Formal nouns have set verb partners: you raise funds, conduct research, undertake a study, carry out an investigation.
Verbs that partner with research
Not "The university aims to do extensive research." — say "The university aims to conduct extensive research.". In formal writing, research takes conduct or carry out; "do research" reads as casual.
Try it: Liam: What should the memo say about the delay? Yasmin: Write that the department will ___ into the cause of it. Choose the words for the blank. (carry out an investigation / make an investigation / do an investigation) Answer: carry out an investigation — Carry out is a usual formal verb for an investigation; "make" and "do" are not.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
conduct research
/kənˈdʌkt rɪˈsɜrtʃ/
The team plans to conduct research into how sleep affects memory.
undertake a study
/ˌʌndərˈteɪk ə ˈstʌdi/
Two universities agreed to undertake a joint study of rural transport.
carry out an investigation
/ˈkæri aʊt ən ɪnˌvɛstɪˈɡeɪʃən/
Regulators carried out a safety investigation last year.
raise funds
/reɪz fʌndz/
The orchestra raised enough funds to tour three cities.
Formal verbs for actions and effects
Formal verbs carry precise meanings: a danger poses a threat, a rule imposes restrictions, a company launches an initiative, groups forge an alliance.
Not "Climate change makes a serious threat." — say "Climate change poses a serious threat.". Pose a threat means present a danger; "make a threat" means threaten someone.
Try it: Mei: What does the new advertising law do? Diego: It'll ___ on what shops can advertise. Choose the words for the blank. (impose restrictions / make restrictions / give restrictions) Answer: impose restrictions — Impose restrictions is the formal way to say a rule limits people.
Try it: Maya: How should we present the reading survey in our proposal? Mateo: Write that we'll ___ on student reading habits. Choose the words for the blank. (undertake a study / build a study / make a study) Answer: undertake a study — Undertake a study is the formal way to say you start a piece of research.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
pose a threat
/poʊz ə θrɛt/
Rising sea levels pose a serious threat to coastal cities.
impose restrictions
/ɪmˈpoʊz rɪˈstrɪkʃənz/
The city may impose tight restrictions for the festival weekend.
launch an initiative
/lɔntʃ ən ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/
The company will launch an initiative to cut its energy use.
forge an alliance
/fɔrdʒ ən əˈlaɪəns/
Two rival bakeries forged an alliance to buy flour more cheaply.
Verbs for problems and duties
To deal with a difficulty, tackle a problem or address an issue; to do what is expected, meet a deadline or fulfill a promise.
Not "We worked all weekend to reach the deadline." — say "We worked all weekend to meet the deadline.". A deadline takes meet; "reach" goes with a goal or an agreement.
Try it: Ira: Your visa form has to be filed by Friday. Is it ready? Maya: Yes, I'll ___. I'm sending it tomorrow. Choose the words for the blank. (meet the deadline / reach the deadline / fulfill the deadline) Answer: meet the deadline — A deadline takes meet; "fulfill" goes with a promise and "reach" with a goal.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
tackle a problem
/ˈtækəl ə ˈprɑbləm/
The new mayor promised to tackle the problem of empty shops downtown.
address an issue
/əˈdrɛs ən ˈɪʃu/
The manager addressed the issue of late payments at the start of the meeting.
meet a deadline
/mit ə ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/
Everyone worked late to meet the printer's deadline.
fulfill a promise
/fʊlˈfɪl ə ˈprɑməs/
The band fulfilled its promise to play one free concert every year.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
The university aims to do extensive research.
The university aims to conduct extensive research.
In formal writing, research takes conduct or carry out; "do research" reads as casual.
Climate change makes a serious threat.
Climate change poses a serious threat.
Pose a threat means present a danger; "make a threat" means threaten someone.
We worked all weekend to reach the deadline.
We worked all weekend to meet the deadline.
A deadline takes meet; "reach" goes with a goal or an agreement.