Formal diction involves choosing descriptive, precise words that are polite and proper. Sentences in formal diction are often longer. Informal diction, on the other hand, often assumes that the audience already knows what you’re talking about and generally uses shorter words.

Also What is formal language example?

A formal language has an alphabet. For example, math uses specific symbols and characters (such as, 1, a, +, =) in the same way that English uses specific letters. Rather than “words,” formal languages use their alphabets to form strings.

Subsequently, What is informal diction? Informal diction is also called colloquial language. It is the language of everyday speech. It should never be used in formal or academic writing, except when it is part of a quotation or block of dialogue.

What are examples of formal and informal sentences?
Formal English often sounds more serious and formal:

  • Formal: Good morning! How are you? …
  • Formal: They will be attending the meeting tomorrow. Informal: They’ll attend the meeting tomorrow. …
  • Formal: I would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. Informal: Sorry! …
  • Formal: I want to pass my English exam tomorrow.

What is an example of informal language?

In informal language they are used for easier flow and faster speech. For example: She has decided to accept the job offer [formal] She’s decided to accept the job offer [informal]

What are formal language in English?

Formal language is characterized by the use of standard English, more complex sentence structures, infrequent use of personal pronouns, and lack of colloquial or slang terms. Informal language allows the use of nonstandard English forms, colloquial vocabulary and typically shorter sentence structures.

How do you write a formal language?


Formal Writing Voice

  1. Do not use first-person pronouns (“I,” “me,” “my,” “we,” “us,” etc.). …
  2. Avoid addressing readers as “you.” …
  3. Avoid the use of contractions. …
  4. Avoid colloquialism and slang expressions. …
  5. Avoid nonstandard diction. …
  6. Avoid abbreviated versions of words. …
  7. Avoid the overuse of short and simple sentences.

What is the example of informal diction?

Informal diction, then, is the relaxed, conversational language that we use every day. Informal diction is used to address a familiar audience such as family or friends. Personal letters, emails, or documents that have a conversational tone are all written using informal diction.

What are the 4 types of diction?


There are eight common types of diction:

  • Formal diction. Formal diction is the use of sophisticated language, without slang or colloquialisms. …
  • Informal diction. …
  • Pedantic diction. …
  • Colloquial diction. …
  • Slang diction. …
  • Abstract diction. …
  • Concrete diction. …
  • Poetic diction.

What are the four types of diction?

There are four main types of diction: elevated, neutral, informal, and poetic. Elevated diction is the grammatically perfect use of language with an…

What is the example of formal style?

In composition, formal style is a broad term for speech or writing marked by an impersonal, objective, and precise use of language. A formal prose style is typically used in orations, scholarly books and articles, technical reports, research papers, and legal documents.

How do you write a formal sentence?


Formal Writing Voice

  1. Do not use first-person pronouns (“I,” “me,” “my,” “we,” “us,” etc.). …
  2. Avoid addressing readers as “you.” …
  3. Avoid the use of contractions. …
  4. Avoid colloquialism and slang expressions. …
  5. Avoid nonstandard diction. …
  6. Avoid abbreviated versions of words. …
  7. Avoid the overuse of short and simple sentences.

What are some examples of formal communication?


The following are illustrative examples of formal communication.

  • Meetings. Scheduled meetings. …
  • Legal & Commercial Notices. Notices that are of legal and/or commercial relevance. …
  • Documents. Documents that are released to their intended audience. …
  • Reports. …
  • Publications. …
  • Social Media. …
  • Graphics. …
  • Messages.

What are the types of informal language?

  • Colloquial: Informal writing is similar to conversational English. …
  • Simple: Informal writing uses shorter sentence, and some of them might be incomplete.
  • Contractions and Abbreviations: Informal writing consists of words that might be simplified or contracted.

What are informal words?

If something’s informal, it’s casual and relaxed and doesn’t follow any particular rules or conventions, whether that’s a style of writing, or the dress code for your dinner party. … Informal writing or speech is the linguistic equivalent of wearing jeans and a t-shirt, with a relaxed tone and simple words.

What is informal sentence?

Informal language allows the use of nonstandard English forms, colloquial vocabulary and typically shorter sentence structures. The choice of formal or informal style will affect the following areas: standard or nonstandard English.

What are examples of informal writing?

Type Examples
Creative informal writing Dialogues; skits; bio-poems of real/fictional persons (Gere, 1985); letters to famous persons; metaphor games
Skills-centered Practice essay exams; job application cover letters; thesis sentences; revision of paragraphs; revision of peer papers

What is the meaning of formal words?

We use formal language in situations that are serious or that involve people we don’t know well. … Most uses of English are neutral; that is, they are neither formal nor informal. Formal language and informal language are associated with particular choices of grammar and vocabulary.

What is formal and informal speech?

Formal language is a style of speech used when you are speaking to someone you don’t know or on whom you want to make a good impression. Informal language is a style of speech where choice of words and grammar tends to be familiar rather than formal.

What does formal writing mean?

Formal writing is written for an audience you do not know on a personal level. It is often the main style in academic writing (unless otherwise noted) and is more complex than informal writing. Formal writing is serious.

How can I make my English more formal?


Follow these tips and you should make the right impression when you talk to people.

  1. Listen and be understanding. …
  2. Avoid negative words – instead use positive words in a negative form. …
  3. Say the magic word: Sorry. …
  4. Use little words to soften your statements. …
  5. Avoid ‘finger pointing’ statements with the word ‘you’

What are the informal words?

Informal English: We use it with friends, children, and relatives.



Verbs – Informal & Formal.

Informal Formal
think about consider
get obtain
put up tolerate
deal with handle

What is diction and its examples?

Diction is word choice, or the style of speaking that a writer, speaker, or character uses. The diction that you use when you speak or write should be matched to purpose or audience. In formal writing-essays, speeches-diction should be formal. … Examples of Diction: Hey, what’s up, man?

What are examples of colloquial words?

Some examples of informal colloquialisms can include words (such as “y’all” or “gonna” or “wanna”), phrases (such as “old as the hills” and “graveyard dead”), or sometimes even an entire aphorism (“There’s more than one way to skin a cat” and “He needs to step up to the plate.”).