Ages 10–11 · Year 6
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Ollie the Owl
🦉
📝 Year 6 · English · Grammar

Formal vs
Informal
Language

Learn how to match your language to your audience and purpose — the key to becoming a versatile, skilled writer.

👁️ Visual 🖐️ Kinesthetic 👂 Auditory
Formal
"I would be grateful if you could consider my application."
Informal
"Hey! Can you have a look at my application? Cheers!"
📋 Learning Objectives

What You Will Learn

1
Understand what register is and why choosing the right level of formality matters.
2
Identify the key features of formal language: standard vocabulary, no contractions, full sentences, third-person perspective.
3
Identify the key features of informal language: contractions, colloquial vocabulary, slang, conversational tone.
4
Know which contexts and purposes require formal or informal language — from job applications to text messages.
5
Rewrite sentences and spot errors where the wrong register has been used.
📖 Theory 1 of 3 · Register & Key Features

What Is Register?

Register is the level of formality you use when speaking or writing. You adjust your register to suit your audience (who you are writing for) and purpose (why you are writing). Using the wrong register is like wearing pyjamas to a job interview — technically possible, but entirely wrong!
🔵 Formal Language
Full words — do not, not don't
Standard vocabulary — children, not kids
Complete, complex sentences
Impersonal or third-person tone
Polite, measured language
Technical or subject-specific words
Passive voice where appropriate
Modal verbs: would, may, might, could
🟠 Informal Language
Contractions — don't, it's, won't
Colloquial vocabulary — loads of, cool, stuff
Slang and idioms — I'm gonna, wanna
Conversational, personal tone
Shorter, simpler sentences
First-person, direct address: hey you!
Rhetorical questions and exclamations!
Emotive, exaggerated language
📖 Theory 2 of 3 · Vocabulary & Contractions

Swapping Informal for Formal

Many informal words have a more formal equivalent. Choosing the right word is a key part of adjusting your register. Always expand contractions in formal writing.
🟠 Informal🔵 Formal Equivalent
can't / won't / don'tcannot / will not / do not
kidschildren / young people
loads of / lots ofa great deal of / a significant number of
get / gotobtain / receive / become
think aboutconsider / reflect upon
find outdiscover / determine / ascertain
really big / really goodsubstantial / considerable / excellent
I'm writing to sayI am writing to inform you / to express
🟠 Informal letter opening
Hey Mr Johnson,
I'm writing cos I wanna know if I can come to the trip. It sounds really cool and I reckon I'd get loads out of it.
🔵 Formal letter opening
Dear Mr Johnson,
I am writing to enquire whether I may attend the upcoming trip. I believe it would be an invaluable opportunity and I am confident I would benefit considerably.
📖 Theory 3 of 3 · Choosing the Right Context

When to Use Each Register

The right register depends on your audience, purpose and context. Ask yourself: Who am I writing for? What relationship do we have? What is the purpose?
📄
Job / university application
Formal
⚖️
Report / official complaint
Formal
📰
Newspaper article
Formal
🎓
Academic essay
Formal
🤝
Letter to headteacher
Formal
💬
Text to a close friend
Informal
📱
Social media post
Informal
✉️
Email to a friend
Informal
📖
Diary entry
Informal
🗣️
Chatting with a friend
Informal
⚠️ Watch out: Some contexts can be either — a blog post might be formal or informal depending on its audience and purpose. Always consider both!
Question 1 of 10
Identify the Register
What is the register of this sentence?
"I am writing to express my sincere concerns regarding the proposed changes to the school timetable."
Informal — it uses contractions and colloquial words.
Formal — it uses full words, standard vocabulary and a polite, impersonal tone.
Neither — it is a spoken sentence, not written language.
Informal — it uses the first-person pronoun "I".
Question 2 of 10
Choose the Formal Version
Which of these sentences is written in a formal register?
I can't believe how loads of kids don't get to go on trips — it's so unfair!
Hey, I think we should totally do something about this, don't you reckon?
Research indicates that a significant proportion of pupils are unable to participate in educational visits.
Lots of kids miss out on trips and it's really not good.
Question 3 of 10
Spot Informal Features
This letter opening is meant to be formal, but contains informal features. Tap all the options that describe an informal feature it contains.
"Hi Mr Davies, I'm writing cos I wanna complain about the canteen. The food isn't great and loads of kids don't like it."
Uses a contraction: I'm instead of I am.
Uses the formal greeting Dear Mr Davies.
Uses slang/colloquial word: cos instead of because.
Uses informal greeting: Hi instead of Dear.
Uses colloquial phrase: loads of kids instead of a significant number of pupils.
Question 4 of 10
Replace the Informal Word
The underlined word is informal. Type the more formal single-word equivalent.
The committee will think about all proposals before reaching a decision.
Replace "think about" with one formal word.
Question 5 of 10
Choose the Right Register
Priya is writing a letter to her local MP asking for improved cycling lanes. Which register should she use, and why?
Informal — MPs are friendly people and she wants to sound approachable.
Formal — she is writing to an authority figure to make a persuasive case, so a formal register is more effective and appropriate.
Informal — she is writing about something she personally cares about, so she should speak from the heart.
It does not matter — MPs will consider any letter regardless of how it is written.
Question 6 of 10
Match Feature to Register
Select a feature from the bank, then tap the correct register to match it.
Contractions (don't)
Passive voice
Slang / colloquial words
Modal verbs (would, may)
🔵 Formal — used to make language more objective and impersonal.
Tap to place…
🟠 Informal — shortened verb forms used in casual speech and writing.
Tap to place…
🔵 Formal — polite verbs such as would, may, might, could that soften requests.
Tap to place…
🟠 Informal — casual vocabulary like cool, loads of, gonna.
Tap to place…
Question 7 of 10
Spot the Register Error
This passage is from a formal report. One sentence is written in the wrong register. Which one?
The survey was conducted across four local primary schools during the spring term.
Findings indicate that pupil wellbeing has improved significantly over the past year.
Honestly, loads of the kids seemed really happy, which was great to see!
It is recommended that the programme be extended to all year groups.
Question 8 of 10
Expand the Contraction
Rewrite the underlined contraction in its formal (expanded) form.
The council won't approve the application without further evidence.
Type the two-word expansion of "won't".
Question 9 of 10
Identify the Formal Sentences
Tap all the sentences that are correctly written in a formal register.
I am writing to request further information regarding the scholarship programme.
It's a well-known fact that kids don't get enough exercise these days.
The evidence suggests that further investment in infrastructure would be beneficial.
Seriously, the whole thing was a complete shambles and nobody was happy about it.
The committee wishes to acknowledge the considerable efforts of all participants.
Question 10 of 10
Final Challenge — Formal Rewrite
A pupil wrote this opening for a formal letter of complaint to a supermarket. Which rewrite is fully formal?
Original (informal): "I'm writing cos I wanna complain — the stuff I got was totally wrong and I'm really annoyed about it."
I am writing to complain cos the items I received were wrong and I'm not happy.
I am writing to formally complain about an order I received that was incorrect. I wish to express my dissatisfaction with the service provided.
I am writing because I want to complain — the stuff I got was wrong and I'm annoyed.
I am writing as I want to complain. The items received were incorrect and I am not happy about it.
🏁 Results

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