Lesson 20: Formal Vs Informal

Formal or Informal
 Three types of email

1 3
S________
____
I_________ F________

2
 Three types of email

1 3
Informal Formal

Semi
The zone of The zone of
everyday speech formal professional writing

2
 Feel free to get in Feel free to contact If you have any queries,
touch if you have any me if you have any please do not hesitate to
questions questions contact me

Feel free to contact me If you have any queries,

Any questions, let me
should you have any kindly do not hesitate to
know
questions contact me

The zone of The zone of

everyday speech professional writing
Formality Formula
Before you begin to write, you should consider:

• The “T_________ ” of the relationship you have with the

reader (T)
• Your p_____ for writing (P)
• The m_____ (M)
• (email, report, message, etc)

T + P + M = Level of Formality
• Could is used more often in formal language than can.

• In formal language, more formal synonyms are used, e.g. require, receive, assure, contact,
further instead of need, get, promise, get in touch, more.

• Phrasal verbs, e.g. put off, think about, etc. are more common to informal and neutral email
language.

• Contractions (I'm, you're, won't etc.) are used less often in formal language. Formal language
uses full forms (I am, you are, will not, etc)

• Abbreviations, e.g. info, ad, etc. are appropriate for informal language. Formal language
uses full words, e.g. information, advertisement, etc.

• In formal language, more formal forms of address are used, e.g. Dear sir or madam, Dear Mr
Smith.
 Formal and Informal language

Formal Informal

Amendments Help

Require Ask
Assistance Need

Inquire Put off

Contact Changes

Postpone Get in touch

Return Promise

Assure Talk about

Discuss Get back

 Make this email
more formal

Sender: Simon
Recipient: Michael Jones

Hi Michael,

Thanks for getting in touch earlier.

I’m writing to let you know that we will need two

more days to make the necessary changes to the
draft agreement.

I promise I will call you as soon as it is ready.

Any questions, let me know

Best wishes,

Simon