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Formal vs. Informal Writing

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B2 (Upper-Intermediate)Writing

Formal vs. Informal Writing

Register means the level of formality in your writing. A message to a friend and a letter to a company use very different English. A key B2 skill is choosing the right register for your reader and staying consistent. This lesson shows you the differences and how to control them.

Register means the level of formality in your writing. A message to a friend and a letter to a company use very different English. A key B2 skill is choosing the right register for your reader and staying consistent. This lesson shows you the differences and how to control them.

1. When to use each register

Informal Formal
friends, family, close colleagues employers, officials, companies, teachers you don’t know well
texts, personal emails, notes applications, complaints, reports, cover letters

2. Key differences

Feature Informal Formal
Contractions I’m, don’t, can’t I am, do not, cannot
Phrasal verbs vs. formal verbs find out, get, set up discover, receive, establish
Greetings Hi Sam, Dear Mr Khan, / Dear Sir or Madam,
Sign-offs See you, / Cheers, Yours sincerely, / Yours faithfully,
Tone chatty, personal polite, objective

3. Formal verbs instead of phrasal verbs

Informal (phrasal) Formal
find out discover / determine
get receive / obtain
ask for request
put off postpone
help assist

4. Sincerely or faithfully?

A useful rule for formal lettersIf you open with the person’s name (“Dear Mr Khan,”), close with “Yours sincerely,”. If you do not know the name (“Dear Sir or Madam,”), close with “Yours faithfully,”. Match the opening and closing.
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersThe biggest B2 error is mixing registers — starting a formal complaint politely, then slipping into “Thanks!” or “gonna.” Pick your register before you write and keep it to the end. Quick checklist for formal: no contractions (write “I am,” not “I’m”), no slang, formal verbs (“request,” not “ask for”), and a proper greeting and sign-off. For informal, the opposite is fine and natural.

Examples from EduCareer

  • Informal: Hi Omar, thanks for the notes! I’ll see you tomorrow.
  • Formal: Dear Mr Ahmed, I am writing to request further information. Thank you for your assistance.
  • Formal verb: We would like to request (not “ask for”) a refund.
Common mistakes

Dear Sir or Madam, … Cheers!  →  Dear Sir or Madam, … Yours faithfully,

(Formal letter) I wanna find out about the job.  →  I would like to enquire about the position.

(Formal) I can’t come and I don’t know why.  →  I cannot attend, and I am unsure of the reason.

Dear Mr Khan, … Yours faithfully,  →  Dear Mr Khan, … Yours sincerely,

Check your understanding

Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.

1.What does "register" mean in writing?
Register = level of formality.
2.Which is informal?
"Hi Sam, thanks!" is informal.
3.Contractions (I\u2019m, don\u2019t) belong in:
Avoid contractions in formal writing.
4.Formal version of "find out":
"discover/determine" is formal.
5.Formal version of "ask for":
"request" is formal.
6.Formal version of "help":
"assist" is formal.
7.Which greeting is formal?
"Dear Mr Khan," is formal.
8.If you open "Dear Mr Khan," you close with:
Known name \u2192 Yours sincerely.
9.If you open "Dear Sir or Madam," you close with:
Unknown name \u2192 Yours faithfully.
10.Which sign-off is informal?
"Cheers," is informal.
11.The biggest B2 register error is:
Stay consistent in one register.
12.Fix (formal): "I wanna find out about the job."
Formal verbs, no slang or contractions.
13.Which is formal tone?
Formal writing is polite and objective.
14.Formal version of "get" (a letter):
"receive/obtain" is formal.
15.Which belongs in an informal message?
Casual thanks + sign-off is informal.
16.Formal version of "put off":
"postpone" is formal.
17.Which sentence is fully formal?
No contractions, objective tone.
18.Before writing, you should:
Match register to your reader.
19.Which pair matches (formal)?
Known name \u2192 Yours sincerely.
20.Best formal request:
Polite, formal verb "request".

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