Formal and Informal English

Formal and Informal English is our topic for today. I would like to welcome you all, my dear communicators, to this interesting lesson. Formal and Informal English distinction is one of the most important skills you need to master in order to become expert communicator with the good command of the English language. In short, you should know the right words to say in the right instances, otherwise, your words may become inappropriate or worst, offending, to the concerned party. So, to avoid inconveniences that may be brought about by misusing formal and/or informal English, join me now and together, let us understand the characteristics of the two and be saved from future harm. Enjoy!

“Speak clearly if you speak at all, carve every word before you let it fall.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Intended learning outcomes (ILOs)

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. Distinguish the difference between Formal and Informal English.

Formal and Informal English

Formal English is used in “serious” texts and situations — for example, in official documents, books, news reports, articles, business letters or official speeches. Formal language, even when spoken, is often associated with the conventions expected of written standard English. Formal English follow rules of grammar very strictly. Sentences tend to be longer and more complex. The vocabulary tends to be elevated, using big words and avoiding colloquial or slang vocabulary. It avoids split infinitives and prepositions at the end of sentences.

“As the price of five dollars was reasonable, I decided to make the purchase without further thought.”

Informal English is used in everyday conversations, interactions and in personal letters. Informal language is characterized by a simpler grammatical structure (i.e. loosely-connected sentences and phrases), and personal evaluation.   Informal language may make use of slang and colloquialisms, employing the conventions of spoken language. However, it is too casual and loose to be acceptable for academic writing.

“It was, like, five bucks, so I was like, okay!”

What’s the difference between Formal and Informal English?

The difference between formal and informal English is not a difference between correct and incorrect, but a difference of what is known as register. A register is a variety of language related to a particular subject matter or area of activity, a set of words and expressions as well as syntactical features that may be said to characterize that specific area of language. There are many registers: technical, academic, mathematical, scientific, etc.

Very broadly speaking, we can also speak of a “formal” and “informal” register in English. In writing academic reports and the like, it would be normal to draw most of the vocabulary and expressions from the formal register, and few, if any, from the informal. This entails avoiding colloquial (everyday) or slang expressions in your writing assignments. The question of register is far more complicated than indicated here; for example, there are many degrees of formality and informality. However, below are listed a few examples which may be of practical assistance.

To illustrate, Formal English…

1. Used in official, literary, academic, etc. content.
2. Typically used in careful, edited writing — when the writer has a lot of time to polish his text. Formal English also occurs in speech, usually when the speaker is saying something that was prepared beforehand (for example, reading the news or delivering an official speech).
3. Sentences are longer and more complicated.
   1. For example: Toyota’s US sales bounced back in March as substantial discounts helped to win back customers who had been shaken by the firm’s mass safety recalls.
4. The standard of correctness is higher. Some things are considered correct (or at least acceptable) in informal English, but wrong in formal English. For example:
   1. I’ve made less mistakes. (formal: I’ve made fewer mistakes.)
   2. She’s liking it. (formal: She likes it.)
   3. I feel real tired. (formal: I feel really tired.)
   4. You did good. (formal: You did well.)
5. A huge number of words and phrases are used mainly in formal English. For example: nevertheless, to disclose, to constitute, to undertake, daunting, impervious, anew, truly, solace, to enchant, frantically, sizeable, to clutch, heyday, as it happens, upsurge, retrieval
6. Many (but not all) phrasal verbs are avoided.

On the other hand, Informal English…

1. Used in everyday, personal conversations.
2. Typically used in “improvised” speech — when the speaker is speaking without preparation, as in a conversation (in real life or over the phone). Informal English also occurs in writing, usually whenever the writer is writing quickly and without editing (for example, in an Internet chat-room or in quick, personal e-mails).
3. Sentences are simpler and shorter, for example: Did you see Toyota’s sales figures? Looks like the discounts have actually worked.
4. Because informal English is “improvised”, it is sloppy. Speakers (and sometimes writers) often do the following:
   1. Use “delaying expressions” to give themselves time: Well, I think they should have asked us first, you know?
   2. Use “correcting expressions” to correct themselves: He’s not well. I mean, he’s not sick, but he’s very tired.
   3. Use “qualifying expressions” to show that what they said is not exactly right: This whole blogging thing is getting kind of old.
5. Informal English contains useful “everyday phrases”, for example:
   1. Here you are. There you go. (when giving something to someone)
   2. Excuse me?, Come again? (to ask someone to repeat something)
   3. What do you mean? (to ask for explanation)
   4. So, you’re saying that…? (to ask for confirmation)
   5. Exactly!, I couldn’t agree with you more. (to agree with someone)
   6. By the way…, Anyway… (to change the topic)
   7. See you. Take care. (to say goodbye)
6. A huge number of words and phrases are used mainly in informal English. For example: dude, freaking, uh-huh, nope (= no), to puke, trashy, grownup, awesome, to chill out, stuff, hard-up, to tick somebody off, to sell like crazy.
7. Phrasal verbs are used frequently. For example, in informal situations, people usually say found out instead of discovered, came across instead of encountered and got away instead of escaped.
8. Words and phrases are sometimes pronounced in a shortened and simplified way, e.g. Lemme go!, I’m doin’ fine, Whassup?, Whatcha gonna do?

This chart that shows you what types of English (formal, informal or “in between”) you can get from different sources of inputs.

Formal English (A) vs. Informal English (B)

1. Voice of Verb: Active Voice vs Passive Voice.
   1. Although the fault was repaired on 12th June, payment for this intervention has still not been received.
   2. Our technician repaired the fault on 12th June. Now it’s your turn to pay us.
2. Verb Form: Latinate Verb vs Phrasal Verbs.
   1. His insufficient production conducted to his dismissal.
   2. The company laid him off because he didn’t work much.
3. Language: Formulaic vs Direct
   1. We regret to inform you that … It is our pleasure to announce that …
   2. I’m sorry but …  I’m happy to say that …
4. No slang vs Use of Slang
   1. He withdrew the amount from an Automatic Telling Machine.
   2. He had to get some money out of a hole in the wall.
5. Nominators vs Personal Form
   1. Any loss of this document should be reported immediately.
   2. If you lose it, then please contact us as soon as possible.
6. None linking words vs Use of linking Words
   1. Notwithstanding that the payment has been sent, the bank fails to acknowledge it.
   2. The bank can’t find the payment you say you’ve made.
7. Plural Person vs Singular Person
   1. We can assist in the resolution of this matter. Contact us on our toll-free number.
   2. I can help you to solve this problem. Call me!
8. Usage of Modal vs Non-usage of Modal
   1. Should you require any assistance, please feel free to contact us.
   2. If you need any help give us a call.
9. Revitalized Sentences
   1. … any natural person who, and any legal entity which …
   2. … anybody or any company…
10. No contractions vs Use of contractions
    1. Improvements cannot be introduced due to funding restrictions.
    2. The improvements canʼt be introduced due to funding restrictions.

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 – can’t – 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 you’ve got – questions)
8. Your account is ________ . (in the red)

Exercise 2

Transform the following sentences from informal to formal English. Use your yellow paper cut cross-wise as your answer sheet.

1. We are not going to renew the sole representative agreement again because you haven’t produced enough business for us.
2. The machine should work because it has been tested.
3. Our bank has told us that you haven’t made this month’s payment.
4. We can’t send you the engineering blueprints on disk until the full joint-venture agreement is signed in full next month.
5. We’re too busy to go to London for the meeting in this period. Can you come over here?
6. Your client didn’t complete the documents properly. Please get him to do it and then send them back to us as soon as possible.
7. If you’ve got any problems give me a call.
8. There’s a problem on the computer system. It won’t work between 10 and 12pm tomorrow.
9. This is because we think it’s necessary.
10. We’ll help you if you need it.
11. If we don’t receive payment we’ll call our lawyers.
12. We’ll give you 8 days to solve this problem.

References

• Fernandez, E. et al. (2013). A Worktext in English 2: Writing in the Discipline. C & E Publishing.
• Serrano, J. & Ames, T. (2009). Advanced Composition. National Book Store, Inc.
• Calderon, J. & Gonzales, E. (2012). Methods of research and thesis writing. Mandaluyong City: National Book Store.
• Tendero, E. (2011). Developing English Competency for College Students. Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House, Inc.
• Tomasz P. Szynalski. Formal and informal English. A web article at http://www.antimoon.com/how/formal-informal-english.htm accessed on June 27, 2017.
• https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/HELPS%20Formal%20and%20Informal%20Language.pdf
• https://martateacher3y5.wikispaces.com/file/view/Formal+and+informal+english.pdf