What is Formal

and Informal Language?

Do you know what the difference between formal and informal
language is?

Formal Language
Formal language is used for more official and serious purposes.
The correct grammar and standard English should always
be used.

Informal Language
Informal language is used for more casual and less
serious purposes. Slang words and chatty language
can be used.
 What is Formal
and Informal Language?
Talk to your partner and decide which of the following are features of formal
language and which are features of informal language:

uses correct grammar

uses a serious tone
and punctuation

can use contractions and

uses correct vocabulary
abbreviations e.g. ‘it’s’ or ‘TV’

can use ‘text’

uses a ‘chatty’ tone
language and slang.
 What is Formal
and Informal Language?
formal informal

uses a serious tone uses a ‘chatty’ tone

uses correct grammar can use ‘text’

and punctuation language and slang

can use contractions and

uses correct vocabulary
abbreviations e.g. ‘it’s’ or ‘TV’
 Formal or Informal?
Formal and informal language should be used for different purposes.
Can you decide which sort of language you should use in the following situations;
formal or informal?

talking to friends talking to the headteacher

writing a job application sending a text to a friend

writing a letter to gran writing a letter to The Queen

 Formal or Informal?
Formal and informal language should be used for different purposes.
Can you decide which sort of language you should use in the following situations;
formal or informal?

informal formal
talking to friends talking to the headteacher
talking to friends talking to the headteacher

formal informal
writing a job application sending a text to a friend
writing a job application sending a text to a friend

informal formal
writing a letter to gran writing a letter to The Queen
writing a letter to gran writing a letter to The Queen
Formal and Informal Vocabulary
formal informal

imagine ta

wonderful ain’t

we have ASAP

as soon as possible reckon

are not wicked

thank you tomoz

tomorrow we’ve
 Formal or Informal?
Read the following emails and decide whether they are formal or informal

Dear Sir/Madam, Hi Kerry,

I am writing to inform you of my upset You know the lucky dip bag I bought when
when I opened the lucky dip bag I had we went into town yesterday? Well, you’ll
recently purchased with my own pocket never believe what happened when I opened
money. it – there was a broken, copy of the toy
I was disappointed to find that my favourite instead of the real thing!
toy brand had been replaced with an I was so shocked and annoyed that I’ve
inadequate copy, which even had pieces emailed the company to tell them what I
missing. think.
I shall expect to be fully compensated for the I hope they send me a new one ASAP so I
distress and inconvenience this experience can complete the set.
has caused me and hope that you send a Was your pack ok? I hope so.
replacement promptly.

Yours sincerely, C u soon,

Miss F. James Frankie
 Formal or Informal?
Read the following emails and decide whether they are formal or informal

Formal Informal
Dear Sir/Madam,
Sir/Madam Hi Kerry,
Kerry

I am writing to inform you of my upset You know the lucky dip bag I bought when
when I opened the lucky dip bag I had we went into town yesterday? Well, you’ll you’ll
recently purchased with my own pocket never believe what happened when I opened
money. it – there was a broken, copy of the toy
I was
was disappointed
disappointed to
to find
find that my favourite instead of the real thing! !
toy brand had been replaced with an I was so shocked
shockedand
andannoyed
annoyedthat I’ve I’ve
inadequate copy, which even had pieces emailed the company to tell them what I
missing. think.
I shall
shall expect
expect to
to be
be fully
fully compensated
compensated for the I hope they send me a new one ASAP ASAPso I
distress and inconvenience this experience can complete the set.
has caused me and hope that you send a Was your pack ok? I hope so.
promptly
replacement promptly.

Yours sincerely
sincerely, C u soon
soon,
Miss F. James Frankie
 Formal or Informal Sentences?
Are these sentences formal or informal?

1. That film was sick! Informal

2. I regret to inform you that the swimming pool is now closed. Formal

3. The managing director requests that everyone arrives for the meeting at 9am
prompt. Formal

4. What d’ya think? Informal

5. We were just hanging out in the park. Informal

 Informal to Formal Sentences
Write each of these informal sentences in a more formal style.

1. IChope
u soon
that
hopefully.
I will see you soon.

2. The
The TV
television
was rubbish,
was inadequate;
it didn’t even
it did
turnnot
on. even turn on.

3. That
That was
wasso
very
funny
amusing;
lol! I laughed out loud.

4. You won’t
will not
believe
believe
what
what
happened
occurred
to me
yesterday.
yesterday.
 Formal to Informal Sentences
Write each of these sentences in a more informal style:

1. II’m
amwriting
writing to complain
moan aboutabout
thethe
rubbish
unsatisfactory
service Iservice
got in that
yourI received in
your shop
shop yesterday.
yesterday afternoon.

2. It
It’s
is really
vitally important
important that
thatall
kids
children
walk on
walk
theonleft
thehand
left hand
side side
of of the
corridor.
the corridor.

3. I’m
I guarantee
sure your
thatjourney
your journey
is gonna
will be
be brilliant!
an enjoyable experience.

4. You’re
You are not
not allowed
permittedtotogoenter
in the
thestaff
staffroom.
room.