95 Formal and informal words 1

A What is formality?
Formality is all about your relationship with the person you’re speaking or writing to. If you use
formal language, it may be because you wish to show respect, politeness, or to put yourself at
a distance (for example, ‘official’ language, or academic language). Informal language can show
friendliness, equality or a feeling of closeness and solidarity with someone. You should never use
informal language just to sound fluent or clever.

B Scales of formality
Some groups of words can be put on a scale from formal to neutral to informal.

formal neutral informal

offspring children kids
abode / residence house / flat / home place
goodbye bye bye-bye / cheerio
go amiss go wrong go pear-shaped

C Words of Latin and Greek origin

Many longer words that come from Latin and Greek are quite formal. Here are some with their
neutral and/or informal equivalents, which are often shorter words.
I’ll go and email Kieran immediately. [neutral equivalent: at once; informal equivalent: right away]
The researchers utilise the most modern equipment. [neutral equivalent: use]
This problem frequently occurs with older software. [neutral equivalent: often happens]
The study established a link between stress and ill-health. [neutral equivalent: showed/proved]
This book provides us with a picture of ordinary life in the Middle Ages. [neutral equivalent: gives]
The government attempted to reduce unemployment by supporting new businesses. [neutral
equivalent: tried]
Physicists seek answers to fundamental questions about the universe. [neutral equivalents:
search for / look for; basic]

D Formal phrases
Many phrases are typical of formal contexts such as academic or official language.
What should the government do in terms of1 helping young people? Students, in particular2, need
support to complete their studies, on account of3 the high fees and living costs they have to meet.
Should students be given financial support on the basis of4 their family circumstances? And how
should the government act in relation to5 youth unemployment?
The definitions give less formal or neutral equivalents.
1 as regards, about 2 especially 3 because of 4 according to 5 as regards, about, in connection with

E Formality in notices, instructions, etc.

DO NOT DO NOT
You will often see rather formal words in signs, THIS STAIRWAY
ADDRESS
notices and directions. Make sure you know the IS CLOSED ALIGHT WHILE
THE DRIVER
meaning of the words used so that you could UNTIL FURTHER THE BUS UNLESS THE
tell someone what the notice says using less NOTICE. IS IN MOTION. BUS IS
STATIONARY.
formal words.

LIFT Articles We regret Tickets

CAPACITY SIX deposited must be
we no
PERSONS must be paid purchased
longer accept before
OR MAX for in boarding
cheques.
500 KILOS advance. the train.

196 English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate

 Exercises
95.1 Make the underlined words neutral, using words from B opposite.
1 She had no offspring and left all her money to her niece. children
2 The plan went pear-shaped and they abandoned the idea.
3 His abode was a small, rather old building on the edge of town.
4 Cheerio for now. I’ll call you again tomorrow at 9.30.
5 Where are the kids? Are they in the garden?

95.2 Make the underlined words more formal, using words from C opposite.
1 The link between smoking and lung cancer was shown decades ago. established
2 Anyone looking for employment in the film industry faces a tough time.
3 Social scientists often use official statistics in their research.
4 How often does the temperature fall to below zero?
5 If there is a fire, sound the fire alarm right away. Do not try to put the fire out.
6 Poverty is a basic issue in the world today.
7 This problem happens when the computer’s hard drive becomes full.
8 The doctor gave the patient a new drug that had not been fully tested.

95.3 Complete the sentences with words from the opposite page.
1 It would be wrong to make a decision on the basis of incomplete information.
2 The Internet can be a dangerous place. Children, in , need to be protected.
3 What do we need terms equipment to do this experiment?
4 Several questions arose during the discussion relation the economy.
5 He had to cancel his lecture on of illness.

95.4 Find words on the opposite page for the following.

1 the opposite of stationary in motion
2 the opposite of to board
3 a) to be sorry b) to buy c) to speak to
d) get on
4 a formal word for people
5 a formal word for stairs

95.5 If you look up an informal word in a monolingual dictionary, you will often find a neutral
equivalent as part of the definition or explanation. For example, the Cambridge Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary of English entry for kid says: ‘informal: a child or young person’.
Use a dictionary to find neutral or more formal words for these:
1 kip sleep 4 swot 7 gross
2 a pal 5 ta! 8 dodgy
3 a mate 6 brainy

95.6 Over to you

How do you mark whether a word is formal or informal in your vocabulary notebook? If possible,
compare your way with someone else’s.
See also Unit 96 for other formal and informal words and expressions.

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96 Formal and informal words 2
A Monosyllabic informal words
Informal versions of words are often short and monosyllabic (consist of one syllable).

The cops have arrived. [police]

The house has two loos. [toilets]
It cost me ten quid. [pounds]
I’ll help you peel the spuds. [potatoes]
My bike’s been stolen. [bicycle]
I always go by tube. [word used for the London Underground]
His dad spent ten years in the nick. [prison]
I’ll get a cab from the station. [taxi]

B Clippings
Shortening a word tends to make it less formal, though these forms are acceptable in a wide range of
contexts.
I’ll meet you in the lab(oratory).
She works for a tech(nology) company.
What’s on telly tonight? [television]
Have you seen that mag(azine)?
We should put an ad(vertisement) / an advert(isement) in the (news)paper.
Can I use your mobile (phone)? I need to (tele)phone my brother.
There’s milk in the fridge. [refrigerator]
Her sister’s a vet(erinary surgeon).
Would you like to be a celeb(rity)? [famous person]

C Slang
Slang is extremely informal language. Slang helps to make speech vivid, colourful and interesting but
it can easily be used inappropriately. Slang is mainly used in speech but it is also often found in the
popular press and in literature. Slang changes very quickly, so some words go out of fashion, but you
may meet them in novels and films. Some slang expressions may cause offence to some people. Here
are some examples you may hear or read.
Expressions for money: dosh readies moolah
Expressions for food and drinks: nosh grub sarnie [sandwich] cuppa [cup of tea]
People obsessed with computers or other equipment: nerd geek anorak
Jobs: quack [doctor] shrink [psychiatrist] the old bill [the police] squaddie [soldier of a low rank]

Language help
If you are interested in slang, you can find more examples in films or in the tabloid press but it is
probably safest to keep it in your passive rather than your active vocabulary.

198 English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate

 Exercises

96.1 Make this conversation more informal by changing some of the words. Refer to the
opposite page if necessary.
JIM: Annie, can you lend me ten pounds? quid
ANNIE: What for?
JIM: I’ve got to go and see my parents, and my bicycle’s not working, so I’ll have to get a taxi.
ANNIE: Can’t you telephone them and say you can’t come?
JIM: Well, I could, but my mobile phone’s not working, and I want to go because they always have
lots of food, and the refrigerator at our flat is empty, as usual.
ANNIE: Can’t you go by underground? Anyway, you’re in luck, I’ve got some money, so here you are.

96.2 Replace the underlined words with more formal equivalents.

1 The train was full of squaddies going home for the weekend. soldiers
2 I’ve got a bad stomach ache - I think I’ll make an appointment with the quack.
3 He spent two years in the nick for stealing cars.
4 The cops arrived shortly after the accident.
5 There’ll be plenty of nosh at the party so we don’t need to eat beforehand.
6 He’s quite a celeb in the world of poetry.
7 I’m dying for a cuppa. I haven’t had one since breakfast.
8 I’d love to get a motorbike but I just don’t have the moolah.

96.3 Replace the informal words in these sentences with more formal words.
advertisements
1 (formal email) I should like to enquire about the cost of ads on your website.
2 (exam essay) The Internet and telly are probably the biggest influences on young people today.
3 (recipe in a cookery book) Next, slice the spuds and place them on top of the meat.
4 (exam essay) Papers face stiff competition these days from TV and internet news.
5 (formal university publicity) The Faculty offers courses in vet science. Lab facilities are available 24
hours a day.

96.4 Another way of making informal words is by using short forms ending in -y or -ie. Can you
work out the meanings of the following underlined words?
1 Let’s have brekkie before we leave tomorrow. breakfast
2 It’s a nice day. Let’s have a barbie and eat in the garden.

3 D’you want a biccy with your coffee?

4 Jenny turned up at the party with her new hubby.
5 Oh, let me see your holiday piccies! … Is that you in the big
straw hat?
6 They serve really nice veggie food.

He’s a brickie.

96.5 Over to you

Which English words do you know that are very informal or are slang? Where did you read or hear
them? If possible, compare with a friend or classmate.

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