Formal and informal language

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 3

What is formal and informal language?

What is the difference between formal and informal language?

Formal and informal language serve different purposes. The tone, the choice of words and the way the words are put together vary between the two styles. Formal language is less personal than informal language. It is used when writing for professional or academic purposes like university assignments. Formal language does not use colloquialisms (spreektaal), contractions or first person pronouns such as ‘I’ or ‘We’.

Informal language is more casual and spontaneous. It is used when communicating with friends or family either in writing or in conversation. It is used when writing personal emails, text messages and in some business correspondence. The tone of informal language is more personal than formal language.

What is the difference between formal and informal?

1. Formal is more personal
2. Informal is more personal
3. There is no difference
4. Informal is less personal

Is 'Good afternoon' an informal or formal greeting?

1. formal
2. informal

True or false? The question:
'Like a drink' is formal

1. True
2. False

Is this a formal or an

informal situation?

1. informal
2. formal

What are simple sentences in an email a charactaristic for?

1. informal email
2. formal email
3. neither

True or false: Does a formal memo have objective information?

1. True
2. False

Which of the following is not 'slang'?

1. Hi mate!
2. Goodmorning!
3. That's sorted!
4. Awesome!