Formal and informal style in English. Difference between formal and informal English

Source: an article in English by Nita Paul (ed.), published on the website of the question and answer service “Quora”. Here we offer you its translation.

English is not the most difficult language, but it is definitely one of the hardest to learn. A person whose native language is English will easily pronounce a new word that he has not spoken before, but for people who do not speak English and who are just learning English, this can become a real problem.

It is not so difficult to distinguish between formal and informal styles of speech in English, since the distinction is completely clear. It is extremely important to understand this distinction well in order to use English correctly at the right time.

The differences between colloquial and formal English can be broadly classified into differences in vocabulary, differences in word order, and, finally, differences in punctuation. But there are other important aspects in this regard.
For example, the fact that the colloquial style, which refers to informal language, is used in different situations, oral speech, but not in scientific written texts. In such texts, the use of formal language is mandatory.

People who learn English need to be exposed to as many different examples of formal language as possible. On the other hand, students should be aware that not all samples are equally trustworthy.

The source of ideas about the formal style in a language can be textbooks, official documents, business letters, mailings, reports, articles, while the informal style is presented in our ordinary everyday conversations.

The need for a formal style comes when you need to write a business letter, prepare a presentation, or read a book. However, this does not mean that you should ignore colloquial words and expressions, because they are what you use in normal daily conversations with native English speakers.

Below let me offer an overview of the differences between informal and formal style in terms of the vocabulary used:

1) Texts using formal language are carefully edited and constructed with care. A person who uses a formal style usually has enough time to polish the text to an almost perfect state. But when writing quick messages, personal emails or in normal conversation, they resort to an informal style.

2) Formal language is used when making speeches, making presentations, and so on. Informal English accompanies unprepared spontaneous speech, when a person speaks without any prior preparation.

3) When using a formal style, sentences are more complex and longer. In informal language, short and simple sentences are preferred.
4) Standards of correctness are higher in formal language, so a sentence that might be considered acceptable in colloquial speech may not be so in formal business text.

5) Formal English uses complex words, complex phrases and difficult to understand sentences. And in informal speech, sentences include simple everyday structures and words that are easy to convey to the interlocutor and easy to understand.

Thus, formal and informal speech styles are equally important for the student, since he will need to use his English in different communication situations. Use different sources to look for samples of formal and informal speech, they should help to clearly distinguish between spoken language and formal business language. In particular, posts on forums, blogs, news texts, films, television series, conversations between hosts and guests on radio and talk shows can become a source of illustrative examples.

Translated by Valentin Rakhmanov.

If you have to write a letter in English, the first thing you should think about is the style or register of writing your letter (register). How to determine register? Think about three aspects:

The less you know the recipient, the more formal your style should be. There are the following styles of writing letters in English: formal and informal. There is also a semi-formal or neutral style, but in nature it is closer to formal. Determining the style of a letter will be very simple - it depends on who you are addressing it to. If the letter is written to a stranger and his name is unknown to you, then it will be a formal letter. If the name of the person you are sending the letter to is known to you, for example, it is your boss or teacher, then it will be a “semi-formal letter”. If, in addition, you are connected with a person by friendly or family feelings, then this will be an “informal letter”. Some authors identify the following styles depending on the type of communication, addressee, and linguistic means:

The formal style is inherent in documents (for example, legal), high-level business letters; in the formal style, all the rules of punctuation and grammar are observed. Semi-formal style is used for business correspondence and professional communication. Because the writer and recipient of the letter are typically busy business people, letters of this style are specific, fact-focused, and include standard, boilerplate language. And finally, the informal style is typical for correspondence between friends and communication on social networks. It involves the use of colloquial expressions, abbreviations, rules of grammar and punctuation are not always observed.

However, these are only general differences between styles. In this article, we will look at more fundamental features that will help you write quality letters in English.

1. Vocabulary.

If you compare two letters of the same content, but written in different styles, then the informal letter will be shorter. Do you know why? Because the formal style involves the use of longer words, words of Latin origin. In contrast to the informal style, phrasal verbs are hardly used in the formal style, except those that cannot be replaced by a longer equivalent. The same goes for nouns: if, when writing a formal letter, you have a choice between a short word and a long one, choose the longer one.

Let's look at some differences between formal and informal vocabulary:

In an informal letter writing style, the use of the active voice prevails over the use of the passive voice. Informal letters are more personalized, while formal letters and documents are factual. Let's look at this with examples:

I invite you to come to my party on Friday evening. –I I invite you you come on mine party V Friday In the evening.
You are invited to attend the annual conference. –You invited visit annual conference.

The teacher told us to complete the test papers. – Teacher said us finish test assignments.
The students were told to complete the test papers. –For students they said finish test assignments.

The camera you delivered to me yesterday is broken. – Camera, which You to me delivered yesterday, broken.
The camera which was delivered to me yesterday is flawed. –Camera, which was delivered yesterday, defective.

In each pair of sentences, the first one refers to the informal register. As you can see, every second sentence, written in a formal style, talks about facts and sounds more neutral and formal.

3. Appeals and stereotypes.

A characteristic feature of the informal style is addressing in the first person, using the pronoun “I”: I am sorry ..., I think ... and so on.

While official letters are based on clichés, standard phrases of business communication. The informal style allows for improvisation, while the formal style is more stereotypical.

I am sorry for my being late. –I I'm sorry, What I'm late.

I am glad to tell you that I am coming soon. –I glad report to you, What I soon I'm coming.

is the use of the pronoun “we”. When a representative of one company writes a letter to another company, the letter is written not in the first person singular (I), but in the first person plural (we).

4. Slang expressions.

Slang expressions are absent in the official style; they simply are not there. The same goes for most idiomatic expressions. Formal style is the language of specifics and business vocabulary, so the use of slang is unacceptable, it is a sign of unprofessionalism and disrespect for the recipient:

5. Abbreviations.

The informal style, along with slang expressions, allows the use of abbreviated forms of the verbs to be, have, has, would, will and others: I"m, we"ve, he"s and so on.

In the official style, abbreviations are never used; all forms must be written in full: I am, we have, he is, they will, she would, and so on.

In informal letters, to a friend, for example, we address a specific person, calling him by name in our letter. Official letters are impersonal, they are not addressed to anyone, the addressee's name is not used in the main part of the letter, only at the beginning. Imperative constructions in official letters and documents are replaced by passive ones, that is, you do not give instructions, but formulate a rule:

If you have questions, feel free to ask me. – If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
You will be contacted for further information. –WITH you will contact For further information.

7. Coordination of ideas.

Even unions of formal and informal styles have their differences. In informal communication, we use a familiar set of phrases and expressions to unite our ideas. Most of them are short: and, but, also, because. Conjunctions that are used in the formal register are usually long words or phrases. Let's look at the table and compare some of them:

The word also as a conjunction should be avoided in formal style, but is perfectly acceptable when it refers to a verb (in imperative constructions or inverse sentences):

vocabulary

coordination of ideas

Thus, when starting to write a letter in English, remember the differences in registers, follow the vocabulary, grammar, and other language means so that your letter is in the same style.

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Comparative characteristics of formal and informal letter styles.

If you have to write a letter in English, the first thing you should think about is the style or register of writing your letter (register). How to determine register? Think about three aspects:

The less you know the recipient, the more formal your style should be. There are the following styles of writing letters in English: formal and informal. There is also a semi-formal or neutral style, but in nature it is closer to formal. Determining the style of a letter will be very simple - it depends on who you are addressing it to. If the letter is written to a stranger and his name is unknown to you, then it will be a formal letter. If the name of the person you are sending the letter to is known to you, for example, it is your boss or teacher, then it will be a “semi-formal letter”. If, in addition, you are connected with a person by friendly or family feelings, then this will be an “informal letter”. Some authors identify the following styles depending on the type of communication, addressee, and linguistic means:

The formal style is inherent in documents (for example, legal), high-level business letters; in the formal style, all the rules of punctuation and grammar are observed. Semi-formal style is used for business correspondence and professional communication. Because the writer and recipient of the letter are typically busy business people, letters of this style are specific, fact-focused, and include standard, boilerplate language. And finally, the informal style is typical for correspondence between friends and communication on social networks. It involves the use of colloquial expressions, abbreviations, rules of grammar and punctuation are not always observed.

However, these are only general differences between styles. In this article, we will look at more fundamental features that will help you write quality letters in English.

1. Vocabulary.

If you compare two letters of the same content, but written in different styles, then the informal letter will be shorter. Do you know why? Because the formal style involves the use of longer words, words of Latin origin. In contrast to the informal style, phrasal verbs are hardly used in the formal style, except those that cannot be replaced by a longer equivalent. The same goes for nouns: if, when writing a formal letter, you have a choice between a short word and a long one, choose the longer one.

Let's look at some differences between formal and informal vocabulary:

2. Use of passive voice.

In an informal letter writing style, the use of the active voice prevails over the use of the passive voice. Informal letters are more personalized, while formal letters and documents are factual. Let's look at this with examples:

I invite you to come to my party on Friday evening. – I invite you to come to my party on Friday evening.
You are invited to attend the annual conference. – You are invited to attend the annual conference.

The teacher told us to complete the test papers. – The teacher told us to finish the test assignments.
The students were told to complete the test papers. – The students were told to finish the test assignments.

The camera you delivered to me yesterday is broken. – The camera you delivered to me yesterday is broken.
The camera which was delivered to me yesterday is flawed. – The camera that was delivered yesterday is defective.

In each pair of sentences, the first one refers to the informal register. As you can see, every second sentence, written in a formal style, talks about facts and sounds more neutral and formal.

3. Appeals and stereotypes.

A characteristic feature of the informal style is addressing in the first person, using the pronoun “I”: I am sorry..., I think... and so on.

While official letters are based on clichés, standard phrases of business communication. The informal style allows for improvisation, while the formal style is more stereotypical.

I am sorry for my being late. - I'm sorry I'm late.
We apologize for the delay. – We apologize for the delay.

I am glad to tell you that I am coming soon. – I am glad to inform you that I am coming soon.
We take pleasure in informing you about our upcoming visit. – We are pleased to inform you about our upcoming visit.

Typical for formal style Iis the use of the pronoun “we”. When a representative of one company writes a letter to another company, the letter is written not in the first person singular (I), but in the first person plural (we).

4. Slang expressions.

Slang expressions are absent in the official style; they simply are not there. The same goes for most idiomatic expressions. Formal style is the language of specifics and business vocabulary, so the use of slang is unacceptable, it is a sign of unprofessionalism and disrespect for the recipient:

He wrote us about lots of stuff. “He wrote to us about a lot of nonsense.”
He sent us some information on the question. – He sent us information on this issue.

5. Abbreviations.

The informal style, along with slang expressions, allows the use of abbreviated forms of the verbs to be, have, has, would, will and others: I"m, we"ve, he"s and so on.

In the official style, abbreviations are never used; all forms must be written in full: I am, we have, he is, they will, she would, and so on.

6. Specific appeals and impersonal constructions.
In informal letters, to a friend, for example, we address a specific person, calling him by name in our letter. Official letters are impersonal, they are not addressed to anyone, the addressee's name is not used in the main part of the letter, only at the beginning. Imperative constructions in official letters and documents are replaced by passive ones, that is, you do not give instructions, but formulate a rule:

If you have questions, feel free to ask me. – If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
You will be contacted for further information. – You will be contacted for further information.

7. Coordination of ideas.

Even unions of formal and informal styles have their differences. In informal communication, we use a familiar set of phrases and expressions to unite our ideas. Most of them are short: and, but, also, because. Conjunctions that are used in the formal register are usually long words or phrases. Let's look at the table and compare some of them:

while

whereas

But

however

also

additionally

in addition

in addition

Also

therefore

thus

Thus

alternatively

instead

otherwise

or

otherwise

instead of

however

however

provided that

in case

unless

provided that

in case

if not

what's more

moreover

moreover

The word also as a conjunction should be avoided in formal style, but is perfectly acceptable when it refers to a verb (in imperative constructions or inverse sentences):Also see the agenda attached. – Please also review the attached event plan.

Also covered accommodation expenses. – Accommodation expenses are also reimbursed.

As you can see, formal and informal styles in English are fundamentally different from each other.

The main distinctive features are:
vocabulary

grammar, use of active and passive voice

use of phrasal verbs, slang expressions

use of speech patterns, clichés

use of abbreviated forms

coordination of ideas

Thus, when starting to write a letter in English, remember the differences in registers, follow the vocabulary, grammar, and other language means so that your letter is in the same style.

In English, as in other languages, two stable forms of communication coexist - formal and informal language. And if the formal version is useful only for business letters, documentation or official news, then the field for using informal language is much wider. Why is it worth communicating in Informal English if you don’t want to give the impression of being a “cracker” and an obvious foreigner?

How to become “one of us”?

Some languages ​​of the world have certain rules for addressing elders (by age or social status). English does not have very strict requirements of this kind, but it still has some words and constructions for formal speech. But informal English is the best option for everyday situations, friendly conversations over a glass of tea, and private chat on the Internet.

If you address an English-speaking friend with the phrase “Dear sir!”, you will look at least strange, unless you just decided to make him laugh. Agree that the greeting “Hi!” fits much more organically into the format of a friendly dialogue.

Of course, the bulk of words and expressions in the English language have a “neutral” connotation. But knowing the common tricks of the informal option will play into your hands - you will look natural among English-speaking friends and will not cause confusion in them with the formality of your speech.

Differences Informal English

Formal and informal versions of the language differ in both grammar and vocabulary. As for grammar, nuances such as:

• Reducing negative forms and auxiliary verbs. Compare: “It is possible! We have done it” (form.) and “It’s possible! We’ve done it” (informal).
• Prepositions in the informal version are moved to the end of the sentence, and in the formal version they are used at the beginning: “At what sport are you good?” (form.) and “What sport are you good at?” (informal).
• The so-called relative constructions also differ: “The guy whom she asked” (formal) and “The guy she asked” (informal).
• After qualifying words (such as “neither”), verbs come in different numbers: “Neither of the boys wants to participate” (formal, singular verb) and “Neither of the boys want to take part” (informal, verb in plural).
• According to the style, the form of some pronouns also changes, for example: “Whom did you ask to come?” (form.) and “Who did you ask to come?” (informal).
• Some words in informal English are completely dropped: “Have you done that?” (form.) and simply “Done that?” (informal).

And in the vocabulary of informal English there are a bunch of specific words and expressions that have practically nothing in common with the formal language, for example:

Of course, the specific features of informal English include not only individual words, but also entire expressions. For example:

• to wolf something down- swallow (about food): I wolfed down that ice-cream so quickly. - I quickly swallowed (like a wolf) this ice cream;
• to go- take food to go (in a restaurant, cafe): Would you like (your food) to go? - Do you (go) with you?;
• you gotta be kidding me- it can’t be (in the sense of “You’re kidding, I guess”).

The examples given will be useful for communication in real life, on Facebook, blogs, etc. And in modern English there are some accepted norms for correspondence by email. For formal and informal correspondence, you may find this sign useful at first:

Of course, the best way to effectively master all the intricacies of informal English is to study the language with native speakers. Nowadays, there are many opportunities for this, the main thing is not to be lazy, choose the best preparation option for yourself, and “with feeling, with sense, with alignment” move towards your goal. Good luck!

Ladies and gentlemen! Let me invite you to read a publication about communication styles in English. We will be incredibly glad if this essay solves the problem of exchange of opinions in society for you. You will learn how to communicate in high society, and what vocabulary to use in drinking establishments during leisure hours with colleagues.

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First, let's find out why it is important to know the differences between these styles of English. Language is part of your image. A bank employee will never come to work in a tracksuit. And an evening dress and high heels on the beach will look strange. You should choose your communication style in the same way. Moreover, every student of English should master different conversation styles, because even the most strict official has pajamas in his wardrobe, and every stylish lady, in addition to high-heeled shoes, also has comfortable ballet shoes for long walks. In the same way, you need to keep expressions of different styles with you and use them depending on the situation. To do this correctly, let's learn the signs of each communication style.

The formal style is used in an official setting: conferences and presentations are held in this style, business communications take place, documents, scientific articles and books are written.

There are several rules that should be followed to make your speech sound formal:

1. Don't shorten your words

In formal speech there is no place for all sorts of I’m, I’d, I don’t. Instead, you should use the full forms of the words: I am, I would, I do not.

At the same time, it is acceptable to use expressions indicating affiliation, for example the company’s manager; it is not necessary to say the manager of the company.

2. Avoid using phrasal verbs

In an official setting, you are unlikely to hear “The inflation rate went up.” Instead, it is customary to say “The inflation rate increased/rose”. Phrasal verbs are replaced by ordinary ones.

3. Avoid slang and colloquialisms

We think this point is obvious: it is difficult to imagine a business partner who calls you bro. And if you want to ask how a representative of a partner company is doing, you are unlikely to say “What’s up?” Rather, you ask “How are you doing?” And in response you will receive not the colloquial “Yourself?”, but the friendly and polite “Thank you, very well.”

4. Build complex expanded expressions

It is not necessary to attend public speaking courses; it will be enough not to limit yourself to the short, abrupt phrases that we use in everyday speech. If you start expressing a thought, then develop it, support it with clear arguments, justify it and bring it to the end. If you are asked a question, answer as fully as possible. Make sure that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between sentences.

Example of a complex sentence in formal style:

The period of the five months has been very rich in new events, with significant developments taking place both in the securities markets and in the financial system as a whole. – The five-month period was rich in events and significant transformations that took place both in the securities market and in the financial system as a whole.

5. Use technical terminology

Each industry has its own specifics, so try to use appropriate vocabulary. For example, if you work in the field of economics and audit the financial statements of an enterprise, it would be appropriate to say “We audit financial report”, and not “We check financial report”.

In addition, there are words that are synonyms of the words we are familiar with; these synonyms should be used in documents or official speech. We suggest you familiarize yourself with the list of such words on. Try to use “formal” words in an official setting, business letters, your speech will only benefit from this, and your interlocutor or addressee will be pleasantly surprised.

6. Avoid the word “I”

If you are writing a business letter, try to avoid the expressions I think, In my opinion, etc. As a rule, such papers are written on behalf of the company, on behalf of the company in which you work. The same is true in business negotiations: talk less about yourself, your opinion, address your interlocutor on behalf of the company.

Should you need any further information, do not hesitate to contact us. - If you require any further information, do not hesitate to contact us.

7. Use complex grammar in your speech

Formal language is characterized not only by long phrases, but also by complex grammatical structures. For example, in formal letters and oral speech, the passive voice is used much more often than in ordinary conversation. The reason is that the active voice personifies speech, while the passive voice has a more formal connotation, compare:

You are invited to the conference. - You are invited to the conference.

We invite you to the conference. - We invite you to the conference.

As you can see, the first option sounds more formal and respectful. This is exactly what an official invitation or address looks like.

If you want to speak in a formal style, do not forget to use participial phrases, infinitive constructions, conditional sentences, inversion, etc. in your speech.

8. Be tolerant and politically correct

This point, although it comes last, plays an important role. Formal speech is an example of ethics and political correctness. Choose your words carefully so as not to offend your interlocutors, listeners or readers. For example, instead of the word poor, use economically exploited, and instead of old man, say senior citizen. We advise you to read articles by our teachers that will help you choose the correct words: “English language and political correctness” and “Pseudo-euphemia, or manipulation of consciousness with the help of language.”

Informal English is called by some the “dark side” of the language. This is the language of youth. It is used in informal settings: in conversations with friends, in online chats, etc.

How to make your speech sound informal:

1. Use slang and idiomatic expressions

When communicating with friends, it is appropriate to use various “juicy” words and vivid expressive expressions. Therefore, if you are learning English with a friend, do not miss the opportunity to introduce some idiom or slang word you like into your speech. By the way, we recommend reading the article “”, our tips will help you find a good reference book of expressions and consolidate them in your memory. An example of informal speech is given below:

He's a joke. He can’t do anything right! - He doesn’t deserve respect. He can't do anything right!

In this example, joke is a ridiculous person (sometimes a thing) who does not deserve respect.

2. Keep it short

Short simple phrases are an attribute of simple colloquial speech. If you are asked a question, answer it directly, in monosyllables. In a friendly environment, no one requires you to make a long speech with an introduction, arguments and conclusion. Be simpler - and they will not only reach out to you, but also speak to you in English.

Hi! What's up?
- She told me, I’m joke.
- Really? Oh, come on, you’re cool!
- Thanks!

3. Use phrasal verbs freely

A conversation in a friendly atmosphere provides room for creativity in speech. Here it is not only possible, but also necessary to use phrasal verbs. They decorate speech: they make it more lively, informal, and concise. For example, in informal speech it would be appropriate to use the slang phrasal verb knock off instead of finish:

I usually knock off at five o’clock. - I usually call it a day at five o’clock.

4. Shorten words and use their colloquial forms

A conversation with a friend or a chat is the very place where colloquial forms of words and abbreviations will ideally fit into your speech, for example: wanna (instead of want to), I'd (instead of I would), yep (instead of yes), etc. Let's give an example, here the abbreviation ain't is used to mean do not:

I ain't like this book. - I don't like this book.

5. Follow fashion in words

It can be difficult for non-native speakers to learn to communicate in an informal manner, because we are usually taught classical English, where there is no place for slang and some colloquial expressions. That’s why it’s so important to “follow fashion”… in words. Watch various videos, TV series, films in English. We suggest starting with the next video. Is your English old-fashioned too?

Neutral English is somewhere between two extremes. This is the language of almost all books and magazines, it is used when communicating with colleagues, acquaintances and relatives. It should be noted that the neutral style differs from the informal style in a more polite tone.

Neutral English is exactly the language that . This is the basis on which you can build any communication style by studying the necessary vocabulary and our article. :-)

How to learn to speak neutral English:

1. Use phrasal verbs freely

When talking with colleagues or neighbors, it is appropriate to use phrasal verbs. These are not slang words, their meaning will not make anyone blush, so use them freely.

2. Use abbreviated forms

Neutral conversation allows the use of various I’d, I’ve, you’re, etc. There is no need to pronounce the full forms of words, otherwise the speech will turn out to be more formal.

3. Be careful with slang

It is not advisable to use slang in a neutral conversation. The latter is the language of youth, the language of the streets, which is why it belongs on the street, and not in the office or visiting grandma.

4. Be polite

A semi-formal conversation presupposes respect for the interlocutor, so do not forget to correctly formulate requests, wishes, and preferences. For example, instead of “Send me that letter” you should say “Could you please send me that letter”. Watch an interesting video on how to speak politely:

We invite you to compare how the same sentence sounds when spoken in different styles:

Gentlemen, the authors of this publication sincerely hope that they were able to cover the topic, and you received a complete understanding of what formal, informal and neutral English is. Accept the postulate that the main task of communication is the exchange of thoughts between individuals in society. Be well-mannered and tactful, and then this exchange will be crowned with success.

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While it may be acceptable to use informal language in chats or emails, too much colloquial language can detract from the quality of formal business style writing. By reducing the amount of spoken language in your written texts, you will appear smarter. Using vocabulary incorrectly can result in you being considered ignorant. To improve your writing, become fluent in English so you know what words you shouldn't use and what is acceptable for formal text communication.

Steps

Difference between formal and informal English

What to Avoid in Formal Speech

Use punctuation correctly. For example, in American English, a colon (“Dear John:”) is used at the beginning of a formal letter, while in British English a comma is used instead. Limit the use of parentheses, exclamation marks, and hyphens in a formal style. Do not use the & sign, use the conjunction “and” instead. Place punctuation marks as you write so you don't forget anything.

Avoid using informal language and expressions, instead of "cute" use "adorable", instead of "yeah" - "yes"), instead of "movie" - "film", if you are not sure which form is correct, consult a dictionary for help . Also avoid using slang expressions like "cool," "dude," and "humongous." It is also worth removing phrases like “you know”, “perhaps you thought that...” from the text. You will not be able to read the thoughts of your readers at the moment when they get acquainted with your text. The expression “Think about it.” is also useless. You can assume that your readers already think about what they read, so instead of using such phrases, you should clearly express your thoughts. The adverb “pretty,” meaning “relatively, practically or quite” is not used in formal speech and is generally unnecessary and inappropriate.

Don't use abbreviations. Note that the full form of the word "can't" is "cannot", not "cannot."

Try not to write in first or second person. In a formal style, objectivity is important, and the pronouns “I” and “You” will introduce elements of subjectivity. Phrases like “I believe that” should be removed from the context of the phrase if it is already obvious that this is the opinion of the author. The pronoun “I” is more acceptable and typical for blogs, while “you” is suitable for letters and manuals. In formal speech, the pronoun “I” is replaced by “We”, but it does not mean the familiar “we”, but a kind of collective unconscious that symbolizes a large number of people. In formal style, the pronoun you is not used when it refers to people in general.

• You should sleep at least eight hours every night. (Informal option)
• You should sleep at least eight hours a day. (Formal style)
• Most people need at least eight hours of sleep at night to get enough sleep. (Formal style)

1. Don't start sentences with linking words. In writing, you should not use conjunctions “and,” “but,” “so,” or “or” at the beginning of a sentence. Conjunctions are created to connect words, phrases, and parts of a sentence, so at the beginning of a sentence it cannot play its role. Best of all Connect such a sentence with the previous one by replacing the period with a comma. Instead of a conjunction, you can use traditional adverbs such as “additionally” (or “moreover”), “nevertheless” (or “however”), “therefore” (or “thus”), and “alternatively” (or “instead”, “otherwise”) can be used at the end of a sentence. For example: This product here is much cheaper. It will only last half as long, though. In informal speech, you can start a sentence with “also”, but in formal speech it should not be used, except to complement a verb (In the imperative mood or in indirect word order): "Also read Chapters Two and Three;" "Also included is a free ticket." , where sentences begin with connective conjunctions, there may be a lack of smooth transitions of thought from one to another.

   Avoid clichés in formal speech. The formal style is close to literary language, which will be understandable and unambiguous for all readers. Clichés make what is written unoriginal, but despite this, they can look funny in colloquial speech, especially when some established phrases or expressions are played on. Here are some clichés to avoid:

   • Hercules was strong as a bull.
   • I would give an arm and a leg to find a parking spot during the holiday season.
   • She was as beautiful as a picture.

2. Avoid remarks. You shouldn't start a letter with a summary, just as you shouldn't start an essay with a message about the topic of discussion. Do not use phrases:

   • "I am writing to you to ask you to. . . ."
   • "This paper is going to talk about how...

3. Avoid vague words. Vague words are less formal and leave room for interpretation. They don't express your ideas the way more specific phrases do. It is better to replace the words “a little” or “enough” with something more precise.

   What is appropriate in formal speech

   The rules for using separator words are based on Latin, so it is not surprising that the speech in which they are used sounds like Latin. The Romans tried to use adverbs together with verbs, so adverbs often came before verbs. In Latin, Captain Kirk would say audacter ire, which would translate to “go boldly.” This phrase often appears in Latin texts and Star Wars fan fiction such as Audacter Ire and Justice for All. The Oxford Dictionary says that the phrase “boldly to go” is more formal than “to go boldly” due to Latin word order. The effectiveness of separator words comes from the fact that the particle to and the verb are, as it were, a single whole. After all, “to go” in Latin would sound like one word, “ire.” To place accents, the artist places a large painting between two small ones. By analogy, an adverb allows you to place stress when it comes after the particle to before the verb.

   1. Don't be afraid to separate the auxiliary verb from the main verb.

      Learn when to end a sentence with a preposition (even in the most formal speech). Check out the article on How to Learn English to Native Level for more detailed information.

      Always use relative pronouns. In formal English, it is very important to always use "whom" or "which", even if they do not carry additional meaning. The relative pronoun can be omitted if only the participle is used. In this case there will be no relative clause. You should also not use the word “that” as a relative pronoun. It should be replaced with "which", "whom" or "who".

      • This is the paper I wrote. (Informal speech)
      • This is the paper which I wrote. (Formal)
      • That was the paper written by me. (formal) (This version uses the past participle and does not contain a relative clause. This version uses the third form of the verb and does not have a relative clause. This is the most formal version because it does not contain verbs in the active voice).
      • The bear which was dancing was graceful. (Formal style)
      • The bear dancing was graceful. (more formal) (“Dancing” is not used in the active voice and in fact is not even a verb in the full sense of the word, since in this case it is used as an adjective. This is more obvious if the sentence is rephrased this way: “The dancing bear was graceful.”)

   2. Develop short sentences into longer, more coherent ones. Formal style involves the use of longer sentences: comparative, complex, and comparatively complex. You can combine two or more simple sentences into one of the above speech structures. Long sentences add variety to text and can be especially effective when paired with short sentences. Contrasts always attract readers' attention. An illustration of the previous sentence is that you can also use a semicolon to connect two clauses that are close in meaning to each other.

   Examples

   Informal letter:

   
   

   John, I’m looking for a job, and I’ve heard through the grapevine that you need a workhorse for your shop. Well, I’m the man of the hour, as I’ve got a lot to offer. I’m pretty hard-working, and I’m really good about being on time. I’m also used to working by myself. Anyway, tell me whether you want to get together for an interview, okay?

   
   

   Formal letter from a professional: Dear John: I understand that you are looking for a strong worker to assist you in your shop. I would appreciate consideration because I am diligent, punctual, and accustomed to working with minimal supervision.

   
   

   Please contact me if you are interested in arranging an interview. I thank you for your time.

   
   
   

   Professional Joe

   Warnings

   • You can get a lot out of a good thing. As stated earlier, you should tailor your formal style to suit your audience. A strong formal style may be necessary in some situations, but in others it may be completely unhelpful. Formal speech without active voice can bore your listeners if the attention is not focused on human actions. It is not for nothing that teachers have a divided opinion about the positive and negative aspects of the passive voice. Make sure your speech is suitable for this audience. And always try to write what readers will like.
   • Looking up words in a thesuarus greatly increases the formality of your writing, but make sure you use the words correctly. Some words contain footnotes that the dictionary does not explain. For example, the California Prune Board changed its name to the California Dried Plum Board because the word “prune” brings to mind constipation. Consider what the connotation of the word “minor” and its synonyms might be.