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#2 (permalink) Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:13 am Phrasal Verbs in formal writing? |
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. Phrasal verbs are generally too informal for formal writing. It is interesting that most phrasal verbs have more formal, usually Latinate, counterparts. These should be searched out for serious writing-- here are just some representative examples:
Put up with = tolerate Put out = inconvenience Put off = postpone
Make up = reconcile Make over = renovate Make out = ascertain
etc. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#3 (permalink) Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:38 am Phrasal Verbs in formal writing? |
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Hi, Mister Micawber
You wrote that make up = reconcile I know from a dict. that we can say let's make it up with the meaning of let's reconcile with each other (right?) But how can we do with make up when we want to say to reconcile her with her family? Is it possible? |
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Lost_Soul I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 1861 Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
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#4 (permalink) Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:45 am Phrasal Verbs in formal writing? |
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. I'm not saying that phrasal verbs have universal synonyms (after all, they often have multiple, and quite disparate, meanings)-- but in your example, it is easy enough to say, 'We want her and her family to make up'. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#5 (permalink) Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:20 am Phrasal Verbs in formal writing? |
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I see...thx a lot :) _________________ Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes. Oscar Wilde
Michal. I'm an english student :-) |
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Michauek I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 171 Location: Poland
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