FORMAL INFORMAL

© S

tace

y Ll

oyd

2016

& WRITING

Every day, the language you use (your register) will change depending on your situation. You wouldn’t use the same words or tone when you are talking to your teacher, as you would when talking to your best friend.

Well, writing is no different – you are expected to know, understand and be able to change your register in different writing contexts. One of the most important differences is between FORMAL and INFORMAL language.

Firstly, when do you use formal language and when do you use informal This will be largely dependent on who your audience is, and your relationship with them. For example, if you have a professional relationship with them or don’t know them at all, then try to keep it formal. If they are a close friend or family member, it is usually appropriate to use more informal language. FO

RM

AL

» News article » Most essays » Job application » Letter to boss » Friendly letter » Professional report

» Email to a friend » Narrative story » Writing dialogue » Text message » Friendly letter » Postcard IN

FOR

MA

L

Examples

CONTRACTIONS

ABBREVIATIONS

ENDING WITH PREPOSITIONS

FIRST-PERSON PRONOUNS

NUMBERS

CLEAR ASSERTIVE LANGUAGE

SLANG OR COLLOQUIALISMS

You SHOULD NOT use contractions in formal writing. You MAY use contractions in informal writing. The underlying cause was not clear.

FOR EXAMPLE I’m sure it wasn’t meant as serious.

FOR EXAMPLE

Contractions are when we combine words, often replacing missing letters with apostrophes.

You MUST NOT use abbreviations in formal writing. You MAY use abbreviations in informal writing. For example, television is changing.

FOR EXAMPLE E.g. TV is changing these days.

FOR EXAMPLE

Abbreviations are shortened forms of words; For example à e.g.

You SHOULD NOT end a sentence with a preposition. You MAY end a sentence with a preposition. In which book did this appear?

FOR EXAMPLE Which book was this in?

FOR EXAMPLE

A preposition shows the relationship between a noun and other words in a sentence: e.g. with / by / in

You MUST write in the third-person in formal essays. You MAY use the first-person in informal writing. The reader can never trust the narrator.

FOR EXAMPLE I couldn’t trust the narrator.

FOR EXAMPLE

First-person pronouns are “I”, “we”, “my” etc.

Numbers under 10 à words / over 10 à digits You don’t have to stick to the rules as tightly. Six out of the 34 people participated.

FOR EXAMPLE There were 9 people at the rally.

FOR EXAMPLE

Numbers can be written in words (forty) or in digits (456).

You SHOULD NOT use any vague words or phrases. You MAY use subjective and emotive words/phrases. Obesity increases chances of diabetes.

FOR EXAMPLE I’m not entirely sure, but I think so.

FOR EXAMPLE

The words and tone used will vary between formal and informal writing.

You SHOULD NOT use slang in formal writing. You MAY use slang in informal writing. Ben terminated their relationship.

FOR EXAMPLE Ben unfriended me on Facebook.

FOR EXAMPLE

These are words which are typically found in speech and among certain groups of people.