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Interactive Grammar: Highly Formal Reporting Structures quiz

Use the most formal reporting and attribution structures found in academic, legal, and journalistic writing.

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Lesson progressNot started
Duration
~36 min
Questions
24
Level
Mastery

Overview

Highly formal reporting uses: It is widely acknowledged that…, It has been established that…, The evidence suggests that…, Research has demonstrated that…, It is noteworthy that…. These impersonal, passive structures are characteristic of academic journals, legal texts, and official reports.

Academic Attribution

  • According toAccording to Smith (2020), the evidence is inconclusive.
  • As X arguesAs the author contends, this analysis remains incomplete.
  • Passive rep.It has been argued that such distinctions are arbitrary.
  • Stance verbThe study contends / asserts / posits that reform is urgent.

Legal / Journalistic

  • The defendant is alleged to have + past participle
  • Sources close to the matter indicated that…
  • It is understood / reported / believed that…
  • Attributed speech: stated the minister / the spokesperson added

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Overusing 'says' in academic writing → prefer argues / contends / maintains
  • ❌ According to him, he said that → redundant double reporting
  • ❌ The study says → ✅ demonstrates / reveals / indicates

When to use

Research writing

As Brown (2021) posits, the framework requires substantial revision.

News reporting

It is alleged that the official accepted undeclared payments.

Legal documents

The claimant asserts that the defendant breached contractual obligations.

Policy reports

It is recommended that further consultation take place before implementation.

Formal Reporting: Multiple Choice

Select the most formal or accurate reporting structure

Multiple Choice10 questionsC2 — Mastery~15 min
1Most formal academic attribution:
2Journalistic passive reporting: '…the official accepted payments':
3Legal attribution for unverified claim:
4Academic verb for presenting evidence-based claim:
5'The study says X' in formal academic writing should be:
6Avoid redundancy: 'According to Smith, she said that…':
7Most formal: 'people believe the costs will rise':
8Policy document: 'the government should consult widely' → formal:
9Academic stance verb that signals intellectual challenge:
10Best attribution in a literature review:
Progress0 of 10 answered

Complete the Formal Reporting Structure

Complete with the correct formal reporting phrase

Fill in the Blanks8 questionsC2 — Mastery~12 min
1As Brown (2021)(academic stance), the framework requires substantial revision.
2It(passive alleged)that the official withheld critical information.
3The defendant(alleged + have)misappropriated institutional funds.
4It(widely believed)that the vote will be close.
5The report(formal recommend)that an independent review be commissioned.
6According to(citation format)(2019), the correlation is statistically significant.
7It(passive understand)that the talks have broken down irreparably.
8The analysis(academic indicate)that further investment is urgently required.
Progress0 of 8 answered

Upgrade to Highly Formal Reporting

Rewrite each weak reporting structure in a highly formal register

Transform6 questionsC2 — Mastery~9 min

1People say the minister resigned over the scandal. → (It is reported that…)

2Smith says in his book that the theory is flawed. → (As Smith (20XX) argues…)

3The government thinks further reform is necessary. → (It is recommended that…)

4The official probably accepted the payment. → (alleged to have)

5The study shows that the treatment works. → (demonstrates / indicates)

6Experts think the economy will contract next quarter. → (It is widely anticipated…)

Progress0 of 6 answered

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this lesson on highly Formal Reporting Structures cover?

Use the most formal reporting and attribution structures found in academic, legal, and journalistic writing.

Which CEFR level is this lesson designed for?

This lesson is designed for Mastery (C2) learners and forms part of the Direct and Indirect Speech section on Grammartier.

What is the best approach for studying highly Formal Reporting Structures?

Start with the definition above, then work through the examples to see how highly Formal Reporting Structures behaves in context. Since this is a Mastery (C2) topic within direct and indirect speech, focus on the exceptions, register, and subtler uses covered here — at this level the goal is precision and knowing when native speakers would (and wouldn't) choose this structure. Finish with the quiz below to check what's actually sticking.

How does highly Formal Reporting Structures relate to the rest of direct and indirect speech?

Highly Formal Reporting Structures is one of the Mastery–level topics grouped under Direct and Indirect Speech on Grammartier. Understanding it well makes the related lessons in the same category easier to follow — use the related-lessons links on this page to keep building on it once you've completed this quiz.

Your Grammar Learning Path

Follow the CEFR progression for this topic cluster.

  1. C1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Verbs in Academic English quiz
  2. C1
    Interactive Grammar: Advanced Passive Reporting Structures quiz
  3. C2
    Interactive Grammar: Highly Formal Reporting Structures quizYou are here

Before You Start

Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first.

Related Concepts

Deepen your grammar knowledge with these related C2 topics.

Avoid common mistakes: Common Mistakes in Reported Speech →See where this fits in the full roadmap →

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