Formal and Informal English

The difference between formal and informal English is not a difference between correct and incorrect, but a difference of what is known as register. A register is a variety of language related to a particular subject matter or area of activity, a set of words and expressions as well as syntactical features that may be said to characterise that specific area of language. There are many registers: technical, academic, mathematical, scientific, etc. Very broadly speaking, we can also speak of a “formal” and “informal” register in English. In writing academic reports and the like, it would be normal to draw most of the vocabulary and expressions from the formal register, and few, if any, from the informal. This entails avoiding colloquial (everyday) or slang expressions in your writing assignments. The question of register is far more complicated than indicated here; for example, there are many degrees of formality and informality. However, below are listed a few examples which may be of practical assistance.^[1]

Informal They did an experiment Then the Drive Manager goes through some steps to install the programme One after the other They found out what the important things were You can find out all about the survey on page 7 We think you should discuss the research findings at the next departmental meeting Doctors have come up with a new method of…. Safety officers are looking into the problem The cost of cleaning services has gone up 25% over the last three years Informal We do not think it is a good idea to do anything at the moment Many thanks to the staff at “Computers R Us” for their help on the technical side You need to get the patient’s help when doing these hearing tests There were no big differences between the three different groups we tested A lot of This seemed to fix the problem Enough This shows that … Numbers are going up They put the plan into action This let them keep the same temperature during the whole experiment These results are because of factors like weight, age …

Formal The experiment was carried out / performed The Drive Manager then performs / executes a series of functions / operations in order to install the programme At regular intervals They determined / discovered / established / identified the important properties / characteristics / issues Details of the survey are to be found on page 7 It is recommended that the research findings are discussed at the next departmental meeting Doctors have created / established a new method of…. Safety officers are investigating the problem The cost of cleaning services has risen by 25% over the last three years Formal It is suggested that no action should be taken at this stage Thanks are extended to the staff at “Computers R Us” for their technical support (Slightly less formal: We would like to thank ….) When conducting these audiological tests, the active participation of the patient being tested is required. No significant differences emerged between the three different groups tested Many / much / a great deal of This appeared to rectify the problem Sufficient This demonstrates… Numbers are increasing The plan was implemented / carried out This allowed / permitted / resulted in / ensured a constant temperature throughout the experiment / for the entire experiment These results are dependent on factors such as weight, age …

A Final Word

As hinted at in the introduction, it is not always easy to choose the right level at which to pitch the language of an assignment. All academic work should generally be presented in a reasonably formal style, and should not normally use a lot of everyday “street” language. But this does not mean that it should be excessively stuffy and formal either. On the contrary, saying something clearly and simply is one of the requirements of good scientific writing.

The whole question of style is open to a certain amount of discussion in the academic world. For example, students often wonder whether they should use “I” or “we”, and how much they should use the passive construction[2]. Reference to the author in person should normally be kept to a minimum, especially in the orthodox quantitative sciences (physics, chemistry, biology etc.), although you will encounter many academic papers in other areas (e.g. the social sciences) where “I” or “we” may be used quite extensively. A good rule to remember is that everything in your paper is actually attributable to you, the author, unless you give specific references or indication to the contrary, so the use of “I” may simply be unnecessary. Neither is it important to hear what you personally feel about any issues not directly related to the subject of your paper. As stated earlier, the passive is still considered characteristic of much technical writing in particular, and has the added advantage of focusing on the event or the result (which is what is important) and not the person. On the other hand, too much use of the passive can seem heavy, and it is perhaps a good idea to include one or two active sentences occasionally, if only for variation. In short, you need to get a feel for the kind of style that is acceptable in your area of study.

Often formal writing is more precise than informal, because it includes more specific terminology. This does not mean, however, that we should try to over-elaborate our language in order to make it seem more “meaningful”, as the following example shows:

Before [revision]

If there are any points on which you require explanation or further particulars we shall be glad to furnish such additional details as may be required by telephone.

After [revision]

If you have any questions, please ring.

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[1] Some items on this list were inspired by Magaret Newman, previously employed at Teknik och samhälle, and author of the very useful textbook Technically Speaking. I have added quite a number of my own.

[2] It is possible to make some of the examples in the table on pages 1 &2 somewhat less formal by using an active construction: “We recommend that …” instead of “It is recommended that…”, “We suggest that …” instead of “It is suggested that…” etc.