Formal and Informal Written Language

STUDY NOTES
EPISODE 17: WATER AND AGEING
FORMAL AND INFORMAL WRITTEN

LANGUAGE
Students writing academic essays would be
expected to use formal English, and
maintain consistency and uniformity in their
writing, in other words, formal and informal
styles would not be mixed.
Formal language is characterised as being
more objective and impersonal. It is the type
of written language that would be used in
academic writing, official reports,
documents and other similar genres.
STUDY TIPS
In the Academic Module of IELTS
Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2,
it is important to use formal English.
Be careful that your writing is
consistent, in other words, different
writing styles should not be mixed.
Always leave some time to check
your writing.
Informal writing, on the other hand, would be characteristic of the kinds of writing
found in newspapers, magazines, advertising, personal letters and so on.
Students writing academic essays would be expected to use formal English, and
maintain consistency and uniformity in their writing, in other words, formal and
informal styles should not be mixed. Formal language is characterised as being more
objective and impersonal.
These notes summarise the main features, which differentiate formal and
informal written language.
GRAMMAR
FEATURE
relative pronoun
and the position of
the preposition
FORMAL LANGUAGE
The results depended on the
cylinder in which the liquid was
placed.
The scientists for whom the
funds are being collected
proceeded with the experiment.
contractions are to
be avoided in
formal writing
The study did not commence

because of the difficulties.
INFORMAL
LANGUAGE
The results
depended on the
cylinder which (or:
that) the liquid was
placed in.
The scientists whom
the funds are being
collected for
proceeded with the
experiment.
The study didnt start
because of the
difficulties.
Page 1 of 4
impersonal style for

formal language,
using passive
constructions,
especially when
describing
procedures
The procedures were written by The specialists in the

field wrote the
specialists in the field.
procedures.
use of abstract
nouns in formal
writing
The judge sought clarification

of the differences.
One should consider the

avoid personal
options.
pronouns (I, you,
we) and use the
impersonal one or It is said that.
constructions with
it is or there is/are
using language that
is tentative
The judge wanted the

differences
explained.
You should consider
the options.
They say that.
modal verbs: can, could,

should, may, would
Example: The government
should require industry to pay
for removing its waste.
adverbs: probably, possibly,
perhaps
Example: Although this is an old
and probably ineffective
method, there is nothing on the
market that could replace it.
adjectives: probable, possible
Example: A possible solution to
the problem requires industry to
pay for removing its waste.
nouns: possibility, claim,
evidence
Example: The scientists were
concerned with the possibility
of side effects from the untested
drug.
repetition should be
avoided in formal
style
Environmental pollution will be

the focus of this study. It is a
serious problem facing mankind
today.
Environmental
pollution will be the
focus of this study.
Environmental
pollution is a serious
problem facing
mankind today.
Page 2 of 4
SENTENCE COMPLEXITY AND LINKING WORDS

use of a
variety of
simple,
compound
and complex
sentences for
more formal
writing
avoid
beginning
sentences
with
coordinating
conjunctions
and and but
(these
conjunctions
join
sentences not
start them)
Air pollution is harmful to plants

because of the effects of poisonous
gases. In addition, it can damage the
ozone layer.
linking words
expressing
addition
opposition
result
referring to a
subject
cause and
effect
ordering
predominance
of simple
sentences is
less formal
than a variety
of simple,
compound
and complex
sentences
formal
moreover,
furthermore, in
addition to
nevertheless,
nonetheless
consequently,
accordingly
with reference to,
regarding
accordingly,
therefore, thus,
consequently
first(ly), in the first
place
less formal
also, and, besides
but
so,
at any rate, anyway
so
and, and then
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

FEATURE
the term is
written in full
the first time it
appears in the
writing
followed by its
abbreviation
or acronym in
brackets
Latin
abbreviations
are written in
full
FORMAL LANGUAGE
After her brilliant performance
in Hamlet, Jane was excited
by the prospect of becoming a
student at the National
Institute of Dramatic Art
(NIDA).
INFORMAL LANGUAGE
Most of the students who
performed last night were
graduates of NIDA.
The Institute offers programs

for all phases of teaching and
training of educational
personnel. For example, it
provides advanced work in
counselling, pastoral care and
guidance.
The Institute offers many

training programs, e.g.
advanced work in
counselling, pastoral care
and guidance.
Page 3 of 4
VOCABULARY
use of phrasal
or
prepositional
verbs are
inappropriate
in formal
writing
examples of
more formal
vocabulary
usually found
in academic
writing
Note: longer
words are more
formal than
shorter
Examples
Formal choice
abolish
complete
conduct
consider
discover
distribute
encounter
invent
reconsider
review
Phrasal verbs
do away with
fill in
carry out
weigh up
find out
hand out
come across
make up
think again
go over
absence of
accurate
advantageous
advised
alternatively
beneficial
commence
conceal
consecutive
consolidate
deteriorate
diminish
duration
endeavour
explain
identical
indicate
initial
maintain
marginal
modify
occur
preserve
probability
no
right
useful, helpful
told
or
useful, helpful
begin, start
hide
following on, next to
combine, join, merge
get worse
lessen
time
try
show, tell
same
show, write down
first
keep, support
small, slight
change
happen
keep
chance
Page 4 of 4

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STUDY NOTES

EPISODE 17: WATER AND AGEING

FORMAL AND INFORMAL WRITTEN

The study did not commence

impersonal style for

The procedures were written by The specialists in the

The judge sought clarification

One should consider the

The judge wanted the

modal verbs: can, could,

Environmental pollution will be

SENTENCE COMPLEXITY AND LINKING WORDS

Air pollution is harmful to plants

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

The Institute offers programs

The Institute offers many

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