (grave / heated / stark) Answer: grave — Serious formal worry is grave concern, while "heated" goes with debate.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
dire consequences
/ˈdaɪr ˈkɑnsəkwɛnsəz/
Cutting the safety budget would bring dire consequences for workers.
profound effect
/prəˈfaʊnd ɪˈfɛkt/
Moving abroad at sixteen had a profound and lasting effect on him.
grave concern
/ɡreɪv kənˈsɜrn/
The falling water levels are a source of grave concern to local farmers.
Scale and feeling
An overwhelming majority is very large, widespread concern is shared by many people, and a heated debate is intense and emotional.
Not "A big majority of the council backed the plan." — say "An overwhelming majority of the council backed the plan.". "Big" is understood but too casual for a formal report.
Try it: Hiroshi: How did the student vote on the new schedule go? Sofia: Ninety percent said yes, so the majority was ___. Choose the words for the blank. (overwhelming / widespread / heated) Answer: overwhelming — A very large, decisive majority is overwhelming, while "widespread" goes with concern.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
overwhelming majority
/ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ məˈdʒɔrəti/
An overwhelming majority of members voted to keep the library open.
widespread concern
/ˈwaɪdˌsprɛd kənˈsɜrn/
There is widespread concern about the rising cost of housing in the city.
heated debate
/ˈhitəd dɪˈbeɪt/
The plan to close the pool led to a heated debate at the meeting.
Clear or unclear
A vague notion is an unclear idea with no detail, and a stark contrast is a sharp, obvious difference.
Not "The report gives a fuzzy notion of the costs." — say "The report gives a vague notion of the costs.". "Fuzzy" belongs to speech; formal writing uses vague.
Try it: Ethan: Do you know when the new library opens? Diego: I've got a ___ idea it's in the spring, but don't quote me. Choose the words for the blank. (vague / stark / grave) Answer: vague — An unclear idea is a vague notion, while "stark" means sharp and obvious.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
vague notion
/veɪɡ ˈnoʊʃən/
The early plans rested on a vague notion of what the neighborhood needed.
stark contrast
/stɑrk ˈkɑntræst/
The quiet garden is a stark contrast to the noisy street outside.
Between two sides
Mutual understanding is shared by both sides, fierce competition is very intense, and a keen interest is strong and eager.
Not "She takes a sharp interest in local history." — say "She takes a keen interest in local history.". Eager interest is keen, not "sharp".
Try it: Camila: Is it hard to open a new restaurant downtown? Mateo: Very. The restaurants there are in ___ competition. Choose the words for the blank. (fierce / mutual / grave) Answer: fierce — Very intense rivalry is fierce competition, while "grave" goes with concern.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
mutual understanding
/ˈmjutʃuəl ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ/
Years of working together gave them a mutual understanding.
fierce competition
/fɪrs ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən/
There is fierce competition for summer jobs in Ghafwick.
keen interest
/kin ˈɪntrəst/
She has taken a keen interest in local history.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
Ignoring the warnings will have bad consequences.
Ignoring the warnings will have dire consequences.
"Bad" is understood but too weak for formal writing.
A big majority of the council backed the plan.
An overwhelming majority of the council backed the plan.
"Big" is understood but too casual for a formal report.
The report gives a fuzzy notion of the costs.
The report gives a vague notion of the costs.
"Fuzzy" belongs to speech; formal writing uses vague.