Informal Language

Created by Kathryn Reilly

Informal Language Basics

• Informal language is used when talking, texting or emailing friends and family.

• Informal language includes contractions, idioms and slang.

• Informal language would not be appropriate when writing a paper or at a professional job.

Types of Informal Language: Contractions

• Contractions– Contractions occur when two words are combined.– Examples: Can’t, isn’t, she’ll, it’ll, it’s…– Contractions are fine when speaking or writing to

friends and family– Contractions should be avoided when writing

academic papers

Types of Informal Language: Idioms

• Idioms– According to Wikipedia, the English language

boasts over 25,000 idioms

– Idioms are phrases whose meaning aren’t literally what they sound like

• “have something up your sleeve” doesn’t mean a person literally is hiding something up his sleeve, but that the person is tricky or has an advantage

Types of Informal Language: Slang

• Slang– Slang exists as an unofficial language that references

words/concepts already in existence

– Internet slang: lol, rotfl, omg, ttyl

– Street slang: beef (compliant), bread (money), clock (hit)

– Slang should never appear in professional texts

Using Informal Language Appropriately

Informal language may be usedWhen speaking or writing to friends or family

In causal conversation When texting or emailing

When writing creatively (stories/poems)

When writing dialogue

When including a quotation with informal language

Know When to Avoid Informal Language

Informal language should be avoided

In professional situations such as job interviews

When writing academic papers

When writing professional documents such as resumes or memos