Formal vs. Informal Writing

Compare: ‘Hey, what’s up?’ vs. ‘Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to enquire…’ — very different registers.

Notice

  • Informal: Hi Tom, just checking if you’re free Friday?
  • Formal: Dear Mr. Lee, I am writing to confirm our meeting on Friday.
  • Informal: Can’t wait to see you! Formal: I look forward to hearing from you.

Rule

Informal writing (to friends/family) uses contractions, casual greetings, and short sentences. Formal writing (to institutions, unknown people, at work) avoids contractions, uses “Dear…”, full sentences, and phrases like “I am writing to…” and “I look forward to hearing from you.”

Practice

  1. Formal greeting for someone whose name you don’t know:
    Answer: Dear Sir/Madam,
  2. Rewrite formally: “Can’t wait to see you!”
    Answer: I look forward to seeing you.
  3. Formal opener meaning “I am writing about…”
    Answer: I am writing to…
  4. Informal closing: ___ , Formal closing: Yours sincerely,
    Answer: Best / See you soon
  5. Rewrite formally: “Sorry, can’t make it.”
    Answer: I regret that I am unable to attend.

Connect

Practise switching between formal and informal register.

Try Sentence Builder →

CEFR: Writing — write connected text appropriate to the situation, formal or informal.

Azizul Hakim
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