Formal and informal language

We use formal language in situations that are serious or that involve people we don’t know well. Informal language
is more commonly used in situations that are more relaxed and involve people we know well.

Formal language is more common when we write; informal language is more common when we speak. However,
there are times where writing can be very informal, for example, when writing postcards or letters to friends, emails
or text messages. There are also examples where spoken English can be very formal, for example, in a speech or a
lecture. Most uses of English are neutral; that is, they are neither formal nor informal.

Formal language and informal language are associated with particular choices of grammar and vocabulary.

Contractions, relative clauses without a relative pronoun and ellipsis are more common in informal language.

Compare:

 She has decided to accept the job. Formal

 She’s decided to accept the job. Informal: She’s = contraction
 The girl whom I met in Singapore was interested in working in Australia. Formal
 The girl I met in Singapore was interested in working in Australia. Informal: relative clause without the
relative pronoun whom
 We went to Barcelona for the weekend. We have a lot of things to tell you. Formal
 Went to Barcelona for the weekend. Lots to tell you. Informal: ellipsis (more likely to be written or texted
than spoken)

More formal vocabulary commonly involves longer words or words with origins in Latin and Greek. More informal
vocabulary commonly involves shorter words, or words with origins in Anglo-Saxon. Most dictionaries indicate very
informal and/or formal words.

Formal informal
Commence start
Terminate end
Endeavor try

We often choose to use certain modal verbs to be more formal and polite:

 Can I suggest you try this new model? (Neutral)

 May I suggest you try this new model? (More formal)
 Might I suggest you try this new model? (Very formal)

How to write a formal letter

Step 1
Identify which opening and closing greeting to use:
If the name of the receiver is given

Open with:
Dear Sir, → if you know it is a man
Dear Madam, → if you know it is a woman
Dear sir or madam, → if you don't know if it is a man or a woman.

Close with:
Yours faithfully, → for all cases
Notice the comma used and where the capital letters are placed
If the name of the receiver is given
Open with:
Dear Mr. Jones, → if it is a man
Dear Miss. Jones, → if you are told her name is Miss Jones
Dear Mrs. Jones, → if you are told her name is Mrs. Jones
Dear Ms. Jones, → if you know it is a woman but don't know if she is single or married.

Close with:
Yours sincerely, → for all cases

Notice:
1) Where the comma and capital letters are used
2) The receiver's first name is not used, even if it is given to you.

Step 2
You will be required to write about 160 words, this should be done using 4 paragraphs.
Each paragraph should contain about 40 words, at about 10 words per line this means 4 lines per paragraph
Avoid writing paragraphs that are much bigger or smaller than these sizes.

Step 3
Use the first paragraph to explain your reason for writing and start with:
I am writing to you because…….

Start the second paragraph with:

Firstly, …
Start the third paragraph with:
Secondly, …

Use the last paragraph to express what action you want the reader to take and start it with:
I hope you will be able to……….
I like to close with:
“Thanking you”, “yours faithfully”, or “yours sincerely,”

Step 4
The exam question has red markings to highlight points that must be covered. Make sure these are not missed
The best structure to use is the following:

The feeling in a short direct way → a)

Then follow with supporting feelings → b)
For example:

'Show concern'
a) I am very worried about you.
b) I don't think you are eating well and you will get ill if you are not careful.

Finished content:
Firstly, i am very worried about you. i don't think you are eating well and you will get ill if you are not careful.

'Show support'
Secondly, i feel you were correct to act as you did. you behaved as any normal person would and you should not feel
guilty about what happened.

Note: avoid saying too much for any given point. Practice being clear, direct and efficient in your writing, with
correct grammar and sentence structure