Difference between formal and informal language

Sample Solution

Formal and informal language are two different registers we use depending on the situation. They differ in tone, vocabulary, grammar, and even pronunciation.

Formal language is serious and objective. It's used in professional settings like academic papers, business emails, or job interviews. Here are some key features of formal language:

• Vocabulary: Formal language uses precise and sophisticated words. Instead of "sad," you might say "dejected" or "melancholy."
• Grammar: Formal language follows stricter grammar rules. Sentences tend to be more complex with varied structures.
• Tone: The tone is impersonal and objective. It avoids contractions and slang.
• Person: Formal language often avoids using first-person pronouns ("I," "we") excessively.

Informal language, on the other hand, is relaxed and conversational. It's used with friends, family, or in casual social media posts. Here's what informal language is like:

• Vocabulary: Informal language uses everyday words, slang, and even contractions. "That was awesome!" is informal, while "That was exceedingly impressive" is formal.

Full Answer Section

Informal language, on the other hand, is relaxed and conversational. It's used with friends, family, or in casual social media posts. Here's what informal language is like:

• Vocabulary: Informal language uses everyday words, slang, and even contractions. "That was awesome!" is informal, while "That was exceedingly impressive" is formal.
• Grammar: Informal language is more flexible with grammar rules. You might use contractions like "don't" or "can't."
• Tone: The tone is friendly and subjective. You might use humor, emojis, or abbreviations.
• Person: Informal language freely uses first-person pronouns ("I," "we") to convey personal experiences.

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference:

• Formal: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the meeting has been postponed."

• Informal: "Hey, looks like we gotta reschedule the meeting for later."

• Formal: "In conclusion, the data suggests a correlation between social media use and mental health."

• Informal: "So, basically, the study shows more social media use might be linked to mental health issues."