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Formal vs Informal Language

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Formal vs Informal Language

Read each item carefully. Choose the best answer where options are given. For writing tasks, use the audience and purpose to guide your choices.

Recognising language register

Formal language is usually polite and carefully worded. Informal language is more relaxed and often used with people we know well.

1.Asha writes to a friend: “Are you coming over after school? It’ll be great!” Is this message formal or informal?

Formal
Informal

2.Which register is used in this sentence? “I would be grateful if you could send me the meeting details.”

Formal
Informal

3.Which two features are most likely to appear in an informal message?

Slang and shortened words
Careful greetings and complete sentences
Technical vocabulary and a formal sign-off
Polite requests and no contractions

4.Choose the more formal word: “Could you give me some _____ with this task?”

help
assistance

Changing the register

Keep the message's meaning, but adjust its language for a different audience.

5.Rewrite this text to a friend in a more formal style: “Hey, can u send me the notes? I missed the lesson.”

6.Write a casual text message to your friend Ruby-Mae asking whether she can meet you at the library on Saturday. Use an informal greeting and one relaxed expression.

7.Write a polite email to your school librarian asking to renew a borrowed book for one more week. Include a greeting, a clear request and a suitable sign-off.

8.Match each informal phrase with the formal version that keeps its meaning.

Can you give me a hand?
Cheers for that!
I’m going to be late.
Hiya!

Hello.
Could you please assist me?
Thank you for your help.
I will arrive later than expected.

Choosing language for the audience

Think about who will read or hear each message and what the situation requires.

9.You are sending a message to a cousin to ask what time to meet at the park. Which register is most suitable?

Formal
Informal

10.You are writing to the local council to ask about a community swimming pool programme. Which register is most suitable?

Formal
Informal

11.In one or two sentences, explain why a writer should choose language that suits the audience and situation.

12.Rewrite this casual message as a polite email to a teacher: “Hi, I can’t make it to training tomorrow ’cause I’m unwell. Can you tell me what I missed?”