This document discusses the differences between formal and informal language styles. Informal styles tend to use contractions, personal pronouns, active voice, imprecise words, slang, Germanic words, shorter sentences and phrasal verbs. Formal styles prefer depersonalized language, passive voice, precise words, formal expressions, Romance words, longer sentences with linking words and single verbs. The styles are a continuum, and texts can combine both formal and informal features or fall anywhere along the scale between them.

1. Formal and informal language
Remember that these styles are not absolutes. Texts can combine features of
different styles, or they can be anywhere along a scale of slang, via colloquial, casual
and informal, to neutral, to semi-formal, to formal and even to very formal
Informal examples Formal examples
contractions It’s, don’t, can’t, It is, do not, cannot,
won’t, they’ve will not, they have
Personal pronouns vs. I think this is a good plan. In my opinion, this could
depersonalised be an effective plan.
language We used two weeks to Two weeks were
finish the project. necessary to complete the
project.
Active vs. She found the documents. The documents were
passive sentences found.
They established a new A new routine was
routine. established.
Imprecise vs. Lots of Many
precise words Nice Pleasant, excellent
Things Reasons, problems, items
Slang vs. Gimme that stuff Could you please pass me
formal expressions those items?
Go on, I’m all ears. Please continue, I am
listening attentively.
He’s a real pain in the ass. Unfortunately his
behaviour constitutes a
serious problem.
Germanic vs. He’s bought a new house. He has purchased a new
Romance words residence.
I don’t understand. This is beyond my
comprehension.
Let’s begin. Shall we commence?
Shorter vs. This is really difficult. It is obvious that this is a
longer sentences rather complicated matter.
Let us know if you can Please inform us of your
make it a.s.a.p. availability for this meeting
at the earliest opportunity.
Phrasal verbs vs. To get in touch with. To contact
single verbs To carry on To continue
Verbal vs. nominal style It is hotly debated whether The effectiveness of these
(more nouns with much these measures are measures is hotly
information in few words) effective. debated.
People are afraid that a Fears of recession in the
recession in the US is… US are…
Implicit logical You know, he came home Due to the fact that he
connections vs. formal kind of late and I never came home rather late, I
linking words realised what had never realized what had
happened. happened in the
meantime.
She’d been working late. She had been working
She never heard the news very late and therefore she
about the accident had not heard the news
about the accident.