Avoid using informal words

While these words are acceptable in informal contexts, in formal writing (e.g. essays and reports), they can lower the standard of your work.

---

informal word [replacement]
are going to [will]
big [great, large, significant]
buy [purchase]
chance [possibility]
get [become]
just [only]
let [allow]
a lot/lots of [many, much, considerable]
let (sb) know about [inform (sb) of]
look for [seek]
next [following]
take part [participate]
up to [the responsibility of]

Please note that these words cannot be substituted in all cases. If the substitution does not seem correct to you, check the dictionary.