Formal Vs informal language

1. Formal vs. Informal
Language
When to use which?

2. Formal Language
 Is used when you want to make a good
impression on people in respected positions.
You speak in a more traditional way and use
longer forms of words when you want to be
formal

3. Formal Language with
 Teachers
 Principals
 Counselors
 Neighbors
 Firemen, Policemen
 Who else?

4. Informal Language
 Is used when you talk to peers or adults whom
you feel close to. You might speak in a more
relaxed way, by using slang and shorter forms of
words, when you want to be informal. You
should continue to be respectful when being
informal.

5. Informal Language with
 Your best friend
 Your sister
 Your babysitter
 Your cousin
 Who else?

6. Change to Formal
 Hi
 Sure!
 Will ya?
 Ya gotta do it!
 What do you want?

7. Change to Informal
 I would be delighted!
 I certainly appreciate this.
 It has been a pleasure meeting you.
 Could you possibly give me a hand with this
project?

8. Formal or Informal?
 You call your dad at work and his boss answers
the phone.
 You are asking someone out on a date
 You are talking to your parents at the dinner
table
 You are trying to convince the assistant principal
to change the date of the detention you were
given.

9. Formal Language
 Looks like
 Standing or sitting straighter than usual
 Sounds like
 “Hello, Mrs. Cadle”
 “Please, may I…”
 “Nice to meet you.”

10. Informal
 Looks like
 Standing or sitting in a relaxed position
 Sounds like
 Using slang
 “Hi”
 “What are ya doin’?”
 “What’s new?”

11. Formal vs. Informal
When to use which?
Wisdom is knowing
what to do next; virtue
is doing it.
David Starr Jordan