Formal and informal language
formal and informal

Formal and informal language differ in tone, word choice and sentence structure, each serving different purposes. Let's delve deeper into these differences. 

 

Formal language:

  • less personal than informal language
  • used when writing for professional or academic purposes like university assignments
  • no colloquialisms, contractions or first person pronouns such as ‘I’ or ‘we’.

Informal language:

  • more casual and spontaneous
  • used when communicating with friends or family either in writing or in conversation
  • used when writing personal emails, text messages and in some business correspondence
  • the tone is more personal than formal language.

Examples of formal and informal language

Click on the symbol ∨  to access all the examples. 

Contractions

FormalInformal

Improvements cannot be introduced due to funding restrictions.

The improvements canʼt be introduced due to funding restrictions.
 I donʼt believe that the results are accurate.The results are not believed to be accurate.
The research project will not continue next year.The research project wonʼt continue next year.

Phrasal verbs

FormalInformal
The balloon was inflated for the experiment.The balloon was blown up for the experiment.
 The patient recovered from his illness.The patient got over his illness.
The results of the study were confused. The results of the study were mixed up.

Slang/colloquialisms

FormalInformal
The crowd was very rowdy during the protest against the cuts to university funding.The mob was very rowdy during the protest against cuts to university funding.
 Lecturers expect students to use correct grammar and punctuation in essays.Lecturers still count on students to use correct grammar and punctuation in essays.
It was raining very heavily. It was raining cats and dogs.

First person pronouns

FormalInformal
Various research methods were considered for the study.I considered various research methods for the study.

It is believed the practice is unsustainable.

We believe the practice is unsustainable.
During the interview, students were asked about their experiences.During the interview, I asked students about their experiences.

Acronyms

TAFE  Technical and Further Education
ANZAC        Australian and New Zealand Army Corps
QANTAS Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services

Initialisms

UTS             University of Technology Sydney
ISO              International Standards Organisation
OECDOrganisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

 Tips

  1. The first time an acronym or initialism is used in an essay, it is acceptable to write the name in full with the acronym or initialism in brackets after it. Every subsequent time it is used the acronym or initialism can be used on its own. Commonly known acronyms such as ANZAC and QANTAS do not need to be written in full. If an acronym or initialism needs to be made into a plural, add a small ‘s’ to it without an apostrophe.
  2. Do not use the acronyms 'ATSI' or 'TSI' to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This must be written in full. Always capitalise the word 'Indigenous' when referring to Australia's Indigenous peoples.

Other academic style resources

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.