Increase

-increase by (percent): Last year, the number of burglaries increased by 15 percent.

-go up: Last month unemployment went up from 1.6 million to just over 1.7 million.

-grow: The volume of traffic on our roads continues to grow.

-expand: After two years of no growth, the economy started to expand again in 2003.

-double/triple/quadruple: Since 1950, the number of people dying from cancer has almost doubled.

-growth: (n) There has been a huge growth in sales of big 4-wheel-drive vehicles.

Decrease

-decrease by (percent): The average rainfall has decreased by around 30 percent.

-go down: The percentage of fat in our diets has gone down.

-fall: The number of tigers in the wild has fallen to just over 10,000.

-drop: At night, the temperature drops to minus 20 degrees.

-decline: decline is used about numbers or amounts, and also about the level or standard of something:

In rural areas, the standard of living continued to decline.

ADMIRE

-respect / look up to

look up to: The children need someone they can look up to.

-think highly of: Most of the students and staff think very highly of Dr. Smith.

-think highly of

have a high opinion of

have a high opinion of

-highly regarded/respected

highly regarded/respected: a highly respected surgeon

be an admirer of

ADVANCED

-sophisticated / high-tech (equipment) / state-of-the-art (technology)

SURPRISING (Avoid using “colourful” vocabulary in formal writing!)

-amazing / unbelievable / incredible / astonishing / staggering

-come as a surprise / come as a shock / amaze / astonish

SURPRISED (Avoid using “colourful” vocabulary in formal writing!)

-amazed / astonished / speechless / be taken aback (He was taken aback by the news)

EXCITING (Avoid using “colourful” vocabulary in formal writing!)

-thrilling / gripping / exhilarating / action-packed

BORING

-dull / tedious / monotonous / uninspiring

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE (Avoid using “colourful” vocabulary in formal writing!)

-attractive / good-looking / gorgeous / striking / stunning

BEAUTIFUL PLACES (Avoid using “colourful” vocabulary in formal writing!)

-breathtaking / stunning / awe-inspiring / striking / spectacular

-spotless: very clean

UGLY PLACES / PEOPLE (Avoid using “colourful” vocabulary in formal writing!)

-unattractive / unpleasant / unsightly / hideous (=extremely ugly)

-filthy: very dirty

In bad condition (places)

-in bad condition / dilapidated / run-down

NEW

-latest / brand-new / innovative (idea or system)

OLD

-old-fashioned / outdated / obsolete

VERY

-absolutely / extremely / highly / incredibly / remarkably

GOOD PERFORMANCE / PIECE OF WORK

-excellent / outstanding / impressive / exceptional

GOOD FOR A PARTICULAR JOB, PURPOSE, ETC

-suitable / right / proper / appropriate / be suited to

WRONG INFORMATION / NUMBERS

-incorrect / inaccurate / misleading

NOT REASONABLE / NECESSARY

-unjustified / unreasonable / without good reason

RELAX

-unwind / wind down: Set in spectacular countryside, the Shiga Hotel is the perfect place to unwind.

-make someone feel at ease

-relaxed / feel at ease / laid-back (not easily worried or annoyed) /

NERVOUS

-tense / uneasy / anxious / be under stress

PUBLIC SERVICES

-facilities: The facilities at the hotel were excellent -- tennis courts, swimming pool, several bars and a good

restaurant.

-amenities: things such as shops, parks, or restaurants that make living or working in a place more pleasant

I prefer this part of the city because there are plenty of good amenities.

COMPARISONS

-a great deal / far / much + comparative (cheaper / more economical than)

-a bit / slightly / barely + comparative (cheaper / more economical than)

-by far / easily the + superlative (This is easily the best solution we can think of)