Here's why:
* Historical Influence: English has been heavily influenced by Latin and Greek, particularly through the Norman Conquest of 1066 and the Renaissance. This influx of vocabulary enriched the language with terms for sophisticated concepts and ideas.
* Academic and Legal Usage: These languages have long been associated with scholarship, law, and government. Many formal terms in English come from these fields, such as "jurisprudence" (Latin), "epidemiology" (Greek), and "legitimate" (Latin).
* Complexity and Precision: Latin and Greek words often carry a greater sense of formality due to their complex structures and precise meanings. This makes them ideal for expressing nuanced ideas in formal contexts.
Examples of Formal Words with Latin/Greek Origins:
* A priori (Latin)
* Cogent (Latin)
* Compendium (Latin)
* Extraneous (Latin)
* Metaphor (Greek)
* Philosophical (Greek)
* Substantiate (Latin)
* Ubiquitous (Latin)
While not all formal words originate from these languages, Latin and Greek have played a significant role in shaping the vocabulary and formality of English.