Revealing the Difference Between Formal And Informal English

Many languages have specific formal and informal forms. For example, in French, Spanish, and German, we use tu, tú, and Die, respectively, for the informal subject “you,” and vous, usted, and Sie for the formal “you,” along with different verb conjugations for each. In the English language, we do not have specific pronouns or conjugations for varying levels of formality. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that we can use the same language when addressing everybody. Knowing how to adapt your speech and writing according to the formality of the situation will prevent you from coming across as rude.

What’s the difference between formal and informal language?

Mixing the informal and formal tone can create confusion and reduce the effectiveness of communication. It may appear unprofessional or inappropriate in formal settings, undermining credibility and respect. Conversely, in informal contexts, it might seem overly stiff or pretentious. For non-native English speakers, mixing these two styles can reveal that you have not yet mastered the language.

What is formal English?

It requires complete sentences, complex sentence structures, and a polite, respectful tone. The formal style does not allow for the use of slang, idioms, and local dialects, and you should also avoid or limit the use of contractions.

When to use formal English

1. Professional settings: Business meetings, job interviews, and corporate communication. This does not include conversations amongst colleagues with whom you work closely and have a friendly relationship.
2. Academic contexts: Research papers, essays, presentations, and lectures.
3. Official documents: Contracts, legal documents, and reports.
4. Public speaking: Speeches, presentations, and official announcements. When it comes to speeches, language should be adapted according to the audience.
5. Media publications: Articles, news reports, and editorials in reputable outlets.
6. Formal correspondence: Emails or letters to superiors, clients, or officials.

Formal sentence examples

I am writing to express my gratitude for your assistance during the crisis.

Please ensure that all documents are submitted by the end of the business day.

It is with great pleasure that I accept your invitation to the conference.

We regret to inform you that your request for a refund has been denied.

Would you be available later today to discuss the issue further?

I am quite surprised by your recent actions.

The event was exceptionally well-organized and impressive.

I am looking forward to attending the concert this weekend.

These sentences are polite, grammatically correct, and without slang, colloquialisms, and contractions. Let’s take a closer look at how to identify formal sentences…

How to identify formal English

1. Firstly, formal sentences convey a polite and courteous tone.
2. Secondly, they have complex, complete, well-structured sentences, often with subordinate clauses.
3. Thirdly, the word choice is precise and avoids slang or colloquialisms.
4. The sentences do not use contractions. For example, sentences include “I am” instead of “I’m,” “do not” instead of “don’t,” and “cannot” rather than the contracted form “can’t.”

What is informal English?

It includes slang, contractions, idioms, colloquialisms, and more basic vocabulary. When using an informal English style, grammar rules are more relaxed, or not taken into consideration. This can result in grammatically incorrect sentences.

When to use informal English

1. Casual conversations: Chatting to friends, family, and some acquaintances.
2. Personal correspondence: Text messages, personal emails, and letters.
3. Social media: Posts, comments, and messages on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other social networking sites.
4. Relaxed environments: Friendly gatherings, parties, and casual meetings.
5. Creative writing: Blogs, personal essays, and informal articles.
6. Everyday activities: Shopping, small talk, and casual inquiries.

Casual language examples

Hey, thanks for helping out with the project!

I’ve got some stuff to finish this afternoon.

Wanna grab a coffee later?

I can’t believe you just did that!

That party was totally awesome!

I’m gonna try harder next time, but I can’t be sure I’ll win.

I’m heading out now. See you later!

LOL, he’s like a fish outta water.

These sentences are casual, basic in terms of sentence structure, and colloquial due to words such as “hey,” “stuff,” and “helping out.” They also use contractions, the internet abbreviation “lol,” and an idiom in the last example.

How to identify the informal tone

Informal sentences can be easily distinguished thanks to certain characteristics. They use a friendly and relaxed tone along with simple sentence structure and are easy to understand. What’s more, it’s perfectly acceptable to contract words in informal English to make them simpler, for example, it’s, I’ve, haven’t, and won’t. Lastly, colloquial language and expressions are common in informal sentences. You may come across abbreviations that are particularly prevalent on social media and in online messaging.

Examples of common abbreviations:

• LOL - laugh out loud
• TBH - to be honest
• FOMO - feeling of missing out
• YOLO - you only live once
• GOAT - the greatest of all time
• IMO - in my opinion
• TLDR - too long, didn’t read

Finally, informal English can contain modern words that have not yet appeared in the dictionary. Some of these words, invented due to the advancement of technology and the rise in social media use, later make their way into official dictionaries. Recent examples include “selfie,” “binge-watch,” and “emoji.”

Formal and informal language examples

In the following sentence pairs, there is an example of formal language, followed by the equivalent sentence in an informal version:

I would like to inquire about the position advertised on your website.

I’m asking about the job you posted online.

Due to the professional nature of this phrase, the first option would be preferred in most situations. You may use the second sentence to indicate whether you know the person you are speaking to or if the job is less formal, such as a summer job for teenagers. That said, it’s always good to practice using professional language when inquiring about or applying for a job.

Could you please provide further details regarding the meeting?

Can you give me more info about the meeting?

The formal option would be appropriate when addressing a colleague with whom you are not friends, a secretary, or a minute taker, while the informal equivalent could be used when asking a colleague who you know well. Outside a professional environment, the same rules apply: use the formal sentence if you do not know the person well or if they are an authority figure.

Other formal and informal examples

Let’s take a look at a few more examples of formal (1) and informal (2) ways of saying the same thing:

I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Sorry for the trouble.

We appreciate your prompt response.
Thanks for getting back to us quickly.

I am astonished that you did indeed do it.
I can’t believe you actually did it!

It is essential to review the document thoroughly before submission.
Make sure to check the document before you send it in.

Please be advised that the office will be closed tomorrow.
Just a heads-up: the office is closed tomorrow.

Shall we spend time together this weekend?
Let’s hang out this weekend.

I am exceedingly weary of this absurdity.
I’m so tired of this nonsense.

The film was exceptionally well-made.
That movie was awesome!

I regret to inform you that your application was not successful.
I’m sorry, but you didn’t get the job.

How to know when to use formal vs informal English

If you need a quick way to know which style of English to use, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you addressing someone in a professional or academic context?
• Are you addressing someone in an official or legal context?
• Are you addressing a stranger or person older than you?
• Are you addressing an authority figure?

The importance of using both styles correctly

Being aware of how to use both styles is paramount if you want to interact effectively in various contexts. Formal English is essential in work and educational environments, where politeness and accuracy are expected. Informal English is useful in social and personal interactions, where a more laid-back tone is more appropriate. Being able to switch effortlessly between the varying levels of formality, when necessary, helps you adapt your language to the audience and situation.

How to learn formal vs informal language

To learn these English styles, immerse yourself in diverse language environments. For formal English, read academic papers, official documents, and professional correspondence, and practice writing essays, reports, and formal letters. Formal language is particularly important for written communication. Therefore, you should read as much as you can and try to reproduce the same kinds of writing. To improve your formal spoken language, you can engage in discussions, do presentations, and take part in debates to hone your speaking skills.

In order to master informal English, you should watch movies and TV shows and then repeat the dialogue aloud. You can also listen to conversations among native speakers, and then try to emulate them. Read novels, blogs, and social media posts to familiarize yourself with colloquial writing. The best way to improve your speaking skills is to practice casual conversations with friends, language partners, or, better yet, a tutor. Regularly switching between both forms in appropriate contexts helps reinforce your understanding and usage.

Why you should take 1-on-1 English lessons

Taking lessons with a tutor on LiveXP can help you learn formal and informal English by providing structured guidance, context-specific vocabulary, and practical exercises. A tutor will help you focus on grammar, syntax, and formal expressions through writing assignments, presentations, and role-playing professional scenarios in order to improve your formal English. 1-on-1 English lessons are ideal for learning informal English, too, as they can include conversation practice, idiomatic expressions, and slang through interactive activities, discussions, and multimedia resources. One teacher can assist you with both styles and teach you how to identify and switch between the two. Your tutor can provide constructive feedback and corrections, accelerating your proficiency in both language styles. Alternatively, you can hire a tutor to focus on one particular type of language that you’re struggling with.

The advantages of tutoring for mastering formal and informal English

Mastering formal and informal English with an English tutor offers several advantages:

• Tutors provide personalized instruction, tailoring lessons to your specific needs and learning pace.
• They offer immediate feedback and corrections, helping you quickly improve accuracy and fluency.
• Tutors can simulate real-life scenarios for both formal and informal contexts, enhancing practical application.
• They also help you navigate cultural nuances, teaching you the appropriate language use in different settings.
• The individualized attention and expertise can accelerate your learning and boost your confidence in using English effectively across various situations.

Overall, it’s vital that both native speakers and language learners are able to differentiate between formal and informal English and adapt their own language accordingly. Formal English helps you in professional and official settings, while informal English is great for casual and social interactions. Using the wrong style can cause awkward blunders, at best, and can negatively impact your career or academic prospects, at worst. Learning both styles allows you to communicate well with different people in different situations. With consistent practice and the help and guidance of a tutor on LiveXP, you can master both forms of English. This will make you a more effective and confident communicator.

To conclude, informal English is the way most people speak to their friends and family and is the language you hear throughout the day when people are casually talking to one another. Formal English is used at work, in academia, in official contexts, and with superiors or occasionally with your elders. They are both essential parts of the English language.