Formal and Informal Language

Formal language is often associated with writing for professional and academic purposes, but it is also used when giving a speech or a lecture. An essay written for a class will always use formal language. Formal language is used in situations where people are not extremely close and when one needs to show respect to another person. Certain qualities and contexts differentiate formal language from informal language.

Formal language does not use contractions.

• It doesn’t have that – It does not have that.
• He’s been offered a new job – He has been offered a new job.

Formal language also uses complete sentences.

• So much to tell you – I have so much to tell you.
• Left for the weekend – We left for the weekend.

Formal language includes more formal and polite vocabulary.

• The class starts at two – The class commences at two.
• I try to be the best person I can be I endeavor to be the best person I can be.

Formal language is not personal and normally does not use the pronouns “I” and “We” as the subject of a sentence.

• I argue that the sky is blue – This essay argues that the sky is blue.
• We often associate green with grass – Green is often associated with grass.

Formal language also does not use slang.

• It’s raining cats and dogs It is raining heavily.
• Patients count on doctors to help them – Patients expect doctors to help them.

TEAS Exam Review: Informal Language

Informal language is associated with speaking, but is also used in text messages, emails, letters, and postcards. It is the language a person would use with their friends and family.

Informal language uses contractions.

• I can’t go to the movie tomorrow.
• He doesn’t have any manners.

Informal language can include sentence fragments.

• See you
• Talk to you later

Informal language uses less formal vocabulary such as slang.

• The dog drove me up the wall.
• I was so hungry I could eat a horse.
• I can always count on you.

Informal language is personal and uses pronouns such as “I” and “We” as the subject of a sentence.

• I am in high school.
• We enjoy going to the beach in the summer.

TEAS Exam Review: Informal Language

Colloquialism is a term for an informal word or phrase people use when they speak to their friends or family, or in a more relaxed setting.

Regionalism refers to a word or phrase people use in one area (city, state, country…) that may not be common or even known in other places. For example, New Yorkers drink “soda,” while Midwesterners drink “pop.” Regionalisms are not inherently formal or informal; the formality depends on the word, usage, and context.

Let’s Review!

• Formal language is used in professional and academic writing and talks. It does not have contractions, uses complete sentences, uses polite and formal vocabulary, not slang, and is not personal and does not use the pronouns “I” and “We” as the subject of a sentence.
• Informal language is used in daily life when communicating with friends and family through conversations, text messages, emails, letters, and postcards. It uses contractions, can be sentence fragments, uses less formal vocabulary and slang, and is personal and uses pronouns such as “I” and “We” as the subject of a sentence.
• Colloquialisms are informal words or phrases.
• Regionalisms, words or phrases used in a certain geographic area, can be formal or informal.