The Formal Register

 It is more appropriate for professional writing (e.g. letters, reports, etc.), especially
to a superior at work or a stranger. This stands in opposition to the Informal
register which is casual, conversational and more appropriate to use in speech, or
with friends and people we know well.
 Characteristics of the Formal Register
1. No contractions or short verb forms
2. No abbreviations
3. Spell out numbers less than a hundred (letters not digits)
4. Avoid using the pronoun I where possible (the impersonal style)
5. Use of the passive voice
6. Use of complex structures
7. No idioms or idiomatic expressions
8. No colloquial language and expressions
9. No phrasal verbs