Formal/informal EnglishWhat is the difference?

Informal English

• Everyday conversations with friends and family and regular emails.

• Personal writing

• Not always 100% correct regarding grammar & choice of words.

• Short sentences

• Contracted forms of verbs. (isn’t, aren’t, won’t)

• Slang.

Formal English

• Official documents, some news articles, papers, essays in school, speeches and conversations with people who you do not know.

• Correct grammar

• Longer sentences

• More advanced vocabulary

Informal vs. formal

Informal FormalInformal Formal Informal Formal

ask request help assist/assistance

because due to have Possess

begin commence I dunno I do not know

busy occupied tell Inform

check varify check make sure

enough sufficient need require

get recieve sorry regret

make sure ensure

Rewrite into formal English, please.

1. I just wanna make sure that he got the message.

2. Sorry! Won’t tell anyone.

3. He asked for more cash.

4. She has a sportscar.

5. He didn’t get the letter.

Suggestions.

1. I only want to ensure that he has recieved the message.

2. Sorry! I will not inform anyone.

3. He requested more money.

4. She possesses a sportscar.

5. He did not recieve the letter.

Rewrite into informal English, please.

1. I regret that I have been otherwise occupied every time you have contacted me.

2. Please verify that there are sufficient funds in you account.

3. He commenced his speech by assuring us that more assistance would be provided.

Suggestions.

• I’m sorry that I’ve been busy every time you’ve called.

• Please make sure that there is enough money in your account.

• He started his speech by telling us that we would get more assistance.