Formal versus Informal Language

Which is more formal?

• What's up?

• How are you?

Which is more formal?

• She has the ability to play the violin.

• She can play the violin.

Which is more formal?

• Let's find out more about fossils.

• Let's discover more about fossils.

Which is more formal?

• I can't tolerate this anymore!

• I can't put up with this anymore!

Which is more formal?

• Madame will keep the students in over recess.

• Madame will retain the students over recess.

Which is more formal?

• I showed my friends my guitar-playing skills.

• I demonstrated my guitar-playing skills to my friends.

Which is more formal?

• The store's grand opening was postponed until December.

• The store's grand opening was put off until December.

Which is more formal?

• Mom said I need to say 'sorry' to my little brother.

• Mom said I need to apologize to my little brother.

Which is more formal?

• I racked up lots of points in my game.

• I accumulated lots of points in my game.

Which is more formal?

• Dad looked at the newspaper.

• Dad examined the newspaper.