Formal and Informal English

The difference between formal and informal English is not a difference between correct and incorrect, but a
difference of what is known as register. A register is a variety of language related to a particular subject
matter or area of activity, a set of words and expressions as well as syntactical features that may be said to
characterise that specific area of language. There are many registers: technical, academic, mathematical,
scientific, etc. Very broadly speaking, we can also speak of a formal and informal register in English. In
writing academic reports and the like, it would be normal to draw most of the vocabulary and expressions
from the formal register, and few, if any, from the informal. This entails avoiding colloquial (everyday) or
slang expressions in your writing assignments. The question of register is far more complicated than indicated
here; for example, there are many degrees of formality and informality. However, below are listed a few
examples which may be of practical assistance.
Informal

Formal

They did an experiment

The experiment was carried out /

performed

Then the Drive Manager goes through some

steps to install the programme

The Drive Manager then performs / executes

a series of functions / operations in order
to install the programme

One after the other

At regular intervals

They found out what the important things

were

They determined / discovered /

established / identified the important
properties / characteristics / issues

You can find out all about the survey on

page 7

Details of the survey are to be found on

page 7

We think you should discuss the research

findings at the next departmental meeting

It is recommended that the research

findings are discussed at the next
departmental meeting

Doctors have come up with a new method

of.

Doctors have created / established a new

method of.

Safety officers are looking into the problem

Safety officers are investigating the problem

The cost of cleaning services has gone up

25% over the last three years

The cost of cleaning services has risen by

25% over the last three years

Informal

Formal

We do not think it is a good idea to do

anything at the moment

It is suggested that no action should be

taken at this stage

Many thanks to the staff at Computers R

Us for their help on the technical side

Thanks are extended to the staff at

Computers R Us for their technical
support

(Slightly less formal: We would like to

thank .)
You need to get the patients help when
doing these hearing tests

When conducting these audiological tests,

the active participation of the patient being
tested is required.

There were no big differences between the

three different groups we tested

No significant differences emerged between

the three different groups tested

A lot of

Many / much / a great deal of

This seemed to fix the problem

This appeared to rectify the problem

Enough

Sufficient

This shows that

This demonstrates

Numbers are going up

Numbers are increasing

They put the plan into action

The plan was implemented / carried out

This let them keep the same temperature

during the whole experiment

This allowed / permitted / resulted in /

ensured a constant temperature throughout
the experiment / for the entire experiment

These results are because of factors like

weight, age

These results are dependent on factors such

as weight, age

Differences between formal and informal English

Formal English
Used in official, literary, academic, etc. content.

Informal English
Used in everyday, personal conversations.
Typically used in "improvised" speech when the speaker
Typically used in careful, edited writing when the
is speaking without preparation, as in a conversation (in
writer has a lot of time to polish his text. Formal
real life or over the phone). Informal English also occurs in
English also occurs in speech, usually when the
writing, usually whenever the writer is writing quickly and
speaker is saying something that was prepared
without editing (for example, in an Internet chatroom or in
beforehand (for example, reading the news or delivering
quick, personal e-mails).
an official speech).
Because informal English is "improvised", it is sloppy.
Speakers (and sometimes writers) often do the following:
Use "delaying expressions" to give themselves time: Well, I
Sentences are longer and more complicated, for
think they should have asked us first, you know?
example: Toyota's US sales bounced back in March as Use "correcting expressions" to correct themselves: He's
substantial discounts helped to win back customers
not well. I mean, he's not sick, but he's very tired.
who had been shaken by the firm's mass safety recalls. Use "qualifying expressions" to show that what they said is
not exactly right: This whole blogging thing is getting kind
of old.
The standard of correctness is higher. Some phrases
are considered correct (or at least acceptable) in

Informal English contains useful "everyday phrases", for

example:

Here you are. There you go. (when giving something to

someone)
informal English, but wrong in formal English. For Excuse me?, Come again? (to ask someone to repeat
example:
something)
I have made less mistakes. (formal: I have made fewer What do you mean? (to ask for explanation)
mistakes.)
So, you're saying that...? (to ask for confirmation)
She's liking it. (formal: She likes it.)
Exactly!, I couldn't agree with you more. (to agree with
I feel real good. (formal: I feel really good.)
someone)
By the way..., Anyway... (to change the topic)
See you. Take care. (to say goodbye)
A huge number of words and phrases are used mainly
in formal English. For example: nevertheless, to
A huge number of words and phrases are used mainly in
disclose, to constitute, to undertake, daunting,
informal English. For example: dude, freaking, uh-huh,
impervious, anew, truly, solace, to enchant, frantically,nope (= no), to puke, trashy, grownup, awesome, to chill
sizeable, to clutch, heyday, as it happens, upsurge,
out, stuff, hard-up, to tick somebody off, to sell like crazy.
retrieval
Phrasal verbs are used frequently. For example, in informal
situations, people usually say found out instead of
Many (but not all) phrasal verbs are avoided.
discovered, came across instead of encountered and got
away instead of escaped.
Words and phrases are sometimes pronounced in a
shortened and simplified way, e.g. Lemme go!, I'm doin'
fine, Whassup?, Whatcha gonna do?

Examples
Active and Passive voice
(i) Our technician repaired the fault on 12th June. Now its your turn to pay us.
(f) Although the fault was repaired on 12th June, payment for this intervention has still not been received.
Phrasal verbs and Latina
(i) The company laid him off because he didn't work much.
(f) His insufficient production conducted to his dismissal.
Direct and Formulaic
(i) Im sorry but
(i) Im happy to say that
(f) We regret to inform you that
(f) We have pleasure in announcing that
Use of Slang
(i) He had to get some money out of a hole in the wall
(f) He withdrew the amount from an ATM.
Personal form & nominators
(i) If you lose it, then please contact us as soon as possible.
(f) Any loss of this document should be reported immediately
Linking words

(i) The bank cant find the payment you say youve made.
(f) Notwithstanding that the payment has been sent the bank fails to acknowledge it.
Revitalised Sentences
(i) Anybody or any company.
(f) any natural person who, and any legal entity which
Modal usage
(i) If you need any help give us a call.
(f) Should you require any assistance, please feel free to contact us
Singular & Plural Person
(i) I can help you to solve this problem. Call me!
(f) We can assist in the resolution of this matter. Contact us on our toll-free number.
Dictionary of Formal and Informal English
Informal
About
Agree with
And
Bearing in mind
Because
Begin
But
Careful / Cautious
Carry out
Check
Enough
Fill me in
Find out
Follow
Get
Get in touch
Go over
Has to be
Have to give
If
If or not.
If you don't
If you've got any questions
In accordance with
In the red
Involve
Lost
Make sure
Many
Order
Pay
Put in writing
Sorry!
Supply

Formal
Regarding / Concerning
Be bound by
As well as
Reference being made to
As a result of / due to (the fact)
Commence
While / Whereas
Prudential
Effect
Verify
Sufficient
Inform / Tell
Ascertain
Duly observe
Receive
Contact
Exceed
Shall be
Submit
Should
Whether or not.
Failing / Failure to
Should you have any queries
Pursuant to
Overdrawn
Entail
Inadvertently mislaid
Ensure
Several / Numerous
Authorise
Settle
Provide written confirmation
We regret
Furnish

Take away
Tell
Trusted
We don't want to do this
We'll call the law
When we get
Whenever we like
Write (e.g. Cheque)
Written
Informal
Active Voice
Phrasal Verbs
Direct Language
Possible use of Slang
Personal Form
Little use of Conjunctions
Few Revitalised Sentences
Direct Style
1st Person Singular

Withdraw
Disclose
Entrusted
This a course of action we are anxious to avoid
We will have no alternative but involving our legal
On receipt
Without prior notice
Issue (e.g. Cheque)
Shown / Indicated
Formal
Passive Voice
Latinate Verbs
Formulaic Language
No use of Slang
Nominator
Linking Words
Revitalised Sentences
Modal Usage
1st Person Plural