Formal English vs. Informal English

Formal English vs. Informal English

 

Formal English and informal English serve different purposes. The tone, the choice of words and the way the words are put together vary between the two styles.

 

Formal English sticks to the prescribed rules of spelling and grammar. This is far more common in writing than in speech. The advantage of formal English is that it helps people communicate by providing a standard style of writing.

 

Informal English mainly comprises the language that we use for everyday communication. Informal English commonly uses colloquial expressions including slang and jargon.

 

The following illustrates the difference between formal English and informal English. A pair of sentences is presented below, the first being formal English and the second informal English:

 

I cannot go to the cinema with you. I have no money.

I can’t go to the cinema with you. I’m broke.

 

Go away. I have told you not to come to my place anymore.

Buzz off! I have told you not to come to my place anymore.

 

Stop talking about it. It is not the truth.

Come off it! It isn’t the truth.

 

I wanted to speak to my boss, but I did not. I lost my nerve.

I wanted to speak to my boss, but I didn’t. I got cold feet.

 

Leave me alone, I am annoyed.

Leave me alone, I’m pissed off!

 

I am extremely busy with paperwork.

I’m up to my ears in paperwork.

 

I do not understand it.

I don’t get it.

 

I do not know.

Beats me.

 

I will pay the bill.

It’s on me.

 

Text me.

Hit me up

 

See you later.

I will catch up with you.

 

Leave me alone.

Give me a break.

 

I will think about it.

I’ll sleep on it.

 

Good luck.

Break a leg.

 

Not interested.

Not my cup of tea.

 

Rarely.

Once in a blue moon.