Avoid slang, clichés, or overly casual wording when inappropriate.
Formal passages need cleaner wording than slang or clichés.
Core Idea
If a phrase sounds chatty, trendy, or overfamiliar in a formal passage, ACT usually wants a cleaner replacement.
Understanding
Rule: Slang and clichés can flatten a sentence because they sound worn out or too conversational for the passage. Expressions like at the end of the day or hit it out of the park may be common in speech, but they often feel lazy or mismatched in polished prose.
The best revision keeps the sentence natural while removing the casual or stale phrasing.
Step by Step
- Identify the passage's level of formality and audience.
- Replace the underlined phrase with direct, professional wording.
- Choose the option that sounds natural in a formal report or academic passage.
Worked Example
In a report about public health, the writer wants to avoid overly casual language. Which choice best completes the sentence below?
The new outreach plan ___ vaccination access in rural counties.
Select an answer to see the explanation