FORMAL & INFORMAL ENGLISH

Summary
Language Styles .................................................................................................................................... 2
Rules of Language Styles....................................................................................................................... 3
Different Styles between Informal & Formal English .................................................................. 4
Dictionary of Formal & Informal English.................................................................................... 6
Exercise 1................................................................................................................................ 7
Exercise 2................................................................................................................................ 7

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Page 1 of 8

Language Styles
There are three main language styles:
1. Formal
2. Semi-Formal
3. Informal
The diagram below illustrates how these styles are rated on a scale of 0 to 10.
Diagram of Formal & Informal English

Formal

10

Semi-formal

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Informal

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Rules of Language Styles

The following rules apply to both written and spoken English.
analysis

Language Style: Rules

Company

Know name
of recipient?

No

Formal

Person

Have spoken or
exchanged info?

Yes

No

Yes

Formal

Are on familiar
terms?
No

Dear Sir or Madam,

Dear Sir,

Semi-formal

Dear Mr. Donald,

Dont know anything

about the person who
receives letter.

Formal and Informal English

Yes

Know title or name of

person. Never met or
exchanged info.

Know name of person

and have exchanged
greetings.

Informal

Dear Guy

Know person well

and on familiar terms.

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Different Styles between Informal & Formal English

The follow examples illustrate the main differences between informal and formal English.

1. Active & Passive Voice

Our technician repaired the fault on 12th June.
Now its your turn to pay us.

Informal

Although the fault was repaired on 12th June,

payment for this intervention has still not been
received.

Formal

2. Verb Form: Phrasal Verbs & Latinate

The company laid him off because he didn't
work much.

Informal

His insufficient production conducted to his

dismissal.

Formal

3. Language: Direct & Formulaic

Im sorry but
Im happy to say that

Informal

We regret to inform you that

We have pleasure in announcing that

Formal

He had to get some money out of a hole in the

wall

Informal

He withdrew the amount from an ATM.

Formal

4. Use of Slang

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5. Personal Form & Nominators

If you lose it, then please contact us as soon as
possible.

Informal

Any loss of this document should be reported

immediately

Formal

6. Linking Words
The bank cant find the payment you say youve
made.

Informal

Notwithstanding that the payment has been sent the

bank fails to acknowledge it.

Formal

7. Revitalised Sentences
Anybody or any company.

any natural person who, and any legal entity

which

Informal
Formal

8. Modal Usage
If you need any help give us a call.

Should you require any assistance, please feel free

to contact us

Informal
Formal

9. Singular & Plural Person

I can help you to solve this problem. Call me!

We can assist in the resolution of this matter.

Contact us on our toll-free number.

Formal and Informal English

Informal
Formal

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Dictionary of Formal & Informal English

Type
Prep.
Idiom
Conj.
Idiom
Conj.
Verb
Conj.
Adj.
Verb
Verb
Adj.
Verb
Verb
Verb
Verb
Verb
Verb
Verb
Verb
Conj.
Conj.
Idiom
Idiom
Idiom
Idiom
Verb
Idiom
Verb
Adj.
Verb
Verb
Idiom
Idiom
Verb
Verb
Verb
Verb
Idiom

Informal

Formal

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
Take away
Tell
Trusted
We don't want to do this

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
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

Idiom

We'll call the law

Idiom

When we get
Whenever we like
Write (e.g. Cheque)
Written

Idiom
Verb
Verb

Page 6 of 8

Business Language Services S.r.l.

EXERCISE 1
Insert formal expression which correspond to the ones in brackets.
1. I ________ to ________ you that our prices have ________. (sorry - tell - gone up)
2. This is ________ to ________ ________ that costs have risen. (because)
3. Unfortunately, I have to ________ you that I ________ not ________ ________ to ________ the meeting. (tell
- cant - come to)
4. ________ ________ ________ some brochures describing our products. (Here [in this letter] are)
5. We have ________ ________ to increase our prices. (had)
6. You are 90 days past due on invoice #2792, please ________ ________ ________ as soon as possible. (pay
up)
7. Please write ________ ________ ________ any ________ (if youve got - questions)
8. Your account is ________ . (in the red)

EXERCISE 2
Transform the following sentences from informal to formal English.
9. We are not going to renew the sole representative agreement again because you havent produced enough
business for us.
10. The machine should work because it has been tested.
11. Our bank has told us that you havent made this months payment.
12. We cant send you the engineering blueprints on disk until the full joint-venture agreement is signed in full
next month.
13. Were too busy to go to London for the meeting in this period. Can you come over here?
14. Your client didnt complete the documents properly. Please get him to do it and then send them back to us
as soon as possible.
15. If youve got any problems give me a call.
16. Theres a problem on the computer system. It wont work between 10 and 12pm tomorrow.
17. This is because we think its necessary.
18. Well help you if you need it.
19. If we dont receive payment well call our lawyers.
20. Well give you 8 days to solve this problem.

Formal and Informal English

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Summary of Differences between Formal & Informal English

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Informal

Formal

Active Voice
Phrasal Verbs
Direct Language
Possible use of Slang
Personal Form
Little use of Conjunctions
Few Revitalised Sentences
Direct Style
1st Person Singular

Passive Voice
Latinate Verbs
Formulaic Language
No use of Slang
Nominator
Linking Words
Revitalised Sentences
Modal Usage
1st Person Plural

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