Formal English and informal English - BBC English Masterclass

Hi, Sian here for BBC Learning English. In this Masterclass we're going to look at some

differences between formal and informal English.

Hey, how's it going? Good afternoon, how are you?

Sometimes formal and informal can seem like two different languages. In the same

way you wouldn't normally wear shorts and a t-shirt to a job interview, if you use language

that's too formal or too informal, you can give a bad impression. Let's look at some

differences between formal and informal English. Now, I received an email this morning. Have

a look at this email - do you think the language is formal or informal - and why?

Dear Mrs Brown,

I'm writing to find out whether you have any jobs in your company this summer.

At the mo I'm studying Economics at uni.

I have been working part-time in a shop and recently they promoted me to the role of manager.

I am enthusiastic. I work hard. I pay attention to detail.

Ok, so that email used informal language and it's too informal for this style of letter.

We're going to look at four features that make this informal and we're going to change

it to make it more formal.

Number one: choice of vocabulary. In informal English we use more common words and more

phrasal verbs. For example here we have a phrasal verb: find out. It would be better

to use a more formal equivalent like enquire. Same with jobs, this is quite informal, so

instead let's use vacancies here. Instead we have "I'm writing to enquire whether you

have any vacancies."

Number two. It's more common in informal language to use abbreviations, contractions, shortened

forms of verbs. Let's have a look. So, here we have at the mo, which is short for at the

moment. This is OK when you're speaking, but not when you're writing. Here, we could use

currently which is even more formal. Same here, uni is short for university, so don't

use this short form in a letter. "Currently, I am studying Economics at university."

Quite often in formal language we choose passive structures over active. Let's have a look

here. The active sentences they promoted me is quite informal - it'd be much better to

use a passive form here to make it more formal: I was promoted. So, "Recently I was promoted

to the role of manager." This doesn't mean don't use active structures in a formal letter,

but have a think about whether a passive one is more appropriate.

Finally, in informal English, short, simple sentences are much more common. Whereas in

formal English, we use more complex structures. Take a look at this one. Here

we have three short, simple sentences and this is fine in informal English, but in formal

English it's better to use a complex structure. We can do this by adding relative pronouns

or linkers. For example, "I am an enthusiastic person who works hard and pays attention to detail.

So, would you kindly visit our website... ah, we're friends, that's too formal. Go to

our website bbclearningenglish.com for more information about this and to practise formal

and informal English. See you soon - goodbye!