Register (constraint)
SAT glossary · Reading & Writing
Definition
The social level of a word — Colloquial (knock, rip, slam), Neutral (criticize, fault), Academic (censure, impugn), Elevated/literary (excoriate, inveigh against). The examination's texts sit in a narrow formal band, so the correct option is almost always Neutral or Academic; an option that breaks the band is wrong even when its denotation fits. The fanciest word is wrong at least as often as it is right.
Register (constraint) in plain English
Register describes the social 'formality level' of a word choice, roughly on a scale: Colloquial (casual, everyday words like knock, rip, slam), Neutral (plain, ordinary words like criticize, fault), Academic (more formal words like censure, impugn), and Elevated/literary (very formal, dramatic words like excoriate, inveigh against). The passages on this test consistently sit within a narrow, fairly formal band — so the correct answer is almost always Neutral or Academic in register; a word that breaks out of that band (either too casual OR too fancy) is wrong even if its actual DEFINITION technically fits the sentence. In other words, picking the most impressive-sounding, elaborate word is wrong just as often as it's right.
Also called: constraint
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