B. Formal and Informal English Words/Phrases

Actually, there are no specific definitions about formal and informal words/phrase

because it is absolutely back to the definition of differences between formal and

informal English that has been explained before.

But, formal and informal English words/phrases can be identified based on the tips

below:

1. More read. You will learn to associate certain words and phrases with different

types of writing.

2. Most uses of get are informal.

3. In general – phrasal verbs are informal.

4. Contractions are always informal.

5. Many idioms are informal.

6. Most shortened words are informal.

7. If you have a dictionary that provides the etymology of a word, Latin and French

root words usually are more formal than Germanic or old English root words.

Redman (2003:200) gives examples of formal and informal words/phrases in

sentences based on the places and situations:

Examples of formal English phrases:

1. Notice in cafe: Only food purchase (=bought) here may be eaten on the premises.

2. Police statement: I apprehended (=caught) the accused outside the supermarket.

3. Theatre announcement: They play will commence (=start) in the two minutes.

4. Business meeting: The meeting will resume (=start again) this afternoon at 2 pm.

5. Lawyers in court: My client had a broken ankle, thus (=so) he couldn’t drive the car.

6. Business letter: I regret to inform you (I’m sorry to say) that we are unable to...

(=can’t).

7. Notice: If you require (=need) further assistance (more help) please contact...

8. Airport announcement: Will passenger for Miami please proceed to (=go to) gate

36.

Example of informal English phrases:

1. I had to go and pick up (=collect) the kids (=children) from school.

2. I reckon (=think) we’ll get (=receive/obtain) the money pretty (=quite) soon.

3. I’m just going to the loo. (=toilet).

4. Do you fancy going out? (= Would you like to go out?)

5. I managed to fix up (=arrange/make) an appointment for 7.30.

6. My flat is very handy for the shops. (near the shop and very convenient)

7. I thought the book was terrific. (=marvelous)

8. Most of the students are bright (=intelligent) but Paul is very thick. (=stupid)

9. What’s up? (=what’s the matter?)

10. We must get in touch with them (=contact them) very soon.

11. When we get to (=reach/arrive) the hotel, I’ll have a word with (=speak to) them.

12. I offered him ten quid (=pounds) but the gay (=man) wasn’t interested.

13. A: Here’s the book I promised you.

B: Oh, cheers (=thank you. It can also mean good bye.)

14. Did you bring your bike? (bicycle?)

Those are the examples of formal and informal words/phrases. The words/phrases

must be remembered by us. To make it easier, here is the dictionary of formal and

informal English words/phrases. According to

http://www.blssrl.com/assets/Formal_Informal_English.pdf:

Table 5

Dictionary of Formal & Informal English

Type Informal FormalPrep About... Regarding/concerning

Idiom Agree with... Be bound by...Conj. And... As well as...Idiom Bearing in mind Reference being made to...Conj. Because... As a result of/due to (the fact)...Verb Begin CommenceConj. But While/whereasAdj. Careful/cautious PrudentialVerb Carry out Effect Verb Check VerifyAdj. Enough Sufficient Verb Fill me in Inform/tell Verb Find out Ascertain Verb Follow Duly observeVerb Get Receive Verb Get in touch ContactVerb Go over Exceed Verb Has to be Shall beVerb Have to give Submit Conj. If... Should...Conj. If... or not. Whether or not.Idiom If you don’t... Failing/failure to...Idiom If you’ve got any questions... Should you have any queries...Idiom In accordance with... Pursuant toIdiom In the red Overdrawn Verb Involve Entail Idiom Verb Inadvertently mislaidVerb Make sure Ensure Adj. Many Several/numerousVerb Order Authorize Verb Pay Settle Idiom Put in writing Provide written communicationIdiom Sorry! We regretVerb Supply Vanish Verb Take away WithdrawVerb Tell DiscloseVerb Trusted Entrusted Idiom We don’t want to do this... This course of action we anxious

to avoid...

Idiom We’ll call the law... We will have no alternative but involving our legal...

Idiom When we get... On receiptIdiom Whenever we like... Without prior notice...Verb Write (e.g. cheque) Issue (e.g. cheque)Verb Written Shown/indicated

C. Formal and Informal English Sentences

After describing about the differences between formal and informal greetings,

words/phrases now we will see the differences between formal and informal English

sentences.

According to Whitaker, Ramsey and Smith (2009:57) that:

Formal language:

1. He, she, they, in reference to readers.

2. Complete sentences.

3. Compound sentences with phrases and clauses.

4. Complex sentences with frequent use of modifying phrases and clauses.

5. Passive voice.

6. No slang/or colloquialism.

7. Straight news articles and news releases, backgrounders, position statements and

editorials.

Informal language:

1. You in reference to readers.

2. Single words, phrases, and fragments.

3. Simple sentences in conversational order (subject, verb, object).

4. Dashes and ellipses for incomplete or interrupted thoughts.

5. Active voice.

6. Contractions, slang and/or colloquialism.

7. Feature articles, some columns, newsletter articles, brochures, advertising copy, and

broadcast scripts.

Another argument is given by McCarthy, et.al (2009:255) that:

1. Some phrasal verb can be more informal, for example, give up (stop), get out avoid

(avoid).

2. People think of some uses of get as informal. Have is more formal than have got.

3. Stuff is very informal word; things sound better in formal situations.

4. Some determiners and expressions such as loads (of) and a bit (of) are informal.

5. People use most + adjective instead of very or really in a formal situation.

6. People use more nouns in very formal and especially written English, where they

would use verbs in more informal and spoken English.

7. Conjunctions such as therefore, as a result, and consequently and in order to are more

common in formal business language, especially writing.

To make it clearer, look at the tables below:

Table 6

More formal More informalPhrasal verbs They won’t tolerate another day They won’t put up with another

dayGet I received your letter today.

We purchased/bought our cars in Belgium.We have several problems.

I got your letter todayWe got our cars in Belgium.We’ve got several problems.

Thing/stuff Are these your things here? Is this your stuff here?Quantifiers There are a number of MBA’s

on our staff.There are loads of MBA’s on our stuff.

Most I would be most grateful for your advice.

I’d be very/really grateful for your advice

Nouns and What are your What did you recommend?

verbs recommendations?Completion of the building work will be on time.

We’ll finish the building work on time.

Conjunctions Jen’s performance has been excellent. Therefore/ As a result/ consequently we recommend her promotion to senior analyst.

Jen’s done a great job this year so I think we should promote her to senior analyst.

In order to/to...

Staffs were laid off to make savings.

Staffs were laid off to save money.

Based on the explanation above, there are a lot of the differences between formal

and informal English. Those differences make us more understand that language is

large, very unique and important to learn.

D. Summary of Differences between Formal and Informal English

Finally, after we see a lot of explanations about formal and informal English, to

conclude it let us see on the summary below:

Table 7

Summary of the differences between formal and informal English

No Formal Informal1 Used in academic

writing/contract letterUsed in non-academic writing

2 Used to unfamiliar people (strange people or someone that you respect like teacher or boss)

Used to familiar people (family or close friends)

3 No slang/or colloquialism Contractions, slang and/or colloquialism

4 Complete sentences Single words, phrases, and fragments.

5 Passive Voice Active Voice6 Latinate Verbs Phrasal Verbs7 Linking Words Little use of Conjunctions8 Compound sentences with

phrases and clauses.Simple sentences in conversational order (subject, verb, object)

9 He, she, they, in reference to You in reference to readers

readers.