A short lecture on differences between formal and informal English. Made for Swedish students of English 6.

1. Formal/informal English
What is the difference?

2. Informal English
• Everyday conversations with friends and family and regular emails.
• Personal writing
• Not always 100% correct regarding grammar & choice of words.
• Short sentences
• Contracted forms of verbs. (isn’t, aren’t, won’t)
• Slang.

3. Formal English
• Official documents, some news articles, papers, essays in school,
speeches and conversations with people who you do not know.
• Correct grammar
• Longer sentences
• More advanced vocabulary

6. Informal vs. formal
Informal Formal InforImnfaol rmal FoFrmoarlm al
ask request help assist/assistance
because due to have Possess
begin commence I dunno I do not know
busy occupied tell Inform
check varify check make sure
enough sufficient need require
get recieve sorry regret
make sure ensure

7. Rewrite into formal English, please.
1. I just wanna make sure that he got the message.
2. Sorry! Won’t tell anyone.
3. He asked for more cash.
4. She has a sportscar.
5. He didn’t get the letter.

8. Suggestions.
1. I only want to ensure that he has recieved the message.
2. Sorry! I will not inform anyone.
3. He requested more money.
4. She possesses a sportscar.
5. He did not recieve the letter.

9. Rewrite into informal English, please.
1. I regret that I have been otherwise occupied every time you
have contacted me.
2. Please verify that there are sufficient funds in you account.
3. He commenced his speech by assuring us that more assistance
would be provided.

10. Suggestions.
• I’m sorry that I’ve been busy every time you’ve called.
• Please make sure that there is enough money in your account.
• He started his speech by telling us that we would get more
assistance.