Formal and informal language

1. Is the following sentence an example of formal or informal writing?

I didn’t need any help.

• formal

• informal

Answer explanation

Contractions (didn't, couldn't, haven't, etc.) are informal.

2. Is the following sentence an example of formal or informal writing?

Let’s watch some TV this weekend.

• formal

• informal

Answer explanation

Abbreviations (TV) are informal. If this were a formal letter, we would write "television" instead and not use contractions.

3. Is the following sentence an example of formal or informal writing?

We found out when they met up.

• formal

• informal

Answer explanation

Phrasal verbs (found out, met up) are generally informal. To make this writing formal, we could use the words "discover" and "met".

4. Is the following sentence an example of formal or informal writing?

Many children in the world lack adequate food and housing.

• formal

• informal

Answer explanation

An informal example of the same sentence is "Lots of kids in the world don't have good food or housing."

5. Is the following sentence an example of formal or informal writing?

I’ve been under the weather lately.

• formal

• informal

Answer explanation

We don't generally use idioms in formal writing. "Under the weather" is an idiom. This sentence also has a contraction "I've". Contractions are used in informal writing.

Under the weather: slightly unwell or in low spirits.

6. Is the following sentence an example of formal or informal writing?

I would like to apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused.

• formal

• informal

Answer explanation

In formal writing, we often use very polite expressions like "would like", "may", and "could". "Inconvenience" is a formal word. "Trouble" and "fuss" would be informal ways to say "inconvenience". "Apologize" is also very formal. We could make this informal by changing the word to "say I'm sorry".

7. Is the following sentence an example of formal or informal writing?

Furthermore, we have seen the number of units sold increase dramatically.

• formal

• informal

Answer explanation

"Furthermore" is very formal. We could use "Also" instead to make this sentence less formal. "Increase dramatically" is formal. We could make this informal by changing this word to "go up a lot".

8. Is the following sentence an example of formal or informal writing?

Lots of kids have dropped their courses this fall.

• formal

• informal

Answer explanation

"Lots of" is informal English. To make this formal, we could use "Many". "Kids" is informal. We could use "children" to make this more formal. "Dropped" is informal. We could use "withdrawn from" to make this more formal.

9. Is the following sentence an example of formal or informal writing?

Write back ASAP.

• formal

• informal

Answer explanation

In informal writing, we can use abbreviations. "ASAP" means "as soon as possible". In formal writing, we could say "at your earliest convenience" instead. In informal writing, we can use imperatives like "Do you homework" or "Give that to me". This is where we give an order. In this sentence, we used the imperative "Write back". In formal writing, we don't use imperatives. We make requests using more polite language.

10. Is the following sentence an example of formal or informal writing?

To top it all off, I have an essay to write by Monday.

• formal

• informal

Answer explanation

"To top it all off" is informal. It's similar to "furthermore", but we use it when we are talking about bad or unpleasant things we have to do.