FORMAL VS INFORMAL WRITING

Formal Language

 Advanced Language
o Advanced vocabulary
Eg. well-organised/hospitable/elaborate/agreeable/interesting/thought-
provoking/adroit/pleasurable/gratifying/fine instead of good
o Advanced syntax
 Secondary clauses (time/relative/result/concession/reason clauses)
 Inversion eg. Never have I seen anything like this in my life before.
 Passive Voice eg. The issue will be discussed in detail.
 Impersonal structures eg. It has been argued that the current monetary
policy is ineffective.
 Participle Clauses eg. Being a conscientious objector, he refused to carry
a gun during his military service.
o Linking Words
o Indirect questions eg. I was wondering how much the trip costs.
 Address the reader using third person eg. one, the reader’s etc.
 Acknowledging the opposing viewpoint eg. Nonetheless, there are those who are
opposed to censorship arguing that it restricts freedom of speech.
 Topic sentences to introduce the subject of each paragraph eg. From a moral
standpoint, criticizing someone who is not present can be considered malicious.
 Well-developed paragraphs with valid arguments, justification and examples.
 References to other sources eg. According to…., psycholinguistics is a fast-developing
discipline.
 Quotations or paraphrase by identifying the source eg. As Barack Obama commented,
he is willing to work with his opponents.

Informal Language

 Colloquial words/phrases eg. kids, good, a lot etc.

 Contractions eg. isn’t, doesn’t, hasn’t, I’m not etc.
 First person singular eg. I can’t say I agree with that.
 Clichés eg. loads of
 Address the reader using second person’s pronouns eg. you, your etc.
 Abbreviations eg. TV, etc, eg…
 Imperative eg. Call me as soon as you can.
 Direct questions eg. How much does the trip cost?
 Active Voice eg. They argue that this policy will not work.
 Being subjective eg. I strongly believe the opponents are wrong.
 Phrasal verbs eg. I can’t put up with his behavior any more.
 Idioms eg. He was over the moon about getting married.
Exercise 1: Transform the phrases from informal to formal language

1. I want my money back now!

I would appreciate if you could reimburse me 25$ for the product
which I bought

2. The lady at the checkout was so rude to me.

3. I’m not coming back to your shop ever again!

4. The thing I bought was really rubbish.

5. I’m really annoyed about what happened when I went shopping

yesterday.

6. The hotel room was disgusting and didn’t have a hairdryer or any
toiletry things!