Which text is most formal?
Informal writing is typically used in casual situations or when communicating with someone you know well. Informal language often expresses familiarity and tends to sound more like speech. It uses more conversational language, such as slang, idioms, abbreviations, imprecise language and contractions.
Formal writing is typically used in academic and business writing or when writing directly to an authority figure. It tends to be more courteous and impersonal, avoiding overly familiar or conversational language.
Compare the following sentences.
Informal: Yeah, ostriches can’t fly, but I think they’re awesome.
More formal: Ostriches may be flightless, but they’re remarkable runners.
Most formal: Though flightless, ostriches are remarkable runners.
Learn with an example
✈️ Which excerpt from a lab report is more formal?
- We did this experiment so we could try and work out how things like temperature and wind end up affecting transpiration.
- This experiment was conducted to show how variables such as temperature and wind affect transpiration.
- The second excerpt from a lab report is more formal. It uses more elevated language (was conducted, different variables). The other excerpt uses imprecise and conversational language (try and work out, things like, end up).
✈️ Which letter closing is more formal?
- Bye,
- Yours sincerely,
- The second letter closing is more formal. The other letter closing is more casual and suggests a familiarity with the person being written to.
✈️ Which cover letter is more formal?
- Now that I have earned my degree, I am eager to apply for a position on your team.
- Now that I’ve got my degree, I can’t wait to try and get a job on your team.
- The first cover letter is more formal. It uses more elevated language (eager to apply, position). The other cover letter uses contractions and conversational language (I’ve got, can’t wait, get a job).
Let’s practice!
