Formal & Informal Register

Register means choosing the right level of formality for the situation: Hi Tom! (informal) vs Dear Mr Smith, (formal).

Formal English is used in essays, reports, job applications, emails to teachers and official letters. It avoids contractions (do not, not don't), slang and phrasal verbs, and prefers precise vocabulary: request, require, inform, purchase. Informal English is used with friends and family: contractions, phrasal verbs (put off, find out), idioms and short sentences are natural. Mixing registers in the wrong context — slang in an exam essay or stiff formulas in a chat — sounds wrong, so always ask: Who am I writing to, and why?

+ Formal: full forms, precise verbs, passive structures

• I am writing to inform you… (formal)
• Just letting you know… (informal)

− Formal: do not / cannot (no contractions)

• I do not agree. (formal)
• I don't agree. (informal)

? Formal: I would like to ask… · Informal: Can I ask…?

• Could you possibly send the files? (formal)
• Can you send the files? (informal)

• ENFormal: I would like to apply for the position. / Informal: I want the job.

  KZРесми: Мен осы лауазымға өтініш бергім келеді. / Бейресми: Маған бұл жұмыс керек.

  RUФормально: Я хотел бы подать заявление на эту должность. / Неформально: Я хочу эту работу.

• ENFormal: The meeting has been postponed. / Informal: The meeting's been put off.

  KZРесми: Кездесу кейінге шегерілді. / Бейресми: Кездесуді жылжытты.

  RUФормально: Встреча перенесена. / Неформально: Встречу отложили.

• ENFormal: I regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful. / Informal: Sorry, you didn't get in.

  KZРесми: Өкінішке орай, өтінішіңіз қабылданбағанын хабарлаймын. / Бейресми: Кешір, өтпедің.

  RUФормально: С сожалением сообщаю, что ваша заявка отклонена. / Неформально: Извини, не прошёл.

• ENFormal: We require further information. / Informal: We need more info.

  KZРесми: Бізге қосымша ақпарат қажет. / Бейресми: Көбірек ақпарат керек.

  RUФормально: Нам требуется дополнительная информация. / Неформально: Нужно больше инфы.

• ENFormal: Yours sincerely, / Informal: Cheers, / See you,

  KZРесми: Құрметпен, / Бейресми: Сау бол, / Кездесейік,

  RUФормально: С уважением, / Неформально: Пока, / Увидимся,

• ✗ Dear Mr Brown, I wanna ask about the job.

  ✓ Dear Mr Brown, I would like to ask about the position.

  Wanna is slang — never in formal letters.

• ✗ Hi mate, I am writing to request your assistance.

  ✓ Hi mate, can you help me out?

  Stiff formal phrases sound wrong between friends.

• ✗ In conclusion, the results were kinda surprising. (exam essay)

  ✓ In conclusion, the results were rather surprising.

  Kinda is too informal for academic writing.

Formal vs Informal Vocabulary

The same idea can be expressed at different levels of formality. Learn pairs and switch between them consciously.

Choose a skill to practise this topic.