Formal English vs Informal English
Since we’re talking about English, it is vital for us to understand the difference between formal English and informal English because this difference will clear the fact as to where we need to apply the words which are categorised differently in different situations. There are words which are used formally and there are words which are used informally according to the situation and context.
As far as formal English is concerned, it is more common especially when you want to write or speak standard English comprising complex sentence structures and making sure that there is no use of colloquial or slang words. There will also be no existence of frequent usage of personal pronouns while informal English is completely in contrast with all these because it allows the terms which are in the category of non-standard English and it also allows vocabulary related to colloquial and slang terms. Informal English also shows the existence of shorter sentence structures. Let’s understand it through the examples given below:
He was successful in the examination. (Formal)
He worked out fine in the examination. (Informal)
While going through this study, things can be considered….. (Formal)
As you go through this study, things can be considered….. (Informal)
He’s going to meet his father tomorrow. (Formal)
He’s going to meet his dad tomorrow. (Informal)
Through the above-mentioned examples, you can very well understand the difference between formal English and informal English. It is also a well-known example to understand the difference that while using formal English, you are basically serious and you talk to those people whom you know very well while informal English is used basically in a situation that is more relaxed and entertaining and it involves the people whom you normally don’t know very well.
As far as writing and speaking are concerned, it is very much common to notice that formal language is used more often in writing while informal language is used more often in speaking but this is not the hard and fast rule in all the situations because many times, writing can also be informal especially when it’s related to sending the messages to friends or sending informal emails or text messages or anything which is written informally through postcards or letters. It has also been noticed that Spoken English can also be formal especially when it’s related to a lecture or a speech.
It has been observed through various studies that most of the time English is neither more inclined towards formal nor towards informal but it is more inclined towards neutral which is the mix-up of both types of English. Formal English and informal English are also differentiated through the use of contractions as well and let’s understand this through the example given below:
He has decided to go to the party tonight. (Formal)
He’s decided to go to the party tonight. (Informal)
Both the given sentences are 100% correct and it depends on the speaker or the writer to choose which one to use. It is a kind of confusion in the minds of many language learners that informal English is not considered good in a meeting or an interview but it’s not true unless there is an involvement of rude words whether in spoken form or written form. So, you can use either formal English or informal English as long as there is no any involvement of rude words to give any negative meaning or any feeling to the listener which can make the listener feel uncomfortable or astonished in a bad way. I hope you’ve understood this blog on formal English vs informal English. Keep reading and don’t forget to share your learning experience.
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I’m Mohammad Zahid Hussain, a Content Writer, Spoken English, IELTS and PTE Trainer. I’m also a Professional English-Hindi and Hindi-English Translator, Editor and Proofreader. I’m a graduate from Jamia Millia Islamia University, and I’m here to share my articles on a wide range of topics to help you enhance your insights into various things to provide you with factual information and creative analysis.
