It is extremely important to know when to use either formal or informal language. This will depend on the business you are working in, the industry you are in, the people you are speaking with, and the topic you are talking about. Learning the formal and informal way to speak is also a great way to master and learn the language.
Both formal and informal languages serve different individual purposes. The two styles vary depending on the tone you use, the words you choose to use, and the way you construct the words together. Using formal language is less personal than using informal language. Always remember that the type of language you decide to use in writing or speaking will solely depend on your purpose and the audience you are speaking to. Here are some tips you must remember to help you know when to use either formal or informal language.
Formal Language
As mentioned above, formal language is less personal than informal language. This is commonly used when writing or speaking for professional or academic purposes like emails for business, formal letters, academic write-ups, professional academic circumstances, presentations, reports, official and or legal documents, job interviews, and any scenario where formal language is appropriate. Since it is less personal, this can be used when you are communicating with a person you do not personally know well, like public speeches and tenders.
Note that very formal English in everyday situations may sound pompous at times, so always consider the context and the audience you are targeting. In situations that are more serious like job interviews or emailing your university professor, using formal language is highly encouraged. This can help you avoid sounding disrespectful and inappropriate and help you sound polite and professional instead. Remember that formal language has a more complex grammar where the sentences are generally phrased longer and use modal verbs. In pronunciation, speech is slower when using formal language and the tone should be serious.
Informal Language
Informal language is more casual and laid back. This is commonly used with people you know well as your family and friends. You usually use this when you are in a relaxed environment. When your agenda is to share your personal thoughts or you are telling a story, you should use language that is appropriate to the scenario. Informal language has a more conversational tone, frequently using personal pronouns, informal expressions, sentences are shorter, and the feelings are more personal.
This type of language is best suited to use when telling a story, personal narrations, and social forms like blogs and personal emails. This can also be used in advertising, spontaneous speeches, networking, or socializing with your clients, meetings with your teams, text messages, and everyday conversations with your family and friends you know well. Contractions are used in informal languages to ease the flow and make the speech faster. Abbreviations and acronyms are also used to shorten the words. Colloquial language is also used to allow the casual flow of conversation. You can even insert an emoji here and there when using informal language!
Examples of Differences between Formal and Informal Language
Here are some examples of formal and informal languages used below in terms of:
Contractions
Informal: It won’t turn on.
Formal: The device will not turn on.
Phrasal Verbs
Informal: I don’t want to drop out of school.
Formal: I have no intention of leaving the school.
Slang
Informal: Imma go hit him up.
Formal: I am going to contact him.
Collocations
Informal: My business is going bankrupt.
Formal: My business has now officially ceased to trade.
Acronyms
Informal: I will send the files asap.
Formal: I will send the files as soon as I can.
First-Person Pronouns
Informal: I think my study is very useful.
Formal: The researcher is certain that the research conducted serves a lot of purposes.
Formal language is commonly used when writing. Informal language is usually used when speaking. However, this is always not the case. Always refer to the situation you are in upon deciding when to use either formal or informal language. If you are ever uncertain about whether what type of language you should use in a conversation, especially when speaking to someone older than you are or in a work environment, pay close attention to how they talk to you and try to follow their lead. However, when you are emailing someone you do not know, it is best to use formal language to be respectful and polite to the person you are emailing to.
Formal vs. Informal Words/Phrases
Learn an extensive list of 400+ formal vs. informal words and phrases in English.
Ask >>——-<< Enquire
Ask for >>——-<< Request
Book >>——-<< Reserve
Check >>——-<< Verify
Get >>——-<< Receive
Help >>——-<< Assist
Need >>——-<< Request
Say sorry >>——-<< Apologise
Start/ Begin >>——-<< Commence
End >>——-<< Terminate/ Finish
Try >>——-<< Endeavour
Deal with >>——-<< Handle
Tell >>——-<< Inform
Wait for >>——-<< Await
Fight >>——-<< Combat
Use/Eat >>——-<< Consume
Go >>——-<< Depart
Tough >>——-<< Difficult
Small >>——-<< Diminutive
Explain >>——-<< Disclose
Set out >>——-<< Display
Throw out >>——-<< Eject
Old >>——-<< Elderly
Say >>——-<< Express
Afraid >>——-<< Fearful
In the end >>——-<< Finally
Lucky >>——-<< Fortunate
But >>——-<< However
Wrong >>——-<< Incorrect
Go up >>——-<< Increase
Cheap >>——-<< Inexpensive
At first >>——-<< Initially
Mad >>——-<< Insane
Formal Words vs. Informal Words in English | Image 1
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Bright/smart >>——-<< Intelligent
Big/Large >>——-<< Enormous
Right >>——-<< Correct
A bit >>——-<< A little
Away >>——-<< Absent
Speed up >>——-<< Accelerate
Okay, ok >>——-<< Acceptable
Help >>——-<< Aid/ Assist
Let >>——-<< Allow
Call off >>——-<< Cancel
Friendly >>——-<< Amiable
Expect >>——-<< Anticipate
Seem >>——-<< Appear
Climb >>——-<< Ascend
Beat up >>——-<< Assault
Fall out >>——-<< Quarrel
Eager >>——-<< Avid
Stop >>——-<< Cease
Dare >>——-<< Challenge
Kids >>——-<< Children
Settle for >>——-<< Choose
Round >>——-<< Circular
Pick up >>——-<< Collect
Think of >>——-<< Conceive
Link up >>——-<< Connect
Think about >>——-<< Consider
Build >>——-<< Construct
Refer to >>——-<< Consult
Hurt >>——-<< Damage, harm
Go down >>——-<< Decrease
Want/ hope >>——-<< Desire
Lack >>——-<< Deficiency
Show >>——-<< Demonstrate
Brave >>——-<< Courageous
Pin down >>——-<< Determine
Put/ set down >>——-<< Deposit
Throw away >>——-<< Discard
Make out >>——-<< Discern
Talk about >>——-<< Discuss/consider
Give out >>——-<< Distribute
Give >>——-<< Donate
Remove >>——-<< Eliminate
Imagine >>——-<< Envisage
Break out >>——-<< Erupt
Get out >>——-<< Escape
Avoid >>——-<< Evade
Go through >>——-<< Examine
Make up >>——-<< Fabricate
Test >>——-<< Experiment
Ease >>——-<< Facilitate
Come after >>——-<< Follow
Sick >>——-<< Ill
Ask out >>——-<< Invite
Go away >>——-<< Leave/ depart
At once >>——-<< Immediately
Free >>——-<< Liberate
Deal with >>——-<< Manage
Bad >>——-<< Negative
Look into >>——-<< Investigate
Chance >>——-<< Opportunity
See >>——-<< Perceive
Happy >>——-<< Pleased
Give up >>——-<< Quit
Older >>——-<< Senior
Use >>——-<< Utilize
Enough >>——-<< Sufficient
End >>——-<< Terminate
Empty >>——-<< Vacant
Rich >>——-<< Wealthy
Mend >>——-<< Repair
Idea >>——-<< Notion
Mainly >>——-<< Principally
See >>——-<< Observe
Leave out >>——-<< Omit
Go against >>——-<< Oppose
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Hungry >>——-<< Famished
Childish >>——-<< Immature
Maybe >>——-<< Perhaps
Good >>——-<< Positive
Give >>——-<< Provide
Buy >>——-<< Purchase
Say no >>——-<< Reject
Free >>——-<< Release
Look for >>——-<< Seek
Choose >>——-<< Select
Get by >>——-<< Survive
So >>——-<< Therefore
Put up with >>——-<< Tolerate
Block >>——-<< Undermine
Catch up >>——-<< Understand
Sight >>——-<< Vision
Young >>——-<< Youthful
Get >>——-<< Obtain
Need >>——-<< Require
Pay back >>——-<< Repay
Live >>——-<< Reside
Point out >>——-<< Indicate
Find out >>——-<< Learn/Discover
Get away >>——-<< Elude
Come in >>——-<< Enter
Lively >>——-<< Energetic
Clear >>——-<< Transparent
Whole >>——-<< Entire/Complete
Blow up >>——-<< Explode
Break down >>——-<< Fail/Collapse
Hopeless >>——-<< Futile
Hit out at >>——-<< Criticise
Tired >>——-<< Exhausted/ Fatigued
Clothes >>——-<< Garment
Go before >>——-<< Precede
Thanks >>——-<< Gratitude
Hurry >>——-<< Haste, hasten
Funny >>——-<< Humorous, amusing
Better >>——-<< Improved
Dim >>——-<< Indistinct
Worse >>——-<< Inferior
Put in >>——-<< Insert
Bring in >>——-<< Introduce
Make up >>——-<< Invent
Kidding >>——-<< Jesting
Naked >>——-<< Nude
Childish >>——-<< Infantile
A lot of >>——-<< Numerous
Stubborn >>——-<< Obstinate
Danger >>——-<< Peril
Put off >>——-<< Postpone
Here >>——-<< Present
Keep >>——-<< Preserve
Go ahead >>——-<< Proceed
Go after >>——-<< Pursue
Anyways >>——-<< Nevertheless
Let >>——-<< Permit
Sweat >>——-<< Perspiration
Look at >>——-<< Regard
Laid back >>——-<< Relaxed
Take out >>——-<< Remove
Rack up >>——-<< Accumulate
Over >>——-<< At an end
Good looking >>——-<< Attractive
Good for >>——-<< Beneficial
By >>——-<< By means of
Lead to >>——-<< Cause
Complex >>——-<< Convoluted
Go out of >>——-<< Exit
Death >>——-<< Demise
Break off >>——-<< Suspend/adjourn
Also >>——-<< In addition, additionally
Wood >>——-<< Timber
Describe >>——-<< Depict
Go on >>——-<< Continue
In charge of >>——-<< Responsible
Enjoyment >>——-<< Gratification
Dirty/ polluted >>——-<< Contaminated
Again & again >>——-<< Repeatedly
Marvelous >>——-<< Exceptional
Really big >>——-<< Considerable
Can >>——-<< Is capable of
Fork out >>——-<< Pay (money)
Talk into >>——-<< Persuade
Come up to >>——-<< Reach/attain
Iron out >>——-<< Solve/overcome (a problem/difficulty)
Next/later >>——-<< Subsequently
Try out >>——-<< Test
Call on >>——-<< Visit
Drop out of >>——-<< Withdraw (from)
Look up to >>——-<< Respect
Look like >>——-<< Resemble
Job >>——-<< Occupation
Dad >>——-<< Father
Boss >>——-<< Employer
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List of Formal Words & Informal Words in English | Image 4
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Formal vs. Informal Words Video
Last Updated on September 27, 2022
Formal and Informal Words: Grasping the correct ways to use the formal and informal ways to speak is a stepping stone in mastering the English language. There is a major difference between formal and informal words in English.
We have designed a list of formal and informal words in English to help you in this endeavor. The list will help you solve Formal and Informal words pdf.
The two styles of language, namely formal and informal, usually vary depending on the tone one uses, the words that are carefully chosen by the one who is speaking, and the way the speaker is meticulously constructing the words together.
The use of formal language determines and identifies a less personal connection than when using informal language.
- Description of Formal and Informal Language
- Formal and Informal Words in English with Meanings and Examples
Description of Formal and Informal Language
- Formal Language: Formal Language is used mostly when writing or speaking for professional or academic purposes like emails for business, formal letters, academic write-ups, professional academic circumstances, presentations, reports, official and or legal documents, job interviews. Because of its formal tendencies, it can also be used to address people formally.
- Informal Language: Informal language is more of a casual way of speaking, writing, or addressing someone. Generally one uses informal language to communicate with people one knows well like one’s family and friends.
It is usually applied in places that are not of a professional or formal capacity. Further, it is used mostly when narrating a story or personal thoughts. The informal language uses more of a conversational tone, with frequent usage of personal pronouns, informal expressions, sentences constructed are less complicated, and the feelings are more personal.
This type of language can be used in advertising, spontaneous speeches, networking, and everyday conversation with friends and family.
Formal and Informal Words in English with Meanings and Examples
Informal Words
Ask for
This indicates the informal action of asking something an example of that will be The man asked me the path to the nearest bank.
Book
This indicates the informal way of reserving something for a certain time an example of which will be We booked a hotel room for two weeks for our family vacation.
Check
This indicates the informal way of making sure if something is right or present
An example of that will be the following Marie checked her bag thoroughly but still couldn’t find what she was looking for.
Enquire
This indicates the action of asking something an example of which will beThe board members were enquiring the CEO about the company’s revenue.
Get
The word implies the informal way to mean receiving something, generally a gift.
An example of this will be: My friend got me a laptop for my birthday.
Help
The word indicates an informal way of saying coming to the assistance. An
An example of that will be: My friend helped me write my assignment.
Need
The word indicates having the want for something or someone. An
An example of that will be: Three units of blood were urgently needed at the emergency unit.
Say sorry
The word implies an informal way of apologizing to someone. An example of it will be
Jim had to say sorry to me because he lost my precious football.
Start/ Begin
Indicates to an informal way that implies the beginning of a certain event. An example of that will be: The ceremony began in the afternoon and went on till midnight.
Endeavor
This indicates an informal way to imply putting effort into something. An example of that will be I hope Joe can be successful in his future endeavors.
Deal with
This indicates an informal way of addressing the fact that a person has to understand and fix a situation. An example of that will be: Cal was called up to deal with the situation that involved his brother.
Tell
Indicates an informal way to imply the exchange of information between two people.
An example of that will be: The teacher told the students to concentrate and study harder to ace the exam.
Wait for
This indicates an informal way of implying waiting for somebody. An example of this will be: I had to wait for the bus at the bus stop for more than three hours.
Fight
A word that implies the physical action of going against somebody with the intention of hitting them. An example of that will be: A fight broke out in the college cafeteria regarding who will get the last piece of fried chicken
Use/Eat
The word indicates the act of consuming food for the sustenance of life. An example of that will be We decided to eat a turkey during Thanksgiving.
Go
Indicates the act of moving from one place to another. An example of that will be: We decided to go to Europe together as a family during our school vacation.
Tough
The word means to imply something hard in nature and not easy to break. An example of that will be: The cheese froze in the freezer and it was very tough to break.
Small
The word goes to mean an object that is minuscule in size. An example of that would be I asked for a smaller portion of food because I wasn’t very hungry.
Explain
The word means to make something be understood in detail. An example of that will be: The teacher explained to us the facilities of a modern computer
Set out
The word essentially means to arrange and put something on display. An example of that will be: The food was put out on the table for dinner.
Throw out
A word that implies the act of discarding something. An example of that will be: While cleaning the house, my mother threw out my favorite toy by mistake.
Old
A word that is used for referring to someone who has lived for a long time. An example of that will be: The old man suffered from several diseases and died at the age of eighty-three.
Say
A word that is used to describe when someone utters various expressions and words to convey information. An example of that will be: It was time for Jim to say goodbye to his friends.
Afraid
A word used to refer to someone scared of something. An example of it will be: Jim sleeps with the light on in his room because he is afraid of the dark.
In the End
A word used to mean the end of something. An example for the usage of the word will be: The team worked really and in the end finally won the championship.
Lucky
The word that is used to refer to someone who generally is graced with an element of luck. An example of that would be: Joe considers seven to be his lucky number.
But
A word that is used to mention something that is to be added to the first part of a sentence. An example of that will be: Joe is a rich man but very humble.
Wrong
It is a word used to refer to something incorrect. An example of that will be: It is wrong to discriminate against people of different caste, races, or ethnicities.
However
A word used to introduce something to a sentence to contradict its first part. An example of that will be Jim has a lot of clothes however most of them are not his size.
Go up
A word used to refer to something that is increasing. An example of the usage of the word will be: The price of the Tesla stock has been going up for the last few months.
Cheap
A word used to refer to something that is of relatively less value. An example for the usage of that word will be Jake bought cheap earphones and they stopped functioning properly in a month.
At first
A word used to refer to something in the beginning. An example for the usage of that word will be: Jim was skeptical at first but later warmed up to the plan.
Mad
A word used to refer to someone who is not mentally stable. An example for the usage of that word will be: The friends ran around the town like madmen trying to solve the treasure hunt.
Set up
The word is used to refer to something being established, a plan, or an establishment. An example for the usage of that word will be: The company set up a five-year plan to track its growth.
Put off
The word used to say one wants to postpone. An example for the use of that word will be: He has put the task off for so long that he doesn’t want to do it anymore.
Seem
It is the word used to refer to something or someone appears to be in a particular way
An example of the usage of that word is: Jake seems annoyed by his friends constantly picking on him.
Want
The word is attributed to the emotion of needing something. An example of the usage of the aforementioned word is: Aaron wanted to have a burger for dinner.
Say no
These words are generally used to reject someone. An example of it will be: The students requested more time but the teacher said no.
Buy
It is the word used to obtain something in exchange for money. An example of the use of the word would be: Jack bought himself a computer for his birthday.
Formal Words
Request
A word used to imply the formal way of asking for something. An example of the usage of the word will be: We called the hotel and requested a booking at 3.
Reserve
The formal way of saying one has booked something for a particular time. An example of the usage of the word will be: The restaurant called us to tell us that we had missed our reservation for 3.
Verify
The formal way of asking to make sure i.e double-check about something. An example of the usage of the word will be: The website asked me to verify my credentials numerous times.
Receive
The word used to imply the formal way to mean accept something. An example of the usage of the word will be: I received a few packages from Amazon that weren’t properly packed.
Assist
The word used to imply the formal way to refer to the act of helping. An example of the usage of the word will be The customer care executive asked me if he could assist me in anything.
Request
The word is used to describe the formal way of stating the want for something or someone. An example of the usage of the word will be All residents are requested to be at the community hall by 3.
Apologize
The word is used to describe a formal way of saying sorry to someone. An example of the usage of the word will be: The company staff apologized to me for providing me with a faulty product.
Commence
The word is used to describe a formal way to address the beginning of a certain event. An example of the usage of the word will be: The meeting will commence in three minutes.
End
The word is used as a formal way to imply the ending of a certain event. An example of the usage of the word will be: The event started during the evening and went on well into the night before it ended.
Terminate/ Finish
The word is used as a formal way of implying the end of an event. An example of the usage of the word will be: He was about to finish the race when he felt a bad cramp in his leg and had to retire from the race.
Try
Word used to describe effort put into something to achieve something. An example of the usage of the word will be: Jim was trying to enter the school football team by any means necessary.
Handle
Word used to imply a formal way of addressing the fact that a person has to deal with a situation. An example of the usage of the word will be: Jim was called up by his company to handle the situation in his department.
Inform
It is a word used in a formal way of usage for the term “tell”. An example of the usage of the word will be: The corporate informed me of my immediate termination of service because of my tardiness.
Await
It is a word used to imply a formal way of implying waiting for somebody. An example of the usage of the word will be: I awaited Jin’s arrival for more than an hour.
Combat
The word is used to describe the formal way to state and understood to be fighting. An example of the usage of the word will be: In the ancient days, the winner was decided by a trial by combat.
Consume
The word is used as the formal way of stating absorbing something. An example of the usage of the word will be: We calculated the number of calories we consumed each day.
Depart
The word is used as the formal way to state a person is going from one point to another or leaving somewhere. An example of the usage of the world will be: The train departed at a quarter past three.
Difficult
The word is used as a formal way to state if something is difficult. An example of the usage of the word will be: The question paper set by the teacher was so difficult that half of the students failed.
Diminutive
The word is used as a formal way to make one understand if something is small. An example of the usage of the word will be: Jim has diminutive hands for an adult
Disclose
The word is used as a means to reveal something to someone. An example of the usage of the word will be: The government has disclosed the details of the undercover operation against terrorists to the public.
Display
The word is used to imply the formal way that is to be understood for putting things in public for everyone to see. An example of the usage of the word will be: The awards he had won in high school were put on display in a transparent cupboard.
Eject
The word is used to describe the formal way to state the exercise of taking or throwing something out. An example of the usage of the word will be: The computer mechanic ejected the hard drive and fixed my computer.
Elderly
The word is used as the formal way of referring to a person who has lived for a long time. An example of the usage of the word will be: The millionaire donated a huge amount of money for the construction of a home for the elderly.
Express
The word is used as a formal way to mean saying something to someone. An example of the usage of the world: They organized a march to express their dissent against the government laws.
Fearful
The word is used as a formal way to imply being afraid. An example of the usage of the world: The company was fearful of the consequences if they rolled out new products to replace the old ones.
Finally
The word is used as the formal word that is used to mean the end of something. An example of the usage of the world: The team performed really well for years and finally in the fifth year they won the championship.
Fortunate
The word is the formal word used to refer to luck. An example of the usage of the word will be: He was fortunate enough to survive the car crash.
Incorrect
The formal word is used to mean when something is incorrect. An example of the usage of the world will be like: The manager was angry at Simon because he put in incorrect numbers in the spreadsheet.
Increase
The formal word is used to refer to something that is growing in size. An example of the usage of the word: Air Pollution has increased potentially since the rise in the market of cars.
Inexpensive
The formal word is used to refer to something that is of less value. An example of the usage of the word: The company looked for inexpensive solutions to their major problems.
Initially
The formal word is used to refer to someone’s emotions at the beginning. An example of the usage of the word: The payment was initially made in installments and later paid in chunks.
Insane
The formal word is used to refer to someone who is not mentally stable. An example of the usage of the word: The poet almost went insane trying to find the meaning of life.
Establish
The formal word refers to something being set up. An example of the usage of the word: The company established itself as one of the biggest in their area of work.
Postpone
The formal word is used to put off something for a certain period of time. An example of the usage of the word will be: The meeting was postponed by fifteen minutes.
Appear
A Formal word is used to mean something or someone that appears to be in a particular way. An example of the usage of the word: The third part of the book appeared at a considerably later time than the second part.
Desire
A formal word is attributed to the emotion of want. An example of usage of the word: Jim desired to be a pilot when he grew up.
Reject
The formal word is used for the act of saying no. An example of usage of the word: His job application was rejected and he didn’t get the job.
Purchase
The formal word used for the word “buy”. An example of the usage of the word Microsoft purchased the smaller app for an amount of two million dollars.
This concludes the list of most formal and informal words in English. There are obviously more of these but the ones put in the list are the most common ones and are used a lot in daily life. This list is prepared with the purpose that it will help a first-time learner understand the concepts of the English language.
Formal and informal words list in English PDF! Formal language is like a formal thing, in formal language you have to be careful with words, you have to prefer formal words while showing respect to someone. We can use informal words when the person is our friend, sibling and other family members. On the other hand, if someone is senior to us or a respectable person its better to talk in formal language.
The tone of informal words is more personal than formal words. Here is a collection of 350+ Formal and Informal words list in English PDF. Many of informal and formal words are present here that can be used in daily conversation to chat with friends and respectable personality with different tone.
Formal and informal words can be found in all spheres of the language. As the language become more liberal combining these two groups of words get more common.
What is the difference between informal and Formal Words?
Informal Words
Informal words is the language that you speak in your friends circle. it is used during the chatting, messages, calling with your friends family conversation.
What are the examples of the informal words? There are some examples like call on, Avoid, say sorry, here, also, think of etc.
The words that are used when the situation is serious or the person in front of us is unfamiliar to us are known as formal words. In such situation it is preferred to speak formal language. We normally speak formal language with our boss, our teachers, business men and other professional mans.
What are the Examples of formal words? There are some words of formal like present, conceive, vacant, disclose, respect.
Formal and informal words list in English PDF
Link up ……Connect
Live ……Reside
Naked ……Nude
Refer to ……Consult
Look for ……Seek
Seem ……Appear
At Once ……Immediately
Marvelous ……Exceptional
Pin down …… Determine
Complex ……Convoluted
Dim ……Indistinct
Hurry ……Haste, hasten
Away ……Absent
Dare ……Challenge
Speed up ……Accelerate
Lack ……Deficiency
Sick …… ill
Buy ……Purchase
Go away …… Leave/ depart
Say ……Express
Describe …… Depict
Afraid ……Fearful
Get ……Obtain
Avoid …… Evade
Sweat ……Perspiration
Go away ……Leave/ depart
Keep …… Preserve
Young ……Youthful
Okay, ok ……Acceptable
Look up to ……Respect
Sick ……Ill
Call on ……Visit
Avoid ……Evade
Also ……In addition, additionally
Say sorry ……Apologies
Here ……Present
Think of ……Conceive
Empty ……Vacant
Explain ……Disclose
List of formal and informal words
End ……Terminate
Want ……Desire
Block ……Undermine
Find out ……Learn/Discover
Can ……Is capable of
Go out of ……Exit
Sweat ……Perspiration
Let ……Allow
Wrong ……Incorrect
Expect ……Anticipate
Set up ……Establish
Describe ……Depict
Talk about ……Discuss/consider
Look like ……Resemble
Older ……Senior
Test ……Experiment
Brave ……Courageous
A bit ……A little
Stop ……Cease
Say no ……Reject
Drop out of ……Withdraw (from)
Give …… Donate
Ask Out …… Invite
Build ……Construct
Good looking ……Attractive
A Bit ……A Little
Whole ……Entire/Complete
Enough ……Sufficient
Hurt ……Damage, harm
Here ……Present
End ……Terminate
Get away ……Elude
Lively ……Energetic
Funny ……Humorous, amusing
Make out ……Discern
Remove ……Eliminate
Happy ……Pleased
Really big ……Considerable
See …… Observe
Put in ……Insert
Hit out at ……Criticise
Happy ……Pleased
Go down ……Decrease
Dad ……Father
Help …… Assist
Start/ Begin ……Commence
Imagine …… Envisage
Idea ……Notion
Want/ hope ……Desire
Lucky ……Fortunate
Enough ……Sufficient
Go ……Depart
Rack up ……Accumulate
Look into ……Investigate
Good looking ……Attractive
Help ……Assist
Kidding ……Jesting
Sight …… Vision
Pick up ……Collect
Also In ……Addition,
Ease ……Facilitate
Iron out ……Solve/overcome
Maybe ……Perhaps
Want/ hope …… Desire
Lively ……Energetic
Speed up ……Accelerate
Try out ……Test
Go down ……Decrease
Death …… Demise
Deal with …… Handle
Formal and informal vocabulary words
Over ……At an end
Go through …… Examine
Catch up ……Understand
Say no …… Reject
Pin down ……Determine
Rack up …… Accumulate
Get ……Receive
Go ahead ……Proceed
See ……Observe
Marvelous …… Exceptional
Get ……Receive
Leave out ……Omit
Pick up ……Collect
Give ……Donate
Iron out ……Solve/overcome
Hungry …… Famished
Boss ……Employer
Put/ set down ……Deposit
Fork out ……Pay (money)
Enjoyment ……Gratification
Bright/smart ……Intelligent
End ……Terminate/ Finish
Leave out ……Omit
Enjoyment ……Gratification
At first ……Initially
Thanks ……Gratitude
Break down ……Fail/Collapse
Big/Large ……Enormous
Stubborn ……Obstinate
Mad ……Insane
Friendly ……Amiable
Job ……Occupation
Throw ……out Eject
Clothes ……Garment
Shorten ……Decrease
Go after ……Pursue
Really big …… Considerable
Test ……Experiment
Talk into ……Persuade
By ……By means of
Let ……Allow
At First …… Initially
Go up ……Increase
Put up with ……Tolerate
Show ……Demonstrate
Childish ……Infantile
Live …… Reside
Book ……Reserve
Eager ……Avid
Deal ……with Manage
Expect ……Anticipate
Older …… Senior
Next/later ……Subsequently
Bad ……Negative
Make up ……Fabricate
Okay, ok …… Acceptable
Look for ……Seek
Put in ……Insert
Keep ……Preserve
Drop out ……of Withdraw (from)
Say sorry …… Apologise
Pay back …… Repay
Give ……Provide
So …… Therefore
Eager …… Avid
Hungry ……Famished
Throw away ……Discard
Hurry ……Haste, hasten
Hopeless …… Futile
Formal informal words list
Kidding ……Jesting
Mainly ……Principally
Put up with ……Tolerate
Mad ……Insane
Look into …… Investigate
Think of ……Conceive
Bring in ……Introduce
Use/Eat ……Consume
Wood ……Timber
Deal with ……Handle
Clear ……Transparent
Break out ……Erupt
Need ……Require
Naked ……Nude
Make up ……Invent
Free ……Liberate
Anyway ……Nevertheless
Laid back ……Relaxed
Rich ……Wealthy
Check ……Verify
Dirty/ polluted ……Contaminated
Go against …… Oppose
Childish ……Immature
A Lot Of ……Numerous
Round ……Circular
Try ……Endeavour
Look up to …… Respect
Worse ……Inferior
Put off ……Postpone
Need ……Require
Ask For …… Request
Right ……Correct
Small ……Diminutive
Lucky …… Fortunate
Right ……Correct
Lucky ……Fortunate
List of vocabulary words
Give out ……Distribute
But ……However
Say ……Express
So ……Therefore
Refer to ……Consult
Wait for ……Await
Make up …… Fabricate
Let ……Permit
Round ……Circular
Chance ……Opportunity
Set out ……Display
Look at ……Regard
Over At an ……end
Think about ……Consider
Deal with ……Manage
Go after ……Pursue
Away ……Absent
Look like …… Resemble
Point out ……Indicate
Go before ……Precede
Take out ……Remove
Get ……Obtain
Take out …… Remove
Hurt ……Damage
Ask for ……Request
Get away …… Elude
Settle for ……Choose
Better …… Improved
Go up ……Increase
See ……Perceive
Danger ……Peril
Small …… Diminutive
Next/later ……Subsequently
Lack ……Deficiency
Fight ……Combat
Good for ……Beneficial
Settle for ……Choose
Ask …… Enquire
Danger ……Peril
Mend ……Repair
Let ……Permit
Thanks ……Gratitude
Idea ……Notion
Go on ……Continue
Mend ……Repair
Tough ……Difficult
Throw away ……Discard
Go ahead ……Proceed
Young …… Youthful
A lot of ……Numerous
Ease ……Facilitate
Worse ……Inferior
Tired …… Exhausted/ Fatigued
Get out ……Escape
Stubborn ……Obstinate
Kids ……Children
Give out …… Distribute
Choose ……Select
Blow up ……Explode
Dad ……Father
Break off ……Suspend/adjourn
Good ……Positive
End ……Terminate/ Finish
Remove ……Eliminate
Use ……Utilize
Good ……Positive
Dim ……Indistinct
Good for …… Beneficial
Get by ……Survive
Tough ……Difficult
Need ……Request
Pay back ……Repay
In charge of ……Responsible
Rich ……Wealthy
Try out ……Test
Ask ……Enquire
Point out ……Indicate
Come in ……Enter
Throw out ……Eject
Seem ……Appear
Go before …… Precede
Show ……Demonstrate
At once ……Immediately
Afraid …… Fearful
Wrong …… Incorrect
Whole …… Entire/Complete
Put/ set down …… Deposit
Again & Again ……Repeatedly
Go against ……Oppose
Again & again ……Repeatedly
Climb ……Ascend
Death ……Demise
Talk about ……Discuss/consider
Explain ……Disclose
Hit out at ……Criticise
Empty ……Vacant
Hopeless ……Futile
Kids ……Children
Most common formal informal words
Start/ Begin ……Commence
Mainly …… Principally
Go ……Depart
Old ……Elderly
Cheap ……Inexpensive
Use ……Utilize
Fall out ……Quarrel
Go on ……Continue
Live ……Reside
Job ……Occupation
Come after ……Follow
Give up …… Quit
Help ……Aid/ Assist
Tell ……Inform
Look at …… Regard
Lead to …… Cause
Call off ……Cancel
Stop ……Cease
Avoid …… Evade
Anyways ……Nevertheless
Wood ……Timber
Beat up ……Assault
Imagine ……Envisage
Get by …… Survive
Wait for ……Await
Sight ……Vision
Tired ……Exhausted/ Fatigued
Tell ……Inform
Ask out ……Invite
Dare ……Challenge
Set out ……Display
Laid back …… Relaxed
Get out ……Escape
Go out of ……Exit
In charge of …… Responsible
Put off ……Postpone
Think about …… Consider
Give up ……Quit
Old ……Elderly
Free ……Release
Lead to ……Cause
Go through ……Examine
In the end ……Finally
Talk into ……Persuade
Seem ……Appear
Come up to ……Reach/attain
Maybe ……Perhaps
Inphographics
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Formal English:
Formal Language is like a formal dress, in a formal language you have to be careful with words, you have to choose words with respect. We use it when writing essays for school, cover letters to apply for jobs, or emails and letters at work.
Informal English:
Informal Language is the language you speak in your friend’s circle. It is used in conversation with your family and friends, informal words are also respectful words, but they are less polite as compare to formal words.
Here are Formal and Informal words List in English
1. Verbs – Informal & Formal
INFORMAL | FORMAL |
a lot of | numerous |
anyways | nevertheless |
block | undermine |
break down | fail/collapse |
break up | disintegrate |
bring in | introduce |
can | is capable of |
come back | return |
come/go in | enter |
deal with | handle |
enjoyment | gratification |
faithfulness | fidelity |
find out | discover |
from (company) | on the behalf of |
get | obtain |
get in touch with | contact |
give in | yield |
give the go-ahead | authorize |
give/bring back | return |
go against | oppose |
go ahead | proceed |
go away | leave/depart |
go before | precede |
go down | decrease |
go out of | exit |
go up | increase |
hopeless | futile |
house | residence |
hungry | famished |
it’s about | it concerns, it’s in regards to |
keep | retain |
keep up | maintain properly |
lead to | cause |
leave out | omit |
let | permit |
link up | connect |
lively | energetic |
look at | examine |
look for | seek |
look into | investigate |
look like | resemble |
lots of/ a lot of | much, many |
make out | discern |
makeup | fabricate |
mend | repair |
need to | required |
plus/also | moreover/furthermore |
point out | indicate |
put in | insert |
put off | postpone |
put up | tolerate |
put up with | tolerate |
put/set down | deposit |
rack up | accumulate |
really big | considerable |
refer to | consult |
ring up | call |
seem | appear |
set out | display |
set up | establish |
settle for | choose |
show | demonstrate, illustrate, portray |
show up | arrive |
speak to | address |
stand for | represent |
start | commence |
take away | remove |
take out | remove |
talk about | discuss/consider |
thanks | gratitude |
think about | consider/ponder |
think of | conceive |
throw away | discard |
throw out | eject |
tired Formal and Informal words list in English Pdf | fatigued |
tons of, heaps of | large quantities of, a number of |
try out | test |
wait for | await |
whole | entire/complete |
worse | inferior |
say sorry | apologize, apologise |
2. Transitions – Informal & Formal
Informal | Formal |
Anyways | Nevertheless |
Plus/Also | Moreover/ Furthermore |
But | However |
So | Therefore/Thus |
Also | In addition, Additionally |
ASAP | as soon as possible/at your earliest convenience |
Okay, OK | acceptable |
In the meantime | In the interim |
I think | In my opinion, |
In the end, | Finally |
To sum up | In conclusion, |
In a nutshell/Basically | To summarize, |
Anyway, | Notwithstanding |
All right | Acceptable |
Well, | |
To top it all off, | |
On top of it all, | |
In order to |
3. Emphasis Words – Informal & Formal
Informal | Formal |
lots of/ a lot of | much, many |
tons of, heaps of | large quantities of, a number of |
totally | completely, strongly |
really, very | definitely |
4. Letter Expressions – Informal & Formal
Informal | Formal |
Hi Robert, | Dear Sir or Madam |
Just wanted to let you know… | I am writing to inform you… |
Love, | Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully, |
Cheers, | |
Yours Truly, Best regards, kind regards | |
Hope to hear from you soon | I look forward to hearing from you |
You can call me if you need anything | Please do not hesitate to contact me |
5. Abbreviations – Informal & Formal
Informal | Formal |
ASAP | as soon as possible |
T.V. | television |
photo | photograph |
cell | cell phone |
net | Internet |
6. Slang – Informal & Formal
Informal | Formal |
kids | children |
bad | negative |
good | positive |
really big | considerable |
right | correct |
wrong | incorrect |
smart | intelligent |
cheap | inexpensive |
loaded | rich |
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Formal and Informal words list in English Pdf!
What are formal and informal Words?
Formal Language is like formal dress, in the formal language you have to be careful with words, and you have to choose words with respect. You cannot use the word ‘Ask’ in formal language because it is an informal word. You have to be a bit polite in formal language and vocabulary words, rather you can use ‘Inquire’ which is more formal than ‘ask’.
Informal Language is the language you speak with your friend’s circle. It is used in conversation with your family and friends, informal words are also respectful words, but they are less polite as compared to formal words.
Related: List of Formal Words in English
Formal and Informal words list in English
Here is the list of common 1000 Formal and Informal Words:
Informal –> Formal
- Ask –> Enquire
- Ask for –> Request
- Book –> Reserve
- Check –> Verify
- Get –> Receive
- Help –> Assist
- Need –> Request
- Say sorry –> Apologies
- Start/ Begin –> Commence
- End –> Terminate/ Finish
- Try –> Endeavour
- Deal with –> Handle
- Tell –> Inform
- Wait for –> Await
- Fight –> Combat
- Use/Eat –> Consume
- Go –> Depart
- Tough –> Difficult
- Small –> Diminutive
- Explain –> Disclose
- Set out –> Display
- Throw out –> Eject
- Old –> Elderly
- Say –> Express
- Afraid –> Fearful
- In the end –> Finally
- Lucky –> Fortunate
- But –> However
- Wrong –> Incorrect
- Go up –> Increase
- Cheap –> Inexpensive
- At first –> Initially
- Mad –> Insane
- Bright/smart –> Intelligent
- Big/Large –> Enormous
- Right –> Correct
- A bit –> A little
- Away –> Absent
- Speed up –> Accelerate
- Okay, ok –> Acceptable
- Help –> Aid/ Assist
- Let –> Allow
- Call off –> Cancel
- Friendly –> Amiable
Formal Informal Words Image 1
- Expect –> Anticipate
- Seem –> Appear
- Climb –> Ascend
- Beat up –> Assault
- Fall out –> Quarrel
- Eager –> Avid
- Stop –> Cease
- Dare –> Challenge
- Kids –> Children
- Settle for –> Choose
- Round –> Circular
- Pick up –> Collect
- Think of –> Conceive
- Link up –> Connect
- Think about –> Consider
- Build –> Construct
- Refer to –> Consult
- Hurt –> Damage, harm
- Go down –> Decrease
- Want/ hope –> Desire
- Lack –> Deficiency
- Show –> Demonstrate
- Brave –> Courageous
- Pin down –> Determine
- Put/ set down –> Deposit
- Throw away –> Discard
- Make out –> Discern
- Talk about –> Discuss/consider
- Give out –> Distribute
- Give –> Donate
- Remove –> Eliminate
- Imagine –> Envisage
- Break out –> Erupt
- Get out –> Escape
- Avoid –> Evade
- Go through –> Examine
- Make up –> Fabricate
- Test –> Experiment
- Ease –> Facilitate
- Come after –> Follow
- Sick –> Ill
- Ask out –> Invite
- Go away –> Leave/ depart
- At once –> Immediately
- Free –> Liberate
- Deal with –> Manage
- Bad –> Negative
- Look into –> Investigate
- Chance –> Opportunity
- See –> Perceive
- Happy –> Pleased
- Give up –> Quit
- Older –> Senior
- Use –> Utilize
- Enough –> Sufficient
- End –> Terminate
- Empty –> Vacant
- Rich –> Wealthy
- Mend –> Repair
- Idea –> Notion
Formal Informal Words Image 2
- Mainly –> Principally
- See –> Observe
- Leave out –> Omit
- Go against –> Oppose
- Hungry –> Famished
- Childish –> Immature
- Maybe –> Perhaps
- Good –> Positive
- Give –> Provide
- Buy –> Purchase
- Say no –> Reject
- Free –> Release
- Look for –> Seek
- Choose –> Select
- Get by –> Survive
- So –> Therefore
- Put up with –> Tolerate
- Block –> Undermine
- Catch up –> Understand
- Sight –> Vision
- Young –> Youthful
- Get –> Obtain
- Need –> Require
- Pay back –> Repay
- Live –> Reside
- Point out –> Indicate
- Find out –> Learn/Discover
- Get away –> Elude
- Come in –> Enter
- Lively –> Energetic
- Clear –> Transparent
- Whole –> Entire/Complete
- Blow up –> Explode
- Break down –> Fail/Collapse
- Hopeless –> Futile
- Hit out at –> Criticise
- Tired –> Exhausted/ Fatigued
- Clothes –> Garment
- Go before –> Precede
- Thanks –> Gratitude
- Hurry –> Haste, hasten
- Funny –> Humorous, amusing
- Better –> Improved
- Dim –> Indistinct
- Worse –> Inferior
- Put in –> Insert
- Bring in –> Introduce
- Make up –> Invent
- Kidding –> Jesting
- Naked –> Nude
- Childish –> Infantile
- A lot of –> Numerous
- Stubborn –> Obstinate
- Danger –> Peril
- Put off –> Postpone
- Here –> Present
- Keep –> Preserve
- Go ahead –> Proceed
- Go after –> Pursue
- Anyways –> Nevertheless
- Let –> Permit
- Sweat –> Perspiration
- Look at –> Regard
- Laid back –> Relaxed
- Take out –> Remove
- Rack up –> Accumulate
- Over –> At an end
Informal Formal Words Image 3
- Good looking –> Attractive
- Good for –> Beneficial
- By –> By means of
- Lead to –> Cause
- Complex –> Convoluted
- Go out of –> Exit
- Death –> Demise
- Break off –> Suspend/adjourn
- Also –> In addition, additionally
- Wood –> Timber
- Describe –> Depict
- Go on –> Continue
- In charge of –> Responsible
- Enjoyment –> Gratification
- Dirty/ polluted –> Contaminated
- Again & again –> Repeatedly
- Marvelous –> Exceptional
- Really big –> Considerable
- Can –> Is capable of
- Fork out –> Pay (money)
- Talk into –> Persuade
- Come up to –> Reach/attain
- Iron out –> Solve/overcome
- Next/later –> Subsequently
- Try out –> Test
- Call on –> Visit
- Drop out of –> Withdraw (from)
- Look up to –> Respect
- Look like –> Resemble
- Job –> Occupation
- Dad –> Father
- Boss –> Employer
- Avoid –> Evade
- Also In –> Addition,
- Ask –> Enquire
- Afraid –> Fearful
- At First –> Initially
- Ask For –> Request
- Again & Again –> Repeatedly
- A Bit –> A Little
- Avoid –> Evade
- Anyway –> Nevertheless
- Ask Out –> Invite
- Away –> Absent
- At Once –> Immediately
- A Lot Of –> Numerous
Informal Formal Vocabulary Image 4
- Bright/smart –> Intelligent
- Buy –> Purchase
- Build –> Construct
- But –> However
- Bad –> Negative
- Beat up –> Assault
- Break out –> Erupt
- Block –> Undermine
- Blow up –> Explode
- Boss –> Employer
- Brave –> Courageous
- Better –> Improved
- Big/Large –> Enormous
- Bring in –> Introduce
- Break off –> Suspend/adjourn
- Break down –> Fail/Collapse
- Check –> Verify
- Come after –> Follow
- Choose –> Select
- Clear –> Transparent
- Come in –> Enter
- Call off –> Cancel
- Complex –> Convoluted
- Call on –> Visit
- Childish –> Infantile
- Chance –> Opportunity
- Cheap –> Inexpensive
- Can Is –> capable of
- Come up –> to Reach/attain
- Climb –> Ascend
- Clothes –> Garment
- Dirty/ polluted –> Contaminated
- Danger –> Peril
- Dare –> Challenge
- Dad –> Father
- Describe –> Depict
- Deal with –> Handle
- Dim –> Indistinct
- Death –> Demise
- Deal –> with Manage
- Drop out –> of Withdraw (from)
- End –> Terminate/ Finish
- Ease –> Facilitate
- Eager –> Avid
- Expect –> Anticipate
- Enough –> Sufficient
- Explain –> Disclose
- End –> Terminate
- Empty –> Vacant
- Enjoyment –> Gratification
Formal Informal Words Image 5
- friendly –> Amiable
- Free –> Liberate
- Fork out –> Pay (money)
- Fall out –> Quarrel
- Fight –> Combat
- Get –> Receive
- Get out –> Escape
- Go –> Depart
- Go before –> Precede
- Go after –> Pursue
- Good looking –> Attractive
- Give –> Donate
- Go down –> Decrease
- Go through –> Examine
- Good for –> Beneficial
- Go ahead –> Proceed
- Go up –> Increase
- Go on –> Continue
- Go out of –> Exit
- Give up –> Quit
- Get away –> Elude
- Go away –> Leave/ depart
- Give out –> Distribute
- Go against –> Oppose
- Get –> Obtain
- Good –> Positive
- Get by –> Survive
Related: Formal and Informal Words List for IELTS
- Hit out at –> Criticise
- Hungry –> Famished
- Here –> Present
- Help –> Assist
- Hopeless –> Futile
- Happy –> Pleased
- Hurry –> Haste, hasten
- Hurt –> Damage
- Idea –> Notion
- Imagine –> Envisage
- In charge of –> Responsible
- Iron out –> Solve/overcome
- Job –> Occupation
- Keep –> Preserve
- Kidding –> Jesting
- Kids –> Children
- Look up to –> Respect
- Look at –> Regard
- Lucky –> Fortunate
- Lead to –> Cause
- Let –> Allow
- Lucky –> Fortunate
- Lack –> Deficiency
- Look for –> Seek
- Let –> Permit
- Live –> Reside
- Leave out –> Omit
- Look like –> Resemble
- Lively –> Energetic
- Laid back –> Relaxed
- Live –> Reside
- Look into –> Investigate
- Make up –> Fabricate
- Mainly –> Principally
- Mad –> Insane
- Maybe –> Perhaps
- Mend –> Repair
- Marvelous –> Exceptional
- Need –> Require
- Naked –> Nude
- Next/later –> Subsequently
- Old –> Elderly
- Over At an –> end
- Okay, ok –> Acceptable
- Older –> Senior
- Put off –> Postpone
- Pay back –> Repay
- Put/ set down –> Deposit
- Pin down –> Determine
- Put in –> Insert
- Pick up –> Collect
- Put up with –> Tolerate
- Point out –> Indicate
Related: Formal and Informal Vocabulary Examples
Informal Formal Vocabulary Image 6
- Really big –> Considerable
- Remove –> Eliminate
- Rack up –> Accumulate
- Refer to –> Consult
- Rich –> Wealthy
- Round –> Circular
- Right –> Correct
- Show –> Demonstrate
- Speed up –> Accelerate
- Stop –> Cease
- Set up –> Establish
- Sick –> ill
- Stubborn –> Obstinate
- Start/ Begin –> Commence
- Shorten –> Decrease
- Settle for –> Choose
- Say no –> Reject
- Small –> Diminutive
- See –> Observe
- So –> Therefore
- Sight –> Vision
- Seem –> Appear
- Set out –> Display
- Seem –> Appear
- Sweat –> Perspiration
- Say sorry –> Apologise
- Say –> Express
- Talk into –> Persuade
- Tired –> Exhausted/ Fatigued
- Throw away –> Discard
- Take out –> Remove
- Test –> Experiment
- Thanks –> Gratitude
- Tough –> Difficult
- Try out –> Test
- Talk about –> Discuss/consider
- Throw –> out Eject
- Think of –> Conceive
- Try –> Endeavour
- Think about –> Consider
- Tell –> Inform
- Use –> Utilize
- Wood –> Timber
- Want/ hope –> Desire
- Wrong –> Incorrect
- Wait for –> Await
- Want –> Desire
- Worse –> Inferior
- Whole –> Entire/Complete
- Young –> Youthful
Must Learn: 200 synonyms words list
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