The document discusses formal and informal language. Formal language is used in serious situations, with people we don't know well, and in printed documents. It is characterized by complex grammar, formal vocabulary, and passive voice. Informal language is used between close acquaintances in relaxed situations. It features simpler grammar, contractions, ellipsis, and possibly slang. Whether to use formal or informal language depends on factors like the relationship between people and the context of the interaction. Examples are given to illustrate differences in grammar and vocabulary between the two styles.

1. F O R M A L & Informal
L A N G U A G E

2. FORMAL LANGUAGE
- serious situations
- involving people we don’t know well
- printed documents (e.g. official documents,
academic papers, or business letters)
- speeches
U S A G E

3. FORMAL LANGUAGE
- using particular choices of grammar i.e. complex
sentences, no contractions, no ellipsis, etc.
- using particular choices of vocabulary
- using reported speech
- long and complex noun phrases
- frequent use of passive
C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S

4. INFORMAL LANGUAGE
- between people who know each other well
- relaxed situation
- informal situation
- letters or emails to a friend
- postcards
- text messages or chats
U S A G E

5. INFORMAL LANGUAGE
- using particular choices of grammar i.e. simpler
sentences, contractions, ellipsis, etc.
- using particular choices of vocabulary (may
include taboo or slang)
C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S

6. FORMAL vs INFORMAL
- employee-boss
- teacher-student
- strangers
- younger people-older people
FORMAL INFORMAL
- colleagues
- friends
- family members*

7. Let’s compare the following sentences

8. FORMAL INFORMAL
She has decided to accept the job.
FORMAL vs INFORMAL
She’s decided to accept the job.
contraction

9. INFORMAL FORMAL
The girl I met in Malang was interested in
studying abroad.
FORMAL vs INFORMAL
The girl whom I met in Malang was interested in
studying abroad.
relative clause without the relative pronoun

10. FORMAL INFORMAL
We went to Bali for the holiday. We have a lot of
things to tell you.
FORMAL vs INFORMAL
We went to Bali for the holiday. Lots to tell you.
ellipsis

11. INFORMAL FORMAL
start
FORMAL vs INFORMAL
end
try
commence
terminate
endeavour
hi
thanks
ASAP
hello
thank you
as soon as possible

12. FORMAL
Some dictionaries provide
certain label for formal
vocabularies

13. Formal
Some dictionaries provide certain
label for formal vocabularies

14. SCAN THE CODE TO
DOWNLOAD THIS
MATERIAL
Thornbury, S. 2006. The A-Z of ELT: A Dictionary of Terms and Concepts Used in
English Language Teaching. New York, NY: Macmillan
Informal Language. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/
informal-language
Formal and Informal Language. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://
dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/types-of-english-formal-
informal-etc/formal-and-informal-language
R E F E R E N C E S

15. T H A N K Y O U