Formal and informal language

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Lesson notes

What is Formal and Informal Language?

Formal language is careful, polite language used in serious situations, like in a letter to a headteacher or a school report.
Informal language is relaxed, friendly language used with people you know well, like friends and family.
The way you speak or write can change depending on who you are talking to and the situation.
Choosing the right style is called using the right register (say: REH-jis-ter).
Think of it like clothes: you wear different clothes for a party than for a sports day. Language works the same way.

Features of Informal Language

Uses contractions – short forms like can't, won't, and I'm.
May include slang – very casual words like cool or awesome.
Often uses phrasal verbs – verbs with a small word like put off or give up.
Can have question tags – short questions at the end like 'You're coming, aren't you?'
Uses short sentences and simple words.
Sounds friendly and chatty, like talking to a friend.

Features of Formal Language

Uses full forms – no contractions, so write cannot instead of can't.
Uses precise vocabulary – exact words like assist instead of help.
Often uses the passive voice – for example, 'The cake was baked by Tom' instead of 'Tom baked the cake'.
Uses impersonal constructions – sentences that don't say 'I' or 'you', like 'It is believed that...'
Uses longer, complex sentences with connecting words like however and therefore.
Sounds polite, serious, and respectful.

When to Use Formal or Informal Language

Use informal language with friends, in texts, or in a diary.
Use formal language in school reports, letters to adults, or job applications.
An email to a friend can be informal, but an email to a teacher should be formal.
A speech to the class is usually formal, but a story for fun can be informal.
Always think: Who is reading or listening? That helps you choose the right style.

Rewriting: Changing the Register

You can change a sentence from informal to formal without changing its meaning.
Example: 'I'm sorry I'm late' (informal) becomes 'I apologise for my lateness' (formal).
To make it formal: remove contractions, use bigger words, and make sentences longer.
To make it informal: add contractions, use simple words, and shorten sentences.
Always keep the same meaning – only change the style.

Remember!

Register is the style of language you choose for a situation.
There is a spectrum – not just two boxes. Some language is in between formal and informal.
Using the right register shows you are a good communicator.
Practice by taking a formal sentence and making it informal, or the other way around.

Slides

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Practice questions

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1.What is a 'register' in language?
Easy
- AA variety of language used for a particular purpose or situation
- BA type of handwriting
- CA list of names
- DA kind of musical instrument
2.Which of these is an example of informal language?
Easy
- AContractions like 'don't'
- BFull forms like 'do not'
- CPassive voice
- DImpersonal constructions
3.You are writing a formal letter to your headteacher. Which sentence is most appropriate?
Medium
- AI wanna ask for a day off.
- BI would like to request a day of leave.
- CCan I have a day off?
- DGimme a day off, please.
4.Which sentence is in the passive voice, a feature often used in formal writing?
Medium
- AThe dog chased the ball.
- BThe ball was chased by the dog.
- CThe dog is chasing the ball.
- DChase the ball, dog!
5.Which word is more formal: 'dad' or 'father'?
Medium
- Adad
- Bfather
- CThey are equally formal.
- DNeither is formal.
6.Select all the features of informal language. (select all that apply)
Medium
- AContractions
- BSlang
- CPassive voice
- DShort sentences
- EImpersonal constructions
7.A formal letter should use contractions like 'I'm'.
Easy
True or false?
8.Match each term with its definition.
Medium
- Formal register
- Informal register
- Register
- Uses full forms and precise vocabulary
- Uses contractions and slang
- A variety of language for a particular situation

Revision notes

## Formal and Informal Language Language can be **formal** (proper and serious) or **informal** (casual and relaxed). The way we speak or write changes depending on who we are talking to and the situation. This is called **register**. ### Informal Language Use informal language with friends and family, or in texts and casual emails. It feels friendly and relaxed. - **Contractions**: short forms like *can't* (cannot) or *I'm* (I am). - **Slang**: casual words like *cool* or *awesome*. - **Phrasal verbs**: verbs with a small word, like *give up* (stop trying). - **Question tags**: short questions at the end, like *You're coming, right?* - **Short sentences**: quick and simple. ### Formal Language Use formal language in school reports, letters to important people, or speeches. It sounds respectful and serious. - **Full forms**: no contractions, so write *cannot* not *can't*. - **Precise vocabulary**: choose exact words, like *father* instead of *dad*. - **Passive voice**: say *The cake was eaten* instead of *I ate the cake*. - **Impersonal constructions**: avoid saying *I* or *you*; say *It is believed that...*. - **Longer complex sentences**: more detailed and connected. ### Choosing the Right Register Think about your reader and the situation. For a letter to a friend, use informal. For a report to your teacher, use formal. You can rewrite a passage to change its register without changing the meaning. ### Example - **Informal**: *I can't come to your party. I'm too busy.* - **Formal**: *I regret to inform you that I am unable to attend your party due to prior commitments.* Remember: there is a spectrum from very formal to very informal. Choose the right style for the right moment!

Register: The way language changes to fit the situation and the person you are talking to. It can be formal or informal.
Formal language: Proper and serious language used in reports, letters to important people, or speeches. It uses full words, precise vocabulary, and longer sentences.
Informal language: Casual and relaxed language used with friends and family. It uses contractions, slang, and short sentences.
Contraction: A short form of two words, like 'can't' for 'cannot' or 'I'm' for 'I am'.
Slang: Very casual words that are not formal, like 'cool' or 'awesome'.
Phrasal verb: A verb made of two or more words, like 'give up' or 'look after'. Often used in informal language.
Question tag: A short question added to the end of a sentence, like 'You're coming, right?'
Passive voice: A way of writing where the action happens to the subject, like 'The cake was eaten' instead of 'I ate the cake'. Often used in formal language.
Impersonal construction: A sentence that does not mention a specific person, like 'It is believed that...' instead of 'I think...'. Used in formal language.

Flashcards

What is 'register' in language?

Register is the way we change our language to fit the situation and the person we are talking to. For example, we talk differently to a friend than to a teacher.

Name two features of informal language.

Informal language uses contractions (like 'can't') and slang (like 'cool'). It also uses short sentences and question tags (like 'isn't it?').

Name two features of formal language.

Formal language uses full forms (like 'cannot' instead of 'can't') and precise vocabulary. It also uses the passive voice and longer, complex sentences.

What is a contraction? Give an example.

A contraction is a short form of two words joined together, with an apostrophe. For example, 'don't' is a contraction of 'do not'.

What is slang? Give an example.

Slang is very informal language that is often used by friends. For example, 'cool' means 'good' or 'nice'.

What is a phrasal verb? Give an example.

A phrasal verb is a verb made of two or more words, like 'give up' (to stop trying). It is common in informal language.

What is a question tag? Give an example.

A question tag is a short question added to the end of a sentence, like 'You're coming, aren't you?' It is common in informal speech.

What is the passive voice? Give an example.

The passive voice is when the object of an action becomes the subject of the sentence. For example, 'The cake was eaten by Tom.' It is often used in formal writing.

What does 'full forms' mean? Give an example.

Full forms are the complete words, not shortened. For example, 'I am' is the full form of 'I'm'.

Why do we use formal language?

We use formal language for important situations like writing a report, a letter to a boss, or a speech. It shows respect and is clear and precise.

Why do we use informal language?

We use informal language with friends and family. It is friendly and relaxed, and we can use slang and contractions.

What is the 'frozen' register? Give an example.

The frozen register is language that is always the same, like a pledge or a prayer. An example is the Pledge of Allegiance.

What is the 'formal' register? Give an example.

The formal register is used for speeches or presentations. It is one-way, with no interruptions, and uses exact words. An example is a teacher's lecture.

What is the 'consultative' register? Give an example.

The consultative register is used when talking with a teacher or doctor. It is two-way, with background information given. An example is a doctor's appointment.

What is the 'casual' register? Give an example.

The casual register is used with friends. It uses slang and short sentences. An example is talking to a friend at lunch.

What is the 'intimate' register? Give an example.

The intimate register is used with close family. It uses private words and non-verbal messages. An example is talking to your mom.

How do you make a sentence more formal?

To make a sentence more formal, use full forms instead of contractions, choose precise words, and use the passive voice. For example, change 'I can't come' to 'I am unable to attend.'

How do you make a sentence more informal?

To make a sentence more informal, use contractions, slang, and shorter sentences. For example, change 'I am unable to attend' to 'I can't come.'

What is the difference between formal and informal letters?

A formal letter uses formal language, like 'Dear Sir' and 'Yours faithfully'. An informal letter uses informal language, like 'Hi' and 'Love'.

What is a 'report'?

A report is a formal piece of writing that gives information about something. It uses formal language and is often written for school or work.

What is a 'speech'?

A speech is a talk given to an audience. It is usually formal and uses clear, precise language.

What is a 'story'?

A story is a piece of writing that tells a tale. It can be formal or informal, but often uses informal language to sound natural.

What is an 'email'?

An email is a message sent electronically. It can be formal or informal, depending on who you are writing to.

What is the 'audience'?

The audience is the person or people who will read or hear your writing. You change your language to suit your audience.

What is 'precise vocabulary'?

Precise vocabulary means using exact and specific words. For example, saying 'automobile' instead of 'car' in formal writing.

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