ABSTRACT
Formulaic language has been a central concern in recent work on English for Academic Purposes. This chapter reviews the main motivations for EAP research in this area before critically discussing four issues which have been prominent in the literature: (1) how analysis of formulaic language can help us understand the nature of academic language; (2) how formulaic language relates to originality and criticality in academic work; (3) how use of formulaic language influences the grades students receive; and (4) how appropriate formulas for teaching can be identified.
