Formal
vs. Informal
Language
Materials: worksheet, pen/pencil
DO NOT WORK AHEAD!
DIRECTIONS

Fill in the blanks as you view the slides.
Remember…
= eyes (look & listen)
= write (worksheet)
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. Use formal language when
writing research paper, essays, etc.
Formal Language
WORKSHEET  Characteristics of formal language: no
__________, no contractions, and complex sentences.

CHARACTERISTICS
 No slang
 No contractions (should’ve, can’t)
 Complex, complete sentences
 Avoid the use of personal pronouns (I, you, me)
when writing essays, research papers, etc.
USE FORMAL LANGUAGE WITH…
WORKSHEET  Who would use formal language with
(two examples)?

Teachers
Principals
Counselors
Doctors
Firefighters
Police officers

Who else?





*use in research
papers, essays,
business letters, etc.
Formal Language EXAMPLE
 This
is to inform you that your book
has been rejected by our publishing
company as it was not up to the
required standard. In case you would
like us to reconsider it, we would
suggest that you go over it and make
some necessary changes.
Formal Language
WORKSHEET  What words would you use
to describe formal language?
 Looks like


Standing or sitting straighter than usual
Sounds like
“Hello, Mrs. Smith”
 “Please, may I…”
 “Lovely to meet you.”

Informal Language

Is used when you talk to peers or well-known adults.
You might speak in a more relaxed way by using slang
and shorter forms of words.
Informal Language
WORKSHEET  Characteristics of informal
language: slang is allowed, ____________ are
allowed, and simple sentences.

CHARACTERISTICS
 Slang is allowed
 Contractions are allowed (should’ve, can’t)
 Simple grammatical structure
USE INFORMAL LANGUAGE WITH…
WORKSHEET  Who would you use
informal language with (two examples)?

Your best friend
Your sister
Your brother
Your cousin

Who else?



*use in friendly
letters, etc.
Informal Language EXAMPLE
 Ya know that book I wrote? Well,
the publishing company rejected
it. They thought it was awful. But
hey, I did the best I could, and I
think it was great. I’m not gonna
redo it the way they said I should.
Informal
WORKSHEET  What words would you use
to describe informal language?
 Looks like


Standing or sitting in a relaxed position
Sounds like

Using slang
“Hi”
 “What are ya doin’?”
 “What’s up?”

Formal
Informal
Products can be ordered
from…
We just get products
from…
Personally, I prefer...
I love/ I like
A final and equally
important point is...
Last but not least...
Jacobs: Good evening, I am
Jacobs: Hey there, I'm Jane
Jane Jacobs from the Jiffy
Jacobs from City Publishing.
City Publishing.
Stevens: How do you do? I am Stevens: Hi, come have a seat.
pleased to finally meet
you. Please have a seat.
Change to Formal
Activity 1 -- worksheet
Hi.
2. Okay!
3. Will ya?
4. Ya gotta go!
5. What do you want?
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE! GO!
Be prepared to share with a neighbor!
1.
Change to Formal
Act. 1 – worksheet POSSIBLE ANSWERS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hi.
Hello.
Okay!
That sounds delightful!
Will ya?
Would you like to participate?
Ya gotta go!
It is a requirement that you attend!
What do you want?
May I help/assist you?
Change to Informal
Activity 2 - worksheet
I would be delighted!
7. I certainly am grateful for this.
8. It has been a pleasure meeting you.
9. Could you possibly assist me with this
assignment?
YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES! GO!
Be prepared to share with a neighbor!
6.
Change to Informal
Act. 2 – worksheet POSSIBLE ANSWERS
6.
I would be delighted!
I’d like to!
7.
I certainly am grateful for this.
Appreciate it. / Thanks.
8.
It has been a pleasure meeting you.
It’s been real.
9.
Could you possibly assist me with this
assignment?
Can you help me out?
Formal or Informal?
Activity 3 – OUT LOUD
Is the statement formal or informal?
Formal or Informal? Activity 3
10.
11.
12.
13.
You call your mom at work and her boss answers the
phone.
formal
You are talking to your friend after school.
informal
You are talking to your teacher about a low grade you do
not think you deserve.
formal
You are trying to convince your father to let you spend
the summer in England with your friend’s family.
formal
Practice 4 – OUT LOUD
multiple-choice practice questions
(A, B, C, or D)
ACTIVITY 4 OUT LOUD
1. Choose the sentence that would be appropriate in a letter
to a friend but NOT appropriate in a formal report.
 A Most of them live in water, but a few species make their
home on land.
 B More than four thousand different types of crabs exist
around the world.
 C This is cool because crab claws are a favorite food of
everyone I know.
 D Depending on a crab’s habitat, the size of its claw can vary
considerably.
 ANSWER - C
Activity 4 -- OUT LOUD
2. Read the following paragraph from a formal report. Choose
the sentence in which the language is inappropriate.
(1) In a nuclear reaction, changes occur in the nucleus, or
center, of an atom. (2) When two nuclei join in a nuclear
reaction, the nucleus of a larger atom forms.
(3) In this process that we call nuclear fusion, lots and lots
of energy is released. (4) A high temperature and extreme
pressure are necessary for nuclear fusion to occur.
A Sentence 1 -- B Sentence 2 -- C Sentence 3 -- D Sentence 4
Answer
-c
Activity 4 -- OUT LOUD
3. Choose the sentence that would be most appropriate in a
formal paper.




A Jellyfish are a kind of simple animal with two layers of
cells and jelly stuff in between.
B Jellyfish are simple animals with two layers of cells
having a jelly-like substance between them.
C If you look carefully at jellyfish, you’ll find two layers of
cells with jelly in between.
D Jellyfish are these simple animals with two layers of
cells with a jelly substance between them.
 Answer
-B
MORE PRACTICE!
Complete the remaining activities.
You may work with a partner.
TEST SOON!
NOTE – ANSWERS ON REMAINING SLIDES
TASK 1. Can you think of a formal way of
saying these words or phrases?
-new
-get your money back
-TV
-phone you back
-pay your bill
- buy
POSSIBLE ANSWERS
-- TASK 1. Can you think of a formal way of
saying these words or phrases?
-new
-phone you back
-get your money back
-pay your bill
-TV
- buy
TASK 2. Can you think of an informal way of
saying the following words or phrases?
-grandfather
-child
-a great deal of
-bravery
-spectacles
-sincere
-accept
-communication
-retail outlet
-satisfactory
POSSIBLE ANSWERS
TASK 2. Can you think of an informal way of saying the
following words or phrases?
-grandfather
-sincere
-child
-accept
-a great deal of
-communication
-bravery
-retail outlet
-attire
-satisfactory
TASK 3. Circle the correct answer.
1. Choose the sentence that is appropriate in a
research paper.



A Nebulae perform like magicians to turn stardust into
human beings.
B Nebulae are vast clouds of gas where stars are forming.
C Nebulae may look like seashells, turtles, even
butterflies.
Answer
-B
TASK 3. Circle the correct answer.
2. Identify the sentence that would be inappropriate for



a formal course catalog.
A Insect relationships to habitats are recorded and
interpreted.
B An introduction to the ethnic diversity of American
literature is presented.
C An in-depth exploration of history, technique, and
everything you need to know about filmmaking is offered.
Answer
-C
TASK 4. Match the informal word/phrase to its formal version.
1____
If you are late
2____ Hi
3____ Why don’t you...?
4____ Could you...?
5____ It’s just not cool!
6____ Hang on a minute
7____ Just wanted to let you
know that...
8____ What’s up?
A. I strongly recommend you to...
B. Wait for one moment
C. In the event of any delay
D. How are you?
E. I find the situation unacceptable
F. Good morning
G. I am writing with reference to...
H. I wonder if it would be possible to…?
Task 5. - List THREE slang words/phrases and
their definitions. ANSWERS WILL VARY.


ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES - Use your own paper!
Activity A -Write the formal version of each slang
word/phrase defined in Activity A.
Activity B - Circle the informal words in the sentences.
Then, rewrite each sentence more formally.












1. We’re driving the kids to the park.
2. Can I hang at your crib until my rents get home?
3. He was ogling the chicks.
4. The play was wicked.
5. You’re lame if you like doing that sort of thing.
6. Kyle is heading over to John’s place.
7. He’s starting to tick me off.
8. I ain’t got no time for this.
9. Are you gonna give me a ride?
10. Sue doesn’t wanna go to the mall this Friday.
11. Heather looked for the silly kid.
12. Hang on to my glasses for me.