The tutor confronts a couple of his own habits.

The expressions a lot and a lot of are tempting to use, since in everyday English they are meaningful.  Yet, I ask myself sometimes if I can do better.  I know that, in a formal paper, an English professor would  expect more precise diction.

One common expression is “There have been a lot of problems [with whatever].”  What’s a better way to say that?

Option 1:

“There have been numerous problems ….” would probably keep one out of the red ink.

Option 2:

“There have been some particularly difficult problems.”

This option reflects the fact that people quite often say a lot of problems when they mean just a few very troublesome ones.

A second expression frequently used is “I come here a lot.”  How can it be improved?

Option 1:

I come here often.

Option 2:

I come here frequently.

Option 3:

Of course, if you can put a number to it, that’s the scientists’ choice:

I come here three times a week.

As one moves up the levels, English markers are generally less tolerant of everyday expressions.  Using them a little less in speech, one might find them easier to remove from papers as well.

HTH: )

Source:

Hodges, Horner, Webb, et al. Harbrace Handbook for Canadians. Scarborough: Nelson    Education Ltd., 2003.

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.