Formal vs. Informal — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
Formal language is structured, follows precise rules, and is used in official or professional contexts. Informal language is more casual, conversational, and is used in everyday or familiar settings.
Difference Between Formal and Informal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The concepts of Formal and Informal describe opposing ends of the communication spectrum in terms of tone, structure, and appropriateness. Formal language adheres strictly to grammatical rules, lexical choices, and often includes more complex structures, conveying respect, professionalism, and objectivity. It’s predominant in professional, academic, and official settings where clarity, precision, and politeness are paramount. Informal language, on the other hand, is characterized by a more relaxed, conversational tone, employing colloquialisms, contractions, and slang, reflecting familiarity, ease, and personal connection, suitable for casual, everyday interactions.
Formality is embedded in various elements of language, including vocabulary, syntax, and discourse. Formal language tends to employ advanced, specific, and sometimes archaic vocabulary, avoiding contractions and opting for full forms, exuding professionalism and seriousness. Informal language embraces simplicity, directness, and personalization, utilizing everyday vocabulary, contractions, and even non-standard grammar, emanating warmth, accessibility, and relatability.
Formal and Informal language are selected based on the context, audience, and purpose of communication. Formal language is crucial for legal documents, academic papers, business correspondences, and official speeches, ensuring accuracy, credibility, and neutrality. Informal language is the go-to for friendly chats, personal emails, social media, and creative writing, allowing for expressiveness, creativity, and emotional connection.
The use of formal language implies a distance or respect between interlocutors, emphasizing the content over the relationship, often avoiding subjectivity and emotion. Informal language signifies closeness, equality, and spontaneity between communicators, prioritizing the relationship and emotion over the content, often being more empathetic and subjective.
Comparison Chart
Tone and Style
Structured, respectful, professional.
Casual, conversational, relaxed.
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Lexical Choices
Advanced, specific, avoids contractions.
Simple, everyday vocabulary, uses contractions.
Context of Usage
Professional, academic, official settings.
Casual, everyday interactions, familiar settings.
Grammar and Syntax
Strict adherence to grammatical rules, complex structures.
Relaxed rules, simpler structures.
Relation between Speakers
Implies distance or respect, emphasizes content.
Implies closeness, equality, emphasizes relationship.
Compare with Definitions
Formal
Formal language conveys respect and professionalism.
Her formal tone during the interview portrayed a sense of professionalism.
Informal
Informal language is casual and conversational.
The informal chat between friends was filled with laughter and joy.
Formal
Formal language is predominant in professional and academic settings.
Formal writing is a fundamental aspect of academic coursework.
Informal
Informal language is suitable for friendly and familiar settings.
The informal setting of the cafe allowed for relaxed and easy conversation.
Formal
Formal language emphasizes accuracy and neutrality.
The formal report maintained neutrality and avoided subjective opinions.
Informal
Informal language can employ non-standard grammar and syntax.
Informal notes often have fragmented sentences and relaxed grammar.
Formal
Relating to or involving outward form or structure, often in contrast to content or meaning.
Informal
Not formal or ceremonious; casual
An informal gathering of friends.
A relaxed, informal manner.
Formal
Being or relating to essential form or constitution
A formal principle.
Informal
Not being in accord with prescribed regulations or forms; unofficial
An informal agreement.
Formal
Following or being in accord with accepted or prescribed forms, conventions, or regulations
Had little formal education.
Went to a formal party.
Informal
Suited for everyday wear or use
Informal clothes.
Formal
Characterized by strict or meticulous observation of forms; methodical
Very formal in their business transactions.
Informal
Characterized by nontechnical vocabulary, simple sentence structure, and relatively few explicit transitions, as typified by spoken language
Informal discourse.
Formal
Stiffly ceremonious
A formal greeting.
Informal
Not formal or ceremonious.
An informal get-together
Formal
Characterized by technical or polysyllabic vocabulary, complex sentence structure, and explicit transitions; not colloquial or informal
Formal discourse.
Informal
Not in accord with the usual regulations.
An informal agreement
Formal
Having the outward appearance but lacking in substance
A formal requirement that is usually ignored.
Informal
Suited for everyday use.
Informal clothes
Formal
Something, such as a gown or social affair, that is formal in nature.
Informal
(of language) Reflecting everyday, non-ceremonious usage.
Formal
Being in accord with established forms.
She spoke formal English, without any dialect.
Informal
(gardening) Not organized; not structured or planned.
Formal
Official.
I'd like to make a formal complaint.
Despite efforts by limnologists and freshwater biologists to create a formal definition of “pond”, there is still no universal distinction between a “pond” and a “lake.”
Informal
Not in the regular, usual, or established form; not according to official, conventional, prescribed, or customary forms or rules; irregular; hence, without ceremony; as, an informal writing, proceeding, or visit.
Formal
Relating to the form or structure of something.
Formal linguistics ignores the vocabulary of languages and focuses solely on their grammar.
Informal
Deranged in mind; out of one's senses.
These poor informal women.
Formal
Relating to formation.
The formal stage is a critical part of any child's development.
Informal
Not formal;
Conservative people unaccustomed to informal dress
An informal free-and-easy manner
An informal gathering of friends
Formal
Ceremonial or traditional.
Formal wear must be worn at my wedding!
Informal
Not officially recognized or controlled;
An informal agreement
A loose organization of the local farmers
Formal
Proper, according to strict etiquette; not casual.
He's always very formal, and I wish he'd relax a bit.
Informal
Used of spoken and written language
Formal
Organized; well-structured and planned.
When they became a formal club the rowers built a small boathouse.
Informal
Having or fostering a warm or friendly atmosphere; especially through smallness and informality;
Had a cozy chat
A relaxed informal manner
An intimate cocktail lounge
The small room was cozy and intimate
Formal
(mathematics) Relating to mere manipulation and construction of strings of symbols, without regard to their meaning.
Formal series are defined without any reference to convergence.
Informal
Informal language is characterized by the use of everyday vocabulary and contractions.
Informal writing often includes contractions and colloquial expressions.
Formal
(clothing) An evening gown.
Informal
Informal language allows for expressiveness and emotional connection.
Her informal tone conveyed her excitement and passion vividly.
Formal
An event with a formal dress code.
Jenny took Sam to her Year 12 formal.
Formal
(programming) A formal parameter.
Formal
(Oxbridge slang) formal hall.
Formal
(uncountable) Formalin.
Formal
An acetal formed from formaldehyde.
Formal
See Methylal.
Formal
Belonging to the form, shape, frame, external appearance, or organization of a thing.
Formal
Belonging to the constitution of a thing, as distinguished from the matter composing it; having the power of making a thing what it is; constituent; essential; pertaining to or depending on the forms, so called, of the human intellect.
Of [the sounds represented by] letters, the material part is breath and voice; the formal is constituted by the motion and figure of the organs of speech.
Formal
Done in due form, or with solemnity; according to regular method; not incidental, sudden or irregular; express; as, he gave his formal consent.
His obscure funeral . . . No noble rite nor formal ostentation.
Formal
Devoted to, or done in accordance with, forms or rules; punctilious; regular; orderly; methodical; of a prescribed form; exact; prim; stiff; ceremonious; as, a man formal in his dress, his gait, his conversation.
A cold-looking, formal garden, cut into angles and rhomboids.
She took off the formal cap that confined her hair.
Formal
Having the form or appearance without the substance or essence; external; as, formal duty; formal worship; formal courtesy, etc.
Formal
Dependent in form; conventional.
Still in constraint your suffering sex remains,Or bound in formal or in real chains.
Formal
Sound; normal.
To make of him a formal man again.
Formal
Being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress);
Pay one's formal respects
Formal dress
A formal ball
The requirement was only formal and often ignored
A formal education
Formal
Characteristic of or befitting a person in authority;
Formal duties
An official banquet
Formal
(of spoken and written language) adhering to traditional standards of correctness and without casual, contracted, and colloquial forms;
The paper was written in formal English
Formal
Represented in simplified or symbolic form
Formal
Logically deductive;
Formal proof
Formal
Refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court;
A courtly gentleman
Formal
Formal language is structured and adheres strictly to grammatical rules.
The formal language in the legal document left no room for ambiguity.
Formal
Formal language employs advanced and specific vocabulary.
The formal text used specialized vocabulary relevant to the field.
Common Curiosities
Is formal language used in professional and official settings?
Yes, formal language is predominantly used in professional, academic, and official settings where precision, respect, and professionalism are essential.
Are formal and informal language interchangeable?
No, the choice between formal and informal language depends on the context, audience, and purpose of communication.
Can informal language be more empathetic and subjective?
Yes, informal language often emphasizes emotion, subjectivity, and personal connection, being more empathetic and expressive.
Does formal language avoid contractions?
Indeed, formal language typically avoids contractions, opting for full forms and advanced, specific vocabulary.
Can informal language be used in creative writing?
Yes, informal language is often used in creative writing, allowing for more expressiveness, creativity, and emotional connection.
Is formal language more structured?
Yes, formal language is more structured, adhering strictly to grammatical rules and often employing complex structures.
Can informal language include slang and contractions?
Absolutely, informal language often includes slang, contractions, and colloquial expressions, reflecting a casual, conversational tone.
Is informal language suitable for casual interactions?
Absolutely, informal language is suitable for casual, everyday interactions, reflecting familiarity, ease, and spontaneity.
Does formal language emphasize content over relationship?
Yes, formal language often emphasizes the accuracy and neutrality of the content over the relationship between communicators.
Is formal language important for legal documents?
Absolutely, formal language is crucial for legal documents, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and professionalism.
Is formal language perceived as more respectful?
Yes, formal language is often perceived as more respectful and polite, conveying professionalism and objectivity.
Does informal language often have relaxed grammatical rules?
Yes, informal language often employs relaxed or non-standard grammar and syntax, prioritizing ease and relatability.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
